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NPD Reports Total Video Game Software Spending In United States Up Slightly In 2013
The NPD has issued its report on video game spending in the United States in 2013. The data includes new retail, used retail, rental, and digital (inclusive of subscriptions and DLC).
NPD reports that Americans spent $15.39 billion in 2013, up 1 percent from 2012. Physical sales declined 11 percent year-over-year, but significant growth in digital and mobile were able to more than offset the decline.
Hardware purchases were 5 percent higher in 2013 than the prior year. This pushed overall spending (software and hardware) to a 2 percent gain. This is a turnaround from declines in 2011 and 2012.
Our Take
The hardware boost isn’t surprising, and I’ll be interested to see how much more in increases this year. The trend I’m focusing on is the increasing importance of digital delivery and how it implies a continuing change in the relationship between consumers and content creators and the definition of ownership.
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