Analysts say MMOs can benefit from ongoing recession

Despite the global economic recession, the gaming industry as a whole has been doing much better than others.  For many, video games may be more than a hobby, as they provide temporary virtual sanctuaries for many.  This is especially true with massively multiplayer online games.

Analysts are now saying that MMOs are recession-proof and can even do better during harsh economic times because people are staying at home more.  With layoffs sweeping across the international workforce, people simply have nothing better to do with their time. 

Apparently, these MMO users have a different "profile" from Nintendo Wii or DS players, who typically belong to the casual market.  MMO gamers, on the other hand, can dedicate obsene amounts of time to their game of choice.

"I don't think [MMOs] get impacted at all, because people who play them are addicts," said Michael Pachter, analyst at Wedbush Morgan.  "Losing their jobs makes them more likely to play because they have more time to play."

It's not a particularly flattering comment about MMO players, but there is a sad truth somewhere in there.  Jung, a manager at an Internet cafe in Seoul, South Korea, is seeing a boom in business with this depressing trend.

"These days more people stay late in the evening playing games," Jung said.  "I think they don't have other places to go."

Online gaming achieved unparalleled success in South Korea following the recent Asian financial crisis, which has left many young men unemployed.