UK games market booms in 2006

Annual figures from the Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) show that the UK games market hit an all time high in 2006. 

Sales of 'interactive entertainment software' across all formats reached 65.1 million units in the UK, racking up £1.36bn.

Despite a seven per cent rise in the number of titles sold compared with 2005, the amount of money taken in 2006 rose by only one per cent.

"We are thrilled to see the industry growing and software sales continuing to rise," said Paul Jackson, director general of ELSPA.

"With the new generation consoles and new handhelds there are some amazing titles out there and consumers are continuing to enjoy them."

Jackson claimed that the number of family-orientated and mentally stimulating games available are a testament to the industry.

PC titles also had their best year ever in 2006 with a seven per cent increase over the previous year.

"Although there are new consoles and handhelds for gamers it is great to see that the PC market is doing so well," Jackson added.

Sony's PlayStation 2 led the league for console game sales, followed by Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Xbox, and Nintendo's Wii and Ga meCube. 

The top 10 games for 2006 were:

1. FIFA 07 (EA Sport)
2. Pro Evolution Soccer 6 (Konami)
3. Need For Speed: Carbon (EA Games)
4. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (Rockstar)
5. Lego Star Wars 2: The Original Trilogy (Lucas Arts)
6. The Sims 2: Pets (EA Games)
7. Cars (THQ)
8. Tomb Raider Legend (Eidos)
9. The Sims 2 (EA Games)
10. WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2007 (THQ)