'Recession proof' video games slump
So much for that prediction
Friday, 15 May 2009, 11:31
THE STROKERS OF BEARDS and people in the know have long said that video games were recession proof. Now it appears that this not the case.
According to beancounters at NPD, US video game sales slumped by more than 17 per cent in April. The figure includes hardware, software and accessories.
Games software was particularly hard hit, with sales falling by 23 per cent. Hardware sales held up relatively better, sliding by only eight percent.
To be fair one of the reasons for the sales drop was because no one released any games in April this year, while April of last year saw the launch of the blockbuster "Grand Theft Auto IV." µ
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Video games sales also tend to drop in the early summer because everyone is waiting to see what announcements come out of E3.
Spin 1:
The obvious cause of this is piracy. We need stronger DRM.
Spin 2:
Recent anti piracy tools actually reduced the number of pirated games in April! So we need to use this new stronger DRM in more places, since it works!
Spin 3:
Obviously this is caused by the global economic crisis, we need bailout funds for the game industry!
Spin 4:
Well this is due to the fact that games are violent and feature heavy pornography (female nipples, OMG!) and we need stronger laws that protect the children(tm) so that parents can once again go and watch TV instead of actually reading the game box for ESRB ratings.
The games are "recession proof" in the sense that people are still playing them, and likely to play them even more in times of under no employment. Just when cash it tight they're not as likely to go out and buy new ones.
I agree with ya Scott, But GameFly is making a killing! LoL..
Game devs also have the problem that gamers are probably getting tired of the same old theme. How many "kill the naked zombie" games do we need anyway?
Gamers are also getting ticked at the phones home constantly DRM BS to the point they won't buy a title that uses it.
Games Need Sound, As Bullets Just Dosn't SPLAT right W/O Audio. Mike, two years ago Stated: HDMI 1.3 is Bass Bust & HDMI 2.0 IS Perfect, yet won't Be released.
So Mike was right, except HDMI 1.3 morphed into 1.3c. Now, 2.0? Iffie.
yet heres Tom:
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/hdmi-hdcp-ethernet-htpc,news-3931.html
has bunch of Audio enhancements, including new cable. Has copper, optical replacement tech. Communicates back to devices at 100 Mb/s & its predicted to be adopted 'En Masse'.Vava VaRoommmm....
As a Gamer I refuse to buy a call home to activate via Internet game. Online activation is BullSh!t ! And now that I game less because of this online game activation BS, I actually started to enjoy the outdoors more with outdoor activites!
There's just no good games coming out of the companies right now. Nothing original that I would want to spend my money on anyway. It's the same game themes over and over just different titles or sequels. I also blame greedy corporate pigs for slapping unrealistic time tables for development so it can boost their company profits. In return we get a 6 hour long single player game with a bigger advertising budget than a development budget.
to catch up on the old games you used to play, or missed out on.
Take a breather from buying new games, and re-live the classics--especially if the classics have mods out allowing you to play them at higher resolution, and/or with additional fan-created content.
You won't need new hardware. You can buy the games you're missing for $10 a pop. And, really, what game is coming out soon that will be SOOO SUPER AWESOME that you absolutely must purchase it? Whatever it is, it can wait.
Its not really a slump then as April last year was more of a "bump".
So compare to the bump, we are in a slump, which is probably the same as flat....