According to the analytical company NPD Group, cards with digital codes and gaming accessories became the main engines of growth in the US gaming market in May.
SOME INTERESTING FIGURES FROM THE LATEST NPD REPORT
– In 2018, American players spend 7% more on games and software than in the past. In total, $2.2 billion was spent on software in the first five months.
– The total amount of May spending is $685 million. This amount includes spending on software, hardware, accessories and cards with digital content. In May 2017, 13% less was spent.
– Compared to May 2017, there is a slight decline in sales of actual games. But this is due to the fact that last year in May the superhero fighting game Injustice 2 was released. This year’s hits cannot compare with the development of NetherRealm in terms of sales.
– Gamers spent a record $225 million on gaming accessories and cards with digital codes in May. This is 30% more than last year.
WHY DO PLAYERS NEED THESE CARDS WITH DIGITAL CODES?
The functionality of cards with codes is very diverse. With their help, players can pay for add-ons for games, purchase game currency, subscribe to branded online services of manufacturers, get access to cloud storage, demos and other additional functions.
Examples of cards for PS and XboxMAPS ARE GAINING POPULARITY IN RUSSIA AS WELL
The trend for buying digital codes is relevant not only for the USA. According to the networks “M.Video” and “Eldorado”, in Russia, digital codes for paid services account for 20% of game content sales.
More than half of the cards in the Russian Federation account for the Sony – PlayStation Network store. For PS, they most often buy cards to replenish their wallet with a nominal value of 500, 1000 and 2500 rubles, as well as a card with an annual subscription to PlayStation Plus.
Xbox Live users prefer to buy subscription cards for 3 months, recharge cards with a nominal value of 500 and 1000 rubles, annual access cards to EA Access for 12 months, as well as cards with game currency for GTA 5.
Also on the topic:
- State of Decay 2 after its release topped the top sales in the USA2 million console games were sold in Russia in 2017 (retail)
- A source:
GamesIndustry, “M.Video”