October NPD: PS4 Starts to Get Comfortable at US Hardware Sales Summit
Posted Thu 13th Nov 2014 23:45 by Sammy Barker
System scores tenth win in a row
This could be the last time that Sony gets to boast about the PlayStation 4’s performance in the monthly NPD sales report, so we should probably let the platform holder enjoy its moment. Pre-emptive comments from Microsoft prior to this showing suggest that the Xbox One may have November in the bag, but ten victories on the bounce from the Japanese giant certainly isn’t to be sniffed at – especially on its competitor’s home turf.
Overall sales for the industry were actually down in the United States this October, but only by a sliver. Consumers spent $790.7 million on new games, hardware, and accessories last month, compared to $791.3 million the year prior. Unsurprisingly, system sales increased by 59 per cent year-over-year on the back of the next-gen boxes, but a drop in software purchases – down to just $350.3 million – evened things out. Of course, Grand Theft Auto V was still selling like crazy 12 months ago.
NBA 2K15 topped the software charts, performing best on the PlayStation 4. 2K Sports’ basketball simulation outpaced The Evil Within in third, which set a new record for first-month sales in the survival horror genre, apparently. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel actually fared fine on last-gen hardware, finishing in fourth – one spot ahead of Destiny, which slipped all the way down into fifth. Skylanders: Trap Team, FIFA 15, Madden NFL 15, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, and Minecraft all rounded out the chart.
There’s not really a whole lot else to glean from this month’s report, though. Cumulative sales of both the PS4 and Xbox One are 70 per cent higher than those of their predecessors during their first year in stores, so the console market seems healthy and well in general. It’s next month that’s going to be especially interesting, however, as dozens of big titles and Black Friday do battle in the most exciting NPD since last year’s hardware launches.
Top Ten Physical Retail Releases: October 2014
1. NBA 2K15 (PS4, Xbox One, 360, PS3, PC)
2. Super Smash Bros. for 3DS (3DS)
3. The Evil Within (PS4, Xbox One, PS3, 360, PC)
4. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (360, PS3, PC)
5. Destiny (360, Xbox One, PS4, PS3)
6. Skylanders: Trap Team (360, Wii, Wii U, PS3, Xbox One, PS4, 3DS, mobile)
7. FIFA 15 (PS4, 360, PS3, Xbox One, Wii, PS Vita, 3DS)
8. Madden NFL 15 (360, PS4, PS3, Xbox One)
9. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (PS4, XBox One, PC)
10. Minecraft (360, PS3, PS4)
