September 2024 Video Game Market Analysis: A Hilariously Declining Situation!
Well, folks, grab your gaming controllers and a bag of Cheetos because we’ve got some news that’s sure to have you laughing—or crying! According to the latest report from Mat Piscatella (no, not the guy who invented swimming) on the video game market in the United States, September 2024 has seen a 6% decline compared to the same period last year. Ouch! Talk about hitting the “pause” button on sales!
That flop in performance is primarily “brought to you” by a whopping 44% decline in hardware sales. Yes, you heard that right! Hardware is declining faster than my dating prospects after telling a joke that fell flat. In total, 4.3 billion dollars were spent on video games last September, out of which nearly 4 billion dollars were pumped into titles and their downloadable content (DLC). Well, if you’re going to cry over spilled milk, at least it’s premium milk with a side of downloadable content!
The Battle of the Best-Sellers: Where’s the Action?
In terms of game performances, we’ve got some newcomers in town! EA Sports FC 25 and Astro Bot took the top spots, followed closely by Madden NFL 25. And just when you thought the nostalgia train was out of gas, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and NBA 2K25 are both showing up at the party uninvited, and just like a bad reality show, they’re here to stay.
But wait! Let’s switch gears and glance at that console market, or as I like to call it, “The Land of Make Believe.” Spending on consoles is down to a mere $251 million, marking the worst September since 2019. Yikes! Before the PS5 and Xbox Series launched, “better times” seemed like a different dimension! Meanwhile, Sony’s PlayStation continues to reign supreme in the hardware market, making it the best-selling console in the U.S., which is an impressive feat unless you consider the fact that its competition is over here waving a white flag.
The Accessories That Tripped Over Their Own Feet
On a slightly brighter note, spending on accessories has increased by a modest 1% to $217 million. Think of it like a toddler taking its first steps after an epic fail! And guess what? PlayStation Portal has emerged as the best-selling accessory for September and all year! Let’s just say, it’s like being voted “Most Likely to Succeed” in a class full of clowns.
“September 2024 U.S. Video Game Market Highlights from Circana – Projected U.S. total spending on video game hardware, content and accessories fell 6% during Sep 2024 when compared to a year ago. The decline was driven by a 44% drop in hardware spending and a 3% dip in content.” — Mat Piscatella
Final Thoughts: The Good, The Bad, and the Uneasy
So where do we stand with the gaming market? It’s a classic tale of “What goes up must come down,” but the difference is that instead of a soaring eagle, we seem to have a turkey attempting flight in this industry. The numbers, while not encouraging, are a reflection of changing trends and perhaps the cyclical nature of our beloved gaming world. And while we may be experiencing some growing pains—like a teenager in a middle school dance—it’s all part of the journey!
In summary, if you thought September 2024 would deliver nothing but wins, think again! Proceed with caution and perhaps stock up on the bubble wrap because the gaming market just hit a little turbulence. But don’t worry, we’ll be right here, controller in hand, ready for the next showdown!
Until next time, keep your gaming spirits high and your expectations in check. After all, there’s always room for that *one more game*! Or is it *five more*?
Circa he published in the last few hours a report on the progress of the video game market in the United States for the month of September 2024, revealing a 6% decline compared to the same period last year, driven primarily by a 44% decline in hardware sales.
According to analyst Mat Piscatella, 4.3 billion dollars were spent on video games in September, of which almost 4 billion dollars were spent on titles and their DLC alone. Speaking of games, EA Sports FC 25 and Astro Bot debut in first and second position respectively, followed by Madden NFL 25. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and NBA 2K25 are two other new entries in the rankings in September.
As for consoles, spending fell to $251 million, the worst September since 2019, therefore before the launch of the PS5 and Xbox Series. Sony’s console remains the best-selling in the United States, followed by the Xbox Series by revenue and the Nintendo Switch by units. Speaking of Xbox Series, Xbox Series
Finally taking a look at accessories, spending grew 1% to $217 million. PlayStation Portal was the best-selling accessory in both September and all of 2024.
September 2024 U.S. Video Game Market Highlights from Circana – Projected U.S. total spending on video game hardware, content and accessories fell 6% during Sep 2024 when compared to a year ago. The decline was driven by a 44% drop in hardware spending and a 3% dip in content.
— Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) October 23, 2024 at 3:08 pm
September 2024 Top 20 Best-Selling Premium Games – U.S. (Dollar Sales, Physical and Digital from digital data sharing publishers, excludes add-on content)
— Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) October 23, 2024 at 3:08 pm
PlayStation 5 again led the month’s hardware market in unit and dollar sales, with Xbox Series ranking 2nd in dollars and Nintendo Switch #2 in units sold.
— Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) October 23, 2024 at 3.10 pm
The PlayStation Portal was the best-selling accessory in dollar sales for both September and 2024 year-to-date. 3% of PlayStation 5 owners have purchased a PlayStation Portal to date.
— Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) October 23, 2024 at 3.10 pm
