Global video game sales are projected to grow nearly 10 percent this year, extending a decade-long surge that has a lot of life left, analysts say.
London-based market research firm ScreenDigest and trade association Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) released their annual forecast, predicting sales in 2003 would hit $18.5 billion (11.5 billion pounds), another record.
According to the report, the sale of video game and so-called "edutainment/reference" software would grow 9.5 percent in 2003 from $16.9 billion, suggesting that waging a virtual bombing raid or racing a stolen car through city streets now rivals trips to the cinema as a favourite entertainment pastime.
Despite the global economic malaise, the popularity of video games continues to soar, a stark contrast to the music industry, which is having increasing difficulties selling compact discs.