European New Games Sales Decline by 29% This Year

European Gaming Market Sees Significant Sales Decline in 2024

In a disappointing turn, the European gaming market has experienced a drastic decline in game sales. According to Christopher Dring from GamesIndustry, who shared insights during a recent episode of the GI Microcast show, sales of new video games plummeted by 29% compared to the previous year, as indicated by GSD data.

Context of the Sales Decline

The year 2023 was always poised to be a tough act to follow, given its impressive lineup of blockbuster titles including Baldur’s Gate 3, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Resident Evil 4, and many others. The strong performance of these newly released games set a high bar that 2024’s offerings could not match. Dring noted the lack of substantial triple-A releases this year, with Star Wars Outlaws and Dragon Age: The Veilguard being highlighted as significant disappointments in the current gaming landscape.

2024 Predictions Amidst Underperformance

When comparing 2024’s new game sales to those of 2023, it is evident that the decline is alarming—nearly a third fewer sales year-on-year. However, there is hope for the future as 2025 promises a resurgence of major releases. The first quarter looks particularly promising with titles like Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Avowed, and Monster Hunter Wilds scheduled for release. Furthermore, announcements made during The Game Awards have generated excitement, particularly with expected releases such as an upcoming Elden Ring sequel and the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto installment.

The Disappointing Performance of Key Titles

The situation becomes even more concerning when considering how well-known franchises performed. Star Wars Outlaws and Dragon Age: The Veilguard only managed to secure the #14 and #19 positions among new releases in Europe, respectively. When taking into account all games regardless of release year, their rankings fell to #45 and #68. Other titles, like Dragon’s Dogma 2, fared similarly, landing at #9 among new games but falling to #34 overall. A troubling pattern emerges, as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth also did not perform as expected, occupying the #12 spot for new releases yet falling to #43 in global sales charts.

Successful Releases amidst the Decline

Despite the overall downturn, a few titles managed to perform moderately well in the European market this year. Notable mentions include Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO at #13, Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 at #12, Helldivers 2 at #6, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 at #3. Unsurprisingly, EA Sports FC 25 emerged as the dominant title in terms of sales, reflecting the enduring popularity of sports games.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, stakeholders should closely monitor these trends and prepare for a potentially transformative year ahead in 2025.

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