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Game Software Sales Reach $7.3B in 2004

A press release from the Entertainment Software Association reveals the growing popularity of the gaming industry, as sales reach into the 7 Billion US Dollars arena. From the article: "In 2004, video games flew off the shelves as eight titles were sold per second per day throughout the year, evidence of the continuing vast popularity of games among consumers of all ages. This industry remains strong and poised for renewed double digit growth over the next five years as we enter a new cycle of video game console launches. The future could not be brighter."

5 of 45 comments (clear)

  1. Just as long as... by Tepshen · · Score: 4, Insightful

    .. We dont have another great video game crash due to crappy games flooding the market trying to get a piece of the pie. I enjoy games but I dont think that mainstream profit mongering is good for gamers as a whole.

    1. Re:Just as long as... by Mitaphane · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I seriously doubt there will ever be another crash again. The market is too large and well established now. When the crash of '83 or '84(I forget when it was) happened the game industry was still trying to define itself. It was still trying to decide if it was a part of the toy industry or the consumer electronics industry. 2 decades later, video games are as well established as an entertainment medium just as much as movies and games. Unfortunately it has meant the number of mediocre titles has risen, but it also means the number of chances for truly great titles will appear too.

  2. The future could not be brighter, eh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Exclusivity contracts, workers being laid off, smaller developers going under or being bought out, Japan's game industry shrinking, prices on games going up next generation, innovation compromised in favor of a constant stream of sequels, and mediocre games all abound...

    Sounds like a bright future...

  3. Why are game companies bitching? by XopherMV · · Score: 3, Interesting

    In 2004, video games flew off the shelves as eight titles were sold per second per day throughout the year, evidence of the continuing vast popularity of games among consumers of all ages. This industry remains strong and poised for renewed double digit growth over the next five years as we enter a new cycle of video game console launches. The future could not be brighter.

    If that is true, which I am not disputing, then why are game companies always bitching about not making enough money?

  4. and so by Zareste · · Score: 4, Funny

    You see what file sharing is doing to the market?! We cannot stand for this!

    --
    I am NOT a number! I am a - oh wait, I'm number 761710. Look! 761710!