EA has said during its Q1 2011 earnings call that, despite doom and gloom reports of software decline, it considers the games industry a "healthy" one.

EA's John Shappert said: "The western world video game industry is solid and well ahead of where we were at in the last cycle. All-in, it's a 30 billion dollar segment counting digital, second sale and traditional packaged goods. This industry has doubled in the last five years.

"Packaged goods alone in north America and Europe were $19.9 billion in 2009, versus $14 billion in the same period of the PS2 cycle back in 2004. That's about $6 billion of growth in packaged good.

"Secondly reports packaged goods are down 9% year-to-date here in North America can be misunderstood without recognising the disproportionate impact of the music category. In US, adjusting for music, packaged goods are actually down 4% year-over-year, versus down 9% as recorded."

Schappert went on to name a long list of digital gaming revenue streams not counted in industry dated reports, and estimates that up to 25% of western games segment not recorded, adding that packaged goods would be 15% bigger if second hand sales were counted.

He notes healthy sales of the slim versions of 360 and PS3 as other contributing factors to the industry's strength. "In summary, we believe games are healthy, particularly where EA leads on HD consoles and in digital," concluded Schappert.

I noticed that they wanted to include second hand games in the figures.

I find a good game can help you save money in bad financial times. Initial outlay may be high but you soon recoup the costs and then save money by not going to the pub or cinema.