According to the latest research by Pricewaterhouse Coopers the gaming market is set to overtake music sales this year.

The predictions show that the game market may rocket to worth $48.9 billion by 2011, with a growth rate higher than that of the entertainment industry in general.

New consoles, online and wireless gaming, and in-game advertising are all helping to boost the gaming industry at a 9.1% growth rate (10.2% in Asia) compared with the 6.4% entertainment industry average.

"Videogaming is one of the most exciting stories in terms of pure growth numbers," said Marcel Fenez, global managing partner at Pricewaterhouse Coopers.