NPD: some data for September 2016
A few days ago, AstronautClaire/Aquamarine shared some sales data for September 2016 in the United States. And yesterday, the NPD published its monthly report for the American market and numbers are not really good.
During the last quarter, video games sales generated $838.2 million in the United States, which is a 23% drop from $1.09 billion during the same quarter last year. And it’s not only due to Hardware or Software, but… both.
Here’s some raw data to begin:
- Hardware: $234.3 million (-25%), as opposed to $311.7 million million in September 2015;
- Console Software: $453.4 million (-22%), as opposed to $581.1 million in August 2015;
- Accessories (including Toys to Life category): $130.8 million (-27%), as opposed to $179.5 million in August 2015.
The NPD notes that even the new models for Sony and Microsoft’s platforms were not enough to prevent a drop in sales (especially in dollars, as they cost less).
Software
Software-wise, the drop was to be expected, since September saw many high-profiles releases, including Super Mario Maker and Disney Infinity 3.0 on Wii U.
Hardware
As noted by AstronautClaire/Aquamarine the other day, Nintendo 3DS sales were up Year on Year for the fourth consecutive month, mostly thanks to Pokémon GO.
Accessories
Things were not pretty for the Accessories category, with a 30% drop compared to September 2015. The toys-to-life segment was hit the hardest, with -82%: sales generated only $13 million (-75% compared to September 2015). This comes as no surprise, as 13 amiibo were launched last year, and… 0 in September 2016. September 2015 also had the launch of LEGO Dimensions and the nex Skylanders, while 2016 didn’t.
Source: VentureBeat
