Consumer spending on video games and related products in the United States continues to decline, according to industry-tracking firm The NPD Group. For the February 2020 NPD report released today, total industry spending on hardware, new full games, and accessories dropped significantly. It was a slow month for new releases, and gaming fans are less likely to spend big on new hardware with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X coming this holiday.
"February 2020 tracked spending across Video Game Hardware, Software, Accessories and Game Cards totaled $755 million, declining 29% when compared to a year ago," NPD analyst Mat Piscatella said. "Late cycle hardware dynamics for PS4 and Xbox One as well as a lighter new release software slate drove the variance."
February 2019 saw major new releases like Anthem, Far Cry: New Dawn, Metro: Exodus, and Jump Force. February 2020 had nothing. The top 20 best-selling games of the month includes zero new releases.
Sales are also down for the year through the first two months.
"Year-to-date 2020 tracked spending across Video Game Hardware, Software, Accessories, and Game Cards totaled $1.4 billion," said Piscatella. "[That fell] 28% when compared to a year ago."
Let's get to the sales charts.
Overall, software was down significantly - although that isn't surprising or unexpected.
"Dollar sales of tracked video game software fell 36% in February compared to a year ago, to $307 million," said Piscatella. "Declines were driven by the new release slate. Year-to-date software sales fell 33 percent when compared to prior year, to $618 million."
People are holding off for next-gen and because February had a dearth of new releases.
"No new release video game of February 2020 reached the top 20 best-sellers chart. The best-selling new release of the month was The Yakuza Remastered Collection, placing as the 33rd best-selling game of the month."
"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare returned to the top of the chart, ranking as the best-selling game of February," said Piscatella. "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is the second best-selling game of 2020 to date, and remains the best-selling game over the 12 month period ending February."
"Tom Clancy's The Division 2 returned to the chart, ranking as the fifth best-selling game of February," said Piscatella. "The title was promotionally priced across both digital (as low as $2.99) and physical retail (as low as $5) during the month."
"Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot remains the best-selling game of 2020 year to date," said Piscatella. "The title ranked as the fourth best-selling game of February. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot was the only 2020 release to rank among the top 20 best-selling games in the month."
"Ring Fit Adventure moved up one position from its January ranking to become the No. 8 video game on the best-sellers chart in February," said Piscatella. "The title also ranked as the second best-selling game on Nintendo Switch for the month, trailing only Mario Kart 8 Deluxe."
All Rights Reserved © 2024
