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Press Release
Stats on consumer copying and sharing habits
for PC games revealed
March 24, 2004. Game Developers Conference, San Jose, CA.
Data Highlights Potential for Viral Sales of CD/DVD-Based Products Sold at Retail
When Users Can Securely Backup and Copy Discs
San Jose, CA, Game Developers Conference, March 24, 2004 – Secure distribution technology
and services provider Trymedia Systems today made public the results of a recent survey on
consumer copying and sharing habits of PC games purchased at retail. The survey results indicate
that although consumers are aware of the legal and ethical implications, they continue to copy
games for archival purposes and social obligations.
Specific survey results include:
- 15% of consumers admit to copying retail games in the past 6 months.
- 66% asserted their right to make backup copies of games.
- 64% said that illegal copying hurt game developers.
- Each admitted copier buys an average of 7 games per year and makes 17 copies.
- 35 copies are made per 100 units sold on average.
- The top three reasons why people make copies:
#1 Personal backup
#2 To share with friends
#3 To use them on multiple computers (such as desktop and laptop)
- The top reasons consumers share games are:
#1 To play multiplayer games with their friends
#2 Their friends asked them to
#3 They thought their friends would like the game
- Consumers felt that their friends were honest people and that sharing could result in their
friend buying his own copy about 50% of the time.
* The survey randomly polled 2122 adults who visited www.trygames.com in the last 30 days.
“The games industry is endearing itself to gamefans by keeping players in mind as
game copying and sharing issues are addressed. Through consumer-friendly methods such as
Trymedia’s ActiveMARK technology consumers can legally share or copy PC games while
simultaneously increasing publishers’ potential revenue,” said Gabe Zichermann,
Trymedia’s VP of Strategy and Communications. “It’s a win-win situation
for consumers and game developers alike.”
Trymedia’s ActiveMARK technology reverts PC games to free trial mode with an option
to purchase when files are shared. It also permits secure backups, multi-machine installations
and the creation of personal game “jukeboxes” without the need for physical media.
Numerous top-tier game developers and publishers have already implemented ActiveMARK technology
in their games. See current list of customers and
affiliates.
About Trymedia Systems
Trymedia Systems’ secure digital delivery services provide the neutral foundation
for a wide range of solutions dedicated to optimizing game and software sales for top-tier
PC content developers and publishers. Trymedia also operates the world’s largest
B2B marketplace for downloadable games and software, through which major portals and other
high-traffic destinations, as well as the largest Peer-to-Peer Networks, make a catalogue
of ActiveMARK-enabled games and software available to consumers around the world. Trymedia
is an Intel Capital funded company, headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Europe.
For more information please visit www.trymedia.com.
MEDIA NOTE: Trymedia is located in GDC booth #844.
Trymedia Press Contact:
Linda Meyers
meyerspr@earthlink.net
925-408-9565
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