With their strong library of annual franchises, Electronic Arts has gone out on a limb to say that games have longer lifespans today. To prove their point, EA talked about MMOs, DLCs, and their ten-year plan for the upcoming game, Spore (PC, Nintendo Wii, DS,  Mac, Mobile). More details after the jump.

The online gaming industry is rising fast and could be worth US$ 11 billion in a matter of four years, says research firm Strategy Analytics. Gaming online leads the trail and is poised to be a boon for the proliferation of downloadable content.

The online gaming industry was worth US$ 3.8 billion when fiscal 2006 ended and analysts say that a 25 percent growth rating is likely when fiscal 2007 wraps up.

Blizzard's World of Warcraft is unquestionably spearheading the online charge with a huge subscriber base worldwide enjoying its popular massive multiplayer online (MMO) RPG. Martin Olausson, Digital Media Research Director at Strategy Analytics states:

The rapid growth of the addressable market for digital distribution of both PC and Console games will help clear the way for distribution of mainstream hit titles which has up to now been restricted to the physical retail channel.

Console gaming taking its players online (PSN, Xbox Live), along with music, video, and game downloadable content are pushing growth for the industry that could boom exponentially within the next several years.

David Mercer, Strategy Analytics' Principal Analyst says that the continuous outreach of broadband services around the world is making it possible for more people to avail of the industry's services. "The very lucrative revenue opportunity in both the massively multiplayer segment and the electronic sell through market will continue to attract new entrants into the online games market," he concludes.

Capcom's not letting their guard down even if they already have a strong presence in the market. Gamasutra sat down for an interview with Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Research Christian Svensson, and he talked about Capcom's future with much focus on Wii and downloadable content.

Svensson expressed his confidence with Resident Evil 4 going to the Wii, saying "anytime you sell another copy to another user, it expands the brand." Even with the PC version getting patches for improvement, he believes that the Wii version of RE4 is going to be the best out of four platforms.

While Capcom will be releasing several titles available for download on PS3 and Xbox 360 platforms, Svensson stated that it's more difficult to make a Wii downloadable game because of filesize limitations. On the good side, he confirmed the possibility of making original content on Wii if Nintendo gets their processes in order. Apart from that, the only main problem for making downloadable games available is the coordination required between them and the company of the console they want the game on.

Support for Windows games haven't been decided yet, but Capcom is trying to extend its market by focusing on the PC. "If you look at a lot of the developing markets like China, South Korea, and India, the gaming platform of choice is the PC" says Svensson. They seem to have great plans indeed, as he believes that Monster Hunter: Frontier will be big when it goes live in Japan.

For the full interview, check out the Read link below.

In another interview with the CEO of the Chicago-based studio Seven Lights, Tim Harris, we find out some more interesting details about the upcoming MMORPG, The Continuum.

A rare hybrid within itself, The Continuum boasts of having been able to successfully combine elements from MMORPGs, RTS games, and TCGs. However, it is also unique when it comes to the payment system that the company is planning to implement. According to Harris, instead of "the gym membership-style subscription which is happening in MMORPGs", Seven Lights has opted to allow the players to instead build their armies by purchasing sets of random characters. For TCG players out there, this aspect can be equated to purchasing booster packs for your deck.

However, unlike TCGs where the cards have set rules and abilities printed on it, the characters that one receives can be developed and customized in various ways. Harris also mentions that because the player acquired his characters by choice, and that he can then spend time building up that character, the game developers are hoping that this induces "a feeling of ownership for the players. Instead of purchasing the game, which is free, you're buying stuff in the game, which is stuff you're really going to feel you have ownership of."

Harris discusses possible ports for mobiles, the Xbox360 and the PS3, all inside the Full Article!

Remember when it was hinted at that Phantasy Star Universe (360, PC, and PS2) was going to get new downloadable content? Well, the date is set. Thanksgiving weekend is coming up. Do you know where your family is? If you're the type of person who'd rather say that their family is in another universe, then listen up.

PSU just got bigger. Now you can enjoy more hours with your friends online and take a crack at some new content. While your mom (your real mom in the real world, that is) takes out the turkey from the oven for dinner, Sega of America is serving up eight, yes EIGHT, new missions for you guys during the long weekend.

One of which is Moatoob. Even though this area is already accessible in single player, it's going to be opened up for multiplayer. See? It's all about family this weekend! Also, just in case those big baddies from Moatoob are beating you badly into a pulp, the download will also open up the Tenora Weapon counter and new upgrades will now be available.

Those weapon upgrades will definitely make the monthly US$10 hunter's fee worthwhile. It's Thanksgiving after all. And so, we give thanks by attacking the roasted turkey on the table and releasing hell on all those ugly foes in PSU.