Is it a lack of games, or are people just heading outside for their entertainment this summer??
The video game industry saw a huge decline between June/July 2010 and June/July 2011 — a 20% drop.
How much is 20%?
Well, it’s the difference between $855.3 million and $687 million.
Sales of game systems dropped the most (29%), from $313.8 million to $223 million, while software dropped 17% from $403.3 milllion to $336.2 million. Sales of video game accessories dropped 8% from $138.1 million to $127.8 million.
“There is no getting around the fact that video game sales in the new physical retail channel suffered its lowest month since October 2006,” said NPD analyst Anita Frazier. “Despite the very rough month, new physical retail sales are down just 4% year-to-date and based on seasonality trends observed over the last 10 years, which have been remarkably stable year-in, year-out, industry sales in this particular channel are poised to land in the flat to -2% range once the total year is completed.”
The source does say that for the year sales will probably be up, and with big September releases (like the Halo remake and Gears 3), things should spike back up heading into the fall and holiday seasons!
Have U been buying video games lately??
[Image via AP Images.]
