Australian gaming markets rockets along

Today the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia (IEAA) announced that Australian games industry sales topped $343 million for the first half of 2006, an 8 per cent increase on last year. With the help of Aussie market research group GfK Australia, statistics show the increase in sales was fuelled by a surge in handheld consoles mainly that of the DS. The stats also show that even with the generation swap sales havent decreased compared to other market sectors that typically do during a changing of the guard. Keep reading for the charts and full press release. Sydney, Australia 6 September, 2006 The Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia (IEAA) today announced that games industry sales topped $343 million for the first half of 2006 (calendar year) an 8 per cent increase on figures for the same period last year.

Compiled by independent market research group, GfK Australia, statistics show the increase in sales was fueled by a surge in handheld consoles, with sales up 56 per cent compared with the first half of 2005 to $68 million. The figures also show an increase in console hardware sales of 27 per cent on the previous period to $118 million.

The computer and video games market continues to go from strength to strength with growth across both hardware and software segments, said GfK Senior Account Manager, Daniel Morse.

“”Notably, the figures for the first half of 2006 have been fueled by a massive leap in the popularity of handheld games and the introduction of next generation platforms, said Morse.

Software continued to be the biggest source of revenue, accounting for more than 65 per cent of total sales.

“”The interactive gaming market has delivered sustained growth due to strong demand for both existing and new technologies,”” said IEAA CEO, Chris Hanlon.

“”Consistent with overseas trends we find that consumers will continue to buy current software titles even when they know that next generation technologies are coming soon. Gaming seems immune to the softening in demand that usually precedes high profile launches, largely because the underlying value proposition of the products is strong.

“”We anticipate growth will remain strong for the rest of this year and into 2007, as the launch of additional platforms attracts new consumers to the market,”” said Hanlon.

Top 10 Best Selling Games – January to June 2006

Handheld
01 PSP – GTA: Liberty Cities
02 NDS – Nintendogs Dachschund & Friends
03 NDS – Nintendogs Lab & Friends
04 NDS – New Super Mario Bros
05 NDS – Mario Kart DS
06 NDS – Nintendogs Chihuahua & Friends
07 GBA – Pokmon Emerald
08 PSP – Need For Speed: Most Wanted
09 NDS – Hasbro 4 Game Fun Pack
10 NDS – Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training Nintendo DS Nintendo

Consoles
01 PS2 – V8 Supercars 3
02 PS2 – Buzz: The Big Quiz Bundle
03 PS2 – Buzz: The Music Quiz Bundle
04 PS2 – FIFA 2006 World Cup
05 PS2 – Buzz: The Big Quiz (SW only)
06 PS2 – Black Playstation 2
07 PS2 – Need For Speed: Most Wanted
08 PS2 – WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2006
09 PS2 – Eyetoy: Play 3 Pack
10 360 – Call of Duty 2