The NPD Group Reports Annual 2005 U.S. PC Game Retail Sales; NPD Announces Plans to Broaden Market Definition

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 17, 2006--According to leading marketing information provider, The NPD Group, annual 2005 U.S. retail sales of PC game software saw sales figures reach $953 million, a 14 percent decrease compared to the $1.1 billion generated in 2004.

PC game software unit sales were down 19 percent for the year, totaling 38 million units vs. 47 million units sold in 2004.

“As a result, NPD will be launching its new definition of the U.S. PC game market this spring which will include a combination of sales from retail, downloads, and both casual and MMO subscription revenues. We expect this will add significant dollars to the PC game market size.”

"While we have seen retail sales of PC games decrease for several years now, we know from talking to consumers about their online gaming behaviors that playing games on the PC, whether it's via online casual sites or through MMO subscription play, has been increasing," said Anita Frazier, industry analyst, The NPD Group. "As a result, NPD will be launching its new definition of the U.S. PC game market this spring which will include a combination of sales from retail, downloads, and both casual and MMO subscription revenues. We expect this will add significant dollars to the PC game market size."

        Annual 2005 Top 10 PC Game Titles, Ranked by Units Sold

                                                         Average Price
           Title                Publisher        Intro.   Jan-Dec 2005
                                                 Date

World Of Warcraft           Vivendi Universal    Nov-04           $47
The Sims 2: University      Electronic Arts      Feb-05           $33
 Expansion Pack                                                   
The Sims 2                  Electronic Arts      Sep-04           $45
Guild Wars                  Ncsoft               Apr-05           $48
Roller Coaster Tycoon 3     Atari                Oct-04           $30
Battlefield 2               Electronic Arts      Jun-05           $48
The Sims 2 Nightlife        Electronic Arts      Sep-05           $32
 Expansion Pack                                                   
MS Age Of Empires III       Microsoft            Oct-05           $47
The Sims Deluxe             Electronic Arts      Sep-02           $19
Call Of Duty 2              Activision           Oct-05           $46

Source: The NPD Group / Point-of-Sale

About The NPD Group, Inc.

Since 1967 The NPD Group has provided reliable and comprehensive consumer and retail information for a wide range of industries. Today more than 1,400 manufacturers and retailers rely on NPD to help them better understand their customers, product categories, distribution channels and competition in order to help guide their businesses. Information from The NPD Group is available for the following major vertical sectors: apparel, appliances, automotive, beauty, consumer electronics, food and beverage, foodservice, footwear, home improvement, housewares, imaging, information technology, music, software, toys, video games, and wireless. For more information visit www.npd.com.