A big torrent website has released their download statistics for video games listed on their domain in 2011. It’s shocking to see how many millions of people have no problem stealing games, no wonder game publishers are actively tracking down the thieves who leak games to torrent websites.
On the other side, publishers are getting better at meeting gamers’ needs, because from the below list most of these games have free demos available for download on Xbox Marketplace, PlayStation Network and their official websites. And out of those that don’t have demos to let you try the game before you buy, well during November & December publishers always heavily discount these games in year-end sales, allowing for gamers with a smaller budget to pick them up after launch. For example: Activision (25% off Modern Warfare 3), Valve (75% off Portal 2), Electronic Arts (50% off Crysis 2/Battlefield 3/FIFA 12), and Steam & Amazon (on average 50% off the rest of the listed games).
Top PC Game Downloads on BitTorrent in 2011:
Crysis 2 (3,920,000)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (3,650,000)
Battlefield 3 (3,510,000)
FIFA 12 (3,390,000)
Portal 2 (3,240,000)
Top Wii Game Downloads on BitTorrent in 2011:
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (1,280,000)
Mario Sports Mix (1,090,000)
Xenoblade Chronicles (950,000)
Lego Pirates of the Caribbean (870,000)
FIFA 12 (860,000)
Top Xbox 360 Game Downloads on BitTorrent in 2011:
Gears of War 3 (890,000)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (830,000)
Battlefield 3 (760,000)
Forza Motorsport 4 (720,000)
Kinect Sports: Season Two (690,000)
PS3 games were not included.
As you can see a lot of these are merely the most popular games released last year, in line with Game of the Year nominees you’ll see on places like the VGA’s.
Via Gamepolitics