The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the gaming industry. Sales of video games and gaming equipment have surged, with the US video game industry hitting a record $56.9 billion in 2020, up 27% from 2019. Digital game sales rose by 12% YoY, while physical game sales declined by 23% in 2020. Online gaming and streaming platforms have seen a significant increase in usage. Games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Among Us have become hugely popular during the pandemic, while the rise of esports has also been a popular alternative. The gaming industry has adapted to the pandemic, and its lasting impact remains to be seen.
The impact of COVID-19 on the gaming industry: A look at sales and player behavior
Introduction
COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the gaming industry. With millions of people staying home to avoid the spread of the virus, gaming has become a popular way to pass the time. Sales of video games, consoles, and accessories have surged while player behavior has shifted in response to new trends and norms. This article will examine the sales and player behavior trends seen in the industry since the pandemic hit.
Sales trends
The overall sales of video games and gaming equipment have seen a significant increase since the pandemic hit. According to an NPD Group report, the US video game industry hit a record $56.9 billion in 2020, up 27% from 2019.
The sales of consoles, which had been on a decline for the past few years, also went up. In November 2020, the month of the launch of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, US hardware sales hit a record $1.4 billion, up by 58% from the previous year. This trend continued, with the NPD Group reporting that the sales of gaming hardware were up 81% YoY in February 2021.
The sales of video games themselves have also risen significantly. The pandemic has led to an increase in digital game sales as people avoid going to stores. Digital game sales rose by 12% YoY, while physical game sales declined by 23% in 2020. Video game accessories, such as gamepads, headsets, and keyboards, have also seen an increase in sales, with consumer spending on accessories up by 20% in 2020.
Player behavior trends
The pandemic has altered the way people play and interact with games. With traditional social activities suspended and most people confined to their homes, gaming has become a popular pastime. Online gaming and streaming platforms have seen a significant surge in usage, with more people using these platforms to connect with others virtually.
Games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Among Us have become hugely popular during the pandemic. Animal Crossing: New Horizons, released in March 2020, became a global phenomenon, selling over 26 million units in just six months. Among Us, a two-year-old indie game, became a massive hit with over 500 million monthly active users in November 2020 alone.
Another trend that has emerged during the pandemic is the rise of esports. With traditional sporting events suspended, esports has become a popular alternative. Major esports events, such as the League of Legends Championship Series, Overwatch League, and Call of Duty League, have continued online.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the gaming industry. Sales of video games, consoles, and gaming accessories have surged, with more people turning to gaming as a form of entertainment. Online gaming and streaming platforms have seen a significant increase in usage, while games such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Among Us have become massive hits. The rise of esports has also been a popular alternative during the pandemic. The gaming industry has adapted to the pandemic, and it will be interesting to see what the lasting impact on the industry will be.