Video and computer games sales in the UK are at an all-time high, smashing sales records in 2007 and last week notching the biggest ever single week of sales. For weeks 1 through 50, in 2007, the total number of units sold was up 16.6 per cent and 25.3 per cent by value.Chart-Track, who compiles data on behalf of ELSPA, today reports that current full year UK unit sales will reach around 78 million games sold in 2007, demolishing the previous best year for the UK games industry, set in 2006.

Last week games generated sales of £87.9 million. UK retail has enjoyed a record-breaking third quarter, with software units up 19 per cent on 2006 from 12.61 million to 15.03 million and revenues up an eye-popping 36 percent from £233.5 million to £332.6 million.

Paul Jackson, Director General of ELSPA, said: “2007 has been a fantastic year for our industry as all the latest generation of consoles and hand-held devices have become fully established. Videogaming is now enjoyed by everyone, young and old, male and female. Interactive entertainment is now truly mass market, and this is just the beginning of a period of real sustained growth.”

As predicted, the console market, thanks largely to the success of Nintendo’s DS Lite and Wii plus strong sales of Xbox 360 and PS3, led the way in terms of overall market increase and units for Q3 have rocketed by 33 per cent from 8.52 million to 11.33 million. Revenues of consoles show a 45 per cent increase from £180.95 million to £263.20 million. As such, the console market now accounts for 79 per cent of software revenues and 75 per cent of total software units.

The console proportion of units is the equal highest of any previous quarter and the highest ever for a third quarter. In terms of cash going through the tills, console software is the highest proportion ever for a third quarter.