Q1 2013 halts decline of US games market as digital grows 15% to claim majority share

The US video games market has ceased its decline, according to the latest numbers from NPD.

Game Informer reports that $3.5bn was spent on game content in Q1 2013. That’s around the same as was reported in Q1 2012.

There is a difference, though. The physical games market has declined from $1.5bn in Q1 2012 to $1.37bn. The rental and pre-owned sector grew slightly from $1.38m to $1.59bn.

What has grown, however, is the digital sector. In Q1 2012 that was worth $525m. In Q1 2013 that reached $559m.

In Q1 2012 digital accounted for just over 40 per cent of the market. This year digital’s share stands at 55 per cent.