European Console Market Experiences Sales Dip in 2024
The European video game console market experienced a significant downturn in 2024, primarily attributed to market saturation and a shortage of major new console releases. Despite the launch of the PlayStation 5 Pro – the only new console from a major manufacturer – overall sales plummeted.
The lack of significant new hardware releases from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo contributed to a 21% year-on-year decline in console sales across Europe, according to a Video Games Chronicle report. While the PS5 Pro offered a performance upgrade, it wasn't sufficient to offset the overall market slump. Individual manufacturer sales figures reflected this trend: PlayStation sales decreased by 20%, Nintendo Switch sales fell by 15%, and Xbox Series X/S sales experienced a dramatic 48% drop. This decline is largely attributed to the age of current-generation consoles, with the original PS5 and Xbox Series consoles launching in 2020 and the Nintendo Switch in 2017. The report further highlights the changing market landscape, citing the Meta Quest 3S's strong performance in the US as an indicator of shifting consumer preferences away from traditional consoles.
Digital Sales Rise Amidst Physical Decline
While console sales struggled, the overall European gaming market saw a modest 1% increase in total sales, reaching 188.1 million units. This growth, however, was largely driven by a 15% surge in digital game sales (reaching 131.6 million units), which offset a substantial 22% decrease in physical game sales (down to 56.5 million units). This shift underscores the growing dominance of digital distribution in the gaming industry.
Outlook for 2025
The anticipated release of the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025 is expected to revitalize the European console market. However, it's crucial to note that the reported sales figures exclude several major European markets, including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria. The inclusion of these markets might alter the overall picture for 2024.
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