May Was The Worst Month In Two Years For Video Game Sales
Video games sales have tumbled to the lowest point since before the pandemic. According to a new report from the NPD Group, total gaming revenue fell 19 percent in May to just $3.68 billion.
The report noted drops across the board, with hardware sales down 11 percent (to $216 million (and accessories down seven percent (to $131 million). The Nintendo Switch remains the best-selling console of 2022 so far, although the Xbox Series X out-performs it in terms of dollars generated. PlayStation 4 and 5 sales figures were not provided. The DualShock 4 was the best-selling accessory of May while the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller is the best-selling accessory of 2022 so far.
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In terms of video games, Elden Ring is once again back at the top of the sales chart, edging out Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. Elden Ring is also the best-selling video game of 2022, whose February release is likely at least partly to blame for the slowdown in video game sales.
The NPD Group, however, blames a slow May release schedule for the current slump. The only new game released in the past month to break into the top 20 was Evil Dead: The Game, which came in fourth overall in terms of sales. Nintendo Switch Sports is up to third after spending the previous month in fifth place, although Nintendo still doesn’t provide digital sales figures, so it could be placed even higher.
Surprisingly, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is back in the top 20 for the first time since 2017. Almost half of all Skyrim sales were made on Steam.
Mobile gaming also suffered last month, with Google Play purchases down 23 percent and Apple sales down 2.6 percent.
"While this points to inflation and other
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