The online gaming industry is rising fast and could be worth US$ 11 billion in a matter of four years, says research firm Strategy Analytics. Gaming online leads the trail and is poised to be a boon for the proliferation of downloadable content.

The online gaming industry was worth US$ 3.8 billion when fiscal 2006 ended and analysts say that a 25 percent growth rating is likely when fiscal 2007 wraps up.

Blizzard's World of Warcraft is unquestionably spearheading the online charge with a huge subscriber base worldwide enjoying its popular massive multiplayer online (MMO) RPG. Martin Olausson, Digital Media Research Director at Strategy Analytics states:

The rapid growth of the addressable market for digital distribution of both PC and Console games will help clear the way for distribution of mainstream hit titles which has up to now been restricted to the physical retail channel.

Console gaming taking its players online (PSN, Xbox Live), along with music, video, and game downloadable content are pushing growth for the industry that could boom exponentially within the next several years.

David Mercer, Strategy Analytics' Principal Analyst says that the continuous outreach of broadband services around the world is making it possible for more people to avail of the industry's services. "The very lucrative revenue opportunity in both the massively multiplayer segment and the electronic sell through market will continue to attract new entrants into the online games market," he concludes.