This summer every hobby game category experienced at least some growth over the previous year according to the market report in Internal Correspondence #73. Meanwhile sales of video games were down 8% in the first seven months of 2010. The question of whether this is simply a reaction to the prolonged recession in the overall economy or the reflection of a long term trend is examined at length in IC #73 along with the growing trend of family gaming.
In the category of collectible games, the top brands such as Magic the Gathering continue on a hot streak, but games below the top four or five dominant properties are also up significantly. Pokemon remains strong in the mass channel, while Yu-Gi-Oh!, AEG’s Legend of the Five Rings, and WizKids’ HeroClix performed well in the hobby channel in Q3.
The board game category, which is one of the main beneficiaries of the increased interest in family gaming, continues to grow with distributors reporting increased sales through independent toy stores as well as hobby game outlets. Mayfair’s Settlers of Catan remains on top, but
The game coverage in Internal Correspondence #73 also includes a selection of top game-related gifts for the coming holiday season, an article on a new game retailers association, the Professional Game Store Association, and an in-depth look at Mayfair Games’ demo programs.
For the lists of the bestselling Collectible Games in the hobby channel, in the mass channel, and over-all, click here. For the bestselling board, card, and family games in the hobby channel, click here. For the bestselling RPGs in the hobby market, click here. For the bestselling non-collectible miniature games in the hobby channel, click here. For information on how to get the new issue of Internal Correspondence #73, see "ICv2 Releases 'Internal Correspondence' #73."
