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Game spending in the US reached a record quarterly high in Q1 2020

The NPD Group: Consumers spent nearly $10.9 billion on video games from January through March of this year

Consumers in the United States spent nearly $10.9 billion on video games in Q1 of 2020 -- up 9% year-over-year, and a record quarterly high.

According to The NPD Group's Q1 2020 Games Market Dynamics: US report, video game content made up most of this total, reaching $9.58 billion in total spend, up 11% year-over-year.

Digital console and PC content, mobile and subscription spending, hardware, and accessories spending were all up year-over-year, with software spending led by Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, DOOM Eternal, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto V, Minecraft, MLB The Show 20 and NBA 2K20.

Hardware growth was led by Nintendo Switch sales while other platforms declined, with hardware sales reaching a total of $773 million for the quarter -- up 2% year-over-year.

Accessories sales were up 1% year-over-year to $503 million.

It's worth noting that the Games Market Dynamics report includes the NPD's tracked sales of software, hardware, and accessories that it reports on monthly, as well as projected sales from mobile, subscriptions, post-launch content, and untracked digital sales.

"Video games have brought comfort and connection to millions during this challenging time," said The NPD Group analyst Mat Piscatella.

"As people have stayed at home more, they've utilized gaming not only as a diversion and an escape, but also as a means of staying connected with family and friends.

"Whether it was on console or mobile, PC or virtual reality, gaming experienced play and sales growth during the first quarter."

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Rebekah Valentine

Senior Staff Writer

Rebekah arrived at GamesIndustry in 2018 after four years of freelance writing and editing across multiple gaming and tech sites. When she's not recreating video game foods in a real life kitchen, she's happily imagining herself as an Animal Crossing character.