It's as good as real -
or worth as much, anyway

In the gaming industry, digital distribution and the sale of virtual items will account for 40 percent of the estimated $13.1 billion global online gaming market by 2012, according to market researcher DFC Intelligence (via Next Generation).

In 2006, the global online gaming market was worth $4.5 billion. Half of online gaming revenues will come from East Asia - think South Korea and China; a quarter from North America; 18 percent from Europe; and 7 percent from Japan alone.

Digital distribution via gaming consoles will surpass $1 billion by 2012.

DFC also forecasted that in-game ads on consoles will make up 35 percent of total in-game ad revenue in North America, the largest market for online in-game ads.