November Video Game Sales Up Despite Slumping Economy

Polaris573 · Dec 12, 2008, 05:23 AM

Despite many sectors of the economy now formally entering a recession after two quarters of economic downturn video games sales have increased by ten percent. Data from NPD Group showed total video games sales in November were US$2.9 billion, taking year-to-date spending on software and hardware to $16 billion, which is up 22 percent on 2007. NPD Group theorizes that Economic factors are at play given that a video game is a relatively inexpensive form of entertainment for the hours of value it provides.

The Top Ten Bestselling Games in the U.S., According to NPD Group, Were:

Source: PCWorld

tkpenalty · Dec 12, 2008, 05:39 AM

Actually, I'd view this data with a certain alarm as people are inappropriately spending money in times like this.

farlex85 · Dec 12, 2008, 06:05 AM

Less time for a job= more time gaming.

I would certainly argue that video games are expensive, although it depends. Nothing cheaper than a good book. Television and various forms of recreation come in a distant second. In fact, there really isn't much the average joe does that's more expensive than video gaming, although it is true one can easily let hours slip away w/ games, perhaps easier than other entertainment.

There's never been a wider array of visible games and systems in the market, and with each passing year more and more people become serious gamers (those getting to be the age you were when you started gaming) and more and more peek in to see what it's all about, or want something w/o even really knowing why (marketing is just fantastic these days). Thus, this isn't really surprising at all.

intel igent · Dec 12, 2008, 06:22 AM

i think people are turning to video game's as a mean's to enjoy themselve's without spending much money....

just my $0.02

Mussels · Dec 12, 2008, 06:43 AM

no PC games?

farlex85 · Dec 12, 2008, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mussels

no PC games?

Lich King will easily take December. Sims 3 will likely get on the chart next year. Counsels will always outpace though, the mainstream can't be bothered w/ the complications of windows and video cards. The enthusiasts who can be have the interwebz......

Necrofire · Dec 12, 2008, 07:21 AM

People turn to any form of entertainment to get away from the downs of a recession. People spend more on recreation during these times, so it's easy to understand that video game sales are up.

jpierce55 · Dec 12, 2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intel igent

i think people are turning to video game's as a mean's to enjoy themselve's without spending much money....

just my $0.02

Agreed. I got laid off Tuesday, between looking for jobs I am hitting a game, but I would read a book before I spent money on a new game.

unsmart · Dec 12, 2008, 12:47 PM

what games have that movies,TV and books don't is a feeling of challenge and accomplishment when you play. When your not working a game still feels like you are reaching a goal, instead of vegging out.

DaMulta · Dec 12, 2008, 01:37 PM

Staying home with a game you bought is cheaper than going out on the town for one night.

Fuse-Wire · Dec 12, 2008, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkpenalty

Actually, I'd view this data with a certain alarm as people are inappropriately spending money in times like this.

hey, when the world is going to hell we all need something to keep us entertained.

CDdude55 · Dec 12, 2008, 01:59 PM

Gaming is awesome. Its fun, cheap and there is a wide selection of the types of games to keep people interested.

Fuse-Wire · Dec 12, 2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDdude55

Gaming is awesome. Its fun, cheap and there is a wide selection of the types of games to keep people interested.

i don't know about the cheap bit but you have the rest of it spot on!!

CDdude55 · Dec 12, 2008, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuse-Wire

i don't know about the cheap bit but you have the rest of it spot on!!

Well it depends how much you buy whether it be one game or a whoe system plus two or more games. $50 isnt to much, even tho Consoles are $60 per game

3870x2 · Dec 12, 2008, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farlex85

Lich King will easily take December. Sims 3 will likely get on the chart next year. Counsels will always outpace though, the mainstream can't be bothered w/ the complications of windows and video cards. The enthusiasts who can be have the interwebz......

probably doesn't include PC games at all.

CDdude55 · Dec 12, 2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3870x2

probably doesn't include PC games at all.

Ya, most of the population plays Consoles, they dont want to take the time for PC.

Even tho i like Consoles.(i have 360 and Wii

)

farlex85 · Dec 12, 2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3870x2

probably doesn't include PC games at all.

That does seem probable. I was thinking Lich was released in the beginning of December for some reason, but it seems that was by far the winner last month.

Triprift · Dec 12, 2008, 10:48 PM

No suprises here apart from I thought Little Big Planet would of been in the top 10 good to see some fps at the top though.

MadClown · Dec 12, 2008, 10:59 PM

Another reason why I want to get into the gaming business, Its ever growing.

Triprift · Dec 12, 2008, 11:08 PM

For how much longer though i wonder surely the world economic slump will hit eventually.

Dec 12, 2008, 05:23 AM	#1
Polaris573 Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Little Rock, USA Posts: 3,284 (1.08/day) Thanks: 68 Thanked 765 Times in 451 Posts System Specs	November Video Game Sales Up Despite Slumping Economy Despite many sectors of the economy now formally entering a recession after two quarters of economic downturn video games sales have increased by ten percent. Data from NPD Group showed total video games sales in November were US$2.9 billion, taking year-to-date spending on software and hardware to $16 billion, which is up 22 percent on 2007. NPD Group theorizes that Economic factors are at play given that a video game is a relatively inexpensive form of entertainment for the hours of value it provides. The Top Ten Bestselling Games in the U.S., According to NPD Group, Were: Source: PCWorld Last edited by btarunr; Dec 12, 2008 at 07:30 AM.

Processor:	LGA 775 Intel E6550 Core2 Duo "Conroe" 2.33Ghz 4MB L2 Cache
Motherboard:	Abit IX38 QuadGT -- Intel X38 Chipset
Cooling:	Arctic Freezer
Memory:	6GB G.Skill DDRII 800 4-4-3-5
Video Card:	Sapphire HD 4850 512 MB PCI-E
Hard Disk:	1 TB Seagate 32MB Cache, 250 GB Seagate 16MB Cache
Optical Drive:	Asus DVD Burner
CRT/LCD Model:	Acer X203w
Case:	Coolermaster Centurion 5
Sound Card:	Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music
PSU:	OCZ StealthXStream 600 Watt
Software:	Windows 7 Ultimate x64

Dec 12, 2008, 05:39 AM	#2
tkpenalty Eligible for custom title Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Australia, Sydney Posts: 5,023 (2.04/day) Thanks: 412 Thanked 361 Times in 266 Posts System Specs	Actually, I'd view this data with a certain alarm as people are inappropriately spending money in times like this. __________________ AMD Radeon X1950~HD4000 Support Clubhouse “Mac: "Woah, what are you doing?" Mac says as he levitates in the air. PC: "Playing Half-Life 2, this is my gravity gun." Mac: "Well I can sort of do that." PC: "Technically Mac, you have to become me first."” -From_Nowhere

Dec 12, 2008, 06:05 AM	#3
farlex85 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,114 (1.81/day) Thanks: 369 Thanked 647 Times in 612 Posts System Specs	Less time for a job= more time gaming. I would certainly argue that video games are expensive, although it depends. Nothing cheaper than a good book. Television and various forms of recreation come in a distant second. In fact, there really isn't much the average joe does that's more expensive than video gaming, although it is true one can easily let hours slip away w/ games, perhaps easier than other entertainment. There's never been a wider array of visible games and systems in the market, and with each passing year more and more people become serious gamers (those getting to be the age you were when you started gaming) and more and more peek in to see what it's all about, or want something w/o even really knowing why (marketing is just fantastic these days). Thus, this isn't really surprising at all. Last edited by farlex85; Dec 12, 2008 at 06:17 AM.

Processor:	Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 3.65ghz 1.18v
Motherboard:	Gigabyte P35-DS3R (v2.1)
Cooling:	Sunbeam Core Contact CR-CCTF, stock tempest cooling atm (6x120mm fans)
Memory:	2x2gb G.Skill PC8000 @ 1018Mhz 5-5-5-15-2T 2.1v
Video Card:	XFX 6850
Hard Disk:	Raptor X 150gb, SE 250gb, SE16 320gb and 640gb, RE 2TB
Optical Drive:	LG Blu-ray burner, 20x Lite-On DVD burner
CRT/LCD Model:	22" Samsung 2232BW 2ms
Case:	NXZT Tempest
Sound Card:	FireStudio Project
PSU:	OCZ GameXstream 700W
Software:	7 Home Premium x64

Dec 12, 2008, 06:22 AM	#4
intel igent Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 3,242 (1.10/day) Thanks: 453 Thanked 445 Times in 413 Posts System Specs	i think people are turning to video game's as a mean's to enjoy themselve's without spending much money.... just my $0.02

System Name:	old school / new school
Processor:	3.0e C0 @ 3.6 / e5200
Motherboard:	p4p800e-dlx / p5q-DLX
Cooling:	custom water see sig / air
Memory:	2x1g oczPC4000EbPl / 2x2g ocz2rpr1066
Video Card:	3850AGP / 4890vaporX
Hard Disk:	36g raptor+120g wd / wd 1001fals 1tb
Optical Drive:	LG x 2 / LG BluRay
CRT/LCD Model:	BenQ / sharpAQUOS LC-37D64U
Case:	modded antec plusview / generic
Sound Card:	audigy 2zs / ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3
PSU:	fan/cable modded powerstream 520 / OCZ 700mxsp
Software:	Xp pro SP2 / VISTA ultimate OEM

Dec 12, 2008, 06:43 AM	#5
Mussels Doctor Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bendigo, Australia (NOT THE USA) Posts: 34,594 (10.89/day) Thanks: 3,708 Thanked 8,714 Times in 6,407 Posts System Specs	no PC games? __________________ Edumacational thread about PC Audio My external HDD's.5x samsung 1TB + 2x Seagate 1.5TB = 8 TB external storage 32 Bit OS vs 64 bit OS information How to get hardware accelerated H264 playback (DXVA) Netbook Owners United!

System Name:	Real Men use Real Cores!
Processor:	Phenom II x6 1090T: 3600Mhz undervolted (NB+HT at 2.6)
Motherboard:	Gigabyte 890FXA-UD5
Cooling:	Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme (Lapped + ducted)
Memory:	8GB Corsair Dominator DDR3 - 1600Mhz 7-7-7-20 1.65V
Video Card:	AMD Radeon 5870 1GB Crossfire
Hard Disk:	Intel 520 SSD (120GB), 500GB OS + 18TB of storage (mostly external)
Optical Drive:	Samsung Blu Ray drive (SH-B083A)
CRT/LCD Model:	23.6" Samsung 1080P / Samsung 40" HDTV - 1360x768P
Case:	Coolermaster CM 690 II Advanced (non window)
Sound Card:	Auzentech X-Mystique (Logitech Z5500D + sennheiser HD555 + RE2's)
PSU:	Corsair HX 1000W
Software:	Windows 7 Ultimate x64 - kaspersky internet security 2013
Benchmarks:	Laptop: AMD A6 APU 1.4GHz @2.2GHz quad core + APU crossfire.Iphone 5, Samsung galaxy tab 2 7"

Dec 12, 2008, 07:21 AM	#7
Necrofire Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 585 (0.28/day) Thanks: 28 Thanked 45 Times in 40 Posts System Specs	People turn to any form of entertainment to get away from the downs of a recession. People spend more on recreation during these times, so it's easy to understand that video game sales are up. __________________ My [FS] thread

System Name:	Chuck
Processor:	Core i5-2500k @ 4.5Ghz
Motherboard:	msi P67A-C43
Cooling:	hyper 212, 2 120mm fans
Memory:	8GB DDR3 1600MHz
Video Card:	XFX 6870
Hard Disk:	60GB sata3 sandforce ssd, 1TB samsung hdd
Optical Drive:	Pioneer sata DVD burner
CRT/LCD Model:	Yamakazi Catleap
Case:	Possibly Antec, not sure
Sound Card:	Onboard
PSU:	Rosewill 600W

Processor:	e8200 3.93mhz@1.264v
Motherboard:	P5E3 Pro
Cooling:	Scythe Infinity
Memory:	4gb of G.Skill Ripjaw 6-7-7-18@1404 and 1.62v
Video Card:	HIS 5770 v2 940/1275mhz stock volts
Hard Disk:	1TB Hitachi
Optical Drive:	Iomega 12X DVD writer
CRT/LCD Model:	Acer 22" Widescreen LCD
Case:	Blue Cooler Master Centurion
Sound Card:	Onboard audio :(, and Klipsch 5.1 Pro Media's
PSU:	650 Watt BFG
Software:	Vista 64 Ultimate

Dec 12, 2008, 12:47 PM	#9
unsmart Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 397 (0.15/day) Thanks: 16 Thanked 38 Times in 37 Posts	what games have that movies,TV and books don't is a feeling of challenge and accomplishment when you play. When your not working a game still feels like you are reaching a goal, instead of vegging out. __________________ my optic flip top mod: http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=26851

Dec 12, 2008, 01:37 PM	#10
DaMulta My stars went supernova Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oklahoma T-Town Posts: 10,337 (4.12/day) Thanks: 1,449 Thanked 1,477 Times in 1,113 Posts System Specs	Staying home with a game you bought is cheaper than going out on the town for one night. __________________ ocLIT The Hardware Punishers

System Name:	Work in progress
Processor:	AMD 955---4Ghz
Motherboard:	MSi GD70
Cooling:	OcZ Phase/water
Memory:	Crucial2GB kit (1GBx2), Ballistix 240-pin DIMM, DDR3 PC3-16000
Video Card:	CrossfireX 2 X HD 4890 1GB OCed to 1000Mhz
Hard Disk:	SSD 64GB
Optical Drive:	DVD-L 16x
CRT/LCD Model:	Envision 24'' 1920x1200
Case:	Using the desk ATM
Sound Card:	Sucky onboard for now :(
PSU:	1000W TruePower Quattro

System Name:	The Box
Processor:	DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2 2300MHz (11.5x200) 4400+
Motherboard:	AsRock N 68-S
Cooling:	Basic 90mm fans
Memory:	OCZ XTC Platinum 2GB DDR-2 800 SDRAM
Video Card:	ATI Saphire x1650 Pro Series
Hard Disk:	Maxtor 6L300R0 (300GB) Maxtors S (250GB)
Optical Drive:	SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-240B (40x/12x/40x CD-RW) DVD Burner to be installed
CRT/LCD Model:	19" LCD CTX
Case:	EYE-T
Sound Card:	Realtek ALC650 @ Intel 82801DB ICH4 - AC'97 Audio Controller [B-0]
PSU:	600W colors-IT super quiet
Software:	Microsoft 7 Ultimate

Dec 12, 2008, 01:59 PM	#12
CDdude55 Crazy 4 TPU!!! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,437 (2.97/day) Thanks: 3,511 Thanked 1,285 Times in 937 Posts System Specs	Gaming is awesome. Its fun, cheap and there is a wide selection of the types of games to keep people interested. __________________ Currently playing: Team Fortress 2 (PC) "And remember if you didn't build it yourself, it's not really yours."

System Name:	CDdude's Rig!
Processor:	AMD Athlon II X4 620
Motherboard:	Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3
Cooling:	Corsair H70
Memory:	8GB Corsair Vengence @1600mhz
Video Card:	XFX HD 6970 2GB
Hard Disk:	OCZ Agility 3 60GB SSD/WD Velociraptor 300GB
Optical Drive:	LG DVD ROM drive SATA
CRT/LCD Model:	ASUS VH232H 23" 1920x1080
Case:	Cooler Master CM690 (w/ side window)
Sound Card:	Onboard (It sounds fine)
PSU:	Corsair 850TX
Software:	Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit SP1

System Name:	Ultrabeast GX2
Processor:	Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 @ 4.0GHZ 24/7
Motherboard:	Gigabit P35-DS3L
Cooling:	Rosewill RX24, Dual Slot Vid, Fan control
Memory:	2x1gb 1066mhz@850MHZ DDR2
Video Card:	9800GX2 @ 690/1040
Hard Disk:	750/250/250/200 all WD 7200
Optical Drive:	BD/DVDRW, DVDRW/CDRW
CRT/LCD Model:	24" DCLCD 2ms 1200p
Case:	Apevia
Sound Card:	7.1 Digital on-board, 5.1 digital hooked up
PSU:	700W RAIDMAXXX SLI
Software:	winXP Pro
Benchmarks:	17749 3DM06

Dec 12, 2008, 10:48 PM	#18
Triprift Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Adelaide Australia Posts: 4,258 (2.11/day) Thanks: 520 Thanked 947 Times in 788 Posts System Specs	No suprises here apart from I thought Little Big Planet would of been in the top 10 good to see some fps at the top though. __________________ Welcome to the lost chicken helpline if you have lost your chicken press 1, if you have found a lost chicken press 2, if you would like to adopt a chicken press 3, if you would like to sponsor a chicken press 4 for all other enquiries press 5 Graphic Artists United™ Solaris utility DVD 4.0 ---General nonsense 2.0--- How to post pics at TPU

System Name:	Becca 2
Processor:	AMD A10 4600m quad core @ 2.3 ghz
Motherboard:	dunno
Cooling:	Logitech alto connect
Memory:	16 Gig ddr3 1600mhz
Video Card:	Ati HD 7660G + & 7470M
Hard Disk:	1 TB
Optical Drive:	6x Blue ray
Sound Card:	onboard crap
Software:	Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit with sp1

Dec 12, 2008, 10:59 PM	#19
MadClown Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NY, the state were you cant defend yourself Posts: 1,210 (0.66/day) Thanks: 213 Thanked 108 Times in 95 Posts System Specs	Another reason why I want to get into the gaming business, Its ever growing. __________________ xfire: madclown5 \| steam: ashortbus \| PSN: iMadClown \| XBL: MadClown5

System Name:	NUMERO_UNO
Processor:	AMD FX-8150
Motherboard:	Asrock 990FX Xtreme4
Cooling:	Xigmatek S1284
Memory:	32 GB G.Skill Ares
Video Card:	HIS IceQ Radeon HD 7970
Hard Disk:	128 GB Crucial M4, 1TB WDCB FALS, 1TB WDCB FAEX, 1.5 WD Elements
Optical Drive:	Sony BD-R
CRT/LCD Model:	21.5'' Asus 1080P LCD, 2ms response
Case:	White Phantom NZXT
Sound Card:	HT Omega Claro+
PSU:	Corsair 850 Watt modular
Software:	Windows 7 Professional 64bit SP1
Benchmarks:	8% ram usage when idle, lol

Dec 12, 2008, 11:08 PM	#20
Triprift Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Adelaide Australia Posts: 4,258 (2.11/day) Thanks: 520 Thanked 947 Times in 788 Posts System Specs	For how much longer though i wonder surely the world economic slump will hit eventually. __________________ Welcome to the lost chicken helpline if you have lost your chicken press 1, if you have found a lost chicken press 2, if you would like to adopt a chicken press 3, if you would like to sponsor a chicken press 4 for all other enquiries press 5 Graphic Artists United™ Solaris utility DVD 4.0 ---General nonsense 2.0--- How to post pics at TPU

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Point of View GeForce 9400 GT 1024 MB	W1zzard	Reviews	12	Sep 10, 2008 12:41 AM
HIS Radeon HD 3870 IceQ 3 512 MB	W1zzard	Reviews	12	Mar 21, 2008 11:29 AM
Powercolor HD 3870 SCS3 Passive 512 MB	W1zzard	Reviews	17	Mar 7, 2008 06:57 AM
HIS Radeon HD 3850 IceQ3 TurboX 512 MB	W1zzard	Reviews	15	Feb 21, 2008 12:00 PM
Mov codec broken.	Vario	General Software	16	Apr 21, 2006 06:58 PM