Slashdot Mirror
U.S. Video Game Sales Up 15.5% in April
kukyfrope writes "According to The NPD Group, game sales are up 15.5% for April 2006 thanks to strong PS2 sales, Xbox 360 availability and the release of popular titles such as Kingdom Hearts II, Oblivion and Tomb Raider: Legend. GameDaily BIZ talks in-depth with analysts Michael Pachter (WMS) and Anita Frazier (NPD) on the current trends of the industry and whether this last month was just a fluke or an upswing for the industry. 'We are completely baffled by the sales trend reversal for current generation software,' said Pachter."
"'We are completely baffled by the sales trend reversal for current generation software,' said Pachter."
Well, I can tell you that I just bought 6 new gamecube games for myself & the kids for summer break. I can't be the only one getting ready for that, right?
This is true. I an my friends watched the E3 coverage over the 'Net. Beforehand, we were pretty keen on the 360, quite psyched for the Wii, and, as usual, fairly ambivalent towards the PS3. Afterwards, we're all getting 360s and definitely getting Wiis.
I think the trend identified here is set to continue well into the year. The 360 has some really top notch games coming out, with Gears of War and Chrome Hounds just two of them. Huxley is also shaping up quite well, even though it has recieved mixed reviews.
Turns out console gaming in 2006 is going to be just as awesome as PC gaming in 2006."
A block of code, sufficiently well-written, is indistinguishable from magick.
I wonder how much the upswing in sales is due to serious gamers spending their tax refunds on more games? While taxes weren't due until mid-April, those who got their taxes done early in Febuary would be getting their refunds in early April, and, those who went to H&R block got their refunds instantly.
-When going for broke, go for Ithaca!
I've never understood comparing how many PS2s are selling now compared to how many 360s are selling now. The markets for them at this time are completely different, the prices are completely different, and the library of games are completely different. Just seems a VERY strange comparison.
The PS2 was the fastest selling console ever upon release reaching 10 million in just under 13 months. Despite people waiting to see the other consoles before committing, supply issues, and all that the 360 is on pace to at least come very close to that. Not to say either is better but that seems a much more usable statisic. Compare them when they were both new, both the upper end machines available, both in the higher price ranges, and both with at least similar game libraries.
"reality has a well-known liberal bias" - Steven Colbert