US retail game sales fell 23% in August

US retail sales of video game hardware, software and accessories were down to $649m in August, according to a survey by the US-based NDP Group. Overall game sales were $669.9bn, down 23% from $873.8bn last year.

The retail sales decreased primarily due to a major drop in the sales of game software. Video game software sales, which refers to sales of the games, fell 34% in August to $265m, compared with sales of nearly $404m in August last year, reported abcnews.

However, the video game hardware sales were down 2% to $249m, while sales of video game accessories fell 1% to $135m. Most of the drop in sales is attributed to delayed release of Madden NFL 12 from Electronic Arts that debuted on 30 August.

Overall game sales, including games, consoles and peripherals such as extra controllers, were $669.9bn in August, down 23% from $873.8bn a year earlier. The figures did not cover sales made over Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, Steam or other online channels as well as online social games, mobile games and subscription services such as World of Warcraft.