Kotaku
The video game industry saw dollar sales in the U.S. of $17.94 billion last year, an impressive increase of 43% over the previous year, when it sold $12.53 billion worth of video games, consoles, portables and accessories. Sales were up across the board, with the biggest boosts coming from console hardware sales ($5.12 billion in business, up 73%) and accessories ($2.26 billion in business, up 59%). December alone saw $4.82 billion worth of video game goods sold, with over $2 billion worth of video games sold bolstering those figures.
More expensive hardware on the market for the full year certainly contributed to those impressive console hardware sales, but the 8.5 million Nintendo DS portables sold in 2007 had a lot to do with that, too. Look, everyone just made tons of cash, okay?
For a full breakdown of annual spending, plus comments from NPD analyst Anita Frazier, continue.
Video Games - $17.94 billion (+43%)
Video Games Hardware - $7.04 billion (+54%)
Console Hardware - $5.12 billion (+73%)
Portable Hardware - $1.92 billion (+19%)
Video Games Software - $8.64 billion (+34%)
Console Software - $6.64 billion (+39%)
Portable Software - $2 billion (+18%)
Video Game Accessories - $2.26 billion (+52%)
NPD Analyst Anita Frazier said of the year "While I wouldn't count on similar growth in 2008, I would expect to see 2008 increase over 2007, with more growth (proportionately) coming from software sales. While we will continue to see strong hardware sales, particularly if prices come down again, the spotlight now turns from hardware to software."
Regardless of what happens in 2008, I bet some video game executives are going to spring for appetizers at TGI Fridays this year. Go on, millionaires, live a little!
Comments
Did anyone else feel like popping in a Cheers DVD once they heard the analyst's name?
Hmm... quite a lot of 2007 updates.
I suppose that means games will be expected to start having 50 million dollar budgets... *sigh* gaming is going to get so expensive no one will be able to afford to do it anymore thanks to the stupid standards companies with a lot of cash make.
And so, Nintendo initiated its plan for world domination...
Mr. McWhertor I applaude your perfect choice of an image for this story~
I think the Wii can be thanked for the influx of hardware sales.
It should be clarified that this is console hardware, accessories, and software only. PC accessory and software sales are not included in this.
Wow, awesome year...
December alone saw $4.82 billion worth of video game goods sold, with over $2 worth of games sold bolstering those figures.
Lol, wut?
Holy crap! Well what do you expect when you see the numbers for the top 10 games sold this year and the same goes with the consoles!!
--------------------------------
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Show Capcom Wii gamers want hardcore games too!
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Now nintendo will buy google and conquer the universe with wii fit!
@tec2030:
Can you stop spamming that petition with every one of your posts please.
As stunned as I am by how massive it is, it reminds me of how much BS the other industry advocates spew.
Seriously, I've heard people claim that birdwatching pulls in "over $40 billion" and the gumball machine industry claim "$50 billion".
I just don't believe those numbers compared to the Video game industry's 17 Bill.
Oh yeah. Congrats to the game industry.
@ssjmichael: Support the Halo 3 Car Petition.
Show GM that people think Microsoft deserves more money!
[www.petitiononline.com]
pardon my french but holy fucking shit that's a lot of money.
but to the government, it's nothing....
well at least we now know videogames won't die.
@Kirbytheslayer: The Movie: Stop fucking adding to the problem.
@NeoAkira: Yeah I was wondering how much of that is the Wii sales, since its a world wide trend where as the DS is more largely selling in Japan than in other parts.
Big Money! Big Prizes!
I love it!
17.9billion, nice :D I guess we ain't all just some poor nerds sitting in a basement making paper routes :P
Now what I wanna know, if someone would be kind enough to reply to me that knows, how much did the music industry and movie industry make last year in the U.S?
for comparisons!
haha you guys pick the best visuals to go with the story.
@Kirbytheslayer: The Movie: haha, signed.
man, helluva year. Nintendo didnt do bad, no doubt, but i think its fair to say microsoft showed up too.
So pretty much most analyst reports predict 2008 to not be as big, then? It's ok, i could go for more sleeper hits.
@Irenicus-the one and only:
I think I heard 10 billion in ticket sales for hollywood.
18 BILLION DOLLARS!
That's what I'll say to the next moron to knock the gaming industry.
@GregoriusH: hmm, pretty impressive, so does the game industry have the lead out of all the mediums or? Where does it stand, I hope gaming is nr1 now, well aslong as it is ahead of the music industry I'm happy :)
@Witzbold: What game is that shot from? It tickles something in the back of my head, but I can't place it.
Smash TV
It's a great industry to be working in. Lots of money & limited players.
@ProsumeThis: It's a really great industry to be working in if you've just sold your privately owned studio to a publisher. For everyone else, not so much.
@Witzbold:
Get 'em Witzy, hahahahaha!!!!
awesome
I'd buy that for a dollar
Man, I see this as bad news. Right now, it just feels that everything in video games these days is all corporate bullshit and everything is always about the money.
Maybe it's always been that way and I'm only realizing it now. In either case, it's only going to get worse.
@DXY!: Yeah, wake up :P
@DXY!:
unfourtunatley, some of what you are saying and feeling is true. Games like it or not are becoming more "main stream". This brings with it (as we see here) BIG money. The industry then gets a bit diluted, but rest assured there are (and always will be) games out there for the gamer.
And you as a gamer and consumer can help drive this market. It is not always a bad thing when a bunch of people jump on the "bandwagon" so to speak. This is a great oppertunity for games, gamers, and the artist that create them to be seen by many and get the exposure they deserve.
They will not see that strong of a growth in 2008 but they will make more money in 2008... that's for sure. Konami is FUCKING stupid if they do not release MGS4 on the 360 since the industry are showing that very popular titles do very well on multiplatform, the clear winner of 2007. It's definately too late to do a simultaneous launch probably but they have so much to gain by making a 360 version that ships as close as possible to the PS3 version (on 6 DVDs :D ).
Good luck.....you'll need it!
In related news, Nintendo began production on an army of super neo-human androids in their secret underground base.
@okenny :): Well, Money is one thing, and they obviously want to make it.
But I seriously doubt that MGS4 will ever come to the Xbox 360. I would be severely disappointed if it did, why? Because that would mean Kojima would be going back on his word....and being a gamer who has always admired and loved him and his games for years, that wouldn't sit well with me. Because MGS4 coming to the 360 would be a purely money based decision, and while it's probably silly of me. I would like to think that sometimes it's more about the game and it's legacy than the money.
Besides that, I would say the future of the PS3 or at least it's success in 2008 almost entirely rests on MGS4 shoulders, I find it hard to believe Sony hasn't worked some deal with Konami to assure that this game stays on the PS3.
Well I think MGS4 will come out for the 360, in another package a year atleast after the PS3 release. But thats to long of a wait for a game like MGS4.
@HighlanderWolf:
Thank you! I almost lost hope that someone would do that. I loved SmashTV for the SNES.
Now can we get the top-ten list of industries that Video-Games-are-Bigger-Than?
Oh, that's nice...
WHERE'S MY FRIGGIN RAISE?!
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