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Analyst down on today's NPD, but sees a bright future

by rawmeatcowboy
12 April 2012
GN Version 4.0
The following commentary and analysis comes from Analyst Colin Sebastian...

- Today's NPD results will show console game sales declining by 25 percent year-over-year
- big franchises like Max Payne, Diablo, BioShock, FIFA, Call of Duty, Skylanders, GTA and Assassins Creed will improve the situation this year

"Retail sales of console video games has shifted towards higher-end properties and established franchises, while second tier and casual games found a path of less resistance to consumers via social and mobile platforms. (The digital shift is happening) less rapidly with games than other forms of media."

- retailers such as GameStop will see store sales growth as a result of this change in momentum
- still the possibility for GameStop to meet its estimates and generate "significant cash flow."
- "inefficiencies" with downloading full console games and the trade-in market will keep the industry from shifting away from these traditions too quickly
- putting these initiatives into action "would provide an opening for competition."

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