Canadian gaming sales up, despite recession

The other week we noted how the ailing economy has affected video game heavies such as Electronic Arts. But according to market research firm NPD Canada, sales of video game hardware, software and accessories are up considerably in 2008.

The other week we noted how the ailing economy has affected video game heavies such as Electronic Arts. But according to market research firm NPD Canada, sales of video game hardware, software and accessories are up considerably in 2008.

Specifically, the Canadian video game market is up 36 per cent year-to-date, currently at $1.6 billion, compared to the same period in 2007. If the growth continues at the same pace, the holiday gift season could push 2008 video game sales above $2 billion for the first time.

"I believe the video game market is up due to the Wii’s continued expansion … and an amazing lineup of games in 2008, with Grand Theft Auto IV sales leading the pack," Matthew Tattle, account manager with the NPD Group, told the Star. "Moving into 2009, if people start to cocoon more in their home, software should continue to see success."

On a related note, Nintendo’s über-popular console and handheld system have also performed well south of the border.

With more than 3.6 million combined systems sold in November, the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS has set new hardware sales records in the U.S., says the NPD Group.

The Wii sold more than two million units in November alone, a record for a non-December month. The Nintendo DS system sold more than 1.56 million units in November, the second-highest total for a non-December month in history.

Filed Under: Games