Worldwide Dedicated Handheld and Mobile Gaming Hardware and Software 2010-2014 Forecast

This IDC study aims to size and forecast global growth in the dedicated handheld gaming sector. This growth partly hinges on developments in the connected portable media player (PMP) and media tablet sectors, however, as well as the evolution and proliferation of cellular phone gaming platforms. This forecast considers the outlook for dedicated handheld gaming revenue within this important broader context.

"The dedicated handheld gaming market is in recovery mode headed into 2011 due to factors including the economic downturn," says Lewis Ward, research manager of IDC's gaming program. "However, given that next-generation hardware should be here within three years and the substantial gap that exists in terms of customer expectations and behaviors on smartphones in particular, it appears dedicated handhelds should bounce back to their 2008 heights by 2014."