video game sales WAY down in April... are we looking at a crash?

[WCP]

Look, I know that a video game crash like back in the early 80's is pretty much impossible, but things could get a bit sketchy. What if the Wii U comes out, and nobody but the core Nintendo faithful buy it? Sure, it will have impressive sales over Xmas, because there are enough Nintendo faithful that will buy it sight unseen, but after that the sales could fall off a cliff. I'm not sure that's how it's going to go down, but stranger things have happened. Then if MS and Sony bring out their consoles, and again, only the hardcore faithful by them, and after that the sales fall off a cliff again?

What if the only thing people are buying is the 99 cents iPhone type games and handful of triple A blockbusters? The economy and high gas prices and lack of job security seems to be making people a bit skittish, and maybe buying a new high priced console (anything above $199) is going to be a hard sell. Things could get really sketchy. I'm hoping for the best, but I can definitely see a bumpy video game road unless we get a real gaming breakthrough that rejuvenates the industry.

[Sunnyvale]

I wouldn't be surprised if many were saving up to stand in line to buy the next console. Give them something to jump at, they'll drop cash. But with shovelware on the $60 shelves and the next gen just moments away...

[Bojay1997]

Look, I know that a video game crash like back in the early 80's is pretty much impossible, but things could get a bit sketchy. What if the Wii U comes out, and nobody but the core Nintendo faithful buy it? Sure, it will have impressive sales over Xmas, because there are enough Nintendo faithful that will buy it sight unseen, but after that the sales could fall off a cliff. I'm not sure that's how it's going to go down, but stranger things have happened. Then if MS and Sony bring out their consoles, and again, only the hardcore faithful by them, and after that the sales fall off a cliff again?

What if the only thing people are buying is the 99 cents iPhone type games and handful of triple A blockbusters? The economy and high gas prices and lack of job security seems to be making people a bit skittish, and maybe buying a new high priced console (anything above $199) is going to be a hard sell. Things could get really sketchy. I'm hoping for the best, but I can definitely see a bumpy video game road unless we get a real gaming breakthrough that rejuvenates the industry.

I disagree. This is just a normal slow-down at the end of a generation of consoles. It's also a really slow month with far fewer must own titles than this time a year ago as several others have pointed out. The economy was far worse last year at this time, so it's certainly not the dominant factor in this year to year drop. The industry doesn't need some amazing breakthrough. Great games and well made reasonably priced new consoles will keep things going for a good long while.

[duffmanth]

I disagree. This is just a normal slow-down at the end of a generation of consoles. It's also a really slow month with far fewer must own titles than this time a year ago as several others have pointed out. The economy was far worse last year at this time, so it's certainly not the dominant factor in this year to year drop. The industry doesn't need some amazing breakthrough. Great games and well made reasonably priced new consoles will keep things going for a good long while.

I agree, this is just one those weird times when one console generation is nearing its end and another is on the horizon. There weren't many AAA games released last month, so that's probably the biggest factor for a lackluster April.

[G-Boobie]

Hey, also? A metric ton of money is going towards iOS games, the Android marketplace, and Facebook. While we're at it, Blizzard already sold something like three million copies of Diablo III before it's even been released, Steam has something like twenty million members, and despite all attempts at self-sabotage, Origin made EA 150 million dollars in it's first ten months. Then we have to consider that free to play games such as League of Legends and Tribes Ascend are making plenty of cash, while MMOs that have switched to free to play from subscription are suddenly profitable again.

The moral? The NPD numbers no longer tell even half the story. They've ceased to be relevant outside of causing people to post panicked doomsday what if? scenarios on GameFAQs, GAF, and assorted other forums with their idiot witchcraft.

I post this lullabye once a month, but here it is again: there's no crash coming. Not only are companies gearing up for the new consoles coming in the next year and a half, but there are revenue streams worth as much or more that they're exploring, stuff like mobile or, *gasp*, PC games of all types. Things are changing, but they're not going to die. There's way too much money involved for that. Bad years and shaky quarters? Sure! A fiery heat death like Atari? Fuck no. Relax.

[M.Buster2184]

I never understand why people are surprised at the lack on console sales. Eventually everyone who wants a PS3, 360 or Wii are going to own it or buy a used one, so of course console sales go down.

[Griking]

Hey, also? A metric ton of money is going towards iOS games, the Android marketplace, and Facebook. While we're at it, Blizzard already sold something like three million copies of Diablo III before it's even been released, Steam has something like twenty million members, and despite all attempts at self-sabotage, Origin made EA 150 million dollars in it's first ten months. Then we have to consider that free to play games such as League of Legends and Tribes Ascend are making plenty of cash, while MMOs that have switched to free to play from subscription are suddenly profitable again.

The moral? The NPD numbers no longer tell even half the story. They've ceased to be relevant outside of causing people to post panicked doomsday what if? scenarios on GameFAQs, GAF, and assorted other forums with their idiot witchcraft.

I post this lullabye once a month, but here it is again: there's no crash coming. Not only are companies gearing up for the new consoles coming in the next year and a half, but there are revenue streams worth as much or more that they're exploring, stuff like mobile or, *gasp*, PC games of all types. Things are changing, but they're not going to die. There's way too much money involved for that. Bad years and shaky quarters? Sure! A fiery heat death like Atari? Fuck no. Relax.

I agree 100% Do NPD numbers even include income from monthly subscriptions to game like WoW? What about used games? I haven't bought a lot of 'premium' games this year but I've bought a ton of games from Steam and GoG. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a correction in the gaming market. There's just too many crappy shovelware games and uninspired sequels being released on consoles to keep me interested.

[RCM]

Thanks to G-Boobie for saying almost exactly what I was going to in both his posts. Nothing to see here, move along.

[Flashback2012]

Thanks to G-Boobie for saying almost exactly what I was going to in both his posts. Nothing to see here, move along.

Feh. I would have thought for sure that before the 10th post, someone would have said it's all Gamestop's fault. I am disappoint.