The GTA V bundle paid off.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articl...rives-us-console-software-sales-up-52-percent
http://www.computerandvideogames.co...lls-xbox-360-for-the-first-time-in-32-months/
http://news.xbox.com/2013/10/xbox-360-sept-npd
NPD results reveal a huge September for the retail side of the industry thanks to Rockstar's record-breaking performance
With GTA V quickly exceeding worldwide revenues of $1 billion in just three days, it should come as little surprise that NPD's US retail report is actually good... quite good. Total industry sales climbed 27 percent to $1.079 billion, while console and portable software sales jumped 52 percent to more than $754 million (factoring in PC brings the total down to a 40 percent increase). Accessories nudged up two percent, while hardware was the only category to decline, dropping 13 percent to $183.2 million - not exactly unexpected as everyone is gearing up for the launch of next-gen.
NPD analyst Liam Callahan noted that GTA V was a "much needed shot in the arm for the industry" and that the game "represented over 50 percent of dollar sales in September, and had the highest first month sales than any other previous launch in the Grand Theft Auto franchise."
Interestingly, on the hardware side, Sony's PS3 finally managed to break Microsoft's long-running Xbox 360 streak. "PS3 was the top selling console this month, breaking the 32-month streak of the Xbox 360 leading console hardware sales from January 2011 to August 2013," Callahan said, adding that PS3 was given a lift by the GTA V 500GB PS3 bundle, "demonstrating how Grand Theft Auto V can shake things up in hardware as well as software.”
While GTA V stole the spotlight, other top performers for the month included EA Sports' Madden NFL 25 and FIFA 14, Take-Two's NBA 2K14, and Blizzard's Diablo III. The complete top 10 chart is below.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articl...rives-us-console-software-sales-up-52-percent
http://www.computerandvideogames.co...lls-xbox-360-for-the-first-time-in-32-months/
PlayStation 3 has sold more units in the US than the Xbox 360 for the first time in 32 months, according to the new NPD report.
The results were influenced by the PS3 Super Slim GTA 5 bundle, proving that Rockstar's hit - which boosted software sales in September by 52 per cent - has influence outside of the software market.
This is the first time the Xbox 360 has not dominated US console sales since January 2011.
Meanwhile, the 3DS was the top selling hardware product for the fifth consecutive month, while the Wii U experienced a surge thanks to Nintendo's price drop. As a result, Wii U sales increased by 100 per cent on an average per-week basis from the month of August.
NPD predicts that Pokemon X & Y will result in a surge of sales for the 3DS in the month of October.
The news comes amid a continued decline for hardware sales in the lead up to November's next-gen consoles launch. Total hardware sales fell 13 per cent compared to figures form September 2012.
This month, Xbox 360 reached 80 million consoles sold to retailers worldwide* and maintained its lead as the number one selling console in the U.S. in 2013.
September 2013 NPD highlights:
September marked the biggest software sales ever for Xbox 360, with sales reaching $401.2 million the most for any console in the U.S. (Source: NPD Group, September 2013)
Xbox 360 continues to see strong consumer demand with an amazing lineup of titles. In fact, Xbox 360 held five of the top 10 consoles games during the month of September including: “Grand Theft Auto V,” “FIFA 14,” “Madden NFL 14,” “Diablo III” and “NBA 2K14.” (Source: NPD Group, September 2013)
Xbox 360 remains the number one selling console in the U.S. in 2013, with 1.6 million units sold this year. (Source: NPD Group, September 2013)
Xbox 360 is poised for another successful holiday with recently announced Xbox 360 holiday bundles available worldwide at select major retailers. The three holiday bundles are:
Xbox 360 250GB Holiday Bundle with “Halo 4” and “Tomb Raider” as well as one month free of Xbox Live Gold available for $249.99** USD (ERP).
Xbox 360 4GB Kinect Holiday Bundle with “Kinect Sports: Season Two” and “Kinect Adventures” as well as one month free of Xbox Live Gold available for $249.99** USD (ERP).
Xbox 360 250GB Kinect Holiday Bundle with “Kinect Sports: Season Two,” “Kinect Adventures,” and “Forza Horizon” as well as one month free of Xbox Live Gold available for $349.99** USD (ERP).
This holiday only, the Xbox 360 4GB Console is available for an incredible value of $179.99** USD (ERP). Now is the time to get a great deal on Xbox 360.
Looking ahead to Xbox One launch, we continue to see overwhelming demand for the console with pre-orders for Xbox One selling out quicker than any previous Xbox release; Xbox One pre-orders continue to outpace Xbox 360 pre-orders in the same time period. While we remain on track to honor all pre-order commitments, we do expect to sell every Xbox One we deliver to retail this holiday.
With the release of Xbox One, amazing new titles coming to Xbox One and Xbox 360 and best-ever holiday offers available for Xbox 360, it’s going to be a great year for Xbox.
*Internal Microsoft data
**Games inside marked packages, while supplies last. Estimated retail price; actual prices may vary.
http://news.xbox.com/2013/10/xbox-360-sept-npd