Report: 30 million online console gamers by 2009

A new study by In-Stat reveals that online gaming will be big in the next generation of consoles. Okay, so we kind of already knew this, but it's nice to have a researched report as evidence. The study predicts that the number of "worldwide console and handheld online gaming subscribers...could exceed 30 million by 2009." In-Stat believes Microsoft's Xbox Live service will see "just under 50% annual subscriber growth between 2004 and 2009."

Whether or not we see those numbers in 2009, In-Stat decrees, depends on the online plans Sony chooses for its PlayStation 3. According to the report: "Sony currently believes that a paid service is too large a barrier to console online gaming, and uses free online play primarily to reinforce customer loyalty."

The entire report cost $2,495 US Dollars,
but we're pretty sure we get the gist of it already.

[via GameGossip]