SuperData has released its latest findings for digital video game sales throughout the month of December 2016, and there’s good news for digital publishers . . . not so much for GameStop or Mario.
At Least They’re Easier To Move . . .
The age of showing off one’s massive video game cartridge or disc collection may inevitably come to a close for future generations, as consumers are buying more and more digital copies instead. Retail software sales in the US experienced its worst month in December in two decades—dropping 16 percent year-over-year and GameStop’s stock price fell 28 percent from its highest point in 2016.
Meanwhile, SuperData observed that console digital revenue in the US has increased by 16 percent year-over-year, capping off a record sales quarter in which total revenue hit a combined $1 billion for the first time. Gamers just had to have their favorite titles this past holiday, evidenced by an impressive 21 percent jump in total full game download units in December.
Pocket Monsters Are Faster Than Plumbers
Super Mario Run has been more of a brisk walk compared to Nintendo’s mobile predecessor, Pokémon GO. Although the game was downloaded a third of Pokémon GO‘s total downloads—partly attributed to its iOS-only launch—the $10 price tag didn’t do much to boost sales. Super Mario Run made less than a fifth of Pokémon‘s total revenue when comparing launch months.
“With Super Mario Run, Nintendo shows it still doesn’t get the modern market,” SuperData observed in its report. “The exclusivity to the iOS platform (until March) contributed to a truncated launch. However, the combination of a relatively large $10 full game price tag in a largely free-to-play ecosystem, and no plans for microtransactions, indicates that Nintendo may still not be understanding the new market and audience.”
Let It Grow, Let It Grow, Let It Grow
The total digital market grew nine percent in December with almost every individual segment seeing year-over-year growth. Digital revenue is still dominated by the mobile segment, increasing 11 percent to its highest point ever. Free-to-play games continue to grow year-over-year as well, with a rise of seven percent.
SuperData’s Top-Selling Games For December:
PC
- League of Legends
- Crossfire
- Dungeon Fighter Online
- World of Warcraft
- Overwatch
- World of Tanks
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Battlefield 1
- DOTA 2
- Fantasy Westward Journey Online II
Console
- Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
- Battlefield 1
- FIFA 17
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Final Fantasy XV
- Call of Duty: Black Ops III
- NBA 2K17
- Star Wars Battlefront
- Madden NFL 17
- Watch Dogs 2
Mobile
- Clash Royale
- Monster Strike
- Clash of Clans
- Pokémon GO
- Mobile Strike
- King of Glory
- Fantasy Westward Journey
- Fate/Grand Order
- Puzzle & Dragons
- Candy Crush Saga
