While everyone is stuck indoors the best way to pass the time is by gaming.
In March alone, sales across video game hardware, software, accessories and game cards totaled $1.6 billion, up a massive 35% from a year ago. It’s the highest reported spend for the month since 2008, according to industry research firm NDP Group, and reflects the overall higher engagement with all forms of at-home media and entertainment spurred by COVID-19.
Year to date, spending in 2020 was $3 billion, off 4% from last year, attesting the the giant jump last month.
Sales of video game software that the firm tracks grew 34% in March to $739 million, the highest since 2011. Total first-quarter tracked software spending fell 8% to $1.4 billion.
Hardware sales are up 63% from March 2019 and have reached $461 million. Nintendo Switch sales have more than doubled and PlayStation 4 and Xbox One both saw more than a 25% rise. Q1 2020 hardware spending is up 2% from Q1 2019 and is at $773 million.
Nine of the top 10 best-selling games for the month generated higher dollar sales than similarly ranked titles a year ago, with Animal Crossing: New Horizons the best-selling game of March 2020 and the second best-selling game of 2020 year to date.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare was the second best-selling game of March 2020 and is now the best-selling game of 2020 year to date. March sales of Call of Duty franchise titles reached a new all-time high for a March month, exceeding the previous peak set in March 2010.
MLB The Show 20 was the third best-selling game of March 2020, and instantly becomes the fifth best-selling game of 2020. MLB The Show 20 is the fastest-selling game in MLB The Show franchise history, with launch month sales significantly exceeding those of the previous best, MLB The Show 19.
Discover more from The Koalition
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
