The seemingly recession-proof gaming industry will be watching how well its summer sports-related video game releases fare in sales after a 3 percent increase in overall sales from 2007 to 2008.
"Video gamers are a loyal group, and they will do what they need to get the games," said Mike McEwen, assistant store manager for the GameStop in TigerTown. "Also, people are doing a lot more stay-at-home recreation; it's more cost efficient for them."
McEwen said he's anticipating "Fight Night Round 4" (June 30), "NCAA Football 2010" (July 14) and "Madden NFL 10" (Aug. 16) to be big sellers this year.
Pre-sales are ongoing, and McEwen said the storeis seeing a "decent amount" of them. He also said ordering early is important for "NCAA Football 2010," because the game series usually sells out in the first couple of days.
"Because we are in a big college town, (pre-sales are) more important," said Tom Ward, senior game adviser for the GameStop in TigerTown. "Maybe at other stores it's not as bad as here."
The preference in gaming consoles, McEwen said, depends on the season.
"Over the holidays, the Wii sold the most, but the DSi is selling more now because it's the newest system," McEwen said.
According to an Aug. 18 report by IBISWorld Inc., a market research organization, the industry is now seeing an increase in female players. The study said, "The percentage of female gamers has increased from 33 to 38 percent in just five years ..."
Deidre Long, a student worker in the Student Center's gaming room, said she likes to play Mario Kart for Wii.
"It's fun," said Long, a junior in political science and Spanish. "I think these kinds of games take your mind off of school for a while."
McEwen said he thinks the industry is catering to the female demographic to boost sales.
"You see more commercials with Beyonce and Carrie Underwood on the DSi," McEwen said.
Another way the industry is trying to keep sales up is through dropping the price on consoles and games. Ward said Sony dropped the price on its PlayStation 2 from $129.99 to $99.99 April 1 and may begin bundling games with the sale of the PlayStation 3, which currently sells for $399.
"I don't know if a price change (on games) is coming, but that'd be nice," McEwen said.
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