Video game sales revenue plummets 31 percent

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Video game sales revenue plummets 31 percent
by Steven Musil, July 16, 2009 8:38 PM PDT

" Revenue from U.S. video game sales dropped 31 percent to $1.17 billion in June, compared with $1.7 billion a year earlier, according to data released Thursday by market research firm NPD Group.

The ongoing economic recession and a lack of blockbuster game title releases were blamed for the drop, the fourth decline in video game sales in as many months.

"This is one of the first months where I think the impact of the economy is clearly reflected in the sales numbers," NPD's Anita Frazier said in a statement. "This level of decline is certainly going to cause some pain and reflection in the industry."

Hardware sales suffered the greatest hit, falling 38 percent to $382.6 million from $617.3 million in the year-ago month. Only the Microsoft's Xbox 360 game console managed to record a slight sales increase, while Nintendo Wii sales dropped 45 percent, and the Sony PlayStation 3 dropped 59 percent.

Game sales revenue suffered the second largest hit, falling 29 percent to $625.7 million from $875.8 million a year ago. Sales of video game accessories also declined, falling 22 percent $158.2 million from $202.8 million a year ago.

Once thought recession-proof, the game industry has fallen on hard times. Video game sales dipped below $1 billion last month for the first time since 2007.

NPD also suggested that part of the decline may be due to gamers moving to online gaming, but said that trend did not represent a significant threat to console makers.

"While some of the decline in retail sales could be a migration on the part of consumers to acquiring content via digital distribution, our reports on downloads and subscriptions reveal that it's not yet having enough impact on the console market to be an overly meaningful factor in the retail down-turn," Frazier said. "That said, there are increasing avenues for consumers to game, including via mobile devices, and it's clear the industry is sorting through how to manage all these opportunities while deploying resources appropriately." "

:source: Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-10797_3-10289207-235.html

At least the software (gaming) industry does not immediately blame the consumers/internet users every time there is a down-turn in revenue.

The movie and record industries should listen. In fact, I think the only industry of the three worth supporting is software.

Yes, there has been a slow-down in the economy. But a lot of us already have anywhere from 1 to all 3 of the current gaming consoles. The companies may get gross revenue when we buy the consoles, but they also usually lose money on our purchases. When a new set of hot games roll out, we will start spending again. The gaming industry is still bringing in a lot of money.

Or it could be that they just aren't putting out good product at the moment.:ermm:

I agree, I haven't seen a "good" game come out for some time now. But once some the "featured" titles come out it should go up, unless the economy is so bad (which is another point here) they won't buy but will download it. But if the economy is good, you will see people starting to buy games again. But you will always,always have that percent that will always download and never buy, but the downfall was as expected, they also need to lower their price point, $60 a game is pretty damn step (yes I know the DEV's need payed, but PS2 games were only $50), but there is also one other factor their leaving out, renting, Gamefly and other stores make a shit ton of money off renting, I rent all the time, saves me $55 every time I do rent a game.

if only they allowed gore games to be published here in Germany, and stop the stupid censorship they want to implement . that could make game sales rise.