NZ Achieves Record Video Games Sales Despite Tough Economic Climate
-Computer and Video Game Sales Crack $170 million in 2009-
New Zealand, January 26, 2010 – New Zealand’s interactive gaming and entertainment industry shows no signs of an economic slowdown achieving a record sales result of just over $170 million for the 2009 calendar year.
Despite the economic challenges of the last 12 months, sales data compiled by independent market research group GfK Retail and Technology Australia indicates computer and video gaming sales of $170 million – an increase of 12 per cent from 2008. The data includes all sales from hardware, gaming peripherals and traditionally boxed software, yet excludes revenue generated from online retail sales, downloadable content, online games subscriptions and games delivered to mobile phones.
‘Family Games’ are a key factor to the industry’s growth proving to be the number one selling genre in 2009. 27% of all software sales were from the ‘Family Games’ genre – up 34% from 2008.
Growth figures for the New Zealand market were three times larger than Australia’s gaming market which recorded a 4 per cent growth.
According to Mark Goodacre, President of ISANZ, the record sales results reveal the strength of New Zealand’s interactive gaming market, particularly compared to overseas markets that have seen smaller or negative growth figures due to last year’s turbulent economic climate.
“New Zealand’s interactive gaming industry continues to buck global trends and achieve steady growth in sales despite last year’s tough economic climate. Video games have joined mainstream entertainment as a popular pastime that involves the entire family,” said Mr Goodacre.
Hardware sales increased by 13.51% per cent from last year and software sales remain steady with 1.132 million units sold in 2009 compared to 1.075 million units sold in 2008.
Sales for gaming peripherals also experienced an increase of 37%, which is no surprise considering the sheer number of households in the country that now own gaming consoles.
“Despite the economic challenges of the last 12 months, interactive gaming has proven to offer families good value entertainment. We expect that in 2010 the industry will continue to maintain its steady sales performance as playing video games becomes as popular as watching television or surfing the net,” said Mr Goodacre.
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About ISANZ:
Interactive Software Association of New Zealand is a trade body designed to represent and encourage the growth and development of the software industry throughout New Zealand. The Association is made up of eight members, Total Interactive, Microsoft, Sony, Electronic Arts, Mad Man, Monarco Corp, Atari and Take Two.
Contact details:
For further information please contact:
Bob Glancy – bob_isanz@yahoo.co.nz; 021 612 920
Games Sales Resilient in 2009 Despite Tough Economic Climate
-Video Game Sales Crack $2 billion in 2009-
Sydney, January 20, 2010 – Australia’s interactive gaming and entertainment industry continues to hold its own achieving a record sales result of just over $2 billion for the 2009 calendar year.
Despite last year’s challenging economic climate, sales data compiled by independent market research group GfK Retail and Technology Australia reveal video and computer gaming sales record of $2.05 billion – an increase of 4 per cent from 2008. The data includes all sales from hardware, gaming peripherals and traditionally boxed software, yet excludes revenue generated from online retail sales, downloadable content, online games subscriptions and games delivered to mobile phones.
‘Family Games’ remain key to the industry’s stability proving to be the best selling genre for the second year in a row. 27 per cent of all games sold were from the ‘Family Games’ genre – up 11 per cent from 2008. The second most popular genre was Action, making up 15 per cent of all games sold.
According to Ron Curry, CEO of the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (iGEA), the healthy sales results highlight the buoyancy of Australia’s video and computer gaming industry, particularly compared to overseas gaming markets that have not seen increases in sales due to the economic turbulence of the past 12 months.
“Australia’s interactive entertainment industry continues to maintain sales despite the global economic slowdown. Video games remain a popular household pastime that can be played by the entire family. Whilst a modest increase, we need to view this against a very tough economic environment and avoid comparing it to last year where consumers used their Government stimulus package to invest in a form of entertainment that brings the whole family together and can be enjoyed time and time again,” said Curry.
Software sales increased by 6 per cent from last year and hardware sales remain steady with 2.247 million units sold in 2009 compared to 2.249 million units sold in 2008.
Sales for gaming peripherals also experienced an increase of 31 per cent, which is no surprise considering the sheer number of households in the country that now have consoles.
“Despite a challenging economic climate, interactive entertainment has proven to offer families good value entertainment. We expect that in 2010 the industry will continue to maintain its steady sales performance as playing video games becomes as popular as watching television or surfing the net,” said Curry.
Healthy three quarter sales signals plenty of Christmas cheer for Australia’s Interactive Games Industry
With just one quarter to go, retail sales for video and computer games are poised to outstrip last year’s record figure that fell just short of $2billion ($1.96billion).
Entertainment Software Association’s (ESA) FY09 Report
The ESA is an industry association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies that publish computer and video games.
To view their full annual report, click here.