Traffic Increases to Casual Games Sites [eMarketer]

eMarketer reported today that ad-supported game sites, or commonly known as casual gaming sites, saw “27% more unique visits and 42% more total playing time in December 2008 than in December 2007.”  According to Paul Verna, eMarketer senior analyst:

“comScore’s measurements highlight the ongoing shift from high-cost, console-based gaming toward free, browser-based alternatives. This trend has been underway for some time, but the economic crisis has accelerated it. Given current economic and consumer behavior patterns, we expect to see ad-supported, casual games continue on an upward trajectory in 2009.” 

Some of the sites highlighted included Yahoo! Games, WildTangent Network, and TriplePoint client Spil Games.