Video games post $3 billion in November sales
U.S. retail sales of video game hardware, software and accessories jumped 10 percent last month from the year-ago period to $2.91 billion, boosted by strong sales of Nintendo Co.'s Wii, Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 along with the alien shooter game "Gears of War 2."
The availability of a broad range of games is one reason for the industry's ongoing solid performance, said NPD analyst Anita Frazier. Games also provide a relatively cheap form of stay-at-home entertainment.
The industry, Frazier said, is still on track to rack up $22 billion in U.S. sales this year.
November and December are crucial months for video game companies because many of them make the bulk of their money during the holidays. Earlier this week, Electronic Arts Inc., the publisher of the popular "Madden" football game series, warned that sales have been weak in North America and Europe. Without giving a specific guidance, EA said its fiscal 2009 results will fall short of the guidance it gave in October.
Nintendo enjoyed perhaps the greatest success in November, with 2 million Wiis sold the most yet in a month, according to Denise Kaigler, vice president of corporate affairs. The Japanese company boosted production of the easy-to-master gaming system in July to keep up with seemingly insatiable demand. Nonetheless, on Thursday afternoon, both Best Buy's and Wal-Mart's Web sites were out of stock.
Microsoft's Xbox 360, meanwhile, sold 836,000 units. Spokesman David Dennis said the company's games business had "great momentum" heading into the final stretch of the holiday season. The PlayStation 3, from Sony Corp., sold 378,000 units.
Sales of video game software grew 11 percent to $1.31 billion. Besides "Gears of War 2," which sold 1.6 million copies, "Call of Duty: World at War" by Activision Blizzard Inc. and Nintendo's "Wii Play" and "Wii Fit" also did well. Electronic Arts had just one title, the zombie horror game "Left 4 Dead," in the top 10.
Comments
- Fort Hood victims' funerals Saturday 9:18 a.m.
- Rep. bashes Dems over health care 9:09 a.m.
- Former China ambassador Lilley dies 9:08 a.m.
- Google concedes on digital book deal 9:00 a.m.
- New Zealand reaches World Cup 8:57 a.m.
- New Milwaukee archdiocese leader 8:56 a.m.
- 3A: Hurricane 24, Park City 19 2:29 a.m.
- GameDay back in the MWC 2:19 a.m.
- Westminster campus briefs 1:49 a.m.
- SUU campus briefs 1:48 a.m.
- Williams leaves, won't play tonight
- Unga family is making its mark
- Attack meant to kill apostle
- Trial begins in toddler death
- ESPN suddenly loves MWC
- Man killed during 3rd I-15 crash
- Study: Divorce likely when wife ill
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- Selfishness to blame for Jazz woes?
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
348 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
199 - Senators want food tax restored
162 - Will state consider gay rights law?
145 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
113 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
103 - Celtics crush Jazz
103 - Hatch empathizes with Muslims
89
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
True. It's not terribly funny and if it has any effect on society, it won't...
What else would you expect to find in a book called "The Founders on Religion"?
Ok not to be rude here, but check the stats, Hinds isnt first in yards and...
t-hinds = best player in utah
Anonymous: Was that English? I though conservatives believed if you are in...
Wow! Glad the Lord kept you safe. Separate comment: That was a horrible...
I have never been to a Utah high school game before as I am not from the...
It would behoove the above commenters to recall that religion, including our...
Only 8000 attendance? BYU had 16,000+ tonight. What is wrong with Ute fans?...
ian you are the 3A MVP If you win next week so just do it that would be nice....



You can be the first to comment on this story.