JAN. 15, 2009 • GfK ChartTrack in the U.K. reported that the number of video game systems in the country grew from 13.5 million to 22 million units. The research firm estimates that there is a game console in eight out of 10 British homes. During 2008 computer game sales grew 23 percent to £1.9 billion ($2.7 billion).

Impact: The U.K. market had a very strong year.  Last year DFC Intelligence forecasted that for the U.K. by the end of 2008 total Wii sales would equal 3.9 million, Xbox 360 would be 2.8 million and the PlayStation 3 would be 1.9 million.  According to GfK ChartTrack the Wii is now at 5 million, the Xbox 360 is at 3.2 million and the only system that did not outperform our expectations was the PlayStation 3 at 1.9 million.