UAE gaming console market posts sales of 4.45m units worth Dh17.78m

Dubai: The UAE gaming console market reported sales of 4.45 million units worth Dh17.78 million from January to May this year, according to Jacky's Electronics.

"The phasing out of HD-DVD format in favour of Blu-Ray discs has boosted sales of the Sony PS3 due to its Blu-Ray technology. Nintendo has gained a niche market because of its interactive consoles and products such as Wii Fit allowing users to exercise while playing," Ashish Panjabi, chief operating officer, Jacky's Electronics, said.

The Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) is currently the number one gaming console in the UAE with 59 per cent market share. Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox are the other major players.

Panjabi said Pro Evolution 6 is presently the best selling game in the UAE with Smack Down VS Raw 2008 ranking second. Halo 3 and FIFA08 are in third and fourth places respectively.

Console-based gaming currently dominates the regional market. PC or online-based games, which are becoming popular in many parts of the world, are still in their infancy in the UAE. This market could grow in the next five years if vendors such as Dell and HP, which have dedicated gaming PCs such as Alienware and Voodoo, manage to create enough demand.

Software vendors and online gaming content sites have to develop in the region if PC gaming is to grow.

"The video gaming industry is making a major effort to broaden the appeal of games and consoles to other segments other than the core players of 8-21 year-old males. We are holding a gaming competition in Sharjah to elevate awareness and reach out to other potential users as well," Panjabi said.

"With the stellar sales of gaming consoles like the Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, added to the equation, gaming technology will clearly emerge as an entertainment industry of equivalent value to film and television - and one which continues to show significant growth," said Jens Hilgers, CEO of Turtle Entertainments.

What gaming console do you own? Would an exorbitant price deter you from buying your favourite video game? Why? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.

Something doesn't sound right here. How can you sell 4.5 million consoles in a country of 5.5 million people? I am assuming that these numbers are including wholesale and re-export figures, which should have been made clear in the article. Secondly, what qualifies Jacky's to provide numbers for the entire industry? I understand they are a big player in the market, but I doubt if everyone discloses their numbers to Jackys.
Mohammed
Dubai,U.A.E
Posted: August 17, 2008, 10:51