Viper
01-03-2004, 02:45 AM
Despite significant growth in the Australian game market over the past several years, sales have been weak this holiday season. After posting record growth of 31% last year, the Australian game market is expected to grow only 2% this year. "This Christmas was definitely slower than last year. We've just done the budget figures which show console sales, including the Sony PlayStation and Microsoft Xbox , were down," said Paul Simao from the Electronics Boutique, Sydney, Australia.
Naturally, retailers aren't the only ones reeling from slow holiday sales. "We were somewhat surprised by the lack of growth at Christmas. It seems stand-alone consoles were not cheap enough," said Microsoft's director of Xbox operations in Australia, David McLean. In North America sales are expected to be lighter than last year as well with 8% annual growth, down from 16% last year.
The global slowdown in sales has largely been attributed to over-saturation of existing game consoles including the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. "The consumers that are just now getting around to buying a PlayStation 2 obviously are not in a big hurry to get the latest and greatest. Instead of plopping down $50 for the latest release, they may be more inclined to bargain shop," said industry research group, DFC Intelligence.
__________________________________________________ ____
Why no GC mention? I suppose the GC had better sales than the previous year and that would ruin the implied negativity of this article.
Seems like MS of Aust believes that Nintendos price cut was not necessarily a last ditch effort but more of a market indicated move.
Naturally, retailers aren't the only ones reeling from slow holiday sales. "We were somewhat surprised by the lack of growth at Christmas. It seems stand-alone consoles were not cheap enough," said Microsoft's director of Xbox operations in Australia, David McLean. In North America sales are expected to be lighter than last year as well with 8% annual growth, down from 16% last year.
The global slowdown in sales has largely been attributed to over-saturation of existing game consoles including the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. "The consumers that are just now getting around to buying a PlayStation 2 obviously are not in a big hurry to get the latest and greatest. Instead of plopping down $50 for the latest release, they may be more inclined to bargain shop," said industry research group, DFC Intelligence.
__________________________________________________ ____
Why no GC mention? I suppose the GC had better sales than the previous year and that would ruin the implied negativity of this article.
Seems like MS of Aust believes that Nintendos price cut was not necessarily a last ditch effort but more of a market indicated move.