BKK2 on 26 May 2009
UK video games market bounces back after slump
Weekly sales leap 55 per cent due to new releases and half term anticipation
The UK video games market’s weekly value has topped £20 million for the first time since April, MCV can reveal.
According to MCV calculations, based on today’s Gfk-ChartTrack/ELSPA weekly report, the UK market has hit £21.2 million for the week ending May 23rd.
This is a 55 per cent rise from last week’s result of £13.7 million, which was the lowest reported figure for almost two years.
The release of three major new games – THQ’s UFC 2009: Undisputed, Nintendo’s Pokemon Platinum and EA Sports Active – is the reason behind this week’s rise. Meanwhile, the arrival of half term benefited current chart games, with every Top Ten game besides FIFA 2009 enjoying a sales increase this week.
“The market reacts when big new games are released,” said UK GfK-ChartTrack director Dorian Bloch.
“In the last two months we’ve been starved on triple-A releases, so to have three come at the same time will certainly have an impact. And it is also half term, so the kids are off looking for some games to play.
“There are several big titles due over the coming weeks, including The Sims 3 and Infamous, so there’s reason to believe these results will continue for some time.”
Last week MCV revealed that the UK games market is 14 per cent down year-on-year.
However, this summer’s release schedule could provide a timely-boost for the industry, with the arrival of multiple big releases, including Fuel, Harry Potter, Infamous, Ghostbusters, The Sims 3, Wii Sports Resort, The Conduit, Transformers, Lego Battles, Virtua Tennis and more.
Weekly sales leap 55 per cent due to new releases and half term anticipation
The UK video games market’s weekly value has topped £20 million for the first time since April, MCV can reveal.
According to MCV calculations, based on today’s Gfk-ChartTrack/ELSPA weekly report, the UK market has hit £21.2 million for the week ending May 23rd.
This is a 55 per cent rise from last week’s result of £13.7 million, which was the lowest reported figure for almost two years.
The release of three major new games – THQ’s UFC 2009: Undisputed, Nintendo’s Pokemon Platinum and EA Sports Active – is the reason behind this week’s rise. Meanwhile, the arrival of half term benefited current chart games, with every Top Ten game besides FIFA 2009 enjoying a sales increase this week.
“The market reacts when big new games are released,” said UK GfK-ChartTrack director Dorian Bloch.
“In the last two months we’ve been starved on triple-A releases, so to have three come at the same time will certainly have an impact. And it is also half term, so the kids are off looking for some games to play.
“There are several big titles due over the coming weeks, including The Sims 3 and Infamous, so there’s reason to believe these results will continue for some time.”
Last week MCV revealed that the UK games market is 14 per cent down year-on-year.
However, this summer’s release schedule could provide a timely-boost for the industry, with the arrival of multiple big releases, including Fuel, Harry Potter, Infamous, Ghostbusters, The Sims 3, Wii Sports Resort, The Conduit, Transformers, Lego Battles, Virtua Tennis and more.
MCV
I'm still to post last couple of week's overall market figures, but they're very low.
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