Today, Strategy Analytics released a forecast of virtual world adoption. This study, titled "Market Forecasts for Virtual World Experiences," predicts that 22 percent of global broadband users will register for one or more virtual worlds over the next 10 years. This will expand the virtual world market to one billion registrants, with roughly an eight billion dollar services opportunity.

"Despite a multitude of challenges, virtual worlds present a unique marketing opportunity to target a highly sought demographic, and virtual worlds should be part of a company's marketing portfolio," according to Harvey Cohen, President of Strategy Analytics.

"Numerous activities and forces are at work to help validate virtual worlds' value proposition and to overcome the many barriers to mass participation," notes Barry Gilbert, Vice President and Research Director.