Virtual goods market worth $5bn worldwide in 2009

In the same report, that suggests the games sector could be revolutionised by the micropayment model in the same way that iTunes changed forever the music industry in its entirity, author Simon Firth suggests 10 per cent of players that frequent virtual worlds now indulge in micropayments.

While the figures reported are mentioned without source, if accurate they go some way to proving those who predicted that virtual goods would become extravagantly popular correct. Only two-years previously, the entire casual market was valued at a relatively meagre $2.25 billion.

The article also highlights Zynga as a success story, without drawing light on the recent controversy.