UK Sales of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Surpass Vanguard by 92%

The UK gaming market experienced a significant surge in sales last month, with 2.83 million games sold, representing an 11.2% increase from the previous year. According to GSD data, digital download stores accounted for 1.75 million of these sales, marking a 36% year-on-year rise. However, physical retailer sales dipped by 14% compared to October 2021, with just under 1.1 million games sold. The success of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was a major contributor to this growth, with the game's opening week sales exceeding those of its predecessor, Call of Duty: Vanguard, by 92%. The game's sales were predominantly driven by PlayStation formats, accounting for 57% of total sales, with 42% attributed to the PS5. The Xbox platforms and PC accounted for 33% and 11% of sales, respectively. FIFA 23 also played a role in the market's growth, with sales up 6% compared to the previous year. Other notable new releases included Gotham Knights, which debuted at No.3, and Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, which entered the charts at No.5. The console hardware market saw a slight decline in sales, with 175,000 units sold in October, representing a 1% drop. The PS5 maintained its position as the top-selling console, albeit narrowly, with the Xbox Series X and S consoles closely behind. Nintendo Switch sales rose by 5% month-on-month, allowing it to overtake the Xbox One in terms of all-time console sales in the UK. The market for accessories and peripherals experienced a decline, with 669,029 add-on products sold in October, representing a 9% month-on-month drop and a 7.5% year-on-year decrease. Official Xbox and PlayStation controllers dominated the market, with the PowerA Wired Xbox Controller (Black) ranking as the highest-charting third-party product at No.8. The GSD UK October Top 20 Video Games chart saw Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 take the top spot, followed by FIFA 23 and Gotham Knights.