Watch Dogs outsold GTA V and Destiny in Australia last year

The Interactive Games & Entertainment Association has revealed that Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare was the best selling game in Australia last year.

What’s more surprising, however, is the game that came second – Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs. In doing so it beat heavy-hitters such as EA’s FIFA 15 (3rd), Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto V (4th) and Activision’s Destiny (6th).

The overall Australian games industry climbed 20 per cent year-on-year in 2014 to reach an overall value of $2.46bn. Traditional retail sales were up seven per cent at $1.214bn while digital sales jumped 39 per cent, taking them ahead of physical at $1.248bn.

Hardware was the big growth driver, climbing 39 per cent.

The Australian video games industry is in great shape, led by next gen launches and growth in digital, according to our latest research,” IGEA CEO Ron Curry said. Platform holders, publishers and developers continue to see strong demand for their products and are positioning the industry for further growth into the future.

Hardware sales pushed the industry forward in 2014. Bricks and Mortar retailers have seen a boost in demand for the current generation consoles which in turn has lead to an increase in demand for new console software and accessories and items such as game cards. The tremendous growth in digital sales shows that publishers and developers are effectively catering to the purchasing habits of an increasingly connected customer base.”

Here’s the 2014 physical Top Ten:

1. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (Activision)
2. Watch Dogs (Ubisoft)
3. FIFA 15 (EA)
4. Grand Theft Auto V (Rockstar)
5. Minecraft (Sony/Microsoft)
6. Destiny (Activision)
7. Far Cry 4 (Ubisoft)
8. Call Of Duty: Ghosts (Activision)
9. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (Ubisoft)
10. Battlefield 4 (EA)