PlayStation, Xbox, Mario and FIFA Dominate EMEAA Games Markets in H1 2021

The video game market across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, and parts of Asia experienced a period of stabilization and transition during the first half of 2021. Following the pandemic-driven surge in 2020, the industry saw a 4% increase in console hardware sales, totaling 2.7 million units. This growth was primarily fueled by the introduction of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, which collectively captured 53% of the market share. While Nintendo Switch sales declined by 26% compared to the previous year, they remained the highest-selling console platform for the period, showing a 38% increase when measured against 2019 figures.

Software performance saw a 22% decline in volume, with 82 million games sold across the tracked regions. This decrease is attributed to the exceptional demand during the 2020 lockdowns; however, sales remain 5.6% higher than in 2019. Digital distribution continued to gain momentum, accounting for 67% of total software sales, up from 62% the previous year. FIFA 21 emerged as the best-selling title of the half-year, while Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury led in physical sales and new releases.

The analysis relies on data from GSD, which tracks retail sales in specific territories and digital data from major AAA publishers, excluding Nintendo and Bethesda. The scope covers hardware, accessories, and software performance across the EMEAA region. While accessory sales saw a marginal 5% dip, the overall market landscape indicates a sustained, albeit normalized, level of consumer engagement compared to pre-pandemic benchmarks, with major platform holders and established franchises maintaining dominant positions in the industry.