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As further proof that the video game industry continues to grow, the latest NPD data released by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) shows that software sales for console and PC titles combined hit an all-new high of $7.3 billion. However, while console sales were on the rise, PC totals declined.

Taking a closer look at the data reveals that console software sales reached $5.2 billion (up from $4.9 billion) on 160.7 million units, portable software sales expanded to a record $1.0 billion (up from $903 million) on 42.3 million units, and PC game sales were $1.1 billion (45 million units), which is down from the $1.2 billion total that PC games posted in 2003. Despite the long-awaited releases of high profile titles like id Software's Doom 3 or Valve Software's Half-Life 2, the PC market only accounted for 15% of overall console and PC software sales. And only two PC games managed to surpass 500,000 units sold. In 2003, total PC game sales represented about 17% of the market.

There also still appears to be a divide in the demographic between PC game buyers and console gamers. While more console gamers—over 30%—purchased action games over other genres and 17.8% purchases sports titles, PC gamers were more likely to buy strategy titles (26.9%), children's entertainment games (20.3%) and shooter games (16.3%).