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Epic Games lays off over 1000 employees, blames declining interest in Fortnite
Epic Games has laid off over 1000 employees, citing a significant downturn in Fortnite engagement and financial losses. CEO Tim Sweeney stated that the company is spending more than it earns, necessitating these cuts and other cost-saving measures. Concurrently, Epic announced the shutdown of several Fortnite modes, including Rocket Racing and Festival Battle Stage, due to a failure to attract and retain a large player base.
US: Nintendo Switch 2 remains 2nd fastest selling hardware in tracked history
Mat Piscatella of Circana reports that the Nintendo Switch remains the second fastest-selling video game hardware in the United States, despite sales not meeting internal expectations during the Christmas season. The Game Boy Advance holds the record for the fastest-selling hardware in tracked US history.
Mario Tennis Fever Takes Out Top Spot In February 2026 Nintendo Charts (US)
Mario Tennis Fever topped the US Nintendo sales charts for February 2026, followed by Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined and Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Resident Evil Requiem was the best-selling premium game across all platforms in the US for the month, with Capcom reporting over six million units sold. The Nintendo Switch 2 saw significant year-on-year spending growth, while the PlayStation 5 led the hardware market in unit and dollar sales.
Resident Evil Requiem Reigns Supreme in February 2026, Circana Says
Circana's February 2026 US sales data shows Resident Evil Requiem as the top-selling game for both the month and year-to-date. NBA 2K26 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 followed in second and third place respectively. The PlayStation 5 was the best-selling console, with the Nintendo Switch 2 in second, as the overall hardware market saw a 22% increase.
Best-selling games in the U.S. for February 2026 – Resident Evil Requiem, Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined, Mario Tennis Fever make the cut
Circana has released the top ten best-selling video games in the U.S. for February 2026. Resident Evil Requiem secured the number one spot, followed by other new releases like Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined and Mario Tennis Fever.
US Gamers Are Spending Way Less Than They Used To On Physical Games
US spending on physical video games saw an 11% decline from 2024 to 2025, reaching an all-time low of $1.5 billion in 2025. While this trend reflects the rise of digital distribution and subscription services like PlayStation Plus Catalog and Xbox Game Pass, the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 is noted to have helped stabilize numbers. Analysts suggest a potential resurgence of physical media could occur as older technologies gain popularity.
Call of Duty Tops US Gaming Sales Chart for January 2026
Circana's January 2026 US sales data shows Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 topping the all-format chart, driven by strong physical and digital sales. Sports titles NBA 2K26 and Madden NFL 26 followed, with Minecraft and Battlefield 6 rounding out the top five. Subscription services and hardware contributed to a modest 3% year-over-year increase in the gaming industry.
US video game consumer spending predicted to reach $62.8bn in 2026
US consumer spending on video games is projected to reach $62.8 billion in 2026, a 3% increase driven by anticipated sales of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Grand Theft Auto 6. Circana forecasts that 2026 could surpass the 2021 all-time high, despite potential headwinds from component costs affecting hardware sales. Strong software releases and subscription engagement are expected to bolster the market.
Resident Evil Requiem shows how sequels can drive sales of previous releases
Announcing new franchise titles, such as Resident Evil Requiem, Control: Resonant, and Ghost of Yōtei, significantly boosts sales and player engagement for their predecessors. This effect is amplified by targeted promotions, increased marketing, and strategic discounting, creating a "second launch period" for older games.
