Speaking to Edge, Bloch explains that ChartTrack cannot currently measure the sell-through of downloadable game content. Today UK stores will be offering the title in similar vein to Microsoft points cards, yet Rockstar's first GTA IV add-on is ultimately a digital product, and cannot be included in next week's charts.
It means both Wii Fit and Street Fighter IV will be running for the top spot. And though Street Fighter IV was said to have sold out across Japan, Bloch doesn't see any clear-cut winner at this stage.
“Wii Fit remains one of the top two titles that you would buy if you were getting a Wii,” he says, “and as there's been a major shift in gaming demographics over the last few years, it has become a title that's important to many people.” Bloch adds that part of the Wii Fit success is down to the fact that the UK hasn't seen a great deal of new releases yet.
At the same time, the British habit of pursuing New Year's Resolutions (losing Christmas pounds, for example) has propelled sales of the title, as well as Ubisoft's alternative; My Fitness Coach. Street Fighter IV, on the other hand, is handicapped by being released far later in the week.
“Being at the top of the charts still means a lot to publishers,” Bloch adds, “which is why they still ring us on a Monday before we publish our weekly rankings. Number one still has a real significance, I really cannot think of a publisher that wouldn't be absolutely delighted by earning it.”
“Street Fighter IV could do it,” he adds, “It could.”