The gaming industry has strung a few solid months of sales together, with double-digit year-over-year percentage increases in revenue for June, July, and August. Although the industry-tracking NPD Group's numbers for September aren't expected to be revealed until late next week, one analyst is already saying it's going to be another big month.
Pacific Crest Securities' Evan Wilson released an industry overview this week that pegs the US gaming software sales for September at $412 million, a 19 percent increase from the same month last year.
"The growth is attributed to resurgent spending on PS2, significant growth in the Nintendo DS, the addition of Xbox 360 sales and very easy comparisons," Wilson said in his overview.
Last year's September sales were dominated by EA Sports titles, with Madden NFL 06 retaining the top spot from its August release, with NBA Live 06, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06, NASCAR 06, and Activision's X-Men Legends II being the biggest sellers. This year's EA Sports offerings will likely face competition on the September charts from LucasArts' Lego Star Wars II and THQ's Saints Row, which Wilson believes sold more than 350,000 copies during the month.
Wilson also revised his expectations for the industry's total software take for the year. Previously, he had expected a modest growth of 3.7 percent over 2005. Now, he's a little more bullish, predicting console, handheld, and PC game sales to jump 9.6 percent, to $7.69 billion. "The launch of the Nintendo Wii and the Sony PlayStation 3 and very easy year-over-year comparisons for the balance of 2006 should drive the growth, in our view," Wilson said.
As for how much the new systems will contribute to the software sales total, Wilson expects the Wii to move more software, but not by a tremendous amount. For the year, he estimates PS3 software sales will clock in around $184 million, with the Wii tally amounting to $221 million. By comparison, the Xbox 360, which Microsoft launched last November, racked up a 2005 software sales total of $141 million. Wilson expects the console's US game sales to clock in at $1.32 billion this year.
Sounds like they're really counting on PS3 2006 allocations ramping up fast, which I don't think is a given.For the year, he estimates PS3 software sales will clock in around $184 million, with the Wii tally amounting to $221 million. By comparison, the Xbox 360, which Microsoft launched last November, racked up a 2005 software sales total of $141 million.
Didn't those come out very late in the month or in early october?A Link to the Past said:I think people are downplaying how well the black DS Lite, pink DS Lite, Pokémon and Mario vs. DK 2 will boost the DS Lite's sales.
As for how much the new systems will contribute to the software sales total, Wilson expects the Wii to move more software, but not by a tremendous amount. For the year, he estimates PS3 software sales will clock in around $184 million, with the Wii tally amounting to $221 million. By comparison, the Xbox 360, which Microsoft launched last November, racked up a 2005 software sales total of $141 million. Wilson expects the console's US game sales to clock in at $1.32 billion this year.
Deku said:Didn't those come out very late in the month or in early october?
Deku said:Didn't those come out very late in the month or in early october?
GhaleonEB said:Sounds like they're really counting on PS3 2006 allocations ramping up fast, which I don't think is a given.
And wow at Saint's Row.
You'll be back for Halo 3. You know you will.Odysseus said:If Saint's Row pulls 350K, I swear I'm selling my 360.
GhaleonEB said:You'll be back for Halo 3. You know you will.
Jewbacca said:430k xbox360.. if i lose ill post a nekkid picture of me wearing boxer briefs.
don'tLo-Volt said:I for one don't know if we should call you on this.
osyrus said:who doesn't own a ps2 yet? damn thing keeps selling like hotcakes. :lol
sonycowboy said:1) They've only put it at an extra 30% SW sales for the 360, which only had 600k units for the year. Assuming a similar tie ratio, that would put HW sales required for the PS3 at 785k. If the tie ratio, was somewhat worse, you're looking at 850k or so HW required to get that extra 30% SW sales.
Had I taken a few minutes to do the math, I would have realized you're right. Plus, the game prices are going to be $90, so that adds up fast. (j/k)sonycowboy said:1) They've only put it at an extra 30% SW sales for the 360, which only had 600k units for the year. Assuming a similar tie ratio, that would put HW sales required for the PS3 at 785k. If the tie ratio, was somewhat worse, you're looking at 850k or so HW required to get that extra 30% SW sales.
jett said:Okami - 1 million units.
It's what it should sell anyway, game is so friggin' good...doubt TP will be as good.
jett said:Okami - 1 million units.
It's what it should sell anyway, game is so friggin' good...doubt TP will be as good.
argon said:I think you guys are really underestimating PS2 sales.
argon said:I think you guys are really underestimating PS2 sales.
Oblivion said:Those Wii software sales would amount to 4.4 million, roughly. Hopefully Zelda will get over 2 million at LEAST.
donny2112 said:Maybe combined with the GameCube sales, TP will be over 2 million this year.
Ash Sparrow said:I thought NPD was today?
I think it's this coming Thursday.Ash Sparrow said:I thought NPD was today?