Video Game Sales Continue to Fall

As sales figures continue to fall for games and consoles for the eighth straight month; are you being swayed by the economy or sticking by your favorite game/console/developer? Digital purchases and tablets are hurting console gaming, but the true gamers will make sure their brand of choice lives on.

[OneAboveAll]

Lower the prices of games, release new console hardware, create original games.

Problem solved.

[Kaylith]

Very true. Do you think an overhaul of the gaming distribution/development system is needed starting at the top to achieve this--or will it come in time on its own?

[Yi-Long]

I think it's just been a slow 8 months...
... when it comes to big name games coming out.

That's all.

There are more games now than ever before, and those numbers will keep rising. Perhaps there's just a little lull right now, but it will pick up again when a few big titles hit.

[Kin23g]

Yep, there's no need for fabulous graphics, gameplay and plot are far more important.

Just lower the prices, come up with original content .. and you're good to go.

[knowyourstuff]

I know right - only the install bases are the highest for current gen games, unleashing new consoles will take away from total sales of software as people will have to shell out a ton of money for new hardware. This means they will have less money to buy current gen games as well as next gen. Keeping current gen consoles and making fantastic games will net the highest software increase, however if Sony and Microsoft can't turn a profit on consoles they may be in trouble financially (especially Sony given their financial straits).

Lowering prices may be the answer for games that aren't triple A, you may lower the price 15% but will that translate to more than 15% total sales and revenue? It's a tough call that no one wants to risk their company making.

[schlanz]

When Newegg had their $10 off preorders, I went ahead and ordered 14 games, most of which I would have normally waited on until they dropped to $25-40. I usually buy just 2-3 games a year at launch, since there are so many good games that come out now it's too easy to buy the ones that I missed out on for $20 or less.

[prototypeknuckles]

took the words right out of my mouth.

[yeahokchief]

This information does not surprise me one bit.

I bought the majority of my games in November on Black Friday. I got so many deals that are STILL better than what you would pay today and that was 9 months ago. I'm still playing them all with tons of trohpies etc to unlock... There are a few games I might buy right now for cheap if I wasn't already so overloaded.

The only new game i've bought this year was Max Payne 3 because they're quality and I always buy Rockstar stuff on day 1.

You'll probably see sales kick up again in Q4.

[maniacmayhem]

Definitely time to see some new consoles.

[CrazyInsane]

Are people ready to pay for new consoles ?

[Kaylith]

I don't think people are in the US economy, but I can't speak for anyone else. Given that the top three consoles are all either well set (PS3, 360) or due for upgrades (Wii) the chances of anyone buying a console right now are slim.

[NeoTribe]

I am. Wutever the price. Ill pay a grand right now for a ps4.

[Majin-vegeta]

Ehh i haven't bought a retail release game since BF3 came out.Since they are always broken i'm waiting till Black Friday to buy the games i've wanted to buy in the past months since most have major bugs fixed.

[Ragemachine2112]

Most of the AAA big seller games are released in a 4 month span of september-december. Of course the other 8 months are going to have falling sales.

[kma2k]

I dont buy any games i get them all from gamefly, every new relase on realse day. Im currently playing Risen 2: Dark Waters & next week ill have to decide if i would rather start Darksiders 2 or Sleeping Dogs first, im leaning towards Darksiders first :) Damn i love gamefly!

[Xanthe]

As someone who lives in New Zealand purchasing games is fucking terrible. It's 120+ for a new release. When Diablo III came out it was 140$ and that wasn't even for special edition. Special Edition topped 300 bucks. If you're going to bring up exchange rate, which most intelligent people would, we are anywhere from 78 cents to 85 cents to the American dollar. There is no reason for such a hike in price.

I think gaming companies need to think about the amount their game is actually worth upon release. If you're making a spectacular PC game, I'll pay 80-100 for it-- and if it is a MMO that has a bright future with no monthly fee? I will possibly pay more.

The Wii U looks terrible, hell the Wii was terrible... But you know die hard Nintendo fans are going to go out and purchase it and defend it to the death. The revamp of their system is a step back, not a step forward, and that makes me less than thrilled for their prospects.

The PSVita (which you don't mention) was a pretty decent idea, with a good design, but overall it wasn't worth rushing out and paying a load of cash for-- especially if you didn't have a PS3 previously.

No one is rushing out to purchase an Xbox360/PS3/Wii console because they are, at this point, old. Most of us have the consoles, and those who are thinking of purchasing a new console are more likely to wait to see the release of a new one. This way the old consoles prices fall, OR you can buy the new one.

Diablo III was a fantastic example of revenue being created-- they had MORE people buy that game than they anticipated. More people than their servers could handle. When you say that sales are on the decline you need to take into consideration this is the slow end of the spectrum for purchases.

TL;DR- Wrong quarter to be judging gaming sales, not all sales are down, consoles need to be upgraded, companies shouldn't push digital if it's going to make them cry like babies.

[AusRogo]

Exactly, its like the Australian dollar, our dollar is as strong or just stronger, n yet we pay around 100-110. That's only EbGames thought, their prices are such a fucking rip off. Jb have new release games from 70-90 bucks which isn't too bad. I do feel for you, honestly didn't know New Zealand was worse then us!

[Xanthe]

JB-HiFi and EBgames are about the same-- though EB games seems to have more sales. The used section in either of them tends to be much better in pricing... but over all I would rather snag a deal on TradeMe.

The Australian dollar, to my knowledge, is doing very well. Your economy is amazing compared to both the USA and New Zealand. Ten years ago the Australian dollar was HALF the US dollar, and now they are on par with one another (AUD being 1.05 dollars to the US 1 dollar).

[Tokyo_reject]

They're falling cause nothing good is coming out, and 1 or 2 games that does come out every month....way to pricey.

[BrizzyE]

I agree with tokyo_reject. There just havent been many must have games this year. well... until the end of the year at least

[SegaKnuckles86]

Maybe because games are becoming the same and getting stale and people are not buying them as much as they used to...like myself. Almost everything is a shooter nowadays. Even worse when they are getting shorter and more linear. Growing weary of this shit. I think I'll find a new hobby by next-gen.

[Kaylith]

Very true. I've moved on to Guild Wars 2, but I'm not sure what a console could do to pique my interest and get my money at this point.

[rowdyBOY]

the WOW factor has now really worn off .
need new amazing consoles or people wont buy them .

also governments are stealing the peoples money with everything bills overpriced and going up so people are watching their money more closely .

also , i'm sorry to say but innovation in the gaming industry is a must . its all about excitement.

[aNDROiD17_]

if they just lower the price of the games, games will sky rocket

[crawling182]

Wondering about the impact of Xbox Live and PSN titles. Then there's always the digital PC sites. I would imagine that digital sales are on the rise for lower prices quicker experiences.

[sugadaddy]

Give me some new IPs and I'll give you some sales. How's that sound?