<p>Quarantine and social distancing might have contributed to an all-time United States consumer mark in video game sales of $10.86 billion.</p>.<p>NPD Group released first quarter sales totals, which include two weeks in March when much of the U.S. was on lockdown due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.</p>.<p>"Video games have brought comfort and connection to millions during this challenging time," Mat Piscatella, an industry analyst at The NPD Group, said in a press release. "As people have stayed at home more, they've utilized gaming not only as a diversion and an escape but also as a means of staying connected with family and friends. Whether it was on console or mobile, PC or virtual reality, gaming experienced play and sales growth during the first quarter."</p>.<p>The record represents a nine per cent increase over the first quarter in 2019.</p>.<p>Video game sales and in-game microtransactions made up $9.58 billion of that total sales figure.</p>.<p>The most popular titles in video games were Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Doom Eternal, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto V, Minecraft, MLB The Show 20 and NBA 2K20.</p>.<p>NPD Group estimates the sales totals for the second quarter ending June 30 will be even higher.</p>.<p>Hardware sales were up to $773 million. The top-selling console was Nintendo Switch.</p>
<p>Quarantine and social distancing might have contributed to an all-time United States consumer mark in video game sales of $10.86 billion.</p>.<p>NPD Group released first quarter sales totals, which include two weeks in March when much of the U.S. was on lockdown due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.</p>.<p>"Video games have brought comfort and connection to millions during this challenging time," Mat Piscatella, an industry analyst at The NPD Group, said in a press release. "As people have stayed at home more, they've utilized gaming not only as a diversion and an escape but also as a means of staying connected with family and friends. Whether it was on console or mobile, PC or virtual reality, gaming experienced play and sales growth during the first quarter."</p>.<p>The record represents a nine per cent increase over the first quarter in 2019.</p>.<p>Video game sales and in-game microtransactions made up $9.58 billion of that total sales figure.</p>.<p>The most popular titles in video games were Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Doom Eternal, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto V, Minecraft, MLB The Show 20 and NBA 2K20.</p>.<p>NPD Group estimates the sales totals for the second quarter ending June 30 will be even higher.</p>.<p>Hardware sales were up to $773 million. The top-selling console was Nintendo Switch.</p>