Since the COVID-19 pandemic worsened, people turned to video games as a way to pass the time and socialize with others safely. Due to the new trend, video game sales were at a high for the month of March.
According to a report by Nielsen’s SuperData (as per Forbes), the revenue of video games is up by $10 billion. Of course, since going out is not an option, this $10 billion is dedicated solely to digital revenue. That being said, March has been the best month ever when it comes to digital spending for video games.
The results should not be surprising anymore as the condition has forced gamers into opting for digital options instead of physical ones. Aside from that, even non-gamers are encouraged to try out video games as well.
The game that dominated the market
Although it released at the bottom half of March, the top-earning digital video game was none other than Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons. According to the report, the game was able to distribute a total of 5 million digital units worldwide. This is impressive as this led the city-building simulator to become the digital game in any console with most units sold.
Despite being one of Nintendo’s lesser-known franchises, Animal Crossing: New Horizons was an instant hit with fans. Perhaps one of the reasons why was that the game was a calming and warming escape from the current reality we are facing.
Having to walk around our own islands with cute and cuddly villagers seem like a perfect way to spend quarantine. Moreover, Nintendo’s pretty keen on content updates with the game, so it’s constantly expanding, so its digital video game sales could be even more stellar for April.
Other top games
Another top seller during March is id Software’s follow-up to the DOOM reboot, DOOM Eternal. This action-packed shooter is available for the Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The data notes that Doom Eternal sold thrice as much as its predecessor.
Aside from these two titles, multiplayer games like Call of Duty Modern Warfare, Fortnite, and Warzone had decent sales as well. Whether it’s through unit sales or microtransactions, these multiplayer titles got the best of the COVID-19 pandemic as players looked for safer ways to socialize.
While video game sales are good for March, not all is good in the industry. Aside from game delays, the industry is also heavily affected by the pandemic, forcing console production and game development to a halt. If the pandemic lasts any longer, the industry, much like the others, will begin to struggle as well.
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