Erik Gruenwedel
April 21, 2020
Apparently, all it takes is a pandemic to breath new life into the video game industry.
New data from The NPD Group found consumer spending on games, accessories and hardware jumped 35% to more than $1.5 billion in March compared to $1.1 billion in the previous-year period. It was the highest monthly increase since 2008.
The spending underscored the appeal of interactive entertainment to consumers while quarantined in the home due to local and statewide mandates, according to NPD.
The gaming industry has been in a protracted slump as gamers await new hardware consoles from Microsoft and Sony — both of which aren’t slated to arrive until late this year. With production in Japan halted due to the coronavirus, Sony reportedly is considering manufacturing fewer PS5 units for the winter holiday season launch compared for the 2013 debut of the PS4.
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