US Gaming Consumer Spending Rises 10% Boosted by Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Launch
The gaming industry saw a notable 10% year-over-year increase in consumer spending during October, totaling $4.7 billion, according to Circana's latest report. This surge was primarily driven by the record-breaking launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which has taken the franchise to new heights.
Breaking Records: Black Ops 6 Takes the Lead
Top-Seller: Black Ops 6 debuted as the number one game for October and is now the third best-selling game of 2024.
Franchise Milestone: Activision confirmed the franchise has surpassed 500 million units sold, solidifying Call of Duty's place as one of the best-selling gaming franchises of all time.
Game Pass Impact: Black Ops 6 marked a franchise first as a day-one release on Game Pass, driving a 16% rise in non-mobile subscriptions, with Xbox reporting record-breaking subscription growth.
Spending Insights
Content: Accounted for $4.23 billion, up 12% year-over-year, driven by digital full-game sales and in-game spending.
Hardware: Dropped by 23% to $249 million, reflecting a slowdown in console sales.
PlayStation Dominates COD Sales
Circana's Mat Piscatella highlighted PlayStation's significant share of Black Ops 6's success:
82% of total console full-game dollar sales came from PlayStation platforms.
Sales were 23% higher than Modern Warfare 3's first two weeks, showcasing the stronger reception for Black Ops 6.
Top Contenders in October
Alongside Call of Duty, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, Silent Hill 2, and Metaphor: ReFantazio ranked among the top-sellers, underscoring a packed release window.
What do you think about Call of Duty’s latest success? Is Black Ops 6 your favorite entry yet, or are you waiting for another contender to take the spotlight? Share your thoughts below!
