Disappointing PS/3 sales for February

[dialog_gvf]

NPD February Up 28% as Wii, DS Dominate Hardware Sales

Wii: 335,000
PS/2: 295,000
Xbox 360: 228,000
PS/3: 127,000

Shortages were way down, and only 127K units sold. That isn't very good.

If March doesn't show a significant increase due to great new games, it might be an indication Sony will have to speed up cost reductions and lower the price sooner than they'd like.

Gary

[Slackr89]

its mainly because no good games were put out in February. March will be fantastic with the Euro launch and about 5 games coming out.

[powerSURG]

Agreed. However, considering it costs twice that of the wii and has been released in only two territories, the numbers aren't that bad. Like you said though, after march 23 those numbers need to be stronger, way stronger... or else... Sony will have to do something to spark sales

[dialog_gvf]

I wonder what the xboxbois will be saying when the Wii flies past the 360 in overall sales?

Gary

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by powerSURG

Agreed. However, considering it costs twice that of the wii and has been released in only two territories, the numbers aren't that bad. Like you said though, after march 23 those numbers need to be stronger, way stronger... or else... Sony will have to do something to spark sales

What I posted were only North American sales (NPD).

I'm sure the PS/3 launch is going to be big in the UK, Europe, Australia and elsewhere. But, the NA numbers show it will only go so far and then the games WILL be required to push the units. Fortunately, the non-NA + Japan launch is into a sustained release schedule of excellent titles.

Gary

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

What I posted were only North American sales (NPD).

I'm sure the PS/3 launch is going to be big in the UK, Europe, Australia and elsewhere. But, the NA numbers show it will only go so far and then the games WILL be required to push the units. Fortunately, the non-NA + Japan launch is into a sustained release schedule of excellent titles.

Gary

I'm not too worried - great games are on the horizon and that will sell a lot more consoles.

Though the 360 fanbois are no doubt already spinning this news - the bigger point for them to be aware of is that the PS2 is STILL outselling the 360 month to month! I wonder what they have to say about that?

[dialog_gvf]

More importantly, the Wii is globerring the Xbox 360. The fanbois have loved to hit the Wii over the PS/3 supporter's head. But, at some point, it starts staring THEM in the face too.

All those PS/2 sales are potential PS/3 sales. Franchise titles on the PS/2 are going to eventually draw many people into the PS/3 versions. There is some considerable sequel loyalty for gaming.

Gary

[akadkins]

Since I already own a PS3, I don't really care how many more are sold or if they 'beat' Xbox 360. In fact, I expected the numbers to be down because the price is just too high. PS3 is at a 'Christmas present' price level - not a February whim purchase price. Sony PS3 sales will not be higher than Xbox 360 for this fact alone (and will be hard pressed to ever make up the 4 million unit lead).

[BLu-Balls]

Who cares about the numbers?!?!

The PS3 is still selling out in local retailers. Sony loses money everytime they sell one.

Think people.... I'd be more concerned if there was a surplus of PS3's everywhere. However, they tend to sell within the day of arrival.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by BLu-Balls

The PS3 is still selling out in local retailers. Sony loses money everytime they sell one.

Think people.... I'd be more concerned if there was a surplus of PS3's everywhere. However, they tend to sell within the day of arrival.

If the sales are down and the units are still not in stock that would seem to contradict the stated intention of Sony to have stores maintain some stock. It seems they are only trying to meet demand. Which, considering the subsidy, does make sense, since the costs are dropping across the board as yields improve and normal cost reductions occur.

But, the PS/3 as a home A/V player option really only works from a salesperson point of view when it is ALWAYS an option to offer the customer.

It would seem Sony (understandably) doesn't really want it sold like that. And the upcoming PS/3 priced Blu-ray player is the way of providing the entry level pricing.

We already know stand-alone sales of the two formats are about equal, so in some ways the PS/3 has already transitioned to gravy. It provides the extra boost. When the new $599 Sony player (and other cheaper models) arrive, the PS/3 will no longer be the primary entry level device. It will transition into the device for encouraging transition from SD and DVD.

Gary

[JBlacklow]

I wouldn't be too upset. The 360 only sold ~150k in February 2006, and it was going for $100 less for each SKU.

[whippersnapper]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

If the sales are down and the units are still not in stock that would seem to contradict the stated intention of Sony to have stores maintain some stock. It seems they are only trying to meet demand. Which, considering the subsidy, does make sense, since the costs are dropping across the board as yields improve and normal cost reductions occur.

But, the PS/3 as a home A/V player option really only works from a salesperson point of view when it is ALWAYS an option to offer the customer.

It would seem Sony (understandably) doesn't really want it sold like that. And the upcoming PS/3 priced Blu-ray player is the way of providing the entry level pricing.

We already know stand-alone sales of the two formats are about equal, so in some ways the PS/3 has already transitioned to gravy. It provides the extra boost. When the new $599 Sony player (and other cheaper models) arrive, the PS/3 will no longer be the primary entry level device. It will transition into the device for encouraging transition from SD and DVD.

Gary

Sony announced a little while ago that they don't expect supply to catch up with demand until May 2007 at the earliest. I know that around here (central Maryland) most outlets are routinely out of stock on PS3s. When they do get them in stock, they're all gone within several days. Bottom line is that Sony is still selling them as fast as they can make them. Even with production volume gradually ramping up, they've not caught up to demand. I'd be surprised to see them caught up in May. Love my Blu-ray movies played from my PS3.

[MasterXeus]

My local Target and Bestbuy both have PS3s instock and NO WIIs. I notice a slow down in sells. I'm nutrual when it comes to which game system is best. I still want to buy the WII, already have PS3 and 360. but so far I must say Xbox 360 has more games I'm interested in. PS3 only has Final Fantasy XIII for me. I'm intersted in Halo 3, Two Worlds, & Mass Effect for the 360.

[JTK]

By the end of this month, all the platforms will start seeing some more compelling titles show up. Right now we're in that still in that typical post holidays morass.

[Nismobeach]

Those PS3 sales numbers aren't surprising given that Febuary wasn't a month that saw very many game releases.

That being said the March data should be kinder to the PS3 given the new game releases, the positive bump from GDC, and possibly even Casino Royale and God of War II.

[akadkins]

Originally Posted by JBlacklow

I wouldn't be too upset. The 360 only sold ~150k in February 2006, and it was going for $100 less for each SKU.

This is the best point made here...and one that the gaming magazines seem to miss. Xbox 360 had a very rough start...let's see how PS3 is doing next year before we make any more predictions...

[Jonalan34]

Sale will spike by November and December in America. Game consoles have history of sold more than 1 million during holiday than any time during year. Jan to Oct, we will not see it reach over one million sold on a month, in november it will start to increase surplus into december where it can pass 1 million units sold than any months during the year.

Becuase it is "Christmas", when most parent and people buy these products as christmas gift and their own gift for themselves.

So, please be patience. Remember what I say today as of March 16, 2007 that Playstation 3 will sell more units in December than any months this year.

It is a fact. I mark my word that they sell well this Christmas and every year during Christmas time.

[Maximus]

The PS3 will sell small all the way until October, then we will see a price cut to about $450, then sales will explode in November through until June 08 until it overtakes the X360 in worldwide sales. All driven by better games (Killzone, MGS4, DMC4 etc...) and the lower price.

[What'sHD]

Originally Posted by JBlacklow

I wouldn't be too upset. The 360 only sold ~150k in February 2006, and it was going for $100 less for each SKU.

I thought each 360-SKU was 200 bucks less.. wasnt it?

[nobody]

If they wanna move units quicker, SONY needs to create a game that will harness the power of the PS3 and blow everyone's minds away. This game will let people know this is why they want the more powerful PS3 and should pay the higher price.