US games market down 8 per cent in 09
Sales of everything but handhelds fell.
Graphmongers the NPD Group have announced the US games market was down 8 per cent last year.
The industry generated $19.66 billion (£12.03 billion) during 2009 - down from $21.4 billion in 2008. Console revenues fell by 13 per cent and software was down 10 per cent. Only the handheld hardware market was on the up with a 6 per cent increase.
"Clearly, 2009 was tough year for consumers and the national economy," said Entertainment Software Association exec Michael Gallagher. "However, the bigger picture is one that underscores the industry’s strength; 2009 and 2008 were the highest grossing years in our industry’s history. Our industry's structure is solid, and I anticipate a strong 2010 with a pipeline full of highly-anticipated titles."