The game industry's third-quarter revenue reached $3.45 billion, representing its strongest growth since the second quarter of 2011. November 21, 2013 9:53 AM PST (Credit: Sony) The video game industry had a strong third quarter, new data from research firm NPD has shown. During the third quarter, US consumers spent $3.45 billion on video game hardware and software, representing a 17 percent increase over the same period in the third quarter of 2012. Perhaps more importantly to industry companies, the gain was the strongest year-over-year growth since the second quarter of 2011. Related stories Microsoft pens playful doctor's note for Xbox One gamers PS4 vs. Xbox One: Round 1 to Sony Xbox One: 15 things you need to know YouTube app lands on Xbox One Carriers reject idea of phone kill switch NPD's data shows that while hardware and software discs are still a large chunk of the gaming space, digital is coming on strong. In fact, digital sales last quarter reached $1.72 billion. Hardware and software sales were $1.3 billion, while used games and rentals tallied $436 million in revenue. According to NPD, spending on physical games was up 20 percent year-over-year in the third quarter. Digital content revenue was up 35 percent. Although NPD didn't make a prediction for the fourth quarter, it appears that it'll be another big quarter for the gaming industry. Last week, Sony shipped its PlayStation 4 console to the US, while the Xbox One is set to hit store shelves on Friday. Given past console launches and excitement surrounding those two devices, industry revenue should skyrocket compared to the same period last year.
The game industry's third-quarter revenue reached $3.45 billion, representing its strongest growth since the second quarter of 2011.
(Credit: Sony)
The video game industry had a strong third quarter, new data from research firm NPD has shown.
During the third quarter, US consumers spent $3.45 billion on video game hardware and software, representing a 17 percent increase over the same period in the third quarter of 2012. Perhaps more importantly to industry companies, the gain was the strongest year-over-year growth since the second quarter of 2011.
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NPD's data shows that while hardware and software discs are still a large chunk of the gaming space, digital is coming on strong. In fact, digital sales last quarter reached $1.72 billion. Hardware and software sales were $1.3 billion, while used games and rentals tallied $436 million in revenue.
According to NPD, spending on physical games was up 20 percent year-over-year in the third quarter. Digital content revenue was up 35 percent.
Although NPD didn't make a prediction for the fourth quarter, it appears that it'll be another big quarter for the gaming industry. Last week, Sony shipped its PlayStation 4 console to the US, while the Xbox One is set to hit store shelves on Friday. Given past console launches and excitement surrounding those two devices, industry revenue should skyrocket compared to the same period last year.
