Game Sales Drop Like A Stone for First Half 2010 in U.K.

Video game hardware and software sales in the United Kingdom took a hit in the first half of 2010, falling 16 percent versus the same period last year. MCV reports that Chart-Track data shows sales at £963 million ($1.4 billion), a drop of £180 million ($270 million) from last year. Software sales had a 10 percent decline with £533 million ($800 million), while hardware saw a 32 percent decline to £256 million ($384 million).

Xbox 360, PlayStation3, and Wii had a net combined increase in the amount of sales. The report did not include pre-owned sales or digital distribution.

“U.K. consumers are still facing economic uncertainty and everyone is looking to how they can make savings, which has naturally impacted on the entertainment industry as a whole,” said ELSA director general Mike Rawlinson. “However I am very encouraged by the innovative E3 announcements. With the introduction of Kinect for Xbox 360 and PlayStation Move in addition to significant plans for 3D gaming on Nintendo 3DS and PS3, the market is sure to start buzzing.”

“U.K. consumers are also getting their gaming entertainment in a variety ways. They are increasingly downloading video games from websites, and are playing games on their mobiles or through social networking sites – not only on consoles. This is proof that interactive entertainment is expanding way beyond its traditional boundaries.”