Game industry continues to thrive

The video game industry generated revenues of $4.9 billion dollars in the first nine months of 2001, up 34 percent from the same period a year ago, according to a new report by the NPD research group. Naturally, the nine-month results don't take into account the launches and resultant sales of the Microsoft Xbox and the Nintendo GameCube. By year's end, analysts predict that the industry will generate a record year in revenues, surpassing the $6.1 billion in revenues it recorded in 1999.

In terms of software sales, Nintendo leads the pack with five out of the top 10 best-selling games, followed by Sony, Activision, and Electronic Arts.