The industry generated over $1 billion in revenue during September, up from the $848 million consumers spent on games in the US last year. October 18, 2013 5:09 AM PDT GTA V helped spur a gain in the gaming space last month. (Credit: Rockstar Games) Game spending in the US was up considerably in September, thanks to the wildly popular Grand Theft Auto V. Total game spending in the physical channel, which includes game discs, hardware, and accessories, hit $1.08 billion in the US last month, research firm NPD revealed on Thursday. The spending was up 27 percent compared to September 2012, when consumers spent $848 million in the US. The gain was due to the massive success of Grand Theft Auto V. In fact, total game software spending was up 52 percent year-over-year to $754.3 million. Total hardware spending was down 13 percent to $183.2 million. "The launch of Grand Theft Auto V this September was a much needed shot in the arm for the industry," NPD analyst Liam Callahan said in a statement. On the hardware side, Nintendo's 3DS was the top-selling device for the fifth-consecutive month. The PlayStation 3 was tops in the console space, snapping the Xbox 360's 32-month bestselling streak. Nintendo was also pleased with its console results last month, reporting that Wii U hardware sales were up considerably compared to August. Nintendo didn't say how many Wii U units it sold during the period.
The industry generated over $1 billion in revenue during September, up from the $848 million consumers spent on games in the US last year.
GTA V helped spur a gain in the gaming space last month.
(Credit: Rockstar Games)
Game spending in the US was up considerably in September, thanks to the wildly popular Grand Theft Auto V.
Total game spending in the physical channel, which includes game discs, hardware, and accessories, hit $1.08 billion in the US last month, research firm NPD revealed on Thursday. The spending was up 27 percent compared to September 2012, when consumers spent $848 million in the US.
The gain was due to the massive success of Grand Theft Auto V. In fact, total game software spending was up 52 percent year-over-year to $754.3 million. Total hardware spending was down 13 percent to $183.2 million.
"The launch of Grand Theft Auto V this September was a much needed shot in the arm for the industry," NPD analyst Liam Callahan said in a statement.
On the hardware side, Nintendo's 3DS was the top-selling device for the fifth-consecutive month. The PlayStation 3 was tops in the console space, snapping the Xbox 360's 32-month bestselling streak. Nintendo was also pleased with its console results last month, reporting that Wii U hardware sales were up considerably compared to August. Nintendo didn't say how many Wii U units it sold during the period.
