Serious gamers spend more time on PC than consoles

During March and May, research firm Newzoo surveyed over 20,000 gamers from a range of countries. Based on the data (#1, #2, #3), Newzoo estimates that US consumers will spend $21.6 billion on games in 2011. Most of that ($8 billion) will go to console titles, but the PC isn't far behind.

Combining categories for retail-boxed and downloaded games pegs the PC gaming market at $4.3 billion. MMOs, which are primarily played on the PC (WoW madness), are good for another $2.6 billion, bringing the total to $6.9 billion. Mobile, casual, and social-networking games are expected to rake in slightly less: $6.7 billion combined.

Of the populations aged 10-65, with internet access, Germany has the highest proportion of gamers, where 66% of the population are active players. Next is Mexico with 57%, Russia with 53%, UK with 52%, Brazil with 47% and USA with 42%.