October saw a significant surge in video game sales across Europe, with total sales increasing by 12.4% compared to the previous year, according to GameIndustryBiz’s Chris Dring. The primary driver was the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which marked a strong performance despite unique distribution factors. Meanwhile, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero achieved record-breaking sales, cementing its place as the franchise’s most successful launch.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Surpasses Modern Warfare 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 had a compelling debut, with its first two weeks of sales rising 5% above 2023’s Modern Warfare 3, though they fell 28% short of the 2022 blockbuster Modern Warfare 2. This year’s Black Ops installment was available on Game Pass from launch, a significant shift from previous entries that undoubtedly impacted premium sales on Xbox.
However, PlayStation sales tell a different story. On Sony’s platform, Black Ops 6 sales rose 26% over Modern Warfare 3 and even exceeded Modern Warfare 2 by 2%, showcasing strong demand among PlayStation users. With Game Pass driving player engagement on Xbox and PC, the overall launch is expected to deliver a robust performance.
Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero’s Record-Breaking Launch
The October release of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero has become a milestone for the franchise, boasting the biggest launch in its history. After just four weeks, sales of the new title are double those of 2020’s Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, previously the franchise’s fastest-selling game.
Other Key Performances in October
- Super Mario Party Jamboree secured the fifth spot on the European charts but fell short of its predecessor, with launch sales 6% lower than 2021’s Mario Party Superstars.
- The Silent Hill 2 remake debuted in sixth place. While a respectable performance, its launch sales were 57% below the 2023 Resident Evil 4 remake and 31% lower than the Dead Space remake from the same year.
Despite being available on Xbox Game Pass, the sales of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 have remained steady. However, while Xbox sales have dropped, sales on other platforms have increased, as reflected in the overall results.
