New Zealand Spends More On Digital Video Games Than It Does In Stores

On Friday, the iGEA, NPD and research group Telsyte revealed just how much money Australians spent on video games in 2013. That figure was high, but of particular interest was the digital/tradition retail split. Australians are spending more on digital each year, but we can’t keep up with our friends in New Zealand.

Today New Zealand revealed its own version of Australia’s sales figures, and it turns out that New Zealanders — proportionally — are spending more on digital games that they are at retail.

New Zealand consumers spend $133 million on video games at retail over the course of last year, but $166 million on digital. Australians, to compare, spent $1.13 billion at retail and $899 million on digital gaming goods. That was a 50% year on year increase for Australians, but we still couldn’t keep pace with New Zealand, who are — it seems — larger consumers of digital video games.

Mobile games accounted for 57% of digital sales and spent more than twice the amount of cash on in-game purchases compared to up-front game purchases.

“We’re seeing more New Zealanders consume games across a wide variety of consoles and mobile devices and consequently, extend the ‘traditional’ console experience with in-game extras bought online or a version of the game which users can access via their smartphone and other internet connected devices,” said Mark Goodacre, IGEA’s New Zealand Director.

Incredibly consumers are expected to double their digital spending in 2014.


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