European Game Sales Stumble In September 2023: EA Sports FC 24, NBA 2K24, Mortal Kombat 1

Big-name video games released in September 2023 in Europe have faced lower launch sales compared to their predecessors, according to a study by Game Sales Data (GSD).

Electronic Arts Inc.'s EA EA Sports FC 24 experienced a 10% decline in launch sales compared to FIFA 23, as reported by GamesIndustry.biz. Even when compared to FIFA 22 from 2021, FC 24's sales were down by 3.7%.

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This drop was expected as EA's football franchise changed its name after its relationship with FIFA dissolved. Despite this, FC 24 had more than 11.3 million players globally.

Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.'s TTWO NBA 2K24's first three weeks of sales were down 17% compared to NBA 2K23, while Microsoft Corp.'s MSFT Starfield, though the best-selling game in the U.S., faced a 13% drop in Europe compared to Forza Horizon 5's sales in 2021.

Moreover, Warner Bros. Discovery Inc WBD Mortal Kombat 1 saw a significant decline, with launch sales down by nearly 39% compared to Mortal Kombat 11 in Europe.

Ubisoft Entertainment SA's UBSFF defied the downward swing and its The Crew Motorfest experienced a 6.5% increase in launch sales compared to The Crew 2, particularly in France.

Several factors contribute to the sales decline, including the ongoing cost of living crisis affecting consumer spending and a crowded release schedule due to games delayed during COVID-19 lockdowns.

With numerous high-profile titles launching between August and November, including Baldur's Gate 3, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Starfield and Spider-Man 2, competition in the gaming market is fierce, making it challenging for individual titles to stand out.

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Photo: Diego Thomazini on Shutterstock.