November was another lousy month for the video-game industry on the whole.
Industry watcher NPD Group's report finds video-game sales plunging by 8% last month, with hardware sales taking a steeper 13% loss than the 3% slide in November.
The hardware end was supposed to be weak. Microsoft
However, the weakness in software is unforgivable. The video-game industry has taken year-over-year hits in eight of the past nine months. November was supposed to be a winner. Activision Blizzard
Unfortunately, the industry is pitted against record results in 2008. Folks were paying up for costly music games and accessories, and that's a trend that's fading quickly. Viacom's
Sorry, publishers. Gamers just don't want your plastic DJ turntable simulators or Tony Hawk skateboard accessories.
I've been criticized since my bearish turn on CNBC this summer, but has my pessimism not been vindicated? Diehard gamers that claim that I was wrong to slam GameStop
I also have to argue that connectivity is extending the playable life of titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and therefore drying up the demand for more games.
Am I wrong? I haven't been wrong so far.
Take-Two Interactive
Analysts who think 2009 is just a breather after a huge 2008 had better start drawing circles around 2010.
The game is still ugly.