SuperData: in September, the same number of people played mobile Among Us as Pokémon GO at the peak of popularity

SuperData analysts summed up the results of September in a fresh review of the digital games market. Among the most successful projects of the month are Among Us, NBA 2K21 and others.

In total, $10.7 billion was spent on digital versions of games in the first month of autumn. This is 14% more than in September 2019. Consoles showed the largest revenue growth — 40% in annual terms. Mobile games earned 9% more than a year ago. Revenue of PC titles increased by 8%.

SuperData also notes that:

• The most profitable game of the month was NBA 2K21. Digital sales of the sports simulator reached 1.9 million copies. For comparison, its predecessor NBA 2K20 had 19% less starting sales, and earnings from in—game transactions were 8% less%;
• Marvel’s Avengers showed the second largest digital launch among Square Enix games, leaving only Final Fantasy VII Remake ahead. Total sales in the “figure” amounted to 2.2 million copies — almost the same amount at one time was Marvel’s Spider-Man, exclusive for PS4;Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 has been bought 2.8 million times.
• This is more than other Activision Blizzard remakes — Crash Bandicoot and Spyro;
• Super Mario 3D All-Stars showed the largest launch among Mario games on Switch. The digital circulation of the title has reached 1.8 million copies;
• Crusader Kings III has set a new record for PC strategies. In September, the title sold 1.1 million digital copies. The result was better than in the premiere month of Total War: Three Kingdoms and Civilization VI. However, the game earned less than its closest competitors. Analysts explain this by the low price of Crusader Kings III — you can buy a copy for only $49.99 instead of the standard $59.99;
• In September, the number of players of the mobile version of Among Us almost equaled Pokémon GO when it was at the peak of popularity (in August 2016). Nevertheless, Among Us did not enter the top 40 mobile titles due to small in-game revenue;
• The transition of Rocket League to a fritupley business model turned out to be a good decision. The total volume of digital sales in the first week of free distribution of the title almost equaled the three previous weeks. Also, the number of players increased by 193% in September.

Also on the topic:

• SuperData: the initial revenue of Fall Guys on PC is $185 million. This is the biggest launch since OverwatchSuperData: Ghost of Tsushima has become the fastest selling new IP on PlayStation
• SuperData: In June, players spent $10.46 billion on digital versions of games
• Is there any news?