Hogwarts Legacy and PS5 Boost UK Q1 Game and Console Sales to Record High

PS5 Availability Drives 180% Increase in Q1 Sales

The UK gaming industry continues to show robust growth, with the first quarter of 2023 witnessing a significant rise in both game and console sales compared to the same period last year. According to GameIndustry.biz data from GSD and GfK, game sales increased by 1% year-on-year, while console sales saw a substantial surge of nearly 25%. In this article, we will delve into the factors that contributed to this upward trend, including the impact of popular games like Hogwarts Legacy, the availability of the PS5, and the performance of other consoles in the market.

The gaming landscape in the UK has been thriving, with the first quarter of 2023 witnessing a positive trend in game and console sales. The data from GSD and GfK reveals that game sales, including both physical and digital copies, rose by 1% year-on-year. Console sales, on the other hand, experienced a substantial increase of nearly 25% compared to the same period last year.

One of the significant contributors to the rise in game sales in the UK during Q1 2023 was the release of Hogwarts Legacy. This highly anticipated game, apart from FIFA and Call of Duty, emerged as the fastest-selling game in the UK since Red Dead Redemption 2. The game has already outsold other popular titles like Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga and Elden Ring, making it a major driving force behind the increase in Q1 game sales.

When compared to Q1 2022, the performance of Hogwarts Legacy is even more impressive, considering that Q1 2022 saw the release of other high-profile games like Elden Ring, Pokemon Legends: Archeus, and Horizon: Forbidden West. Despite facing stiff competition from these games, Hogwarts Legacy managed to outdo the game sales of Q1 2022, highlighting its popularity among gamers in the UK.

Console sales during Q1 2023 witnessed a remarkable surge of 24.2% compared to the same period last year. The availability of the PS5 played a crucial role in driving this growth. During Q1 2022, the PS5 was mostly unavailable on retail shelves, with sporadic restocks being the only option for eager gamers. However, the situation has significantly improved, and the PS5 can now be found in most retailers that carry game consoles.

The increased availability of PS5 consoles has resulted in a surge in sales, with data showing that PS5 sales have risen by more than 180% in the first three months of 2023.Nintendo Switch has witnessed a decline of more than 25%, and Xbox Series consoles have fallen 18%. This indicates the strong demand for the PS5 in the UK market and its positive impact on the overall console sales during Q1 2023.