Top-Selling PC Games of September: Spore, WAR, and More
Posted 10/17/08 at 10:20:19 PM | by Nathan Grayson

As per usual, the NPD Group kept its giant, cyclopian eye glued to videogame sales for the month of September*. However, as per never before, the Group also decided to compile its weekly retail PC game sales into a colossal monthly communion, full of surprises and intrigue.
Hot Wheels: Beat That set the standard for September, issuing forth a challenge to all other games. 17 games did, in fact, beat that, with at least two unquestionably better games also beating it, but in reverse.
Spore and Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning took top honors, selling 406,000 and 274,000 units respectively. NPD, sadly, did not divulge digits for any more of the 20 games listed.
It should also be noted that NPD only covers retail sales, so any sales generated by Steam, Direct 2 Drive, or other such outlets do not count.
PC Game Sales (September)
1. Spore / EA Maxis / $50 (Average)
2. Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning / EA Mythic / $49 (Average)
3. The Sims 2 Apartment Life Expansion Pack / EA Maxis / $30 (Average)
4. Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning Collector's Edition / EA Mythic / $80 (Average)
5. Spore Galactic Edition / EA Maxis / $79 (Average)
6. World Of Warcraft: Battle Chest / Blizzard / $37 (Average)
7. Crysis Warhead / Crytek (Publisher: EA) / $29 (Average)
8. The Sims 2 Double Deluxe / EA Maxis / $30 (Average)
9. World Of Warcraft / Blizzard / $20 (Average)
10. Spore Creature Creator / EA Maxis / $10 (Average)
11. World Of Warcraft: Burning Crusade / Blizzard / $28 (Average)
12. Civilization IV: Colonization / Firaxis / $29 (Average)
13. Warcraft III Battle Chest / Blizzard / $39 (Average)
14. Civilization IV / Firaxis / $27 (Average)
15. The Sims 2 IKEA Home Stuff Expansion / EA Maxis / $20 (Average)
16. Diablo Battle Chest / Blizzard / $39 (Average)
17. StarCraft Battle Chest / Blizzard / $20 (Average)
18. Hot Wheels: Beat That / Activision / $15 (Average)
19. Crysis / Crytek (Publisher: EA) / $38 (Average)
20. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky / GSC Game World / $39 (Average)
Jump past the break for overall software sales, with games included. (Exciting preview: Apple fails.)
Overall PC Software Sales (September)
1. Spore / EA Maxis / $50 (Average)
2. MS Office 2007 Home & Student 3User / Microsoft / $125 (Average)
3. Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning / EA Mythic / $49 (Average)
4. Trend Micro AntiVirus 2008 Plus Anti-Spyware / Trend Micro/ $24 (Average)
5. Spy Sweeper / Webroot / $21 (Average)
6. Norton 360 2.0 3User / Symantec / $65 (Average)
7. The Sims 2 Apartment Life Expansion Pack / EA Maxis / $30 (Average)
8. Norton Antivirus 2008 / Symantec / $35 (Average)
9. Trend Micro Internet Security 2008 3User / Trend Micro / $45 (Average)
10. Spy Sweeper w/Antivirus 3User / Webroot / $40 (Average)
11. Norton Internet Security 2008 3User / Symantec / $62 (Average)
12. MS Office 2007 / Microsoft / $105 (Average)
13. Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning Collector's Edition / EA Mythic / $80 (Average)
14. Spore Galactic Edition / EA Maxis / $79 (Average)
15. World Of Warcraft: Battle Chest / Blizzard / $37 (Average)
16. Windows Live OneCare 2.0 3User / Microsoft / $40 (Average)
17. Crysis Warhead / Crytek (Publisher: EA) / $29 (Average)
18. VirusScan Plus 2008 / McAfee Inc. / $20 (Average)
19. MobileMe / Apple / $74 (Average)
20. The Sims 2 Double Deluxe / EA Maxis / $30 (Average)
EA and Microsoft, jump on this! MS Office: Age of Reckoning would probably sell, like, a kajillion units.
*Yes, it keeps track of all the other months as well.
Blizzard is doing something right
Submitted by bjtalbot on Sat, 2008-10-18 15:58
I have always marvelled at the fact that every time I go to the PC-Game section at any retail store, you can find Blizzard's (almost - with the exception of WC 1-2) complete catalog. Blizzard has some secret voodoo sauce that they add to each of these games. I suspect that next September sales, these Blizzard games will remain on this table with the addition of Wrath of the Lich King.
I have also watched with interest, the succes of World of Warcraft and wondering which MMORPG will come along and knock it out of the top slot. I never thought that Warhammer would stand a chance, so these new developments with the succeess of this new game will be interesting watch. Personally, I am placing my bet on a MMORPG developed by Bioware set in the Star Wars universe.
Will Wright: Gold Underpants
Submitted by cappomutato on Sat, 2008-10-18 08:39
The DRM ticklefest aside, Will Wright's corner of EA seems to be doing quite well for itself. The Sims 2 is all over these lists despite The Sims 3 now being available for pre-order. I'm guessing some sort of electronic heroin is to blame. Also available for pre-order: The Sims 2 Mansion & Garden Stuff. Build a virtual version of Will Wrights home while you lose your own.
How can this be?????????????
Submitted by Rltyg on Sat, 2008-10-18 05:38
You mean to tell me the numbero uno most pirated game is also the best selling game? I thought for sure that I had read somewhere that pirates were killing game sales. Wow, DRM to the rescue!
hmmmm
Submitted by dstevens on Sun, 2008-10-26 15:02
well my question is if everyone is buying spore, whos pirating it?
seriously where is EA's vagisil? And i am sure that no one is happy over the included
DRM (Digitaly Rape your Machine)
what came first? the idiot or a guy smart enough to realize there was an idiot?









