NPD: Hardware and software spending down 12%
Far Cry Primal top of software sales for February
NPD data for February shows a decrease in hardware spending and new physical software spending, resulting in an overall decrease in physical spending of 12 per cent, or $118 million.
Hardware sales dropped by 23 per cent compared to last year.
"The main cause of the decrease was portable hardware, which dropped by 58 percent, or $48 million, due to a difficult comparison to the launch of Nintendo's new 3DS in February 2015 (the number one platform in Feb. 2015)," said The NPD Group's Liam Callahan.
Both old and new generation consoles also saw declines.
"Seventh generation console hardware sales dropped by 77 percent, while eighth generation hardware declined a more modest 6 per cent. However, the difference in volume between these declines is only $7 million due to the eighth generation now representing 86 per cent of all hardware dollar sales."
In software Far Cry Primal topped sales and saw comparatively greater sales than Far Cry 4, but collectively, NPD data showed that new launches sold 4 per cent less dollars and 12 per cent fewer units than those that came out in February last year.
"New physical software trends suffered due to a sharp decline in seventh generation consoles of 52 per cent despite the 14 percent or $28 million growth in eighth generation software. Portable software also had a drop of 30 per cent due to a poor comparison to the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D, which coincided with the launch of the new 3DS."
Accessories spending went up, but only by 1 per cent and thanks to point and subscription cards, controllers, and headsets or headphones.
"On a 12-month rolling basis, video game point and subscription card sales exceeded $1 billion for the first time."
SCEA sent the following statement regarding the NPD results:
"We would like to thank our fans and partners for making PlayStation 4 the top-selling hardware platform and the software sales leader in February, according to NPD.
"We continued to see strong year-over-year sales growth for PS4 hardware and software and are truly humbled by the support and enthusiasm from gamers. We will continue to deliver amazing gaming experiences with the upcoming launches of Ratchet & Clank, MLB The Show 16 and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End."
