The NPD Group, one of the leading market research groups for the video game industry, has released data focusing not on sales hardware figures, but rather, “video game content”; things such as used video games, rentals, subscriptions, digital full game downloads, downloadable content, and mobile game apps. The numbers are certainly worth a look, and go to show how much weight the used game cycle carries.
For all of 2009, U.S. gamers spent a whopping $4.5 to $4.75 billion on “video game content”. Compare this to the nearly $10.5 billion new game sales accounted for. Anita Frazier, an industry analyist for the NPD Group had this to say about the numbers:
“Our expanded estimate of consumer spending reflects the growing number of options to purchase, acquire and interact with video games ranging from GameFly rentals to iPod Touch game apps. Consumer spending on social network games like those offered by Facebook would push this estimate even higher.”
Continuing was Dave McQuillan, President/Games Division, The NPD Group:
“Tracking and reporting consumer demand for gaming in all its forms is a step toward reflecting the full breadth and depth of the Games industry, The NPD Group is excited to provide an expanded view into U.S. video game content sales through our recently launched Games Acquisition Monitor and other consumer-based tracking services.”
With these numbers in mind, it is OK to assume the used game side of the industry is still alive and well. What are your thoughts on these figures? Post your responses in the comments section below.
