U.S. Video Game Sales Slip 4 Percent in March

April 15, 2011

North American retail Video game sales slipped 4 percent in the month of March as consumers turned to digital downloads and online games for their entertainment needs - according to data released by NPD Group. Sales of computer and video games fell 16 percent to $735.4 million, compared to $875.7 million in the same period a year ago.

Nintendo's 3DS hand-held drove hardware sales up 12 percent to $494.5 million in March, but it wasn't enough to make up for the steep slide in software sales (the average gamer bought just one game with the $250 system). When combined with sales of game accessories - Microsoft's Kinect and Sony's Move - overall game industry sales were $1.53 billion last month, down 4 percent from $1.58 billion in March 2010.

The message coming out of March is that consumers seem to be shifting away from retail and to digital distribution channels.

Source: Home Media Magazine

Comments

Re: U.S. Video Game Sales Slip 4 Percent in March

Submitted by Grif on Sat, 04/16/2011 - 00:35.

Uh oh. Looks like Bobby Kotick may have to settle for only buying 3 yachts this year.

"Power means nothing without honor and pride."

http://grifsgamereviews.blogspot.com My video game review site.

Atlanta Video Games Examiner for examiner.com

Re: U.S. Video Game Sales Slip 4 Percent in March

Submitted by Andrew Eisen on Fri, 04/15/2011 - 11:13.

"The message coming out of March is that consumers seem to be shifting away from retail and to digital distribution channels."

With gas prices where they are, that's not too surprising.

 

Andrew Eisen

 
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MechaTama31: Imautobot: I dunno. Ask my hundreds-strong Steam library, which I have played maybe 10-20% of. Those sales are just too good to pass up... >.>06/19/2013 - 7:38am
Imautobot: Bought 5 GOG games last night, now I wonder if I'll play them. Why is it so comforting to know we have it, and yet such a challenge to bring ourselves to play it?06/19/2013 - 7:28am
Andrew Eisen: Okay, fixed. For really reals this time!06/19/2013 - 12:42am
Sleaker: @AE The actual link to the pay what you want is www.indiegamestand.com not desura. You seem to infer where it's at but never posted a link.06/19/2013 - 12:01am
Andrew Eisen: LEGO: The Movie! www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPnY2NjSjrg06/18/2013 - 9:39pm
Zen: http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20130614/OFFDUTY02/306140030/New-Xbox-sin-against-all-service-members-06/18/2013 - 7:33pm
Zen: Been out for a few days, but has anyone brought up the possible ban on Xbox One on military bases because of security concerns that it could be a listening device by Commanders?06/18/2013 - 7:33pm
Andrew Eisen: Sleaker - Fixed.06/18/2013 - 6:34pm
MechaTama31: CMiner: Another issue is that every camera/webcam combination is going to be pretty different, in terms of the software/hardware exploits available. A homogenous hardware/software combo like a console, in millions of homes, will be a much juicier target.06/18/2013 - 6:31pm
Sleaker: Vox pay what you want link is busted.06/18/2013 - 6:27pm
ZippyDSMlee: Mics have to breath put tape over it.06/18/2013 - 6:25pm
NyuRena: You nailed it James! Yikes..06/18/2013 - 1:56pm
james_fudge: With MS willing to share with the government, an always listening device should give everyone pause.06/18/2013 - 1:37pm
james_fudge: you can't turn off the Microphone on the Kinect and it has to be plugged in. It's not rocket science.06/18/2013 - 1:35pm
E. Zachary Knight: The Humble Bundle Guys just don't like me having money in my pocket do they? https://www.humblebundle.com/06/18/2013 - 1:12pm
E. Zachary Knight: CMiner, I know that my Android camera is off unless I am using an application that turns it on. Same with the microphone.06/18/2013 - 12:38pm
CMiner: Can you turn off the camera on an iPhone? Like, -really- turn it off, not just change a setting that -tells- you the camera is off?06/18/2013 - 12:13pm
james_fudge: when they make it a requirement, yes they are06/18/2013 - 12:10pm
CMiner: I just don't think Microsoft bears any more (or less) responsibility for privacy with its Kinect camera than do the makers of laptops or smartphones with integrated cameras.06/18/2013 - 12:00pm
Imautobot: The ability to operate the console without the camera is key. It's a peripheral, not directly integrated into the console, and yet it behaves as if it is. Thankfully I don't have kids, and won't have an Xbone either.06/18/2013 - 11:49am
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