Aside from learning that the PlayStation 4 “was by far the largest launch in gaming history in Canada” back in November, we haven’t really heard much about sales figures for the PS4 (or Xbox One) since.
This changed yesterday when NPD Canada Director of Technology and Entertainment Darrel Ryce took to the NPD blog, revealing that combined PS4 and Xbox One console launch sales are up 127% compared to the combined launch of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. As well, retail software sales are up 102% and accessories are up 29%.
Despite the big jump for software sales, Ryce says the average Canadian is buying about three games for every PS4 or Xbox One sold, a drop of 11% from when the PS3 and Xbox 360 launched.
He added:
And while digital is growing in importance, the lack of truly compelling content at this time in either digital or physical format is what’s at play. This is a short-term issue seen during new platform launches, but it will be resolved in time for the holidays.
Based on the new releases coming out in the next six months, Ryce thinks the Canadian market for PS4 and Xbox One will build off the early success:
There are potential areas of growth, including increasing the tie ratio between games and consoles, which will improve as platform libraries (games) grow, and accessory sales, which will depend on a myriad of factors, including the continued push towards new market opportunities (e.g., toy-based games). So far, neither have been a focus from either the PS4 or Xbox One, but we can expect to see momentum on all fronts in the near future.
Canadians, how many retail games have you bought for your PS4?
[Source: NPD via Games Industry]
