In May 2024, the projected total spend on video game hardware, content, and accessories in the US declined by 6% year-over-year to $4.0 billion. This decrease was mirrored in content spending, which fell by 3%. Despite a notable 13% growth in mobile content spending, this increase was unable to compensate for a significant 40% decline in console content spending, according to Mat Piscatella, executive director of video games at Circana.
During this period, Ghost of Tsushima surged to the top spot in Circana’s US charts, a remarkable leap from its previous rank of 71. The popularity spike followed its debut on Steam, making it available beyond its original Sony console exclusivity. It outpaced Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, which claimed the runner-up position, although Nintendo’s digital sales data was not disclosed.
Other top-selling games included Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Helldivers 2, and MLB: The Show 24, rounding out the top five. New releases like F1 24, Homeworld 3, and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door also made strong debuts in the top 20, with Paper Mario’s digital sales contributing significantly despite not being fully represented in reported numbers.
Fortnite led in monthly active users on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series platforms, while Helldivers 2 dominated on Steam. Stellar Blade, last month’s top seller, fell to 10th place amidst these shifts in the gaming landscape, showcasing the dynamic nature of game popularity and consumer spending patterns in the US market during May 2024.