According to Media Control GfK International, sales of videogame software have outpaced those of DVD and Blu-ray media at retail.
Videogame sales grew by 20 percent in 2008 to reach sales of $32 billion, on the back of a worldwide 6 percent growth in packaged goods, which reached $61 billion last year. Combined DVD and Blu-ray sales fell by 6 percent to $29 billion last year.
GfK International predicts games sales to account for an even greater slice of the packaged good pie in 2009, up to 57 percent, up from 53 percent in 2008 and 47 percent in 2007. Worldwide game software sales are also expected to grow by 12 percent this year, up to $36 billion.
This is in contrast to expectations for DVD and Blu-ray combined sales, which is predicted to fall by 4 percent this year, down to $27 billion, despite a growth in Blu-ray sales to $2.9 billion.
Source: Video Business
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Comments:
Wonder how these stats compare to South African data...
I'd also love to see stats for SA. Theory behind this (piracy excluded) is that with the worldwide economy on a downward trend consumers are watching their money that much more closely. On a limited budget you're far more likely to invest in something that is sure to give you (and your family in most cases) hours / days / months of fun than you are to splash out on a dinner and a movie that's done in 2 hours. Games FTW!