Market analysts have failed in their prediction once again. Most analysts had predicted that the video game industry is recession proof and will not be affected by the current down turn, but statistics indicate that in the US only, video game sales in April 2009 were $1 billion, 17 percent lower than in April 2008, according to NPD, the market research firm.
Software sales fell 23 percent, while sales of hardware (consoles and hand-held players) dropped 8 percent. Hardware sales would have fared much worse had it not been for the release of Nintendo’s new DSi hand-held device.
The 17% drop recorded in April’09 is significant since Easter week-end, which turns out historically to be a big weekend for video game sales fell in April this year, but did not provide a boost to April’09 sales. NPD insist that the drop is not as bad as it appears since April’09 is being compared to April’08, a month which recorded a gain of 50% from the April’07 figure.
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