Study: 51% of console owners bought DLC in 2011

Analysts at EEDAR surveyed 3500 gamers in the United States and Canada and discovered an increasing acceptance of downloadable content amongst HD console owners. According to the study, 51% of console owners purchased DLC in the last 12 months, compared to 40% in 2010 and 34% in 2009.

Based on EEDAR's estimates, the growing console DLC market will generate over $875 million in revenue in North America this year, and will pass $1 billion next year.

While a majority of gamers have embraced downloadable games and add-ons, there's still a sizable percentage of gamers that have yet to buy content from the PlayStation Store and Xbox Live Marketplace. According to EEDAR (via VentureBeat, if the industry could convert the 49% of consumers that don't download DLC, the industry could generate an addition $600 million in revenue.

So what's stopping gamers? The main reason is "privacy," according to the survey. Although EEDAR says the PlayStation Network breach earlier this year influenced results only marginally, it highlights the practical reasons why consumers should be concerned. Other reasons for not purchasing DLC include the lack of a return policy, and the high cost of content.