Nacon achieved sales of 33.7 million euros during the first quarter of the 2021/22 fiscal year, representing an 11.3% decline compared to the same period in the previous year. This decrease is attributed primarily to an exceptionally high comparison basis from the first quarter of 2020/21, when global lockdowns significantly inflated consumer demand for digital entertainment and gaming hardware. Despite the year-over-year dip, the results demonstrate a structural growth trend when compared to pre-pandemic levels, particularly within the digital back catalogue.
The video games segment generated 12.2 million euros, a 16% decrease from the prior year. However, back catalogue sales remained resilient at 9.2 million euros, nearly four times higher than the 2.4 million euros recorded during the same period in 2019/20. New releases such as Roguebook and Pro Cycling Management 2021 contributed to this performance. In the accessories division, sales fell 8.8% to 20.6 million euros. While the initial launch of RIG helmets in the United States created a difficult year-over-year comparison, other accessory lines grew by 19%, driven by strong demand for PlayStation 4 and Xbox Pro Compact controllers.
Management maintains a positive outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year, anticipating growth in the second half driven by a robust release schedule including titles such as WRC 10 and Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong. Financial targets for 2021/22 remain unchanged, with projected sales between 180 and 200 million euros and a current operating margin of 20%. Looking further ahead to 2022/23, the company expects to reach sales between 230 and 260 million euros, supported by major upcoming releases such as The Lord of the Rings: Gollum and Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown.