NPD: PC game sales showed significant decline in 2008

We hear a lot about how well the gaming industry has been doing lately, despite the global economic crisis rattling other business industries.  Recent research data showed that console video game sales have surged, though its growth in the United States has slowed somewhat.  Regardless, the market is still going up.

PC game sales, on the other hand, saw a small yet significant decline in 2008, with NPD data depicting a 14 percent drop from 2007.  While US console games racked up nearly $11 billion in sales, retail PC games fell short with only $701 million.

However, NPD research only tracks retail data and does not cover digital distribution, micro-transactions, online subscriptions, or any other means of payment commonly seen in PC gaming.  The research group has only recently begun to address such online transactions.

Games for Windows LIVE senior marketing manager Michael Wolf is certain this apparent trend is a temporary drawback caused by a shifting industry, and he insists PC gaming is still going strong.

"The PC gaming industry is not in decline; it's evolving and it's definitely evolving to a more online market," Wolf stated.  "I believe the PC is the cradle of innovation; there's always new things happening on the PC."