Games sales in the UK have reached at an all-time high – with last week becoming the biggest ever single week of sales.

For weeks one to 50 in 2007, the total number of units sold was up 16.6 per cent and 25.3 per cent by value compared to 2006. Weeks one to 50 in 2006 generated £1.212 billion, whilst the same period in 2007 has put £1.518 billion into tills.

Last week's sales alone saw games generate revenues of £87.9 million.

ChartTrack reports that current full year UK unit sales will reach around 78 million in 2007, demolishing the previous best year for the UK games industry, set last year.

The third quarter has been particularly booming, with software unit sales up 19 per cent on 2006 from 12.61 million to 15.03 million and revenues up an eye-popping 36 percent from £233.5 million to £332.6 million.

Director General of ELSPA Paul Jackson said: “2007 has been a fantastic year for our industry as all the latest generation of consoles and hand-held devices have become fully established. Gaming is now enjoyed by everyone, young and old, male and female. Interactive entertainment is now truly mass market, and this is just the beginning of a period of real sustained growth.”

Consoles software led the way in terms of overall market increase in Q3. Unit sales rocketed by 33 per cent from 8.52 million to 11.33 million year on year – whilst revenues taken on consoles grew 45 per cent increase from £180.95 million to £263.20 million.

As such, the console market now accounts for 79 per cent of software revenues and 75 per cent of total software units.

The console proportion of units is the equal highest of any previous quarter and the highest ever for a third quarter. In terms of cash going through the tills, console software is the highest proportion ever for a third quarter.

Source: ELSPA/ChartTrack