NEW YORK — Americans may be cutting back on holiday shopping, but they are still buying video games — nearly $3 billion worth in November, according to data from market researcher NPD Group.
U.S. retail sales of video-game hardware, software and accessories jumped 10 percent last month from the year-ago period to $2.91 billion, boosted by strong sales of the Nintendo Co. Wii, Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 and the alien shooter game “Gears of War 2.”
The availability of a broad range of games is one reason for the industry’s ongoing solid performance, said NPD analyst Anita Frazier. Games also provide a relatively cheap form of stay-at-home entertainment.
The industry, Frazier said, is still on track to rack up $22 billion in U.S. sales this year.
November and December are crucial months for video-game companies because many of them make the bulk of their money during the holidays.
Earlier this week, Electronic Arts Inc., the publisher of the popular “Madden” football-game series, warned that sales have been weak in North America and Europe. Without giving specific guidance, Electronic Arts said its fiscal 2009 results will fall short of the guidance it gave in October.
