Last week was big for video game retailers in the UK. CD Projekt Red’s open-world RPGCyberpunk 2077saw the UK’s second-biggest retail launch of 2020, only behind EA’s annual sports titleFIFA 21. However, it quickly fell in the rankings, and Ubisoft’sAssassin’s Creed Valhallatook the top physical sales position for the week leading up to Christmas.
Assassin’s Creed Valhallasales increased 66 percent for the week ending on December 19, according to GamesIndustry.biz, in-part due to discounts ahead of the holiday season. Ubisoft has alsodiscounted games likeImmortals Fenyx Risingat Best Buyin the last week, and that practice served the studio well. This was the third time in the last 15 years that a non-FIFAorCall of Dutygame topped the boxed charts in this period, joining 2011’sThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimand 2018’sRed Dead Redemption 2.
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Activision’sCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold Wardid snag the number two spot for the week ending on December 19, followed byCyberpunk 2077,FIFA 21, andAnimal Crossing: New Horizons. While the numbers only reflect physical sales, which likely pale in comparison to digital given ongoing lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is an impressive feat givenAssassin’s Creed Valhallaalso toppedBlack Ops Cold Warduring the launch of Sony and Microsoft’s next-gen consoles.
GamesIndustry.biz highlights another interesting return to the top-ten list, with the Nintendo Switch accessory gameRing Fit Adventureclimbing from number 16 to number 9 in the rankings after a 155 percent sales increase ahead of Christmas.Ring Fit Adventurehas been a somewhat surprising hit for the hybrid console, with the exercise-focused gameoutselling blockbuster titles likeMarvel’s Avengersin Japanand often being found out of stock in retailers worldwide.
The general decline ofCyberpunk 2077last week is less surprising. CD Projekt Red’s latest game decreased in sales 80 percent week-over-week, which GamesIndustry.biz suggests is comparable to other games likeThe Last of Us 2andAssassin’s Creed Valhallapost-launch. However,Cyberpunk 2077has seen multiple controversies regarding bugs and poor protections for epileptic players, leading toSony removing the game from the PlayStation Store. Various groups have also offered full refunds for the game.
While Ubisoft claimed the UK’s top physical sales spot leading into Christmas week, it should be interesting to see how things shake out for the rest of the year.Assassin’s Creed Valhallahas released a roadmap for future content expansions, so its likely the game will appear again down the line.
Assassin’s Creed Valhallais available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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