Boxed Games Not Leading Indicator of Market Strength.

UK trade body ELSPA announced yesterday that it was to introduce a download sales chart for the PC platform, in association with member publishers including Sega, THQ, Ubisoft and Square Enix. And Sports Interactive director Miles Jacobson - of Football Manager fame - is "delighted" about the plans.

"It's something I've been lobbying for for a couple of years - it's great to be able to compare how your titles are doing against others in the industry, and learning from it," he told GI.biz.

The chart will compile data from group members who agree to contribute, and will also use information from key PC digital platforms, such as Valve's Steam service. ELSPA is keen to reach out to as many independents as possible to build a comprehensive list. According to the body's chairman Andy Payne, GfK Chart-Track will be doing "the heavy lifting" due to its past experience collating data.

Currently, only high-street retail and boxed products are accounted for when it comes to PC charts. Jacobson believes that the move to digital distribution means that the continuation of this focus allows people to believe the PC market is 'dead.'

"[The market is] still thriving, even if in a slightly different way. The boxed market is now dominated sales-wise by a few key brands and studios, but the indie scene is going from strength to strength on both PC and other platforms, the Steam platform has breathed life into the market for both PC & Mac and given many smaller studios huge opportunities, which many have taken."

He added that casual gaming on the PC can account for the platform's popularity, and that most FPS games have moved onto consoles, meaning fewer boxed product being sold.

The new chart will be undergoing a closed beta phase before being unveiled to the public - no firm date was mentioned for its launch, but ELSPA are hoping to have it ready "very soon."