While I don’t like to talk about money and consumerism, I do have a fondness for seeing numbers go up. It’s why I’m so fascinated with Circana aka NPD Group. While they are sharing sales figures, these numbers also highlight where the collective gaming focus is. Even though it may not be the definitive guiding light for games, it does influence decisions. This year, I’m stunned as I’m sure Activision and Call of Duty bros may be. Harry Potter was the hottest thing in the gaming streets this year.
Hogwarts Legacy takes the numba one spot
According to Circana, Hogwarts Legacy claimed the crown of bestselling title of 2023 in the US. This broke Call of Duty’s streak as the topo moneymaker in the US.
The game made by Warner Bros. and Avalanche Software is set in J.K. Rowling’s world of Harry Potter. When looking at reporting for this game, some outlets tend to leave out that part. Mainly it’s in an attempt to distance the artist from their work to make it a bit more marketable. While the game itself may not have anything to do with Rowling except for the overall setting of the game, we’d do well to remember history and acknowledge the good and bad. Besides, whether she had anything to do with the game, she still got paid.
Last 15 years of top games
Here is a list of the last 15 bestselling games in the US:
- 2009 — COD: Modern Warfare 2
- 2010 — COD: Black Ops
- 2011 — COD: Modern Warfare 3
- 2012 — COD: Black Ops 2
- 2013 — Grand Theft Auto 5
- 2014 — COD: Advanced Warfare
- 2015 — COD: Black Ops 3
- 2016 — COD: Infinite Warfare
- 2017 — COD: WWII
- 2018 — Red Dead Redemption 2
- 2019 — COD: Modern Warfare
- 2020 — COD: Black Ops Cold War
- 2021 — COD: Vanguard
- 2022 — COD: Modern Warfare 2
- 2023 — Hogwarts Legacy
Although, Call of Duty didn’t retain its record, Modern Warfare 3, this year’s entry, was November and Decembers top game. Honestly, though, I think the reviews of MW3 when it came out did the game in.
Honestly, I’m surprised Baldur’s Gate 3 didn’t sell better. All it has is Game of the Year.
Source: Polygon
