Video game sales of last year rose 21 percent over 2001, with the last month of the year rising seven percent from a year earlier. Total sales for 2002 reached a record $10.3 billion.
Some analysts commenting on the figures from NPDFunworld said the 21 percent rise was in accordance with their estimates, while others stated they had expected a 25 percent growth. Moreover it is said that the projected annual industry growth of 13 percent in 2003 may be at risk, especially during the first half of the year.
Activision"s sales dropped about 22 percent in December, while Electronic Arts sold the most units in that period. Though Take-Two Interactive lost market share in the month, it did sell 1.4 million copies of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, bring its total to 4.4 million since its late-October release.