November 2024 proved to be a difficult month for the UK online game business, with gross sales figures highlighting important declines in comparison with the earlier yr. Information from GSD reveals that simply over three million video video games had been bought all through the month—a dramatic 33% drop year-on-year. Nonetheless, the numbers include vital context that helps clarify the downturn.
Probably the most notable issue impacting this yr’s November efficiency is the absence of a significant sport launch similar to Name of Obligation: Fashionable Warfare 3, which launched in November 2023. This yr’s Name of Obligation: Black Ops 6 hit cabinets earlier in October, eradicating a key gross sales driver from November’s figures. Moreover, the timing of Black Friday—which fell simply exterior the reporting window for this yr’s November knowledge—additional skews comparisons. In consequence, whereas November seems weak, December’s numbers are more likely to present a corresponding rebound.
Regardless of these mitigating elements, Black Friday efficiency itself nonetheless fell in need of expectations. Throughout the week of Black Friday, roughly 1.53 million video games had been bought, marking an 8% decline in comparison with the identical gross sales interval in 2023. Though this determine is decrease, it does counsel that client curiosity stays moderately sturdy, albeit barely diminished year-on-year.
Prime Performers and New Releases: EA Struggles Whereas Dragon Age Falters
Main the charts as soon as once more in November is Name of Obligation: Black Ops 6, sustaining its dominance after a profitable October launch. EA’s EA Sports activities FC 25 claims the second spot however skilled a noticeable decline in comparison with final yr. November gross sales for EA’s flagship soccer title are down by 22%, whereas its Black Friday efficiency alone was additionally 20% behind that of 2023. These figures underline a slower yr for certainly one of gaming’s most constant sellers.
The best-ranked new entry for November is Dragon Age: The Veilguard, debuting at No.3. Nonetheless, its early efficiency has been underwhelming. After 4 weeks on sale, the title ranks because the twelfth fastest-selling sport of 2024, falling behind rivals like Star Wars Outlaws (15% greater gross sales) and Dragon’s Dogma 2 (21% stronger). Whereas Dragon Age edges out Ultimate Fantasy VII: Rebirth by 1.5%, its launch trajectory suggests slower-than-expected momentum for EA’s anticipated RPG.
One other notable launch, Mario & Luigi: Brothership, narrowly missed the Prime 10, touchdown at No.11. Over its first three weeks, gross sales of the Mario RPG fell quick in comparison with different latest Mario titles. Brothership carried out 16% under Paper Mario: The Thousand-Yr Door (launched in Could) and trailed Tremendous Mario RPG (November 2023) by 19%. It is very important word that these comparisons embrace solely bodily gross sales, as Nintendo continues to withhold digital knowledge from business reporting.
Console Gross sales Mirror Black Friday Shift; PS5 Professional Debuts Sturdy
On the {hardware} entrance, practically 270,000 sport consoles had been bought throughout the UK in November, a formidable 85% enhance over October. Nonetheless, in comparison with November 2023, gross sales are down by a pointy 45%. Very similar to with sport gross sales, this decline is essentially because of the exclusion of Black Friday knowledge on this yr’s reporting window.
GfK insights counsel that Black Friday nonetheless delivered sturdy outcomes for consoles, notably for Sony’s PlayStation 5. The newly launched PS5 Professional proved to be a preferred selection, accounting for 26% of all PS5 items bought throughout November. This sturdy begin for the premium mannequin underscores continued client demand for upgraded {hardware} regardless of financial pressures.
Equipment: DualSense Controllers Preserve Market Lead
The equipment market adopted an analogous development, with 1.05 million items bought all through November—a 58% enhance from October however an 18% drop year-on-year. As soon as once more, Black Friday’s absence from the November dataset distorts the comparability.
Sony’s DualSense controllers dominated the accent charts, with the basic White variant main gross sales and the Midnight Black version intently following at No.2. A particular launch—the thirtieth Anniversary Restricted Version DualSense—additionally made a notable debut, securing the No.4 place.
Conclusion
Whereas November 2024’s figures present a considerable drop in each software program and {hardware} gross sales, the absence of Black Friday knowledge and the shortage of high-profile sport releases performed a major function in shaping the outcomes. Name of Obligation continues to reign on the high, however titles like Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Mario & Luigi: Brothership spotlight combined fortunes for brand new releases. Sturdy {hardware} gross sales throughout Black Friday, notably for the PS5 Professional, counsel that December’s figures could paint a extra constructive image as the vacation season progresses.
1. Name of Obligation: Black Ops 6
2. EA Sports activities FC 25
3. Dragon Age: The Veilguard
4. Hogwarts Legacy
5. Grand Theft Auto 5
6. Tremendous Mario Get together Jamboree*
7. Horizon: Zero Daybreak Remastered
8. Nintendo Swap Sports activities*
9. Tremendous Mario Bros. Marvel*
10. Mario Kart 8: Deluxe (Nintendo)*
*Digital gross sales excluded for Nintendo titles.