Digital distribution numbers show the truth

Mar 10, 2009 07:59 GMT  ·  By

The PC platform has its own particular needs and specific titles, as a lot of PC gamers find it handier to play complex games by using the keyboard and a mouse. Strategy games are among the aforementioned titles, which, although they have appeared on consoles, are better played with mappable keyboard filled with keys rather than a controller.

The most recent PC sales charts show that even though shooters like Team Fortress 2 or Left 4 Dead are still moving their fair share of units, strategy titles still have the biggest success, as the two most recent games, Empire: Total War and Dawn of War II, are occupying the top spots.

We've already seen the publisher of Dawn of War II, THQ, brag about the success the title has experienced, but it now seems that Sega's Empire: Total War will catch the attention of PC gamers, as the most recent digital distribution numbers from Steam and Direct2Drive show that it is now the most downloaded title out there, highlighting more experienced gamers’ thirst for strategy titles.

The NPD retail numbers show the ever-lasting combination of World of Warcraft and Sims related titles, which are as popular as ever, with Dawn of War and Spore barely managing to occupy two spots. Here are the full numbers, as gathered by Kotaku:

NPD Sales Charts February 22-28

1. Dawn of War II 2. World Of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King 3. The Sims 2 Double Deluxe 4. The Sims 2 Deluxe 5. World Of Warcraft 6. World Of Warcraft Battle Chest 7. Spore 8. The Sims Carnival: SnapCity 9. The Sims 2 Apartment Life 10. World Of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade

Steam Charts As Of March 9

1. Empire: Total War 2. World of Goo 3. Unreal Tournament III 4. Empire: Total War Special Edition 5. Left 4 Dead 6. Dawn of War II 7. Counter-Strike Source 8. Total War Mega-Pack 9. The Orange Box 10. Team Fortress 2

Direct2Drive Charts As Of March 9

1. Empire: Total War 2. Dawn of War II 3. Grand Theft Auto IV 4. Drakensang 5. MLB 2K9 6. Rome: Total War 7. Warhammer Online 8. Defense Grid 9. Final Fantasy XI 10. Empire: Total War Special Edition

Strategy is as popular as ever, and, with the release of the complete edition of World in Conflict, gamers will still have a lot of micro management to do for quite some time now. Let's hope that the PC will continue its ascending trend in terms of sales in the future.