New Data Show Record Hardware Sales as Consumer Spending Stabilizes Post-COVID
WASHINGTON, D.C., JAN. 17, 2023 – Overall total consumer spending on video games in the United States totaled $56.6 billion in 2022 as video game sales stabilize following back-to-back record years in 2020 and 2021, according to new data released today by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and The NPD Group. This figure includes revenues from all content categories (including full-game, post-launch and subscription spending across console, cloud, mobile*, portable, PC and VR platforms), hardware and accessories.
“This latest report underscores the video game industry’s leadership as a driving force in the U.S. economy, as well as for innovative and creative entertainment,” ESA President and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis said. “These numbers also reinforce the widespread role video games play in bringing joy and connection to American households.”
Overall video game sales saw a decrease of 5%, even with console sales reaching $6.57 billion in 2022, an 8% year-over-year increase, with more than $1.5 billion spent on consoles in December 2022 alone. Content spending generated $47.5 billion and accessory sales reached $2.5 billion, a 7% and 8% decrease from 2021. 2022 data demonstrate the ongoing economic impact of the video game industry in the U.S., even as numbers stabilize post-COVID – in 2019, overall video game sales ended at $43.5 billion, with content at $37 billion, consoles at $3.9 billion, and accessories at $2.2 billion.
“U.S. consumer spending on video game content, hardware and accessories totaled $7.6 billion in December 2022 – an increase of 2% when compared to a year ago – bringing full year 2022 spending to $56.6 billion. Factors impacting 2022 spending included continued supply constraints of console hardware, a relatively light slate of new premium releases and macroeconomic conditions,” said Mat Piscatella, video game industry advisor, The NDP Group. “With a highly anticipated slate of new games and the reduction or even elimination of console hardware supply constraints, 2023 could very well see the market return to growth.”
“The holiday season saw an expected uptick in spend across genres with the biggest month-over-month gains in December from Geolocation (Pokémon Go) up 17%, Simulation (Roblox) up 15%, Action (Genshin Impact) up 15% and Shooters (Call of Duty Mobile) up 14%,” said Dennis Yeh, gaming insights, Sensor Tower, Inc. “These genres are relatively top-heavy with games that could benefit from gift card usage and holiday-based live ops or events.”
| Top Games in the United States in 2022 | |||
| PC/Console (full-game sales only) – Best Sellers | Mobile – Top Grossing | ||
| Rank | Title | Rank | Title |
| 1 | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 | 1 | Candy Crush Saga |
| 2 | Elden Ring | 2 | Roblox |
| 3 | Madden NFL 23 | 3 | Coin Master |
| 4 | God of War: Ragnarök | 4 | Royal Match |
| 5 | LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga | 5 | Pokémon Go |
| 6 | Pokémon: Scarlet/Violet† | 6 | Evony |
| 7 | FIFA 23 | 7 | Clash of Clans |
| 8 | Pokémon Legends: Arceus† | 8 | Homescapes |
| 9 | Horizon II: Forbidden West | 9 | Bingo BlitzTM – BINGO Games |
| 10 | MLB: The Show 22^ | 10 | Jackpot Party – Casino Slots |
*Mobile spending provided by Sensor Tower, Inc.
†Digital sales not included
^Xbox Digital sales not included
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About the ESA
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) serves as the voice and advocate for the U.S. video game industry. Its members are the innovators, creators, publishers, and business leaders that are reimagining entertainment and transforming how we interact, learn, connect and play. The ESA works to expand and protect the dynamic marketplace for video games through innovative and engaging initiatives that showcase the positive impact of video games on people, culture and the economy. For more information, visit the ESA’s website or follow the ESA on Twitter @theESA.
About The NPD Group
The NPD Group offers data, industry expertise, and prescriptive analytics to help our clients grow their businesses in a changing world. Over 2,000 companies worldwide rely on us to help them measure, predict, and improve performance across all channels, including brick-and-mortar, e-commerce, and B2B. We have services in 19 countries worldwide, with operations spanning the Americas, Europe, and APAC. Practice areas include apparel, appliances, automotive, beauty, books, B2B technology, consumer technology, e-commerce, fashion accessories, food consumption, foodservice, footwear, home, home improvement, juvenile products, media entertainment, mobile, office supplies, retail, sports, toys and video games. For more information, visit npd.com. Follow us on Twitter: @npdgroup.
About Sensor Tower, Inc.
Sensor Tower is the leading provider of market intelligence and insights for the global app economy. Founded in 2013 and based in San Francisco, Calif., Sensor Tower provides enterprise-level data on mobile apps and publishers through our Store Intelligence, Ad Intelligence, Usage Intelligence, and App Intelligence platforms, which offer download, revenue, share of voice, and engagement metrics at unparalleled accuracy for the world’s most important markets. For more information, visit sensortower.com. Follow us on Twitter: @sensortower.
