Video game sales down by 42% in April

According to market research firm the NPD Group, retailers sold just $292.1 million worth of games in the last month, compared to $503.2 million in the same period last year.

Few games have arrived in April, meaning console sales are down by 32% to $189.7 million.

NPD analyst Anita Frazier commented:

”Simply stated, there were notably fewer. I think it’s a simple as that, because when we see compelling content come into the market, the games are still selling as well as ever. We just saw a lot less of this in April as compared to last year.”

With the launches of Diablo III and Max Payne 3, expect sales to pick up in May.