The Rockstar effect: How mega-budget games change release dates for everyone else


  • TECH
  • Tuesday, 23 Oct 2018

LOS ANGELES: The fall videogame release schedule is usually a non-stop sprint from late August until the first week in December. Titles large and small crowd into the busy holiday shopping season, fighting for a piece of the pie. 

According to market research firm NPD, an average 55% of United States videogame hardware and software retail spending happens between September and December. In order to give games their best chance at visibility and sales (two related, but distinct metrics), developers and publishers large and small keep a weather eye on the release calendar. Even amongst AAA games, some titles have a larger footprint than others. 

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