NPD: $14.08 billion spent in US on games in 2012

So the downward trend is continuing...  It's no wonder that so many gaming companies close.

maybe because a lot of people are playing F2P games on computer or mobile devices.

Now use that money to make something other than FPS's....

O_o

its all good for the industry!its growing thats for sure!

"When including all other forms of content spending outside of new physical games, the 2012 U.S. games market was more than twice as large as the total spending on new physical games alone,"

what the heck does it mean?

well, i hear the gaming industry has been doing better than hollywood for some time now

Such big income for USA economy, Just interested what Politicans will say about this.

I'd say 14+billion is pretty damn good. The industry is fine, just fine. Video games are more popular than ever and they aren't going away, well ever. Or until the apocalypse. Sadly, losing vids is the part I dred most about the apocalypse, and oh yeah worrying about family.

"The NPD's findings are based on retail tracking services and other forms of consumer research. It also includes estimations derived from NPD retail and publishing partners, as well as "calibration" with third-party sources. "

In short, not accurate data. No digital sales, dependent on "collaboration" and good will of others...

The gaming industry is doing very very well for this stage in the life cycle of Nintendo, Sony, and MS consoles. Compare this to a similar stage of GC, PS2, Xbox. Now with this known, next generation gaming will be a big success when you include non-traditional game sales from things like phones and tablets.

Maybe it's because 14% of us are unemployed and our economy is awful at the moment?

This really does'nt mean a hell of alot of beans considering not too many games came out in '12. Besides, smart people wait for the price to go down, or just buy used cause they're sick of/or can't afford $60(US) games,does'nt mean what the study implies; that people want all digital games-because the majority of gamers/consumers does'nt and NEVER will!

I don't see the problem. If games are selling 14 billion in the US alone, they are doing pretty dam well imo.

9% less bloodthirsty sales going to support the videogame terror campaign... Come on people! Get your bloodthirst on! How else are we supposed to reign down anarchy and hellfire for the politicians?!

Maybe because more and more games come without a wholly feeling due to every single publisher resorting to DLC and microtransactions. hopefully more and more gamers start voting with their wallets because that sh!t has got to go.

I am not positive, but there had to more games released in 2011 compared to 2012. It just seemed like 2012 had a drought of games. This is why Gamespot has talked way more about indie games than it has ever before.

Just saying...Less games means less spending on games in 2012.

Anyone know if NPD is finally counting Steam sales?  For a long time they totally missed that boat.  Counting digital must be really tough.  Steam plus now a dozen copycats like UPlay and Origin and all that nonsense.  GOG, Stardock, who knows what else.  And then you have to count DLC and add-on sales.  Console download content, subscription-based MMOs, social games...  I'm glad its someone's full time job.

How can they say it's on decline when a lot of  digital sales go uncounted, for all we know the missing sales could have simply gone digital

Money funds how politicians think.

Video games make more money than many other industries now.

Sabre-rattling about violent games will amount to nothing.

GUESS THAT MAKES US ALL MURDERERS.

Must buy more games.

Well, the year of 2011 is great year where many great video games appeared compared to the year of 2012, so the video industry is still fine and still expanding.