This industry didn’t even exist ten years ago, so the eye-popping growth figures below should be understood with that in mind. Still, it’s hard to deny that the fusion of social networking and gaming is a phenomenon worth watching, and perhaps investing in. As IBIS puts it, “The accelerating speed and accessibility of the internet has let to skyrocketing growth for web-based industries. Over the past five years, social networks in particular have become an integral part of life for many customers, connecting them with others and helping them find a cheap alternative source of entertainment.” As gaming and social media find ways to integrate themselves further into peoples lives, it’s easy to see how they will both become an important part of the economy as well.
Average annual growth 2002-2012: 128%
Projected annual growth 2012-2017: 22%