Global sales of videogames outweighed those of DVDs and Blu-ray Discs combined for the first time last year, according to market analysts.

Media Control GfK said game sales grew by 20 per cent last year to $32bn (£23.1bn/€24.7bn). But combined sales of DVD and Blu-ray actually fell by six per cent, to $29bn, thanks to falling demand for DVDs.

The anticipated growth of game sales during 2009 isn’t quite as promising, though. The research company predicted that game sales will only increase by 12 per cent this year, for a grand total of $36bn.

One reason for a slowdown in game sales growth beyond recessionary pressures could be an increase in the popularity of Blu-ray. Media Control GfK also forecast that the HD format’s sales will roughly double this year to $2.9bn (£2.1bn/€2.3bn). ®