Analyst: US PC game retail sales way down in October

Posted Dec 1st 2009 10:00PM by John Callaham
Filed under: Biz, Downloads

PC game developers and publishers have been preaching for a long time that digital distribution is becoming a bigger force in the sale of PC games versus selling them at retail stores. Now Gamasutra reports that a financial analyst has said PC game retail sales in the US are way down in year-over-year revenues.

Analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan stated that according to NPD Group figures, revenue from PC game retail sales came in at just $27 million in October, down a whopping 38 percent from the same period a year ago. While he doesn't address the situation further it's clear that people are less and less inclined to buy a PC game at a brick-and-mortar retailer and are instead using download services and also playing free-to-play online games with in-game item purchases.

Tags: digital-download, direct2drive, impulse, npd-group, steam

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Pachter may have a point, but another issue that probably plays a big role as well is this: PC game selection in retail stores (especially Gamestop) SUCKS.

Gamestop is arguably the 800lbs gorilla for retail game sales, but I can't tell you how many times I've gone into one and seen one of two scenarios:

1) They have PC games, but its half a shelf stand (and the Gamecube section is bigger)

2) They tell me to go elsewhere because they don't have any PC games AT ALL

Hugely frustrating... :(Posted at 11:19PM on Dec 1st 2009 by Nevadarain72

I blame the lack of new games being released and the overall quality of games.Posted at 3:08AM on Dec 2nd 2009 by Jason

So is this really news? Is there anyone left surprised that PC gamers are choosing digital distribution over brick and mortar stores in this day and age? I honestly cannot remember the last time I walked into a Best Buy or a Gamestop to pick up a PC game. Boxed software is DONE. I already moved all my PSP purchasing to the PSN now too that it has a full selection of games. I can't wait until I can do the same for console games. Best Buy, Walmart, Gamestop, etc can all go suck it. I've had enough of their full parking lots, out of stocks, pushy sales people, checkout lines, and limited selections.

...bysmittyPosted at 11:36AM on Dec 2nd 2009 by bysmitty

I have always personally thought that there was no retailer that could match Wal-Mart. Here in central Ohio, they are one of the only places (if not the only place) that has PC games in stock the day they come out, or their next soonest shipping date. I've driven all over town looking for a game several times, just because I want the actual packaging, and Wal-Mart is the only place that has any in stock.

My point is that online retail can get a product to a person, when a person wants it. No one can match this except the mighty logistics operation that is Wal-Mart (however evil their child labor ways are).Posted at 12:24PM on Dec 2nd 2009 by Austin

GameStop seems to be phasing out their selection of PC titles at their brick and mortar stores. The selection is scant while the their console selection is vast. Meanwhile their online digital distribution store is growing, many a number of titles to choose from plus they're having sales on/off at various times. Gamestops direction is already being written.

Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Target still carry PC titles. Enjoy it while it lasts boys and girls. Hang on to those boxed copies of your favorite PC games, they will become future collector items and command a price in the near future. Posted at 1:33AM on Dec 4th 2009 by Ladron

Ever depreciating quality/length/storyline within games is a big cuplrit, so is aggressive marketing *cough infinity ward cough* that is now taken focus away from making good games to just selling lots of games... Add to that government's banning games in certain countries AND THE ECONOMIC DEPRESSION THAT EVERYONE IS TRYING TO GET OUT OF DERP DERP DERP... I think we have enough reasons for why game sales are down without some executive-noobface telling us why.Posted at 1:44AM on Dec 4th 2009 by Munk

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