UK games sales to top music and video
Report shows videogames market has doubled in value over the past five years
Videogames sales in the UK are set to overtake those of music and video this year for the first time ever, according to a report by Verdict Research.
The retail analyst predicts that spending on games will rise by 42 per cent to GBP 4.64 billion in 2008, with sales on music and video at GBP 4.46 billion - indicating the videogames market has doubled in value over the past five years.
Videogames spending has enjoyed explosive growth aided by the launch of major new titles such as Grand Theft Auto IV, Fallout 3 and FIFA 08.
"There is no doubt that the games sector is having a fantastic year... but these figures overstate that by including games hardware," Steve Redmond of the Entertainment Retailers Association warned the BBC.
"Our prediction is that games will overtake video by the end of this year but not music and video combined."