John Welfare
@johnbp.bsky.social
Video game enthusiast, follow sales and provide questionable commentary.
Go to https://www.installbaseforum.com/ for dedicated video game sales discussions.
My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWelfare
Go to https://www.installbaseforum.com/ for dedicated video game sales discussions.
My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWelfare
Pinned
John Welfare
@johnbp.bsky.social
· Jun 17
The Record Breaking Success of Switch 2 Explained
YouTube video by Welfare
www.youtube.com
I went over the massive Switch 2 launch sales and what a likely month 1 result for it is
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YHF...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YHF...
The more Microsoft pushes into AI the more I want them to fail. Renaming Office to 365 Copilot is so stupid.
You're not winning at AI and it's obvious that consumers will not spend money on it.
You're not winning at AI and it's obvious that consumers will not spend money on it.
January 5, 2026 at 7:47 PM
The more Microsoft pushes into AI the more I want them to fail. Renaming Office to 365 Copilot is so stupid.
You're not winning at AI and it's obvious that consumers will not spend money on it.
You're not winning at AI and it's obvious that consumers will not spend money on it.
@matpiscatella.bsky.social anything note worthy on hardware share for Christmas week, like what you shared for Black Friday?
January 5, 2026 at 4:19 PM
@matpiscatella.bsky.social anything note worthy on hardware share for Christmas week, like what you shared for Black Friday?
Reposted by John Welfare
New year, new (old) data.
Thanks to our friends at @installbase.bsky.social we've saved up the 2017 Famitsu Top 1000, here are updates for hundreds of games for the 7th and 8th systems, as well as the first Switch year.
Updated data is also on the main page
sites.google.com/site/gamedat...
Thanks to our friends at @installbase.bsky.social we've saved up the 2017 Famitsu Top 1000, here are updates for hundreds of games for the 7th and 8th systems, as well as the first Switch year.
Updated data is also on the main page
sites.google.com/site/gamedat...
January 1, 2026 at 10:08 PM
New year, new (old) data.
Thanks to our friends at @installbase.bsky.social we've saved up the 2017 Famitsu Top 1000, here are updates for hundreds of games for the 7th and 8th systems, as well as the first Switch year.
Updated data is also on the main page
sites.google.com/site/gamedat...
Thanks to our friends at @installbase.bsky.social we've saved up the 2017 Famitsu Top 1000, here are updates for hundreds of games for the 7th and 8th systems, as well as the first Switch year.
Updated data is also on the main page
sites.google.com/site/gamedat...
Reposted by John Welfare
Was curious, so I looked into the most played games on Christmas Day the last few years, and, well, yep.
(Note: Call of Duty for years 2023-2025 includes all games that can be played through the Call of Duty launcher.)
A wee bit static at the top.
Source: Circana Player Engagement Tracker
(Note: Call of Duty for years 2023-2025 includes all games that can be played through the Call of Duty launcher.)
A wee bit static at the top.
Source: Circana Player Engagement Tracker
December 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Was curious, so I looked into the most played games on Christmas Day the last few years, and, well, yep.
(Note: Call of Duty for years 2023-2025 includes all games that can be played through the Call of Duty launcher.)
A wee bit static at the top.
Source: Circana Player Engagement Tracker
(Note: Call of Duty for years 2023-2025 includes all games that can be played through the Call of Duty launcher.)
A wee bit static at the top.
Source: Circana Player Engagement Tracker
Reposted by John Welfare
Here are the Xbox and Steam top 5's.
December 28, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Here are the Xbox and Steam top 5's.
Reposted by John Welfare
Titanfall 2's campaign is nothing short of a masterpiece, and what a gift it was for all of us.
Such heart, incredible design, impeccable mechanics.
Nearly ten years later it more than holds up, it remains arguably the pinnacle of the genre.
If you've never played it, please do so.
Such heart, incredible design, impeccable mechanics.
Nearly ten years later it more than holds up, it remains arguably the pinnacle of the genre.
If you've never played it, please do so.
December 23, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Titanfall 2's campaign is nothing short of a masterpiece, and what a gift it was for all of us.
Such heart, incredible design, impeccable mechanics.
Nearly ten years later it more than holds up, it remains arguably the pinnacle of the genre.
If you've never played it, please do so.
Such heart, incredible design, impeccable mechanics.
Nearly ten years later it more than holds up, it remains arguably the pinnacle of the genre.
If you've never played it, please do so.
To me, Vince Zampella was a rockstar of the games industry. He worked on some of the most influential and important games in the medium and still felt like he had more to give after Battlefield 6.
Rest in peace, what a horrible way to go.
Rest in peace, what a horrible way to go.
December 22, 2025 at 8:24 PM
To me, Vince Zampella was a rockstar of the games industry. He worked on some of the most influential and important games in the medium and still felt like he had more to give after Battlefield 6.
Rest in peace, what a horrible way to go.
Rest in peace, what a horrible way to go.
Turned the young 28 today
December 22, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Turned the young 28 today
Reposted by John Welfare
Holy crap chart from Gallup
December 19, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Holy crap chart from Gallup
Reposted by John Welfare
Nex Playground is the new console sensation in America. It's sold out across the country, and the company behind it are flying in hardware to try and meet Christmas demand. We speak to their CEO on the remarkable journey so far www.thegamebusiness.com/p/we-want-a-...
“We want a Nex Playground in every living room”
Nex CEO David Lee shares the remarkable story of the family game console that’s taking America by storm
www.thegamebusiness.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Nex Playground is the new console sensation in America. It's sold out across the country, and the company behind it are flying in hardware to try and meet Christmas demand. We speak to their CEO on the remarkable journey so far www.thegamebusiness.com/p/we-want-a-...
Reposted by John Welfare
Correct, and in that order on a unit basis. These were the only 3 platforms to sell at least 1M units that year.
Ranking 4th through 7th in 1995 were Game Gear, PlayStation, Saturn and... Virtual Boy.
Ranking 4th through 7th in 1995 were Game Gear, PlayStation, Saturn and... Virtual Boy.
December 18, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Correct, and in that order on a unit basis. These were the only 3 platforms to sell at least 1M units that year.
Ranking 4th through 7th in 1995 were Game Gear, PlayStation, Saturn and... Virtual Boy.
Ranking 4th through 7th in 1995 were Game Gear, PlayStation, Saturn and... Virtual Boy.
Reposted by John Welfare
US video game hardware total units sold and average price paid, Nov 1995 through Nov 2025.
December 17, 2025 at 3:30 PM
US video game hardware total units sold and average price paid, Nov 1995 through Nov 2025.
Reposted by John Welfare
The average price paid for a new unit of video game hardware in the US during November 2019 was $235. In November 2025 it was $439.
3.9 million units of video game hardware sold in the US in November 2019. In November 2025 it was 1.6 million.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
3.9 million units of video game hardware sold in the US in November 2019. In November 2025 it was 1.6 million.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
December 17, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The average price paid for a new unit of video game hardware in the US during November 2019 was $235. In November 2025 it was $439.
3.9 million units of video game hardware sold in the US in November 2019. In November 2025 it was 1.6 million.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
3.9 million units of video game hardware sold in the US in November 2019. In November 2025 it was 1.6 million.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
Reposted by John Welfare
A lot more detail is in @duckvalentine.bsky.social 's IGN article www.ign.com/articles/vid...
Video Game Physical Software and Hardware Sales Just Had the Worst November in the U.S. Since 1995 - IGN
Last month, November, was a shockingly terrible month for video game sales in the U.S. While we traditionally think of November as a huge sales month what with Black Friday and all, November 2025 was ...
www.ign.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:24 PM
A lot more detail is in @duckvalentine.bsky.social 's IGN article www.ign.com/articles/vid...
Reposted by John Welfare
November 2025 U.S. Video Game Market Highlights Thread from Circana - The release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 marked the 18th consecutive year that a CoD franchise release has been the best-selling game of its release month, while PS5 led hardware in both unit and dollar sales.
December 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
November 2025 U.S. Video Game Market Highlights Thread from Circana - The release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 marked the 18th consecutive year that a CoD franchise release has been the best-selling game of its release month, while PS5 led hardware in both unit and dollar sales.
Reposted by John Welfare
Friendly reminder that November 2025 US video game market results from Circana will be released at approximately 9AM Eastern on Wednesday, December 17th.
December 15, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Friendly reminder that November 2025 US video game market results from Circana will be released at approximately 9AM Eastern on Wednesday, December 17th.
Reposted by John Welfare
Calir Obscur: Expedition 33's TGA activity resulted in an engagement boost in the US.
The percent of US active PS, XBX and US Steam players engaging with the game more than tripled by Dec 13th when compared to Dec 10th. US Steam showed the largest lift.
Source: Circana Player Engagement Tracker
The percent of US active PS, XBX and US Steam players engaging with the game more than tripled by Dec 13th when compared to Dec 10th. US Steam showed the largest lift.
Source: Circana Player Engagement Tracker
December 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Calir Obscur: Expedition 33's TGA activity resulted in an engagement boost in the US.
The percent of US active PS, XBX and US Steam players engaging with the game more than tripled by Dec 13th when compared to Dec 10th. US Steam showed the largest lift.
Source: Circana Player Engagement Tracker
The percent of US active PS, XBX and US Steam players engaging with the game more than tripled by Dec 13th when compared to Dec 10th. US Steam showed the largest lift.
Source: Circana Player Engagement Tracker
Nex Playground sold over 300K during Black Friday and Cyber Monday weeks. Life to date is >600,000
www.wsj.com/business/ent...
Article also has a quarterly sales graph since launch through November 30, 2025. This is what I get from pixel counting it
www.wsj.com/business/ent...
Article also has a quarterly sales graph since launch through November 30, 2025. This is what I get from pixel counting it
December 13, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Nex Playground sold over 300K during Black Friday and Cyber Monday weeks. Life to date is >600,000
www.wsj.com/business/ent...
Article also has a quarterly sales graph since launch through November 30, 2025. This is what I get from pixel counting it
www.wsj.com/business/ent...
Article also has a quarterly sales graph since launch through November 30, 2025. This is what I get from pixel counting it
Finally Tomb Raider is back. And two games back to back.
December 12, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Finally Tomb Raider is back. And two games back to back.
idk maybe games with publishers shouldn't be "independent" ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
December 12, 2025 at 12:52 AM
idk maybe games with publishers shouldn't be "independent" ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Metaphor is my favorite Atlus game so far, ahead of Persona 5 Royal and Persona 3 Reload.
Also just a top RPG in general. Loved it.
www.trueachievements.com/MyYearOnXbox...
Also just a top RPG in general. Loved it.
www.trueachievements.com/MyYearOnXbox...
Welfare Queen I's #MyYearOnXbox
Check out Welfare Queen I's 2025 Xbox stats
www.trueachievements.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Metaphor is my favorite Atlus game so far, ahead of Persona 5 Royal and Persona 3 Reload.
Also just a top RPG in general. Loved it.
www.trueachievements.com/MyYearOnXbox...
Also just a top RPG in general. Loved it.
www.trueachievements.com/MyYearOnXbox...
Reposted by John Welfare
Arcade1Up is apparently shutting down (no official statement yet from Arcade1Up) www.reddit.com/r/Arcade1Up/...
December 11, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Arcade1Up is apparently shutting down (no official statement yet from Arcade1Up) www.reddit.com/r/Arcade1Up/...
A better, simpler time.
Was reminded of the Hail Mary moves made for the Xbox One during the 2014 holiday season considering how different things & various goals are now in 2025.
Bundlemania sale. We’ll never see this again. 😆
www.engadget.com/2014-12-11-n...
Bundlemania sale. We’ll never see this again. 😆
www.engadget.com/2014-12-11-n...
December 11, 2025 at 3:44 PM
A better, simpler time.
Call of Duty will no longer do back to back Modern Warfare and Black Ops releases.
2022: MW2
2023: MW3
2024: BO6
2025: BO7
MW4 is expected to release in 2026
www.callofduty.com/blog/2025/12...
2022: MW2
2023: MW3
2024: BO6
2025: BO7
MW4 is expected to release in 2026
www.callofduty.com/blog/2025/12...
www.callofduty.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Call of Duty will no longer do back to back Modern Warfare and Black Ops releases.
2022: MW2
2023: MW3
2024: BO6
2025: BO7
MW4 is expected to release in 2026
www.callofduty.com/blog/2025/12...
2022: MW2
2023: MW3
2024: BO6
2025: BO7
MW4 is expected to release in 2026
www.callofduty.com/blog/2025/12...