Social gaming to be worth $5bn by 2015

The global market for social games is expected to create revenues of over $5 billion by the end of 2015.

That’s according to research firm Parks Associates’ latest report, Social Gaming: Market Updates, in which the company claims the market is on course for a five-fold increase between 2010 and 2015, according to GI.biz.

The firm also claims that more than 250 million people currently play titles such as Zynga’s FarmVille and CityVille.

Key growth drivers were identified as increased monetisation through microstransactions and cross-promotions with mainstream brands such as McDonald’s and 7-Eleven.

Parks Associates also cited social games developers ability to respond to user data and feedback.

The abilities to measure the efficacy of different gameplay mechanisms, to tweak game design in near-real time, and to test new models are advantages that traditional gaming companies will never have,” the firm said.

Zynga’s huge market share is the best proof of the competitive advantage made possible by properly leveraging consumer data.”