The social aspects of high-performance video games

Our latest ongoing research into the gaming industry has uncovered some interesting trends. The three best-selling games in the third quarter of 2008 were Wii Fit, Mario Kart Wii, and Grand Theft Auto. Two of those three are multi-purpose games that appeal to a broader age and gender group. Also, when comparing total video game revenue since 2006, Guitar Hero, another multi-purpose game, made it into the top three. Consumers seem to prefer multiplayer games/new control interface to traditional single player games.

Wii Fit is a good example. Not only can you play with a group of people, but it also involves more physical interaction and is a fun way to stay fit. Compared to more traditional games, Wii Fit nearly closes the gender gap with 48% of women shopping on the eBay platform. Also, despite its recent release in April and May 2008, the total sales of this game have exceeded the total sales of any other individual game on eBay’s platform.

Even in an upcoming economic downturn, video game sales could see a surge. These non-traditional games fulfill different aspects of the entertainment experience. For example, Guitar Hero becomes a way to listen to music, while also creating a new air guitar experience; Rock Band, another best-selling game that comes complete with a microphone, lets friends get together to play in a band; and Mario Kart Wii brings people together to satisfy the competitive urges of a group.

How well these sales will perform this holiday season compared to 2007 is a question that remains to be answered. We at Advanced are monitoring our daily video game sales data and look forward to seeing how the eBay video game market develops.