Mat Piscatella
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Analyst says Epic Games layoffs send a clear signal: 'This will not get any easier'
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced over 1,000 layoffs due to a decline in Fortnite engagement since 2025, leading to the company spending more than it earns. Analysts suggest this signals a challenging period for the entire industry, exacerbated by inflation and increased competition from platforms like Roblox. The company is also shutting down several Fortnite game modes, including Rocket Racing and Festival Battle Stage.
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.
77% of US Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth players were 30 or older, analyst says, as Square Enix fights to get young people to…
An analysis of player demographics for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth in the US reveals that 77% of players are aged 30 or older, with 62% being 35 or older, according to Circana's Mat Piscatella. This trend, noted by Final Fantasy 14 director Naoki Yoshida, suggests the Final Fantasy series may be struggling to attract younger players due to long gaps between releases and evolving player preferences.
Mario Tennis Fever Takes Out Top Spot In February 2026 Nintendo Charts (US)
Mario Tennis topped the best-selling games chart on Nintendo platforms in the US for February 2026, according to data from Mat Piscatella. Resident Evil Requiem was the best-selling premium game across all platforms for the month and the year so far, also leading sales on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC storefronts.
Mario Tennis Fever Takes Out Top Spot In February 2026 Nintendo Charts (US)
Mario Tennis topped the February 2026 US sales charts for Nintendo platforms, followed by Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined and Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Resident Evil Requiem also performed strongly, leading sales across all platforms and debuting as the year's best-selling game. Capcom reported significant sales for Requiem shortly after its release.
Mario Tennis Fever Takes Out Top Spot In February 2026 Nintendo Charts (US)
Mario Tennis Fever topped the February 2026 US sales charts for Nintendo platforms, followed by Dragon Quest VII Reimagined and Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Resident Evil Requiem was the best-selling premium game across all platforms for the month and the year, with Capcom announcing over six million units sold since its late February release.
Resident Evil Requiem is 2026’s Best-Selling Game in US, 40% Higher Launch Unit Sales Than Village
Resident Evil Requiem has become the best-selling game in the United States for February, with launch unit sales over 40% higher than Resident Evil Village. Capcom's latest title has sold over six million units worldwide in less than three weeks. Story DLC for Resident Evil Requiem is also confirmed to be in development.
PS5 Leads Resident Evil Requiem Sales as 'Consoles Are Dead' Chat Falls Flat
Analysis of sales data for Resident Evil 4 indicates that the PlayStation 5 was the leading platform in the US during February, contrary to speculation that PC sales dominated. Despite strong PC performance, PlayStation has historically been the primary platform for the Resident Evil series, with the latest entry achieving record-breaking sales worldwide.
Xbox Project Helix Could Be A Make-Or-Break Moment For Microsoft
Microsoft has revealed more details about its upcoming console/PC platform, codenamed Project Helix, with developer kits set to ship in 2028. Industry analysts suggest this indicates a consumer launch no earlier than 2028, potentially facing high prices due to component shortages like RAM. Project Helix is seen as a significant strategic move for Xbox, potentially marking a shift towards a PC-first ecosystem.
If You're Loving Resident Evil Requiem on PS5, There's a Good Chance You're Old
Resident Evil Requiem has achieved significant sales success on PlayStation 5, with data suggesting a large portion of its player base is aged 35 and above. This demographic trend is attributed to the aging console audience and the franchise's long history, which began in 1996. Younger players are noted to be gravitating towards titles like Roblox and Fortnite on less expensive platforms.
Physical Game Sales Hit All-Time Low in the US
Physical game sales in the US have hit an all-time low of $1.5 billion in 2025, according to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella. While the market is in decline, the year-on-year drop of 11% is the smallest since 2021. Digital sales continue to grow, with platform holders like Sony and Microsoft favoring digital storefronts and consoles without disc drives.
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.
