Video Game Hardware Sales Decline in 2024
Video game hardware sales saw a significant decline of 25% year-over-year at the end of 2024, as reported by industry-tracking firm Circana. Despite this decrease, video game content spending experienced an increase compared to the previous year. However, hardware sales, along with most other sales except for accessories, were down in December. The only December game that made it to the best-selling games list was MachineGames’ Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
December 2024 Sales Figures
| Category | Dec 2023 | Dec 2024 | Change |
| Total Video Game Sales (Projected to Total Market) | $8,282 | $7,543 | -9% |
| Video Game Content | $6,054 | $5,761 | -5% |
| Video Game Hardware | $1,555 | $1,112 | -29% |
| Video Game Accessories | $673 | $671 | 0% |
The decline in sales, both for December and the overall year, seems to be primarily attributed to decreasing console sales, which have been on a downward trend throughout the year. Circana’s executive producer for games, Mat Piscatella, mentioned in the report that spending on PlayStation 5 hardware dropped by 18% compared to December 2023, while Xbox Series and Switch each declined by 38%. Annual spending on video game hardware finished 25% lower than in 2023, totaling $4.9 billion.
Conversely, spending on video game content in 2024 increased by 2% year-over-year, reaching the second-highest total in U.S. history, trailing only 2021’s $52.0 billion. Although spending on console content decreased by 11%, the growth in mobile, PC, cloud, VR, and subscription content helped offset this decline. Piscatella also noted that the decline was expected due to the prolonged market presence of the Switch and the peak selling periods of the PS5 and Xbox Series.
2024 Sales Summary
| Category | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
| Total Video Game Sales (Projected to Total Market) | $59,294 | $58,659 | -1% |
| Video Game Content | $49,850 | $50,639 | 2% |
| Video Game Hardware | $6,453 | $4,854 | -25% |
| Video Game Accessories | $2,992 | $3,166 | 6% |
In 2024, accessories spending also saw a 6% growth, despite the lukewarm hardware market and flat sales in December. The best-selling accessory of the year was the PlayStation Portal, which was launched in late 2023. Circana’s report highlighted that the PS5’s DualSense controller in Midnight Black was the accessory with the highest number of units sold.
Circana December 2024: Top 20 Best-Selling Games in the U.S.
| Rank | Last Month Rank | Title | Publisher |
| 1 | 1 | Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 | Microsoft (Corp) |
MachineGames’ Indiana Jones and the Great Circle emerged as the only December launch to make it to Circana’s monthly best-seller charts. It ranked fourth in terms of best-selling games on Xbox platforms and third in terms of most-played games on the same platforms, as per Circana’s sales and engagement data. Other December launches, such as Marvel Rivals, Path of Exile 2, and Infinity Nikki, missed the Circana reports but appeared in reports for having the most daily active users on Steam and consoles.
The remaining best-seller list for December showcased several games that had previously ranked lower but jumped into the top 20, likely due to holiday sales. Titles like God of War Ragnarok, Elden Ring, and Helldivers 2 may have benefited from holiday promotions and new content releases.
Circana December 2024: 20 Best-Selling Games of 2024
| Rank | Last Month Rank | Title | Publisher |
A Call of Duty game claimed the top spot in the charts, continuing its legacy as the best-selling franchise in the U.S. for the 16th consecutive year. The rest of the list saw a slight shift from November’s positions, with most games maintaining their ranks.
In addition to the year-end list, Circana provided individual charts for sales on each console. Nintendo’s chart primarily relied on physical sales data, as the company does not share digital sales data with Circana. The Xbox chart included titles like Red Dead Redemption, while the PlayStation chart featured exclusive titles, with Helldivers 2 ranking third. Nintendo’s list included a mix of new releases and popular titles like Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros Ultimate.
FAQs
Q: What contributed to the decline in video game hardware sales in 2024?
A: The decline in hardware sales in 2024 was primarily due to decreasing console sales, with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Switch all experiencing declines.
Q: Which game topped the best-seller list in December 2024?
A: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 secured the top spot on the best-seller list for December 2024.
Q: How did the sales of video game accessories perform in 2024?
A: Despite a lukewarm hardware market, accessories spending saw a 6% growth in 2024, with the PlayStation Portal being the best-selling accessory of the year.
Credit: venturebeat.com
