[KwestSeeker]
June 7th, 2002, 06:52 AM
01/05/2002 12:00 PR Newswire
id.20220
Over 3 million videogame downloads via peer-to-peer networks demonstrate initial success for P2P business model
Trymedia Systems
:: Consumers will pay for legitimate content even when they are in the habit of pirating digital files, survey indicates
(IMMEDIAPRESS) San Francisco, May 1 - Trymedia Systems today announced that more than 3 million legitimate videogame downloads through file-sharing hubs (Morpheus, Kazaa, LimeWire and others) have utilised the company's ActiveMARK Content Control and Monetization (CCM) technology. While the online music industry has been garnering most of the attention, the videogame industry is quietly becoming the first entertainment sector to enjoy commercial success with a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) business model.
Videogame developers and publishers are securely distributing and selling their wares over peer-to-peer networks via a try-before-you-buy method. Among the three million downloads using Trymedia's technology are games from publishers including Infogrames, eBrainy, Nine Dragons, Digital Fusion, Fasttrak and ExelWeiss.
Trymedia's ActiveMARK Technology allows developers to customise product trials based on their own preferences such as a trial that expires after a certain number of days, or one that limits gameplay to a specified number of game levels. Games and software may then be distributed via any method -- CD/DVD, the web, P2P Networks and Email. After trying the game or software program, the player can easily purchase the product to unlock the remaining content he has already downloaded -- without requiring persistent Internet connectivity. When the content is transferred from one person to another (such as in a Peer-to-Peer network), it automatically reverts to trial -- creating
another sales opportunity without additional marketing cost.
''Consumers download and share interesting digital content based on how easy it is to get, regardless of its legality,'' commented Gabe Zichermann, VP of Marketing for Trymedia. ''Fans are already demonstrating that they are ready to pay for games, even when they know how to get the illegal versions for free.''
Trymedia recently completed the first comprehensive survey of consumers who purchase downloadable games. Particularly significant are indications that game enthusiasts are willing to pay for content when that option is readily available, in spite of the fact that sharing pirated files is common practice. Also notable are the number of players who have not yet adopted broadband Internet access, but nonetheless are active in the Peer-to-Peer community. A partial list of relevant data collected from more than 500 respondents, each of whom purchased at least one downloadable game, follows.
-- The average P2P game buyer gets three full-version games per
month to try from their friends.
-- The average user downloads four hacked versions of games per
month.
-- The average P2P game player buys four games in retail stores
and three downloadable games every six months.
-- Two-thirds of respondents indicated that they would not have
bought their online game in a store.
-- The average P2P game buyer spends 24 hours online each week,
more than half of which is spent playing games.
-- 70% of respondents have a broadband connection; the remaining
30% connect to the Internet via dialup modem.
**For additional survey information go to www.trymedia.com.
Trymedia Systems' ActiveMARK allows the creators of digital goods to generate revenue by converting illegal file-sharing into income. Games and software distributed over CD/DVD, the Web, P2P networks and E-mail are protected by this monetization and distribution solution. In early 2001 ActiveMARK enabled an independent recording artist to generate the first direct revenues in any peer-to-peer environment (Napster) -- and Trymedia has continued to innovate, offering both a technology platform and distribution solution to its partners. Founded in 1999 by former hackers, Trymedia is headquartered in San Francisco and maintains offices in Europe. For more information about ActiveMARK or Trymedia, visit http://www.trymedia.com .
id.20220
Over 3 million videogame downloads via peer-to-peer networks demonstrate initial success for P2P business model
Trymedia Systems
:: Consumers will pay for legitimate content even when they are in the habit of pirating digital files, survey indicates
(IMMEDIAPRESS) San Francisco, May 1 - Trymedia Systems today announced that more than 3 million legitimate videogame downloads through file-sharing hubs (Morpheus, Kazaa, LimeWire and others) have utilised the company's ActiveMARK Content Control and Monetization (CCM) technology. While the online music industry has been garnering most of the attention, the videogame industry is quietly becoming the first entertainment sector to enjoy commercial success with a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) business model.
Videogame developers and publishers are securely distributing and selling their wares over peer-to-peer networks via a try-before-you-buy method. Among the three million downloads using Trymedia's technology are games from publishers including Infogrames, eBrainy, Nine Dragons, Digital Fusion, Fasttrak and ExelWeiss.
Trymedia's ActiveMARK Technology allows developers to customise product trials based on their own preferences such as a trial that expires after a certain number of days, or one that limits gameplay to a specified number of game levels. Games and software may then be distributed via any method -- CD/DVD, the web, P2P Networks and Email. After trying the game or software program, the player can easily purchase the product to unlock the remaining content he has already downloaded -- without requiring persistent Internet connectivity. When the content is transferred from one person to another (such as in a Peer-to-Peer network), it automatically reverts to trial -- creating
another sales opportunity without additional marketing cost.
''Consumers download and share interesting digital content based on how easy it is to get, regardless of its legality,'' commented Gabe Zichermann, VP of Marketing for Trymedia. ''Fans are already demonstrating that they are ready to pay for games, even when they know how to get the illegal versions for free.''
Trymedia recently completed the first comprehensive survey of consumers who purchase downloadable games. Particularly significant are indications that game enthusiasts are willing to pay for content when that option is readily available, in spite of the fact that sharing pirated files is common practice. Also notable are the number of players who have not yet adopted broadband Internet access, but nonetheless are active in the Peer-to-Peer community. A partial list of relevant data collected from more than 500 respondents, each of whom purchased at least one downloadable game, follows.
-- The average P2P game buyer gets three full-version games per
month to try from their friends.
-- The average user downloads four hacked versions of games per
month.
-- The average P2P game player buys four games in retail stores
and three downloadable games every six months.
-- Two-thirds of respondents indicated that they would not have
bought their online game in a store.
-- The average P2P game buyer spends 24 hours online each week,
more than half of which is spent playing games.
-- 70% of respondents have a broadband connection; the remaining
30% connect to the Internet via dialup modem.
**For additional survey information go to www.trymedia.com.
Trymedia Systems' ActiveMARK allows the creators of digital goods to generate revenue by converting illegal file-sharing into income. Games and software distributed over CD/DVD, the Web, P2P networks and E-mail are protected by this monetization and distribution solution. In early 2001 ActiveMARK enabled an independent recording artist to generate the first direct revenues in any peer-to-peer environment (Napster) -- and Trymedia has continued to innovate, offering both a technology platform and distribution solution to its partners. Founded in 1999 by former hackers, Trymedia is headquartered in San Francisco and maintains offices in Europe. For more information about ActiveMARK or Trymedia, visit http://www.trymedia.com .