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GfK-ChartTrack analyzes 2009's global software and hardware sales trends
We've seen some pretty comprehensive breakdowns of how the U.S. gaming industry performed last year -- however, industry analysis firm GfK-ChartTrack recently compiled a sizable amount of data to inform us how the whole planet did. In short, the planet did okay. U.S. sales faltered somewhat, the U.K.'s past-gen console sales sunk like a rock (or, rather, an original Xbox), and Japan stayed afloat upon a makeshift raft of Nintendo DS RPGs. The worldwide best-selling game of 2009 was (you'll never guess) Modern Warfare 2, with 11.86 million units sold. The runners-up were all proud members of the casual Wii suite: Wii Sports Resort, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Wii Fit Plus, and plain ol' Wii Fit. For more details on how the gaming industry did across this great big terrestrial mass we call home, check out MCV's analysis of the statistics.
Xbox 360 sales predictably spike in UK after price drop
GfK Chart-Track notes the Xbox 360 had a 43 percent sales increase over the weekend in the UK, following the price drop which sent the console's Elite version to a friendlier £199. With Sony's PS3 Slim model expected to hit the region this week, it'll be interesting to compare the percentage increase in sales for both consoles. We'd prefer actual sales numbers instead of percentages, but that's apparently not happening. To get a good grasp on the actual console sales, post price drop, it appears we'll have to wait for September's US NPD figures, which won't be released until mid-October. At that time, we'll compare them to the August numbers to get a better idea of the price drop's impact. Exciting!
Slim release pending, PSP has worst sales week ever
With the UK getting their new PSP systems on September 14th, it appears that many smart consumers have wisely put off on purchasing a PSP. The system experienced its worst week of sales ever due to the impending redesign launch. ChartTrack director Dorian Bloch told MCV: "There are probably a lot of consumers who are now waiting for Slim & Lite to arrive. The fact that kids are returning to school is also sure to have had a marked effect."Sales of Sony's portable have dropped overall this year, down more than 30 percent from the previous year. The redesigned system may be exactly what the system needs to revitalize sales. MCV added that software sales are even more abysmal: Although Briana Lara: Pressure Play was the number one PSP game this week, it didn't even manage to break into the overall top 40. That's telling. Hopefully, upcoming high-profile PSP releases will change that.[Via Joystiq]
Chart Track tracking down leak (and also charts)
You may recall when the internet collectively freaked out last week in reaction to an 82% drop in UK PS3 sales reported by Chart Track. Despite the fact that the stat apparently "didn't mean anything" the agency is now trying to track down exactly who let the commoners in on the secret.Part of Chart Track's deal with those who subscribe to its information is that they won't publish the data for public consumption, a sacred trust that someone looks to have broken. Now, Next Generation is reporting that the group may have pinpointed the source of the leak; in fact, they've contacted the party they think is responsible. If that doesn't work out, we think the next step is obvious: Jack Bauer, a wooden chair and enough Sodium Pentothal to make Peter Moore admit those tattoos are fake.
