The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has said that NPD Group’s retail sales data provides an incomplete picture of the industry as consumers make their purchases in “myriad ways.” In light of the group releasing December’s numbers alongside its 2015 report, the ESA expressed its disappointment with NPD reinforcing the “traditional model at the expense of new areas where the industry is growing.” The association further said that the gaming community “deserves better.”
Scores of millions of consumers purchase innovative content in myriad ways, including subscription services, digital downloads, and via their mobile devices. Gone are the days when the industry’s growth and strength could be determined by retailers simply reporting packaged good sales. Unfortunately, NPD’s revenue data yesterday continued to reinforce that traditional model at the expense of new areas where the industry is growing.
Consumers, the creators and innovators of our industry, and the investment community deserve better. ESA will do its part by encouraging and motivating NPD to release the total consumer spend for 2015 that includes all aspects of this diverse industry.
An NPD representative later responded to ESA’s comments, stating that the group is “fully committed to reporting on the total industry” which it does through its Games Market Dynamics service. NPD further said:
NPD’s monthly retail/e-tail data release covers physical sales, which remains a very significant portion of total industry sales, but is not representative of total video game industry revenue. We have been clear on the scope of these monthly reports.
What do our readers think ESA’s comments?
[Source: GamesIndustry.biz]
