The US economy may be a bit weak, but it doesn't look like the game industry will suffer for it. In fact, 2008 may lead us into "the largest, most robust cycle in history," according to Lazard Capital Markets analyst Colin Sebastian.
Sebastian thinks that game software sales will exceed $10 billion in 2008. He projects that growth will come from the continued demand for both Nintendo consoles as well as improved sales of the PS3. It looks like he thinks that Metal Gear Solid IV, Grand Theft Auto IV and Gran Turismo V will help out a bit.
Why spend too much on a vacation when you could stay home and game? Sebastian thinks that the weakened state of the economy could actually benefit the games industry, as he feels that gaming "an attractive per-hour entertainment value in comparison with other leisure activities, such as movies and vacations."
He expects sales of software for PS3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii to grow 34 percent, to $6.4 billion. Additionally, he predicts that the sales of software for PC and handheld systems will also increase 10 to 15 percent, pulling in $3.8 billion.
If he's right, we're in for the biggest year of gaming yet. I thought last year was pretty great. Is your pocketbook ready for 2008?
[Via Gamasutra]
Dale North is Destructoid's Editor-In-Chief, a founding editor, and specialist in Japanese gaming. An accomplished musician, Dale was reporting from Japan during the earthquakes of 2011. Luckily, he got the fuck out alive and is home in America now with his wife and beloved corgi, Einstein. Dale is also a co-founder of Destructoid's sister anime site
Japanator. Likes Corgis, Sega Saturn, PSP, iPhone, Photographic tools.
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Contest:
11:48 AM on 01.24.2008
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And yes I did lump those three games together for many good reasons.
2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good titles this year holds, indeed.
But how much does WoW cost for a month? 15$? (I don't know I don't play it :P)
So let's say 15$, there are 10 million subscribers, but even if there aren't there will be more than 10 million players within 3-4 months... So 10 million * 12 month * 15$
That FUCKIN' 1.8 billion $... Only one PC game generates around 20% of the income of the whole industry...
What Blizzard takes from that in profit tends to be $3/subscription/month on average.
Why Blizzard ever thought that they had to be bought out by Activision is beyond me. IMHO, they would have done best going solo. It's not like any of their games were hurting or not selling...
10 BILLION DOLLARS!