Monday, 30 Dec 2024

August 2015 NPD: Madden Is King And Until Dawn Has A Solid Showing

August was an exciting month for the gaming industry, with some expected successes and a few surprises. Madden NFL 16 took the crown as the top-selling game, while Minecraft continued its reign at number two. However, it was Until Dawn that caught everyone’s attention, making it into the top ten despite initial skepticism. Let’s take a closer look at the highlights of the month.

The Best-Selling Titles

Here are the top ten best-selling titles for August, listed in order of sales:

  1. Madden NFL 16 (PS4, XBO, 360, PS3)
  2. Minecraft (360, PS3, XBO, PS4)
  3. Gears Of War Ultimate Ed (XBO)
  4. Grand Theft Auto V (PS4, XBO, 360, PS3, PC)
  5. LEGO: Jurassic World (360, 3DS, NWU, PS3, XBO, PS4, PSV)
  6. Rare Replay (XBO)
  7. Until Dawn (PS4)
  8. Call Of Duty: Black Ops Combo Pack (360, PS3)
  9. Batman: Arkham Knight (PS4, XBO)
  10. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (PS4, XBO, 360, PS3, PC)

It’s no surprise that Madden NFL 16 claimed the top spot, considering its massive popularity. Minecraft also maintained its strong position, climbing up from number three last month. There were a few familiar faces as well, such as Grand Theft Auto V and LEGO: Jurassic World. However, Batman: Arkham Knight experienced a significant drop, falling from number two to number nine.

Sales Trends

Overall, August saw a decline of 2% in sales of new physical software, hardware, and accessories compared to the previous year. However, accessory sales alone rose by 12%, while software sales dropped by 10%.

In terms of console sales, last-gen consoles experienced a sharp decline of 61% compared to 2014. On the other hand, new-gen consoles witnessed a 3% increase. Portable consoles also saw a modest growth of 4% last month.

When it comes to game sales, new-gen games had a remarkable 34% rise, while last-gen games suffered a 51% decrease. Portable games also experienced a drop of 24% in sales.

Interesting Statistics

One intriguing statistic from this month’s report is the drop in price of interactive toy gaming accessories. NPD attributes this to retailers clearing inventory in preparation for the upcoming release of toys to life games like Lego Dimensions, Skylanders: Superchargers, and Disney Infinity 3.0. However, it is unlikely that these prices will remain low for long.

Insights from Sony and Microsoft

Sony and Microsoft were both eager to share their thoughts on the market. Sony proudly announced that the PlayStation 4 was the best-selling console in August. In a statement, they said, “We continue to demonstrate our commitment to delivering the best content line-up with the launch of first-party exclusives like Until Dawn and third-party titles like Madden NFL 16, which sold more on PS4 than any other platform.”

Microsoft, though not the top-selling console, had more exclusives in the top ten list. Corporate Vice President Mike Nichols expressed his excitement for Xbox One’s holiday season, stating, “it kicked off in August with the releases of ‘Rare Replay’ and ‘Gears of War: Ultimate Edition,’ the first of seven must-play games coming exclusively to Xbox One this year.”

Our Take

Until Dawn was initially seen as a niche title that would take time to gain appreciation. However, its solid showing in the top ten proves that there is indeed a demand for interactive horror video games with excellent visuals. As someone who played and thoroughly enjoyed Until Dawn, I am pleasantly surprised to see it sitting at number seven on the list. It exceeded my expectations and brings a fresh and unique experience to the gaming community.

FAQs

Q: What were the top-selling games in August 2015?
A: The top-selling games in August 2015 were Madden NFL 16, Minecraft, Gears Of War Ultimate Ed, Grand Theft Auto V, LEGO: Jurassic World, Rare Replay, Until Dawn, Call Of Duty: Black Ops Combo Pack, Batman: Arkham Knight, and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.

Q: How did the sales of new-gen and last-gen consoles compare in August 2015?
A: New-gen consoles witnessed a 3% increase in sales, while last-gen consoles experienced a sharp decline of 61% compared to the previous year.

Q: Which console was the top-selling in August 2015?
A: The PlayStation 4 was the best-selling console in August 2015.

Conclusion

August 2015 was an eventful month for the gaming industry, with Madden NFL 16 reigning supreme and Until Dawn making a surprising appearance in the top ten. The sales trends showed a decline in the overall market, but certain segments like accessory sales and new-gen games saw positive growth. Sony celebrated the success of the PlayStation 4, while Microsoft highlighted its impressive lineup of exclusives. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for the gaming world as new releases continue to captivate players worldwide.