More doom and gloom was predicted for the games industry at large this morning after the market posted its worst retail results in ten years.
Statistics body GfK Chart-Track revealed that for the week ending 13th August, 'only' 526,351 games were sold - the lowest number since Summer 2001. As a result, the boxed games market was worth a 'piddling' £9.64m, the lowest figure since September 2001.
This would be worrying if it was shocking and surprising - unfortunately, it is not. Very few new releases have hit retail this year, with publishers continuing to rely on the crowded and over-packed Autumn season to sell its biggest games.
In recent years, AAA titles such as Red Dead Redemption, Grand Theft Auto IV, Bayonetta, Street Fighter IV and Resident Evil 5 have released in the Spring season to avoid the November crush. And the industry has benefited from it. 2011 has not really seen anything of the kind, and a lack of enthusiasm in the market has left Zumba Fitness to conquer a budget-heavy chart this Summer. It's little wonder the figures are as low as they are.
GfK Chart-Track also notes economic pressures and increased spending on emerging platforms such as iOS and social networking websites like Facebook. The recent UK riots have also cost the retail sector £80m in lost sales.
Statistics body GfK Chart-Track revealed that for the week ending 13th August, 'only' 526,351 games were sold - the lowest number since Summer 2001. As a result, the boxed games market was worth a 'piddling' £9.64m, the lowest figure since September 2001.
This would be worrying if it was shocking and surprising - unfortunately, it is not. Very few new releases have hit retail this year, with publishers continuing to rely on the crowded and over-packed Autumn season to sell its biggest games.
In recent years, AAA titles such as Red Dead Redemption, Grand Theft Auto IV, Bayonetta, Street Fighter IV and Resident Evil 5 have released in the Spring season to avoid the November crush. And the industry has benefited from it. 2011 has not really seen anything of the kind, and a lack of enthusiasm in the market has left Zumba Fitness to conquer a budget-heavy chart this Summer. It's little wonder the figures are as low as they are.
GfK Chart-Track also notes economic pressures and increased spending on emerging platforms such as iOS and social networking websites like Facebook. The recent UK riots have also cost the retail sector £80m in lost sales.
Comments
smax 18 Aug 2011 13:01
1/2
not surprised, no even half decent games released lately
tyrion 18 Aug 2011 13:44
2/2
Nothing good since inFamous 2 in my opinion, and precious little before that too. It's been a pretty bad year for games.