Strategy Analytics has released a report claiming that by 2017, there will be nearly one billion virtual world registrants, with 22% of global broadband users having signed up for one or more virtual worlds. What's more, the company claims that 27% of these registrants will become active users (in other words, there'll actually be around 270 million active virtual worlds users by 2017, which is less headline-worthy than a billion, but still pretty impressive).
By contrast, Strategy Analytics estimates that less than 10% of current virtual world registrants actually become active users, which I’d put down to a combination of people signing up through hype and then losing interest, or struggling with orientation processes when they’re too complex - something Second Life has faced regular criticism for.
Anyway, an active addressable base of 270 million people by 2017 shows why brands and advertisers are getting so interested in virtual worlds, and why large media firms (particularly those with young customers) are piling investment into the sector. And it’s a good prediction to wave at venture capitalists if you’re a virtual world startup looking for funding, of course!
The report is available from Strategy Analytics now.
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