Year of Record High Sales for Video Games

According to the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), video game sales in the UK has hit an all time record high of 82.8 million in sales.  Consumers spent over £4 billion in total on video game related items and many are pointing to the incredible success of blockbuster titles like Grand Theft Auto 4 and World of Warcraft.  Another reason for growth is the expansion of the marketplace to casual gamers and the ability for each console appeal to different types of gamers.  The Nintendo Wii, DS, Microsoft Xbox 360 and even the Sony Playstation 3 all reported huge increases.  The BBC reports:

ELSPA’s managing director, Michael Rawlinson, said the growth of games pitched at the casual user had help fuel the growth.  “Videogaming is increasingly bringing families together with the introduction of so many outstanding family-based console titles.  These have really opened up the market to those who may never have even considered playing a videogame before,” he said.  But with economic worries, and a shortage of blockbuster titles, some experts think 2009 may not be so rosy.

[via BBC News]