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[Heisenberg007]

ERA, the digital entertainment and retail association, has released its UK Gaming Market Report for 2022. And it contains some juicy information! Here are some tidbits.

Video Games -- the #1 Entertainment Industry

Game Sales

• Retail sales of games software (£4,664 million), up by 2.3%.
• Digital sales of games (£4,176 million), up by 3.1%.
• Physical software sales (£489 million), up by 4.4%.

PlayStation vs. Xbox vs. Nintendo Software Sales

• Physical Software Sales (£ million)
  
  • Nintendo = 213.9
  • PS5 = 147.1
  • Xbox Series = 35.5
• Physical Games Market Share
  
  • Nintendo = 44%
  • PS5 = 30%
  • Xbox Series = 7%

Overall, PlayStation leads the physical software sales in the UK, with a 4x lead on Xbox.

Console Split - Games Hardware Market UK

• PS5 led the market in 2022 with a 43%

A total of 2.4 million consoles were sold in the UK last year.

• Nintendo Switch was #1 with ~880,000 consoles but saw a YoY decline in volume (-28%) and revenue (-24%).
• PS5 was #2 with ~780,000 units with a similar decline in volume (-33%) and revenue (-31%).
• Xbox was #3 with ~723,000 units, down by 14.6% YoY.

Best-Selling Games

FIFA was the #1 selling game in 2022, with 2.5 million units sold in the country.

The Physical / Digital ratio for the Top 20 Best Selling Games was 50:50.

Most Popular Digital Software Stores

• Steam is #1 with a 50.5% share
• PlayStation is #2 with a 37.9% share
• Xbox is #3 with 18.9% share
• Nintendo is #4 with 17.9% share

Most Popular Accessories

DualSense White remains the UK's most popular accessory, selling 413,740 units.

Link to the full report: https://eraltd.org/media/72551/2023-era-yrbk.pdf

 

[feynoob]

Physical is just dead in UK for Xbox.
The question is why is the digital store low?

Is there a different math to that, or is that just the total for all systems?

Is there other stuff besides digital sales (f2p games perhaps)?

 

[fastest finger]

Physical is just dead in UK for Xbox.
The question is why is the digital store low?

Is there a different math to that, or is that just the total for all systems?

Is there other stuff besides digital sales (f2p games perhaps)?

GamePass?

 

[mrmustard]

Why always only UK? Do they publish the most data?

 

[reksveks]

The question is why is the digital store low?

Is there a different math to that, or is that just the total for all systems?

Trying to figure out the maths, its shouldn't be % of the digital sales cause the sum of the percentages > 100

 

[DenchDeckard]

Sonys exclusives still Skewing heavily towards physical sales which I love to see. GT7 bucking the trend there and almost reaching a 50/50 split. I dont think Sony would go with a digital only console any time soon. You can see by places like CEX that people buy their exclusives, blast through them then trade them in. GT7 being more Gaas orientated changes that. Makes sense, to hear Sony are looking for big hits in the Gaas space.

Apart from that, it's Sony domination, outside of console sales. Xbox is doing extremely well here, all things considered.

 

[reksveks]

Heisenberg007 nice OP, mind stick the source in the first post (https://eraltd.org/media/72551/2023-era-yrbk.pdf)

Trying to figure out the maths, its shouldn't be % of the digital sales cause the sum of the percentages > 100

cool, i get the % now and the statistics, it ain't exclusive options or % of digital sales. Hard to figure what it means.

 

[feynoob]

GamePass?

It was like that before gamepass.
Xbox isn't doing enough job promoting their physical games.
They went as far as to make an all digital system.

 

[reksveks]

Overall, PlayStation leads the software sales in the UK, with a 4x lead on Xbox. (commentary: not 100% sure if it's physical only, or physical + digital).

Combining disc sales across all the available platforms under the Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft umbrellas, 2022’s ‘Battle of the Brands’ saw Sony regain top spot. Burgeoning PS5 disc sales helped Sony secure 45% of total physical games spend, supplanting Nintendo whose share dipped to 44%. Microsoft share of the market continues to slip, falling from 14% to 11% in 2022

Assume we are looking at page 25

 

[DenchDeckard]

Assume we are looking at page 25

Yeah, looks to be physical sales. Not good on xbox for that at all and I feel bad becuase I always buy digital on xbox as I feel safer in the knowledge that my catalogue will be protected. But, nothing is guaranteed.

 

[reksveks]

Yeah, looks to be physical sales. Not good on xbox for that at all and I feel bad becuase I always buy digital on xbox as I feel safer in the knowledge that my catalogue will be protected. But, nothing is guaranteed.

Would be a bit more tempted to buy physical if we had a system like Ultraviolet but playanywhere and the belief that my digital purchase will be available via xcloud (and potentially GFN) makes buying digital much more appealing.

 

[Wildebeest]

Why always only UK? Do they publish the most data?

I believe these numbers are estimates. Digital stores don't have any requirement to release sales data to third parties in the UK.

 

[mrmustard]

I believe these numbers are estimates. Digital stores don't have any requirement to release sales data to third parties in the UK.

I was just wondering why here are hundreds of UK threads and rarely other countries.

 

[Mephisto40]

Physical is just dead in UK for Xbox.
The question is why is the digital store low?

Is there a different math to that, or is that just the total for all systems?

Is there other stuff besides digital sales (f2p games perhaps)?

Because nobody buys games on xbox anymore, they just pay for gamepass

 

[feynoob]

Because nobody buys games on xbox anymore, they just pay for gamepass

That is a strong claim there man.

 

[Poltz]

FIFA being nearly 1m more than COD is staggering.

 

[Heisenberg007]

Why always only UK? Do they publish the most data?

Yep, they are the only one sharing this data points relatively regularly.

 

[Heisenberg007]

That is a strong claim there man.

Not really, considering the above data. In the UK, the PS and Xbox console market share b/w the two is 60:40, but look at the digital store share:

• PlayStation is #2 with a 37.9% share
• Xbox is #3 with 18.9% share

It's almost 2x.

 

[Poltz]

I hope this puts forward how big COD and FIFA are in the UK for acquisition beggers by the way. This is why the CMA took the stance they did.

 

[Poltz]

Physical is just dead in UK for Xbox.
The question is why is the digital store low?

Is there a different math to that, or is that just the total for all systems?

Is there other stuff besides digital sales (f2p games perhaps)?

Hardly any Xbox games in the top 20.

 

[Mephisto40]

That is a strong claim there man.

It's pretty clear by the figures in this thread that is the case

Sony are currently outselling xbox in game sales 3:1

 

[Bogroll]

Yes I've saved at least £500 a year, paid for my Series S, Series X and Ps5.
Thank you Microsoft.
Also free Xbox elite controller, free digital games not on GP and even John Lewis vouchers.
Really is the best gaming deal bar none.
Thanks to Rewards.

 

[Heisenberg007]

Assume we are looking at page 25

Yes, double-checked and it is physical only.

I got confused because there were two different data-sets on page 25 and 23. But the data on 23 is just split by platform generations. I added them up and it's the same data as 25.

 

[EN250]

I was just wondering why here are hundreds of UK threads and rarely other countries.

Isn't it the biggest EU market for video games? Maybe is because of that, more sales, more interest in getting data

As for the topic:

"Most Popular Digital Software Stores

• Steam is #1 with a 50.5% share
• PlayStation is #2 with a 37.9% share
• Xbox is #3 with 18.9% share"

1st: wow, didn't know physical PC games existed to this day and would have 50% of the market, thought it was 100% digital
2nd: thought Xbox ecosystem was more skewed digital since the X360 days, it's this related to current gen only or 8th + 9th gen?

 

[Lyrical]

Let Xbox buy activision. They bloody need it! Getting destroyed by Nintendo and Sony in their second strongest market.

 

[Slicker than your average]

It's pretty clear by the figures in this thread that is the case

Sony are currently outselling xbox in game sales 3:1

They already outsold them before gamepass was a thing

 

[Mephisto40]

They already outsold them before gamepass was a thing

The margins are getting wider, it used to be 2:1 last gen

 

[reksveks]

I think the digital store front whilst indicative of usage, it is good to note it's a survey conducted by FlyResearch and survey's do also have some issues. It doesn't also may not account for repeat usage.

 

[Heisenberg007]

Isn't it the biggest EU market for video games? Maybe is because of that, more sales, more interest in getting data

As for the topic:

"Most Popular Digital Software Stores

• Steam is #1 with a 50.5% share
• PlayStation is #2 with a 37.9% share
• Xbox is #3 with 18.9% share"

1st: wow, didn't know physical PC games existed to this day and would have 50% of the market, thought it was 100% digital
2nd: thought Xbox ecosystem was more skewed digital since the X360 days, it's this related to current gen only or 8th + 9th gen?

Regarding Steam, the 50% Steam share is in comparison with other digital storefronts, i.e., PSN, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop, etc. In other words, it does not mean that 50% of PC sales are physical.

In fact, the reason Steam is so high on this list is likely because PC is like 99% digital now.

 

[Brucey]

The margins are getting wider, it used to be 2:1 last gen

I was told by H Henry Panic that US to global sales of Xbox was actually 50:50 or actually majority being outside US....

 

[TheGodfather07]

Look at those call of duty numbers. This is why the CMA Want Microsoft to divest. The ip is too big for Microsoft to be allowed to own it. 10 years makes no difference. It will be just as big, if not even bigger by then.

 

[anthony2690]

Xbox really needs to step up the marketting.

It honestly has a non existent presence marketting wise what just seems so bizarre to me. (Especially here in the UK)

I see users here advertise more in a week than I do Xbox in a year.

I love the Xbox brand, but their marketting is absolutely dire.

 

[Brucey]

Xbox really needs to step up the marketting.

It honestly has a non existent presence marketting wise what just seems so bizarre to me. (Especially here in the UK)

I see users here advertise more in a week than I do Xbox in a year.

I love the Xbox brand, but their marketting is absolutely dire.

If they don't have much series x supply tho, does it make sense to spend on marketing? Tho Sony seemed to do so even with low supply of PS5s. Perhaps MS have realized based on their internal numbers that the end result will be the same even if they do market more.

 

[Pelta88]

Those PlayStation statistics

 

[EN250]

Regarding Steam, the 50% Steam share is in comparison with other digital storefronts, i.e., PSN, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop, etc. In other words, it does not mean that 50% of PC sales are physical.

In fact, the reason Steam is so high on this list is likely because PC is like 99% digital now.

You're right, totally forgot there are other options to buy games, but Steam is the go-to on PC, stores like Epic, GoG and whatever else don't come close

 

[The artful mincer]

Isn't it the biggest EU market for video games? Maybe is because of that, more sales, more interest in getting data

As for the topic:

"Most Popular Digital Software Stores

• Steam is #1 with a 50.5% share
• PlayStation is #2 with a 37.9% share
• Xbox is #3 with 18.9% share"

1st: wow, didn't know physical PC games existed to this day and would have 50% of the market, thought it was 100% digital
2nd: thought Xbox ecosystem was more skewed digital since the X360 days, it's this related to current gen only or 8th + 9th gen?

Doesn't that mean total market share digital share I.e steam is 50% playstation is 37%, xbox is 18%. Presumably the other 5 % is Nintendo.

Even playstation and xbox are meant be over 50% share over physical

 

[anthony2690]

If they don't have much series x supply tho, does it make sense to spend on marketing? Tho Sony seemed to do so even with low supply of PS5s. Perhaps MS have realized based on their internal numbers that the end result will be the same even if they do market more.

They have some fairly big releases this year, hopefully they actually market them & Xbox series consoles.

I've said it before, but the only Xbox advertising I actually see, is from Smyth's toys on YouTube, what just seems strange to me.

I think marketting definitely helps, the amount of people I work with that thought Hogwarts Legacy was only coming to playstation, I was personally quite surprised by.

I assume this is why company's go for marketting deals for big games, because they work.

 

[TheGodfather07]

They have some fairly big releases this year, hopefully they actually market them & Xbox series consoles.

I've said it before, but the only Xbox advertising I actually see, is from Smyth's toys on YouTube, what just seems strange to me.

I think marketting definitely helps, the amount of people I work with that thought Hogwarts Legacy was only coming to playstation, I was personally quite surprised by.

I assume this is why company's go for marketting deals for big games, because they work.

sony dont even need marketing. most people will default to PlayStation either way. i remeber when microsoft had FIFA marketing and it did nothing!

 

[Ash Sparrow]

To me the biggest take is considering accessories, is that many people still are still playing Xbox One. Contrary to what some may believe Xbox one became a good console. I do wonder how many people have not adopted the new Xbox for this reason. I'm sure it exist with PS4 aswell.

 

[anthony2690]

sony dont even need marketing. most people will default to PlayStation either way. i remeber when microsoft had FIFA marketing and it did nothing!

I think marketting is important to stay in the consumers mindshare.

Sony market very heavily in the UK, especially with Hogwarts Legacy, God Of war, even these new Sony TV report adverts they have going on, they are literally every single advert for me on YouTube & I don't watch sony related content, just retro game stuff, new game trailers or music usually

That being said, I'm surprised I haven't seen a single psvr2 advert at all, I only knew it existed due to threads here on GAF.

 

[DenchDeckard]

Not really, considering the above data. In the UK, the PS and Xbox console market share b/w the two is 60:40, but look at the digital store share:


It's almost 2x.

This is why Sony is fighting toothe and nail to block ABK.

They make so much digital revenue from games such as Fifa Ultimate Team, COD, fortnite and micro transactions in general that they dont want to be giving that revenue to MS. WHich is completely understandable. This isnt people buying their first party IPs digitally.

 

[feynoob]

It's pretty clear by the figures in this thread that is the case

Sony are currently outselling xbox in game sales 3:1

Not really, considering the above data. In the UK, the PS and Xbox console market share b/w the two is 60:40, but look at the digital store share:


It's almost 2x.

No one is talking about the PS5 vs Xbox here.

I am was just talking about Xbox game sales.

Their digital is kinda wonky, unless the data has mtx and F2p games download.

Not to mention Xbox didnt have AAA 1st party launch games in 2022.

 

[yazenov]

Not really, considering the above data. In the UK, the PS and Xbox console market share b/w the two is 60:40, but look at the digital store share:


It's almost 2x.

Yeah the userbase excuse for low Xbox software sales is not a good one and it doesn't make sense since the 2x sales just doesn't add up.

Xbox users are simply buying less games due to Gamepass. Lets just admit this as a huge factor.

 

[Mephisto40]

No one is talking about the PS5 vs Xbox here.

I am was just talking about Xbox game sales.

Their digital is kinda wonky, unless the data has mtx and F2p games download.

Not to mention Xbox didnt have AAA 1st party launch games in 2022.

What makes it even more wonky is that Microsoft count someone downloading a gamepass game as a "sale"

 

[Heisenberg007]

If they don't have much series x supply tho, does it make sense to spend on marketing? Tho Sony seemed to do so even with low supply of PS5s. Perhaps MS have realized based on their internal numbers that the end result will be the same even if they do market more.

They can/should still market their big games (first and third-party).

I think Wo Long has Xbox marketing, and you'd hardly see that game advertised. Even PlayStation has been doing more marketing for Wo Long than Xbox.

Xbox should have been marketing Wo Long similarly to how Sony marketed Hogwart's Legacy (but on a smaller scale, of course) or Kena or Stray. Even Tchia has had more marketing from PS than Wo Long had from Xbox.

Compare this to:

 

[feynoob]

What makes it even more wonky is that Microsoft count someone downloading a gamepass game as a "sale"

You mean userbase metric?

 

[Mephisto40]

You mean userbase metric?

No, I mean Microsoft literally use someone downloding a game on their subscription service as a sale to bump up their sales numbers

 

[Mr Moose]

No, I mean Microsoft literally use someone downloding a game on their subscription service as a sale to bump up their sales numbers

U WOT M8?

 

[feynoob]

No, I mean Microsoft literally use someone downloding a game on their subscription service as a sale to bump up their sales numbers

Where is the source for that?

 

[reksveks]

If that was true, wouldnt Forza have been either the top selling game in 2021 or #2.