EA repeats NPD data crticisms

Tiffany Steckler, EA's corporate communications executive, has said NPD sales data fails to accurately represent the state of the industry.

"Using NPD data for video game sales is like measuring music sales and ignoring something called iTunes," Steckler CNN

"We see NPD's data as a misrepresentation of the entire industry."

Industry analyst Michael Pachter reacted to the claim with incredulity, calling it a "gross overstatement".

"EA saying physical game sales don't matter is like Best Buy saying television sales don't matter," he said.

NPD's Anita Frazier was puzzled by the comment, pointing out that the company had recently begun publishing a quarterly digital sales report, something other territories are also beginning to adopt.

NPD is reportedly ramping up its digital sale data reports, amid criticism from digital distribution outlets.

Earlier this month, EA claimed that 40 percent of all sales are now digital.

Thanks, 1UP.