US Video Game Market: September 2022

The United States video game market experienced a contraction in September 2022, with total consumer spending reaching $4.07 billion, a 4% decrease compared to the same period in the previous year. This decline reflects a broader trend for the year-to-date, which saw total spending fall 8% to $38.4 billion. The data, provided by the NPD Group, covers spending across software, hardware, and accessories within the U.S. market.

The software segment was the primary driver of the monthly decline, falling 7% to $3.4 billion. While the month featured several high-profile releases—including FIFA 23, NBA 2K23, Splatoon 3, and The Last of Us: Part I—these launches were insufficient to offset broader market weaknesses. Performance in the content segment was bolstered by a double-digit percentage increase in non-mobile video game subscription spending, yet this growth was neutralized by declines in other content categories.

In contrast, the hardware segment served as a notable bright spot, growing 19% year-on-year to $490 million. This performance was largely attributed to increased availability and sales of the PlayStation 5. Despite this hardware momentum, the overall year-to-date figures for both software and hardware remain in negative territory, with software down 9% and hardware down 1% compared to the prior year. The analysis underscores a challenging retail environment for the industry despite the arrival of major new titles.