May US Videogame Industry Sales At Lowest Level In Almost 5 Years
14 6월 2011 - 9:03AM
Dow Jones News
U.S. videogame industry sales dropped 14% in May as a short list
of new titles failed to entice consumers, another setback for an
industry struggling to regain momentum in a slow economy.
Sales of new videogame hardware, software and accessories fell
to $743.1 million from $866.6 million during the same period a year
ago, according to NPD Group. The market researcher said a weak
slate of new titles following the blockbuster growth in April was
to blame.
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.'s (TTWO) crime drama, "L.A.
Noire," was the best-selling game for the month. The performance
was particularly notable because it wasn't released until May
17.
NPD said the rapid growth in online videogame sales could also
be responsible for the industry's poor showing, with sales at their
lowest levels since October 2006. NPD's data only tracks sales of
new items at physical retail sales, and doesn't include digital
downloads.
The videogame industry is in the middle of a rapid change as
sales over the Internet grow. Electronic Arts Inc. (ERTS) recently
said roughly 20% of its sales now occur online in some form.
Revenue for other companies, such as Zynga Inc., occur almost
exclusively over the Internet.
The shift also comes as consumers continue to control their
spending following deep cuts in household entertainment budgets.
Many want to extend the use of games they already own by buying
extra maps and levels. They also play cheap and free games on
mobile devices such as Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) iPhone or through
websites such as Facebook Inc.'s namesake social network.
Still, NPD analyst Anita Frazier said brick-and-mortar retail
sales will likely pick up in the near future. Next Sunday, for
example, Nintendo Co. (NTDOY, 7974.OK) is expected to release the
much-anticipated "Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D" for its 3DS handheld
videogame console. The device's sales haven't met Nintendo's
expectations despite a strong start.
"We will begin to see a slate of strong content come to market
for the 3DS, which should help to significantly boost sales of
hardware during the remainder of 2011," Frazier said.
May's biggest titles included "L.A. Noire," followed by Bethesda
Softworks LLC's "Brink" and "Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The
Video Game" by Walt Disney Co.'s (DIS) interactive division.
Across the industry, new games sales fell 21% to $400.1 million
from $503.8 million during the same period last year.
Sales of videogame accessories, such as prepaid cards used to
purchase digital content within games, fell 6%, to $114 million
from $121.5 million the year before.
-By Ian Sherr, Dow Jones Newswires; 415-439-6455;
ian.sherr@dowjones.com
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