5- week month; December retail reporting period 11/28/10 through 01/01/11
December 2010 Top 10 Games (New Physical Retail only; across all platforms incl. PC)
01. Call of Duty: Black Ops** (360, PS3, Wii, NDS, PC) ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
02. Just Dance 2 (Wii) UBISOFT
03. World of Warcraft: Cataclysm** (PC) ACTIVISION BLIZZARD -
1.5 Million
04. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood** (360, PS3) UBISOFT
05. Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii) NINTENDO
06. Disney Epic Mickey** (Wii) DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS -
1.32 Million
07. Madden NFL 11 (360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PSP) ELECTRONIC ARTS
08. Michael Jackson The Experience** (Wii, NDS, PSP) UBISOFT
09. NBA 2K11 (360, PS3, Wii, PSP, PS2, PC) TAKE 2 INTERACTIVE
10. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (360, PS3, Wii, PC) ELECTRONIC ARTS -
906.4K
XX. Gran Turismo 5 -
560.5K
**(includes CE, GOTY editions, bundles, etc. but not those bundled with hardware)
Presumably LTD Sales
Aaron Greenberg said:
Another NPD nugget....Kinect Sports and Dance Central are breakout hits, both selling 1 million units in US alone
Source:
http://twitter.com/aarongreenberg/status/25749109889572864
Annual 2010 Top 10 Games (New Physical Retail only; across all platforms incl. PC) Rank Publisher
01. Call of Duty: Black Ops** (360, PS3, Wii, PC, NDS) ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
02. Madden NFL 11 (360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PSP) ELECTRONIC ARTS
03. Halo: Reach** (360) MICROSOFT
04. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii) NINTENDO
05. Red Dead Redemption (360, PS3) TAKE 2 INTERACTIVE
06. Wii Fit Plus** (Wii) NINTENDO
07. Just Dance 2 (Wii) UBISOFT
08. Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2** (360, PS3, PC) ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
09. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood** (360, PS3) UBISOFT
10. NBA 2K11 (360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, PC) TAKE 2 INTERACTIVE
**(includes CE, GOTY editions, bundles, etc. but not those bundled with hardware)
Hardware
Nintendo DS -
2.5 Million (-24%)
Wii -
2.36 Million (-38%)
Xbox 360 -
1.86 Million (+42%, best ever sales by 420k units)
PS3 -
1.21 Million (-11%)
New!
Kinect/Move Data:
Industry Gamers said:
If you want to look at the recent holiday season as "Round 1" of the motion controls battle between Microsoft and Sony, it would appear that Microsoft's Kinect is winning handily (bad pun, considering that it's "hands free" gaming). Not only has Kinect quickly shipped 8 million units, but for the month of December, Xbox 360 Kinect bundles outsold PS3 Move bundles considerably. The software for the motion camera is faring far better too, according to Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter.
"About one fifth of PS3 sales included bundles with Sonys Move controller, suggesting a modest third month (we have chosen not to subscribe to peripheral data). About half of Xbox 360 sales included bundles with Microsofts Kinect peripheral, as Xbox 360 Kinect console bundles outsold PS3 Move console bundles by 5:1," Pachter said.
"Microsoft announced that it has shipped 8 million Kinect units since launch (in November), which was raised from its earlier goal of 5 million. More significantly, in our view, the top two selling Kinect software titles outsold the top two Move titles by over 13:1."
Source:
http://www.industrygamers.com/news/microsofts-xbox-360-kinect-bundles-outsold-move-bundles-by-51/
Dollar Sales
Code:
Dollar Sales Dec '09 Dec'10 CHG 2009 2010 CHG
Total Video Game Sales (New Physical Channel) $5.55B $5.06B -9% $19.70B $18.58B -6%
Video Games Hardware $2.19B $1.84B -16% $7.19B $6.29B -13%
Video Games Software (Console+Portable - New Physical) $2.57B $2.37B -8% $9.92B $9.36B -6%
Video Games Accessories $778.4MM $853.2MM 10% $2.59B $2.93B 13%
Total Software Sales - (Console+Portable+PC New Phys)) $2.67B $2.53B -5% $10.60B $10.06B -5%
NPD Press Release:
NPD said:
PORT WASHINGTON, NY, January 13, 2011 According to leading market research company, The NPD Group, the preliminary estimate* for total consumer spend on gaming content via all monetization methods, including new physical video and PC games, used games, game rentals, subscriptions, digital full-game downloads, social network games, downloadable content, and mobile game apps, is between $15.4 to $15.6 billion. This total consumer spend on games content in 2010 represent sales that are flat to down by as much as 1 percent when compared to 2009.
Based on this estimate, spending on new physical content at retail continues to account for the majority of the total consumer spend on games content. U.S. retail sales of new physical video game content, which includes portable, console and PC game software, generated revenues of $10.1 billion, a 5 percent decline over the $10.6 billion generated in 2009.
Bright spots came from PC games new physical retail software, which was up 3 percent in 2010, as well as increases in the consumer spend on used games sales, full-game digital downloads and downloadable content, mobile gaming apps, and social network gaming, which offset declines in console and portable new physical game sales, rentals, and subscriptions.
December 2010 represented one of the strongest monthly performances the industry has ever had at retail. It was a robust finish to a year marked by innovation and engaging millions of consumers through a multitude of delivery models, said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, the trade group that represents U.S. computer and video game publishers. Computer and video games led all other entertainment options as we responded to consumers demands for creative content on every platform from consoles to smart phones to handheld game devices. I look forward to a strong 2011 with a great pipeline of titles, many of which will be unveiled at the global center of video gamesthe E3 Expo.
The dynamics of games content purchasing changed dramatically in 2010 with options ranging from the physical product to digital downloads on connected devices as well as in-store digital kiosks, said Anita Frazier, industry analyst, The NPD Group. The increasing number of ways to acquire the content has allowed the industry to maintain total consumer spend on content as compared to 2009, and we should expect 2011 to be a growth year in the games industry as the consumer demand for gaming continues to evolve.
Analysis from NPD's Anita Frazier:
Anita Frazier said:
Overall
"We estimate that the total consumer spend on games content to be between $15.4B and $15.6B for 2010, which is about flat to last year. This year, declines in portable and console game sales were offset by new physical PC game sales, which increased by 3%, and increases in the consumer spend occuring via digital download, mobile gaming apps, social network games, and used games. We will issue our final analysis of the total consumer spend on the industry in March when we release our 2010 edition of the Games Industry Total Consumer Spend report."
"Sales of new physical video game hardware, software & accessories ended 2010 at $18.6B, a 6% decrease from 2009. If we include PC game sales, which enjoyed an increase of 3% versus '09, sales hit $19.3B, down 5% from '09. Aside from PC games, accessory sales were up over 13% due to an increase in the average retail price of accessory items of 20%. "
"Among new physical video game sales in December 2010, the Wii and the 360 platforms generated the greatest dollar sales of all platforms, at 32% and 31% of dollar sales respectively, across all categories including hardware, software and accessories."
Hardware
"In 2010, the Xbox 360 platform was the only system to enjoy a year-over-year increase in unit sales over 2009. December 2010 is the best month ever for Xbox 360 hardware sales."
"For the month of December, the Nintendo DS was the best-selling hardware system, achieving an install base of over 47 million units sold in the U.S., which now surpasses that of the PS2."
Software
"The best-selling game for the month, and for the year, was Call of Duty: Black Ops. Year-to-date it has sold more than 12 million units across all platforms, which is more than twice as many as the second best-selling title of the year, Madden NFL '11. This might lead some to think the industry is becoming more hit-driven with sales more concentrated among the top titles, but in fact, sales of the top 10 titles this year represented about the same percentage of total unit sales as they did last year."
"The top five games of the year are Call of Duty: Black Ops, Madden NFL '11, Halo: Reach, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, and Red Dead Redemption."
"On an SKU basis, games that are in the top 10 for the month that aren't reflected in our title-level best-selling list include Kinect Sports from Microsoft, UDraw Studio with UDraw Tablet from THQ, and Dance Central from Microsoft. Outside of Black Ops and Assassins Creed, the top list on both a SKU and title level basis reflects an array of content that is appealing outside the core audience for gaming that you might expect to sell well during the holiday timeframe."
"PC game dollar sales were up 62% in December led by sales of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm expansion pack. For 2010 new physical PC game sales, Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty and World of Warcraft: Cataclysm are the best-selling games, representing 14% of total pc game unit sales for the year."
"Among the top 10 titles for the month, two are third-party Wii games including Just Dance 2 from Ubisoft, which was the best-selling game for the month at the SKU level, and Epic Mickey from Disney."
Accessories
"December 2010 is the biggest month for accessories sales in history, due to a hefty increase in the average retail price driven by specialty controllers.
"The Kinect was the best-selling accessory item for the second month in a row, following its release in early November."
"For both the month of December and for the whole year, Point & Subscription cards grew the most in unit volume vs. 2009. This is a retail reflection of the growing importance of digitally delivered gaming content."
Press Releases:
Nintendo PR said:
NINTENDO NEWS: NINTENDO EMERGES WITH TOP-SELLING SYSTEMS OF 2010, LOOKS AHEAD TO NINTENDO 3DS
Jan. 13, 2011
Great games, great experiences and great value led Nintendo to finish 2010 with the two top-selling video game systems in the United States. The Nintendo DS family of systems finished in first place with more than 8.5 million sold in 2010, while the Wii system topped all home consoles with more than 7 million sold, according to the NPD Group, which tracks video game industry sales in the United States.
Nintendo sold more than 2.5 million Nintendo DS systems and more than 2.3 million Wii systems in December alone, bringing their lifetime U.S. sales totals to more than 47 million and more than 34 million, respectively.
With the new Nintendo 3DS system set to launch in the United States in March, Nintendo has strong momentum heading into 2011. Nintendo 3DS lets users view 3D images without the need for special glasses. More information about the system will be made available during a Jan. 19 preview event in New York.
"Nintendo has sold more game systems than anyone else for five years running," said Charlie Scibetta, Nintendo of America's senior director of Corporate Communications. "Of the quarter billion hardware systems sold in the United States during the past 10 years, Nintendo sold more than half. We look forward to bringing fun new experiences to consumers when Nintendo 3DS launches in March."
Three of the top five best-selling games of December play exclusively on Nintendo systems. These include Just Dance 2 from Ubisoft at No. 1, Donkey Kong Country Returns from Nintendo at No. 3 and Disney Epic Mickey from Disney Interactive Studios at No. 4. For all of 2010, 13 of the top 25 best-selling games play on Nintendo systems. This includes two of the top five; five of the top 10; and nine of the top 15.
MS PR said:
2010 was the Biggest Year in Xbox History
The launch of Kinect and the debut of blockbuster games such as Fable III and Halo: Reach, propelled Xbox to the biggest year in its history in 2010. As announced at CES last week, Microsoft ended the year with 50 million Xbox 360 consoles sold worldwide since launch, 30 million active Xbox LIVE members, and 8 million Kinect sensors were sold in just the first 60 days on the market.
December 2010 NPD highlights include:
· Xbox 360 was the only console to show year-over-year growth at 42%, making it the fastest-growing console in 2010. (Source: NPD Group, December 2010)
· With $6.2 billion spent at retail, more money was spent on Xbox 360 than any current generation console in 2010. (Source: NPD Group, December 2010)
· December Xbox 360 console sales remained strong, with 1.9 million units sold, our biggest month ever in the history of Xbox 360. (Source: NPD Group, December 2010)
· During the month of December, three of the top ten console game titles were for Xbox 360 including: Call of Duty: Black Ops, Assassins Creed Brotherhood, and Kinect Sports. (Source: NPD Group, December 2010)
In order to keep up with holiday demand in December for Xbox 360 and Kinect, Microsoft pulled units from its January and February production. Despite this, Microsoft still experienced out of supply situations in late December, and it expects supply constraint to continue in January and February as it works with retail and manufacturing partners to expedite production and shipments to replenish the channel.
With the most anticipated title of the year, Gears of War 3, new Kinect entertainment experiences like Hulu Plus and Avatar Kinect and more several surprises to come, 2011 will be another banner year for Xbox 360.
Sony PR said:
Top PlayStation Highlights
- PS3 was only console to have 32% increase in software sales YOY.
- LittleBigPlanet 2 currently has a Metacritic score of 94, which makes it one of the Top 10 PS3 games of all times.
SCEA
Since PlayStation Move was introduced in September, millions of consumers and gamers have joined the PlayStation family. The key to Move's long-term success is developer and publisher support; enabling PlayStation to offer the most diverse line up of motion and 3D games. The combination of innovative hardware and a relentless line up of blockbuster titles is why the PS3 is perhaps the only console that grows more valuable over time. As we come out of the gates in 2011, PlayStation is brimming with new games to whet the appetite for all gamers, like next week's highly anticipated launch of LittleBigPlanet 2, which received top scores. And right around the corner, Killzone 3 is positioned to set a new standard in hardcore gaming as the first AAA title to utilize both 3D and Move functionality. According to the December NPD, PlayStation is the only console company to show year over year software growth with an impressive 32% increase in its sales. Since launching four months ago, PlayStation Move has introduced 50 supported titles, with close to 20 titles still on the horizon, underscoring PlayStation's steady expansion of software titles to create what is without doubt the most exciting line-up of motion control gaming options available to consumers today. We look forward to the year ahead as we continue to deliver the kind of compelling, innovative and diverse content experiences that have kept the PlayStation brand synonymous with premier entertainment for over 15 years.
-- Patrick Seybold, Sr. Director of Corporate Communications at SCEA
Gamasutra said:
Ubisoft Claims Top Third Party Kinect Sales In 2010
by Kyle Orland
January 13, 2011
Ubisoft Claims Top Third Party Kinect Sales In 2010
In advance of NPD's sales report for December 2010, Ubisoft is claiming its slate of Kinect software made them the number one third party publisher on the new hardware platform in 2010.
Ubisoft didn't reveal precise sales numbers or proportions for its three currently available Kinect titles -- Your Shape: Fitness Evolved, MotionSports and Fighters Uncaged -- though Your Shape has recently started appearing on Amazon's top selling video games lists.
In a statement announcing the position, Ubisoft declared it's hoping to repeat the feat in 2011 with titles including Child of Eden and a Kinect port for the multi-million selling Michael Jackson: The Experience.
We believed in the potential of Kinect from the start and we set out to be the leading third-party publisher," said Laurent Detoc, Ubisoft North America president. "It worked. But this is only the beginning for us."
Last week, Microsoft announced it had shipped 8 million Kinect units worldwide in 2010, and last month NPD revealed Harmonix's Dance Central was the top-selling Kinect game during the hardware's launch month of November.
Source:
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/32444/Ubisoft_Claims_Top_Third_Party_Kinect_Sales_In_2010.php
New!
Other Stuff:
PS3 to Cut Price First This Year, says Pachter
Posted January 14, 2011 by James Brightman
Reacting to the December and year-end NPD data, Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter has noted that 2010 wasn't so hot, both starting and ending on a weak note. He cites the precipitous drop in revenues from the music genre, the Wii and DS software sales, each of which "were down 20% in 2010, in spite of substantial growth in each consoles respective installed base," and finally he blames the stubborn hardware price points.
"We believe that sticky price points for the three major consoles triggered a 5% overall decline in console hardware unit sales for 2010. Handhelds performed even worse, with unit sales down 25%, contributing to continuing software weakness," he said. Pachter said that the platform holders will all need to cut prices, and he sees Sony doing so first.
"We fully expect each of the three consoles to be offered at lower prices in 2011, with Sony likely leading the way as its manufacturing costs continue to decline. A $50 price cut should be sufficient to drive 5% software sales growth; and, coupled with a resurgence in handheld software sales and an easy comparison for music sales, we think that overall software sales growth could hit low double digits in 2011," he stated.
The combination of a price cut and a robust exclusive games lineup could do wonders for the PS3 platform in 2011.
Source:
http://www.industrygamers.com/news/ps3-to-cut-price-first-this-year-says-pachter/
