'Call of Duty' helps lead video game industry to $30.4 bln year in revenue

The U.S. video game industry generated $30.4 billion in revenue in 2016, according to new data from the Entertainment Software Association and NPD Group. Sales include everything from hardware, software, peripherals and in-game purchases and 2016's gross is just above the $30.2 billion generated in 2015. Consumer spending on console platforms, such as Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Corp.'s XBox One, was driven by Activision Blizzard Inc.'s "Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare," Electronic Arts Inc.'s "Battlefield 1" and Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.'s "NBA 2K17." NPD Group pointed out the Pokemon craze that re-upped in 2016 with the Pokemon Go mobile game and release of Pokemon Sun and Moon, which garnered the highest launch month consumer spend in the history of the franchise, according to a news release. "Growth in entertainment software consumer spend was seen across the mobile, PC, virtual reality, subscription, portable and digital console segments," NPD Group industry analyst Mat Piscatella said in a statement. "Consumers have more options to purchase and enjoy entertainment software than ever before, while developers have more and easier ways to delivering that content. No matter the delivery platform, entertainment software has never been more engaging, diverse or accessible."

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