Videogame sales of $1.17 billion in June were 31% less than those in the same month a year earlier, the greatest such drop since 2000, the industry-tracker reported.<\/p>\n
“This is one of the first months where I think the impact of the economy is clearly reflected in the sales numbers,” NPD analyst Anita Frazier said.<\/p>\n
“The first half of the year has been tough largely due to comparisons against a stellar first-half performance last year. But still, this level of decline is certainly going to cause some pain and reflection in the industry.”<\/p>\n
Videogame hardware sales in June reportedly totaled 382.62 million as compared to 617.25 million in the same month in 2008.<\/p>\n
Microsoft’s Xbox 360 consoles were the only videogame platforms to see year-over-year sales rise in June, according to NPD.<\/p>\n
Freshly-released “Prototype” was ranked the top selling videogame for the month, with approximately 600 000 units bought.<\/p>\n
US videogame industry sales to date are 12% less than they were at this time last year, but releases of hot new titles could result in the annual total matching or slightly surpassing last year’s record-high revenues, according to Frazier.<\/p>\n
“Of course, that could be put further at risk if more highly anticipated titles move out of 2009 into 2010 or later,” Frazier said.<\/p>\n
Take-Two Interactive studio recently announced it is delaying the release of a sequel to blockbuster “Bioshock” until next year.<\/p>\n