The hobby game market continued to grow at a single digit rate in Q2, according to reports in Internal Correspondence #72.  Hobby stores were healthy, and there were bright spots in all four categories (collectible games, minis, board games, and RPGs).  

 

In collectible games the core brands, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon, are doing well, with HeroClix expanding its sales under new ownership and World of Warcraft TCG successfully re-launching from Cryptozoic.

 

Board game dynasties did well in a season not known for strong board game sales.  Minis were solid, particularly the new edition of Warmachine, with anticipation for the new editions of Hordes and Warhammer Fantasy.  Wyrd Miniatures’ Malifaux made the minis chart for the first time.  In RPGs, the battle for leadership between perennial winner D&D and Paizo’s Pathfinder continues, with Wizards of the Coast mounting a strong defense and Paizo on the attack. 

 

The game coverage in Internal Correspondence included a report on GAMA, the game trade association, asking the question of whether the organization as it’s currently constituted can meet the needs of the hobby game business.   

 

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 #72, see "ICv2 Releases 'Internal Correspondence' #72."