Nacon reported consolidated sales of €70.8 million for the first half of the 2023/24 financial year, covering the period from April 1 to September 30, 2023. This represents an 8.7% decline compared to the same period in the previous year. The downturn was primarily driven by a lighter release schedule in the second quarter and a high base for comparison from the prior year. Gaming sales fell 5.7% to €44.3 million, while the accessories segment saw a 12.7% decrease to €24.9 million.
Despite the overall decline in the first half, the back catalogue returned to growth in the second quarter, rising 5.2% to €9.3 million. The accessories market also showed signs of recovery, particularly in the United States, supported by an expanding installed base of current-generation consoles and strong demand for gaming headsets. Management attributes the temporary dip in new game sales to the timing of releases, noting that only two titles launched at the very end of the second quarter.
The outlook for the remainder of the 2023/24 fiscal year remains positive, with the company confirming its guidance for strong growth in both sales and operating income. This optimism is supported by a dense release schedule in the second half, including high-profile titles such as Robocop: Rogue City, which achieved record presales, and Cricket 24. Additionally, the launch of premium hardware, such as the Revolution 5 Pro controller and the RIG 600 PRO headset, is expected to drive significant revenue growth in the accessories division through the end of the calendar year and into the fourth quarter.