Is The Video Game Sector Finally Slowing Down?

Is the video game sector hitting a wall? That’s the obvious conclusion of the latest monthly sales data from research firm NPD Group . According to data released late Thursday, video game industry overall sales fell 17% in March from a year ago, with hardware down 18%, software off 17% and accessories off 15%. For all of Q1, overall industry sales were flat, with hardware up 1% year over year, software down 2%, and accessories down 3%. Wait, wait. How did this happen? NPD Group analyst Anita Frazier asserts that the steep fall off reflects two unusual factors. One, she explains, is that Easter last year fell in March, whereas this year it fell in April. And secondly, she notes that last March included the release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, which she points out was the fourth-best selling game in 2008. So, I know what you’re thinking: What does Easter have to do with buying video games? She claims that Easter lifted sales last year by $121 million; overall, NPD reported sales ... (link)