Russian gaming retail is still alive. The total sales of console games in retail last year amounted to 1.8 million. The figure is not very large, but it is at the level of the pre-pandemic indicators of 2019.
The sales figure was shared by the “M.Video-Eldorado Group“.
Regarding the specific dynamics compared to last year, the situation is not entirely clear. The press release shows a 15% increase in sales in the retailer’s networks. However, it is unclear whether we are talking about the sale of boxed versions or the sale of subscriptions and game currency. The original formulation allows for a twofold interpretation.
Unfortunately, the company does not have data on sales in financial terms. As its representatives explained in a conversation with us: “There is a figure only for unit sales volume.”
But there is information on the distribution of sales across platforms: “More than 65% of the games sold in Russia were on the PlayStation 4 platform, about 20% were taken by Nintendo Switch, similar shares were found in games for Xbox and PlayStation 5.”
Please note: the share of sales of PlayStation 5 games in Russia is already at the level of Switch games. And this, given the limited supply of consoles of the latest generation, which is recognized by the retailer.
The best-selling console game in Russian retail last year was Last of Us II. The rest of the Russian top platforms are not surprising. As in Europe, there is a lot of play in FIFA and Grand Theft Auto V on PS, and on Switch — in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.