Xbox 360 most popular online console - NPD
Online Gaming 2009 study reveals growing trend in online gaming on home consoles, with Microsoft's hardware leading the way
The NPD Group has issued its report, Online Gaming 2009, revealing that the Xbox 360 is the most widely used console online.
According to the study, Microsoft's console accounts for 50 per cent of the online home console market and is followed by the Nintendo Wii at 29 per cent, up from 18 per cent the previous year.
"This is a testament to the strength of Xbox 360, both overall, and particularly in the online gaming sphere," commented NPD.
The report showed the PlayStation 2 fall "dramatically" while the PlayStation 3 climbed from fifth to third place. While online gaming for home consoles and portable devices climbed from 19 per cent in 2008 to 25 per cent in 2009, online PC gaming saw a slight decline but remains the most widespread platform.
"Online gaming is enjoyed by a diverse group of players," said Anita Frazier, industry analyst for NPD. "The sheer variety of content and ease of access makes online gaming attractive to a much larger demographic than what we typically see in retail."
The report further revealed that online gamers aged between 13-17 years-old increased from to 22 percent in 2009, while those between 18-34 years-old, as well as those 35-54, decreased slightly.