The hobby game market grew by 20 to 25% in 2011, according to a report in the recently released ICv2’s Internal Correspondence #78.  This is over twice the growth rate for 2010, already a strong year according to ICv2 reports.

Hobby game growth was led by the CCG category, where the Big Three, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Pokemon, all had strong years, with Magic continuing an incredible multi-year run, Pokemon rejuvenated with the new Black and White series, and Yu-Gi-Oh! especially strong in the hobby.  HeroClix and World of Warcraft rounded out a strong Top Five in collectible games.

The two boxed game categories both did well in 2011, although deckbuilding and card games are starting to suck some of the energy from board games.  A ton of new board game titles were absorbed by the market last year, although it seems to be getting harder to develop long-term hits.

The strong year was topped off by a very successful holiday season in which multiple hobby game categories performed well.  And industry figures are expecting big things from 2012, with widespread optimism as the business enters the year.

For the lists of the bestselling Collectible Games in the hobby channel, in the mass channel, and over-all, click here.

For the bestselling board games in the hobby channel, click here.

For the bestselling card/building games in the hobby channel, click here.

For the bestselling RPGs, click here.

For the bestselling non-collectible miniature games, click here.

For information on how to get the new issue of Internal Correspondence #78, see "ICv2 Releases 'Internal Correspondence' #78."