NPD: Video Game Sales Jumped 37% in August
September 14, 2020
Video game sales remain on a roll with revenue from packaged media, digital, consoles and accessories up 37% in August to $3.33 billion, compared with $2.43 billion in the previous-year period, according to new data from The NPD Group. Through eight months, sales are $29.38 billion, up 23% from $23.88 billion in the same period a year ago.
Video games, compared with other forms of home entertainment, have resonated strongly with consumers during the coronavirus pandemic. After nearly two years of downward revenue trends, sales of games and hardware jumped 73% and 52%, respectively, in April and May. That was followed by increases of 26% and 32%, respectively, in June and July.
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In the absence of new-generation consoles, Nintendo Switch again led all hardware sales, helping the segment generate a record monthly tally of more than $229 million, up 37% from $167.1 million last year. For the year, hardware sales are up 23% to $2 billion from $1.62 billion.
Software sales increased 37% to $2.94 billion from $2.14 billion. For the year, revenue is up 22% to $25.9 billion, compared with $21.23 billion last year. Not surprisingly, with the NFL season underway, the top-selling new title in August was EA Sports’ Madden NFL 21 — a distinction the brand has held for 21 years straight.
Accessories revenue skyrocketed 42% to a monthly record of $166 million — driven by Sony PS4 DualShock 4 Wireless Controller Black. For the year, revenue is up 26% to an all-time high of $1.4 billion from $1.11 billion last year.