PC gamers spend an average of 18.5 hours playing each week - more than console (13.6 hours), portable (8.9 hours), or mobile games (4.6 hours).

The online PC game market in will grow from $1.1 billion in 2005 to $4.4 billion by 2010 in North America. This according to a new study conducted by Parks Associates, a Dallas-based market research and consulting company. Currently PC gamers spend an average of 18.5 hours playing each week - more than console (13.6 hours), portable (8.9 hours), or mobile games (4.6 hours). Of those PC gamers, 70% play some form of multiplayer online game.

The research will be shared at the Austin Game Conference (AGC) next week in Austin, Texas. "This year's conference encourages attendees to look at game development from a variety of fresh perspectives as well as to re-think the preconceived stereotype of the avid game consumer," said Christopher V. Sherman, Austin Game Conference Executive Director. 

Michael Dell, Chairman of the Board at Dell Inc, will conduct a "fireside chat" with attendees Thursday afternoon. Dell will address Dell Inc.'s stake in the future of the game industry and take questions from the audience.