In a considerably shocking flip of occasions, it was the Harry Potter-inspired sport, Hogwarts Legacy, that ended the 12 months because the No. 1 best-selling online game within the UK. Which means that for the primary time in over 10 years, the EA sports activities soccer franchise, formally referred to as FIFA, is ‘not’ the biggest-selling sport within the nation.
This has not been the case since all the way in which again in 2013 when Grand Theft Auto 5 ended the 12 months within the No.1 place. So far as 2023 goes, there are a selection of things that will have contributed to the favored soccer franchise dropping down a spot.
For starters, 2023 was the primary 12 months in its 30-year historical past that the sport launched underneath a brand new identify and never underneath the FIFA license. This was as a result of the truth that EA and FIFA have been unable to come back to an settlement on new phrases for the sport and might need been the first motive why gross sales have been barely down in comparison with latest years.
One other part contributing to the explanation why EA Sports activities FC 24 was overwhelmed to the No.1 spot by Hogwarts Legacy, was that the Wizarding World RPG was launched on most platforms again in February, whereas EA Sports activities FC 2024 didn’t hit cabinets till September.
Over half of Hogwarts Legacy’s bodily gross sales got here on the PlayStation 5, however total gross sales of the sport have been additionally boosted by releases on the PS4 in Might and the Nintendo Change in November. These a number of launch dates little doubt vastly added to the success of the title.
Within the UK all through 2023, practically 13 million bodily online game copies have been bought. Though that is a formidable quantity by any trade normal, it’s a lower of just about 5% in contrast with 2022. This reveals the persevering with development of avid gamers preferring to purchase their video games from on-line shops over bodily retailers.
In addition to being the No.1 promoting sport of the 12 months, Hogwarts Legacy was the No.1 promoting title within the ultimate week of 2023, based on the GSD charts. Regardless of dropping in gross sales week-over-week, it nonetheless managed to assert the No.1 spot, squeaking by Tremendous Mario Bros Surprise, which got here in simply behind at No.2.
Another notable mentions for the week are Name of Responsibility: Fashionable Warfare 3 ending the 12 months within the No.3 place regardless of disappointing opinions, and Mario Kart 8: Deluxe transferring up a few locations to the No.4 spot. Spider-Man 2, remained sturdy within the No.5 slot, whereas EA Sports activities FC 24, regardless of being No.2 total for the 12 months, dropped 5 locations this week to the No.6 place.
Beneath are the best-selling boxed video video games within the UK for the week ending December 30, 2023.