UK Games Industry Enjoys Record Breaking Year

Regular chart compiler Chart-Track has revealed, on behalf of trade organization ELSPA, that 2007 has seen the highest ever sales figures in the UK market’s history. Total number of unit sales has risen by 16.6 percent on the previous year, with sales by value up 25.3 percent. With only a few shopping days left till Christmas, Chart-Track now estimates that around 78 million games will be sold in 2007, breaking all previous records set last year. Last week alone saw sales of £87.9 million ($175m), becoming the highest ever sales week in the UK. Third quarter sales in general have also broken records, with software unit sales up 19 percent from 2006 from 12.61 million to 15.03 million. Revenues were up 36 percent from £233.5 million ($465m) in 2006 to £332.6 million ($662m) this year. Despite Nintendo previously having less traction in the UK, the record breaking year is primarily attributed to the success of the Nintendo DS and Wii – as well as “strong” sales of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Unit sales of the whole console market in the third quarter rose by 33 percent from 8.52 million to 11.33 million. Revenues of console sales saw a 45 percent increase from £180.95 million ($360m) to £263.20 million ($524m). As a result, the console market now accounts for 79 percent of software revenues and 75 percent of total software units sold – compared to the PC and Mac. The console proportion of units is the equal highest of any previous quarter, and the highest ever for a third quarter, as are console software revenues.