Are people actually leaving their homes and enjoying the summer weather in America?

Video game sales were down a stunning 26 percent in North America for the month of July, according to Variety. Fortunately for the video game industry, however, college football fans still love virtual 'ball.

"NCAA Football 12" was the No. 1 video game in terms of sales for the nation in July. The EA Sports game featuring Alabama Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, Jr. on the cover was released on July 17. Ingram, now with the New Orleans Saints, was victorious in a fan vote, beating out Auburn's Nick Fairley (Detroit Lions), Oklahoma's Demarco Murray (Dallas Cowboys), and Washington's Jake Locker (Tennessee Titans).

What's surprising is that Ingram's college video game has seen a 15 percent sales increase over that of NCAA Football 11 in July 2010, despite the prior game having matinee idol Tim Tebow of the Florida Gators on the cover.

The video game industry is blaming the lower sales on a 29 percent slide in console hardware sales. July was the gaming industry's worst sales month since October 2006.

August sales are also expected to be down, with a sports game to blame. Experts believe the delay of EA Sports "Madden 2012" because of the NFL labor dispute will crush sales. Last year the "Madden" franchise comprised a whopping 14 percent of total new physical retail sales in August.

Madden 2012 will be out in September.

Top 10 best-selling games (US) for July 2011:
1. NCAA Football 12 (360, PS3)
2. Cars 2 (NDS, Wii, 360, PS3, PC)
3. Call of Duty: Black Ops (360, PS3, NDS, Wii, PC)
4. Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game (Wii, NDS, 360, PS3, 3DS, PSP, PC)
5. Just Dance 2 (Wii)
6. Major League Baseball 2K11 (360, Wii, NDS, PS3, PS2, PSP, PC)
7. Zumba Fitness: Join the Party (Wii, 360, PS3)
8. Fallout: New Vegas (360, PS3, PC)
9. New Super Mario Bros DS (NDS)
10. Mortal Kombat (360, PS3)

Source: Joystiq

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