While game sales (games and consoles) decreased by 8% in 2009, the total sales still reached almost $20 billion, at $19.66 billion USD. The sales figures include software, consoles, and accessories, but do not include PC hardware.

PC game sales reached $538 million — a decline of 23% compared to last year. However, this figure does not include sales of downloadable games, like those on Steam.

For more sales figures, head over to GameSpot.

Digg this article!

2009 has been a great year for video games, and while sales have overall decreased and Modern Warfare 2 has pretty much been everywhere these last few months, here’s a look back at the top 10 most surprising things that happened in the video game world in 2009.

10: Duke Nukem Forever, 3D Realms bids farewell

Many will not count this as a surprise, but given that nothing was ever official, and that the game was in and out of development for 10 years, nobody knew how it would end. And yet, nobody expected that 3D Realms, once one of the most recognized developers in the world, would file for bankruptcy, can the project, get sued by 2K Games, counter sue 2K Games, and so on.

The outcome of this battle between 3D Realms — now only a company which manages Duke Nukem IP — and 2K Games might take years to conclude.

9: No Half Life 2: Episode 3

At this year’s E3, everyone was expecting Valve to unveil the third and final episode of Half Life 2, after all, it’s been two years since the Episode 2, and it was only a year between EP 1 and EP 2. But sure enough, there was no Episode 3 for 2009, instead, quite surprisingly, Valve announced and released Left 4 Dead 2 — a move which sparked outrage from the Left 4 Dead community, a game which was released only a year ago.

Left 4 Dead 2 didn’t bring any drastically new features compared to its predecessor, and overall it’s been a disappointing year for Valve (aside from a lot of sweet Team Fortress 2 updates).

8: PSP Go. Revealed. Released. Disappointed.

Sony finally unveiled something that was supposed to catch up to the DS, both in terms of functionality and features, and at first sight, it looked great: better screen, smaller form factor, no UMD — lots of on board storage. However, reality has been different for Sony’s new portable console, making it anything but a “best seller”. The main reason? Its price. $250. For $50 more, you can get a PlayStation 3, which features a Blu-ray player.

Gamers clearly spoke with their wallets.

7: 1UP sold, EGM shut down

Publisher Ziff Davis has struggled for the past few years, and in the beginning of 2009, it sold game portal 1UP to Hearst’s UGO Entertainment division, and, even more surprisingly, shut down Electronic Gaming Monthly, once the go-to magazine for gamers and all things game related.

The magazine was in print for 20 years, and the final issue was released in January 2009. All 30 employees from EGM were let go with the closure.

6: Wii price cut to $199

“We’re fine”, Nintendo kept insisting throughout most of 2009, but when Microsoft lowered the price on the Xbox 360, then upped the features and storage, and when Sony finally revealed a PS3 slim for only $299, Nintendo suddenly had a tough time convincing gamers to shed $250 for a Wii, which was far too underpowered, featured no multimedia capabilities, and has far less storage than its competitors.

Nintendo finally lowered the price to $199 in the second half of 2009.

5: Modern Warfare 2 PC is a pure console port

File this under “a total slap in the face for PC gamers”. Not only did Infinity Ward shock many by revealing that Modern Warfare 2 would not feature dedicated servers, it would also feature all the limitation found on the consoles. Like the 18-player limit for online multiplayer. 18. What is it, 1992? 32 players have been standard on the PC for a long time, most games even support 64 — Modern Warfare 1 supported 48.

The PC version of Modern Warfare 2 was nothing but a port from the console counterparts. A good port, one might argue, but still, 18 players? Come on…

4: Pandemic studios shut down

One of the most iconic developer studios in the world, Pandemic, was shut down by EA earlier this year, only 2 years after the company acquired Pandemic. The noted developers from Star Wars Battlefront, Mercenaries and The Saboteur were let go because EA cited that employees cost three times as much in California as in Canada, for instance.

We can understand the business side of it, but still, a sad entry to 2009.

3: Lots of studios go belly up

It wasn’t just Pandemic that was shut down in 2009, a ton of game developers had to go belly up during this troubled year. Among them, 3D Realms, Atomic Games, Midway Newcastle and San Diego, Factor 5, Empire Interactive, Deadline Games, GRIN, among others.

The bad news was topped by EA Games, which cut over 1,000 jobs, 10% of its workforce, this year. In total, analysts estimate that 12% of the workforce in the video game developer industry in North America were let go, some 6,300 jobs.

2: StarCraft 2 features no LAN support

When Blizzard revealed that StarCraft 2 would not have a LAN multiplayer feature, gamers were angry. Korean gamers were pissed. Instead of LAN, SC2 will use Battle.net, meaning the end is in sight for LAN parties. Whether the removal of LAN is a measure against piracy, or just a way of pissing off professional Korean StarCraft players, remains to be seen. No matter what, it’s a huge disappointment.

Meanwhile, the petition to add LAN to StarCraft 2 has reached almost 250,000 signatures.

1: PlayStation 3 Slim

The news was rumoring for a while, but no firm evidence was ever presented, and Sony always denied the existence of the PS3 slim. Until they confirmed it. And boy was it sweet news. The PS3 slim, not only smaller, lighter and more power efficient than the previous console, it also retailed at an all new, low price of $299.

The introduction of the PS3 slim, coupled with its price tag, officially kicked off the second leg of the current-gen console wars, and as a result, Sony is finally back in the game.

Think the swine flu is all done with? Check this out — According to Joystiq, it seems that a number of PAX 2009 attendees have confirmed cases of the swine flu.

So folks, if you were in attendance and have flu like symptoms, you may want to head to your doctor. However, the CDC has said you only need to worry if you’re in a high risk group (sickly, elderly or very young) or if your symptoms get severe.

Didn’t get a ticket to BlizzCon? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Luckily, Blizzard, RayV and DirecTV are offering over 16 hours of the event live for $39.95.

Below is what will be included during the live stream:

Exclusive interviews and commentary

Main stage presentations including opening ceremony

Tournament coverage and team highlights

Additionally, you will be given the exclusive BlizzCon 2009 WoW in-game pet; Grunty the Murloc Marine.

Read (RayV)

It was recently announced via the official QuakeCon website that registration for the even will begin on March 6th as precisely 9:30PM EST.

If you don’t know what QuakeCon is, I’ll give you a little information. QuakeCon is an event held yearly organized by id Software, developers of the popular Quake series where the convention got it’s name. You bring your computer to this free event and participate in all kinds of tournaments and contests. 

Just to put it in perspective, QuakeCon is apparently North America’s biggest LAN event and the biggest free LAN event in the world.

Sounds cool, right? This year QuakeCon is to be held at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas from August 13th to the 16th. Be there!

Previously it was pretty much a mystery as to what Nintendo had instore for us in 2009, but no more. Joystiq has recently gotten their hands on Nintendo’s official release list for 2009.

Unfortunately a new Zelda title is not to be seen, but that could all change soon enough:

DS
Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir (Feb 2 Europe)
Walk with me! Do you know your walking routine? (Feb 20 Europe, 2009 US as Personal Trainer: Walk with Me!)
Pokemon Platinum (2009 Europe, March 22 US)
Rhythm Paradise / Heaven (2009, Europe and US)
Mario and Luigi RPG 3 (2009, Europe and US)
Kirby Super Star Ultra (2009 Europe)
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (Feb 16 US)

Wii
New Play Control! Pikmin (Feb. 6 Europe, March US)
New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis (March 3 Europe, March US)
Punch Out!! (First half 2009, Europe and US)
Wii Sports Resort (2009 Europe, first half 2009 US)
Sin & Punishment 2 (2009, Europe and US)
Another Code R and Endless Ocean 2 (2009 Europe)
New Play Control! Pikmin 2 (First half 2009, Europe)

Check out the video above for some weekend Wii action. Sixense showed everyone at CES 2009 the TrueMotion gaming controller. It’s a whole new Wii dimension so to speak. Future in the making, TrueMotion will get a better gaming experience. TrueMotion uses a base station which creates an electromagnetic field around the gamer. That will get you a more responsive, more precise experience. TrueMotion will be available later this year and it will cost $100.

via Technologizer

Happen to have a Wii or/and DS and you’re anxious to see what Nintendo will have in stores for you in Q1 2009? Well Nintendo has announced 39 upcoming Wii games and 64 DS games. Looking for Christmas Wii/DS presents? Take a look below! There surely must be a title for you!

Wii

Activision
Monsters vs. Aliens – March 24

Crave Entertainment
Monster Pals™ – March
Solitaire & Mahjong – February
Puzzle Challenges and More! – February
Crayola Colorful World – March

D3Publisher
Onechanbara™ Bikini Zombie Slayers™ – February
Coraline – January

Destineer
WordJong Party – January
Battle Rage – February
Cradle of Rome – February
Cate West: The Vanishing Files – March
Burger Island – March

Disney Interactive Studios
Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3: Senior Year – Winter

DreamCatcher
Play the World – March

Electronic Arts
NASCAR® Kart Racing – Feb. 10
SimAnimals™ – Jan. 27
TRIVIAL PURSUIT – Early spring

Hudson Entertainment
FISHING MASTER WORLD TOUR – Jan. 6
Marble Saga Kororinpa™ – Spring

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
DanceDanceRevolution® Disney Grooves – March

Majesco Entertainment
Escape the Museum – January
Major Minor’s Majestic March – March

Marvelous Entertainment USA
Little King’s Story – Feb. 17
Rune Factory: Frontier – March

Mastiff
Deer Drive™ – Jan. 20

NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
We Ski™ and Snowboard – March

Nintendo
New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis™ – March
New Play Control! Pikmin™ – March

Sega
The House of The Dead: Overkill™ – February
SONIC™ and the Black Knight – March
MADWORLD™ – March

Southpeak Interactive
Roogoo Twisted Towers™ – Feb. 17
Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball™ – March 17
Brave: A Warrior’s Tale™ – Feb. 17

THQ
Paws & Claws Pet Resort – Jan. 5
Neighborhood Games – Jan. 5

Ubisoft
Tenchu™: Shadow Assassins – February
Broken Sword™: Shadows of the Templars (Director’s Cut) – March

XS Games
Super PickUps™ – Q1

Nintendo DS

Activision
Monsters vs. Aliens – March 24
Pimp My Ride 2™ – March 24
Animal Planet™ – March 10

Atlus U.S.A., Inc.
My World, My Way™ – Feb. 3
Legacy of Ys™: Books I & II – Feb. 10
Trackmania™ DS – March 17

Crave Entertainment
Monster Pals ™ – March

D3Publisher of America
Puzzle Quest™: Galactrix™ – Q1
Coraline – January

Destineer
USA TODAY Puzzle Craze – January
DinoPets – March

Disney Interactive Studios
Phineas and Ferb – Winter

DreamCatcher
Inkheart – January
Learn Math – January
Drivers’ Ed Portable – January
Monster Band - January
Zoo Quest – February
My Personal Diary – February
Music Star: Pop Star – February
Paint by DS – March
Matchstick – March
Dreamer: Top Model – March
Sarah – Keeper of the Unicorn – March
Learn Chess – March
Dragon Master – April

Electronic Arts
Zubo™ – March
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure™ – Q1
SimAnimals™ – Jan. 27

Empire Interactive
Jagged Alliance – Feb. 17

Gameloft
American Popstar – Road to Celebrity – March 9

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero™ – Q1
Suikoden Tierkreis – Q1
Little Magician’s Magic Adventure™ – Q1

Majesco Entertainment
WonderWorld Amusement Park™ – January
Powerbike – January
Our House™ – Q1
Hot ‘n’ Cold – March

Marvelous Entertainment USA
Avalon Code - February
Flower, Sun, and Rain – March

Mastiff
Moon™ – Jan. 13

MumboJumbo
Chicken Hunter Star Karts – March 10

Nintendo
Personal Trainer™: Math – Jan. 12
Fire Emblem™: Shadow Dragon – Feb. 16
Pokémon™ Platinum version – March 22

ROCKSTAR GAMES
Grand Theft Auto™: Chinatown Wars – Winter

Southpeak Interactive
Big Bang Mini® – Jan. 6
Roogoo Attack™ – Feb. 17
Brave: Shaman’s Challenge™ – Feb. 17

Square Enix, Inc.
FINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES®: Echoes of Time™ – Spring

THE GAME FACTORY
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES™ – Jan. 19

THQ
Paws & Claws Pampered Pets – Jan. 5

TOMY Corporation
My DoItAll™ – February

Ubisoft
Jake Power Fireman – January
Jake Power Policeman – January
Imagine™ Cheerleader – February
JoJo’s Fashion Show – February
Petz® Horseshoe Ranch – February
Imagine™ Family Doctor – February
Imagine™ Ice Champions – March
Jake Power Handyman – March
My Fashion Studio Paris Collection – Feb. 17
American Popstar – Road to Celebrity – March 24
Broken Sword™: Shadows of the Templars (Director’s Cut) – March

XSEED Games
Retro Game Challenge – Jan. 6

via Press