PC games only capture 14% of game sales in 2007

According to a new post at GameLife, sales of PC games are suffering even in an era of unprecedented growth within the industry. Recently released NPD numbers indicate that PC titles are only accounting for 14% of the industry-wide $18.5 billion software revenue in 2007. Apparently, there is some contention involving digital distribution: sales of games handled over online services such as Valve’s Steam aren’t accounted for by the NPD numbers. The post also notes that even the top selling games did disappointing business outside of the number one title (World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade).

Many in the industry are looking at the figures as a bad sign for the future of PC gaming, citing everything from the cheaper alternative of next-gen consoles (which are beginning to compete with high end PC’s) to the rampant piracy that occurs surrounding popular titles. The 2007 PC sales chart (from GameDaily) is certainly telling:

1. World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade* – Vivendi (Blizzard) – 2.25 million
2. World of Warcraft* – Vivendi (Blizzard) – 914K
3. The Sims 2* – Electronic Arts – 534K
4. The Sims 2 Seasons Expansion Pack – Electronic Arts – 433K
5. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare* – Activision – 383K
6. Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars* – Electronic Arts – 350K
7. MS Age of Empires III* – Microsoft – 313K
8. Sim City 4* – Electronic Arts – 294K
9. MS Flight Simulator X* – Microsoft – 280K
10. The Sims 2 Bon Voyage Expansion Pack – Electronic Arts – 272K

*Includes Collector’s, Deluxe, Gold or Kane Editions

Read [GameLife] Also Read [GameDaily]