NPD December 2013 results were released today, as well as results for the year of 2013, but subsequent messages from Nintendo and Sony have muddied the waters, making the current – and future- status of gaming unclear.
For the month of December, retail sales are up 2 % to $ 1.37 billion. Hardware was up 28 % to $ 1.37 billion. Unfortunately, software sales are down 17 % to $ 1.28 billion.
For all of 2013, sales are down 2 % to 12.97 $ billion. Hardware sales are up 5 % to $ 4.26 billion, believed to be bolstered by sales of PS4, Xbox One, and 2DS. However, software again slipped 9 % to $ 6.12 billion.
As for bestsellers, we have the usual suspects. December saw Call of Duty Ghosts on top, followed by Battlefield 4, Just Dance 2014, Madden 25 and NBA 2K14. For the year, best performers were GTA 5, Call of Duty Ghosts, Madden 25, Battlefield 4, and Assassins Creed 4 Black Flag.
Now, for the stuff you really want to know. 3DS is the bestselling console of December, as well as of the year. Xbox One has sold 908,000 units, and is the best selling 8th gen home console of the month. Microsoft confirmed in their statement that Xbox 360 also sold 643,000 units, making December a strong month for Xbox.
Now, Sony has fired back in a press release, citing 4.2 million units sold for the PS4 for the year, and claiming to still be the leader in 8th gen console sales. They also claim to have sold every PS4 unit at US retail. Of course, both companies are now dealing with supply issues.
Sources are also upbeat on the Wii U, with a verified source confirming that this December was the console’s strongest month by far, and an unverified source claiming the console has extended its LTD lead over PS4 and Xbox One. What we know for sure is it is at least higher than the console’s sales last year of 460,000 units.
You may notice Nintendo has been quiet in all this. Just a few hours after NPD results, Nintendo revealed via press conference that they have scaled back their financial forecast for the year April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014. In spite of improvements for Wii U and good numbers for 3DS, Nintendo reports both hardware and software sales are below expectations. You can read the details on Nintendo’s presscon here and here.
So, while Sony and Microsoft continue to butt heads on PS4 and Xbox One sales, Nintendo’s announcement may be the most sobering of all. Nintendo’s straightforwardness on the state of their business is somewhat refreshing, but also very uncomfortable to look at up close. It really makes one wonder what state gaming was in in 2013, and how it will shape up in the coming years of this generation.
Image is from the year's bestseller, GTA 5.
