New York – Sales of video
game software were down 8% in 2009 across the key U.S.,
U.K.
and Japanese markets, according to combined data from market research firms NPD
Group, GfK Chart-Track and Enterbrain. Video game software unit sales fell 2%
in Japan in 2009, 7% in the U.S. and 14% in the U.K. The firms cited the recession,
and the shrinking PlayStation 2 game software market, which declined by 57%
across the top global markets in 2009.
"While year-over-year comparisons
show declines, the industry is still boasting significant volumes that were
unseen before 2008," said NPD Group analyst Anita Frazier.
"The
year-end data from 2009 shows us that the number of titles entering the market
is still growing with 778 new titles released in 2009, up from the 764 in 2008."
Activision’s "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" was the top-selling
game of 2009 across the three territories, with 11.86 million in unit sales.
Nintendo
claimed all four of the remaining spots in the top five, with its "Wii
Sports Resort" (7.57 million); "New Super Mario Bros. Wii" (7.41
million); "Wii Fit Plus" (5.8 million); and "Wii Fit" (5.44
million).
Related Links:
http://www.npd.com
