US game revenues dropped 26% in April

Revenues from the US videogame market were down 26 per cent in April, partly due to an earlier Easter period, but year to date sales are still down 11 per cent on 2009.

Sales were down to $766.2 million during the month, compared to $1.03 billion the prior year, with year to date sales of $4.73 billion, down from $5.29 billion.

"In April 2009, consumers attributed $55 million of industry sales to Easter as a purchase occasion, which would account for about 21 percent of the decline from last year since Easter purchasing happened in March this year," offered Anita Frazer, analyst for NPD.

Hardware revenues dropped significantly compared to the previous year when prices at retail were higher, with consoles generating $398.5 million, down from $512 million.

Nintendo's DS was the best-selling hardware during the month, shifting 440,800 units, with the Wii selling 277,200, although both were down on the same period last year.

The Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 both saw units sales rise during the month, with 185,400 and 180,800 units sold, respectively. The PSP sold 65,500 units.

Sales of peripherals were down 9 per cent, from $129.6 million to $118.4 million.

In software, Ubisoft's Xbox 360 exclusive Splinter Cell: Conviction was the best-seller, with 486,100 units in the hands of consumers. Six of the top ten sellers during the month were for Nintendo formats, with Pokemon SoulSilver, New Super Mario Bros Wii and Pokemon HeartGold at two, three and four in the charts.

Revenue for the month from software was $398.5 million, down from $512 million, a drop of 22 per cent. Year to date it software revenue is down 8 per cent, from $2.73 billion to $2.52 billion.

The NPG Group now only releases sales figures for the top five best-selling games in the region:

01 Splinter Cell: Conviction (360) – 486,100
02 Pokemon Soul/Silver (DS) – 242,900
03 New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii) – 200,300
04 Pokemon Heart/Gold (DS)- 192,600
05 God of War III (PS3) – 180,300
06 Wii Sports Resort with Wii Motion Plus (Wii)
07 Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (360)
08 Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board (Wii)
09 Just Dance (Wii)
10 Super Street Fighter IV (PS3)

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...rcent-in-april