US game sales down
Big drop in games business in North America
US video game sales fell some 17 per cent last month, over the same period in 2008, sparking some concern among business types.
The latest NPD figures for March saw total US sales fall to 1.43 billion USD from 1.72 billion USD during the same period last year.
Analyst Anita Frazier, however, says there is no need for undue panic at this stage.
"While it might be tempting to jump to the conclusion that the sky is starting to fall on the video games industry given this months results, it's important to remember that two very big things are different this year than last. First, Easter fell in March last year whereas it fell in April this year, and last March included the release of Super Smash Bros.: Brawl, which went on to become the fourth best-selling game in 2008," Frazier offers.
US console and peripheral sales are down 17 and 15 per cent respectively.
"We believe investor concern may be heightened, with double-digit negative sell-through implying that the video game consumer has 'rolled over'" offered a concerned Michael Pachter, Wedbush Morgan's analyst describing the numbers as very negative, despite maintaining an optimistic long-term outlook.
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