As U.S. gamers awaited the release of the Xbox 360, video game sales fell 18 percent in the month of November to $696 million, according to Reuters.
Analysts anticipated the decline saying that game sales have weakened in anticipation of the next generation consoles such as the 360.
Although the Xbox 360 made its way onto the North American market on Nov. 22, sold out and has remained scarce ever since, the release numbers were not enough to boost sales figures for November. Reuters reported that hardware sales also fell 21 percent in November compared to last November.
Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter attributed most of the November decline in video game sales to the shortfall in sales of existing, or current-generation, consoles - particularly the Xbox, which analysts said saw November unit sales plummet 75 percent.
Reuters
Although sales might pick up in the last two weeks of the year, Patcher said with availability issues surrounding the Xbox 360, weak sales might persist through December.
Related:
Xbox 360 on discount already in Japan
Xbox 360 Shortages To Continue
New Site Launched for Irish Gamers
Capcom Announces New Sci-Fi Shooter for Xbox 360
Japan Gives Xbox 360 Tepid Welcome
Anti mp3-copying feature on Xbox 360 HDD's
Discussion >>
Add Igniq.com to your MySpace Friends
