PS3 Sales in Perspective

[Blu-Ray Buckeye]

I always find this debate and the quoted data to be so awkward.

#1 Why does the newsmedia focus on U.S. sales instead of global? This is a massive multibillion-dollar industry at this point, so it makes more sense whether talking hardware or software to just talk about global figures. U.S. in the past has favored 360, Japan favors PS3 and Europe is more neutral... regradless the truth comes through globally.

#2 How can people draw conclusions on nominal software sales when teher is such a large discrepancy in the size of install bases and launch dtaes between PS3 & 360? This is nothing like the "attach rate" argument in the blu-ray/HD DVD format war... in that war the HD DVD side vastly skewed and cheated in how they calculated the base. Also HD DVD was the side who launched first so they had no valid reason to go after the attach rate argument except that they needed some way to distort the data. In this case, there is no distortion as the definition of consoles is clear (no argument about whether to count the PS3 or not).

If you analyze things globally, as you should, there is no headline about the PS3 "finally" taking the sales lead in consoles because the PS3 has been leading the 360 for months now.

Regarding s/w sales, you have to consider the size of the install base when determining if a game is selling well relative to the 360 version. It is completely illogical to expect sales to be even given the the 360 has a 17.2MM install base to PS3's 10.4MM units. So given that PS3 has a 38% share (only considering PS3/360 and not Wii) any game that sells above a 38% split is doing relatively well. Let's check the numbers on several current Top 50 games (sales since inception not just current week):

- Burnout Paradise: 48% share... doing very well
- Assassin's Creed: 40%... better than expected
- COD4: 33%... weak but the 360 base loves FPS as we all know
- Turok: 41%... ahead of console share
- Devil May Cry 4: 50%... great but this has a Sony fan base

-Current Week Total S/W Sales: 39%... just ahead of console share

Regardless how you look at it, these titles ae doing quite well on PS3 globally. The attach rate argument in the format war was stupid but not because that's the wrong way to look at things all the time, but mainly because their process was twisted and because in an arena where studios and manufacturers were desperate to find revenues & see a winner all that mattered were total sales. In this case, everyone knows that neither the 360 nor the PS3 are going anywhere. Everyone knows the PS3 will still be around and that it is gaining ground... there is no fear that it will follow the way of HD DVD.

[Blu-Generation]

Most people just wan't the PS3 to fail because it is TOO good for their money. In other word, they're cheap.

For a game console it's WAY too overprice. It got no game, you can't go online with it, it can't play DVD, Ya da ya da, etc. That's some of the crap most people still believe. The 360 has everything the PS3 don't!!

[ezcobar411]

very good points were made in that post.

[bajor27]

No matter how you slice things, the numbers will be skewed in one way or another.

360 outsold the PS3 in the US which has a very different gaming market for games than Japan where it sells very poorly. The % also get skewed by the fact that 360 owners have different exclusives than PS3, so people who own a PS3 and not a 360 might pick up a game that is on both consoles instead of a 360 exclusive.

Giving the benefit of the doubt to Sony for not having a bigger install base isn't really fair either, as the Wii launched after the PS3 (by a few days) and has gotten pretty close to catching total 360 sales.

The fact remains that it is currently more profitable to put certain types of games out on the 360, or on both consoles. Until this changes, the PS3 won't really 'win'.

As I always state though, I don't hate the PS3. I personally feel that the 360 has some great games to offer, and more that appeal to me personally. I only bought a PS3 because of it's blu capability. I don't feel the PS3 is doing as bad as some people say it is, but it isn't doing as great as some people think it is either.

[Blu-Generation]

Originally Posted by bajor27

The fact remains that it is currently more profitable to put certain types of games out on the 360, or on both consoles. Until this changes, the PS3 won't really 'win'.

But it won't really lose either.

You have to remember the 360 not only came out a year ahead of the PS3, but the 360 had ZERO competition when it launch. Unlike the PS3 where it not only has to go agains't two game console, but two cheaper one at that too. The PS3 was also going up agains't a format war as well since it came complete with a built in Blu-ray drive. Sony tries to take technology to a new level while at the same time try to keep the price low in order to go agains't Wii and 360.

Now it's paying off, not only did it help won the format war but in its gaming arena, the PS3 itself is also gaining momentum. As you can see with all the BIG exclusive coming out this year. WAY bigger than what the Wii and 360 has to offer at that too.

[Simplayer]

Originally Posted by bajor27

Giving the benefit of the doubt to Sony for not having a bigger install base isn't really fair either, as the Wii launched after the PS3 (by a few days) and has gotten pretty close to catching total 360 sales.

What does that have to do with anything?

If we want a more reasonable look at software sales we do have to consider the install base.

[mightypen]

Originally Posted by Blu-Generation

As you can see with all the BIG exclusive coming out this year. WAY bigger than what the Wii and 360 has to offer at that too.

Its a bit problematic to claim that one console's exclusive line up is WAY bigger than another console when the second console is going to see the release of the followups to its predecessor console's top two sellers within the first six months of the year, on a much larger userbase/mindshare than when said top sellers were released.

[Blu-Generation]

Originally Posted by mightypen

Its a bit problematic to claim that one console's exclusive line up is WAY bigger than another console when the second console is going to see the release of the followups to its predecessor console's top two sellers within the first six months of the year, on a much larger userbase/mindshare than when said top sellers were released.

It was my opinion, I didn't claim it as facts.

[Blu-Ray Buckeye]

Originally Posted by bajor27

No matter how you slice things, the numbers will be skewed in one way or another.

360 outsold the PS3 in the US which has a very different gaming market for games than Japan where it sells very poorly. The % also get skewed by the fact that 360 owners have different exclusives than PS3, so people who own a PS3 and not a 360 might pick up a game that is on both consoles instead of a 360 exclusive.

Giving the benefit of the doubt to Sony for not having a bigger install base isn't really fair either, as the Wii launched after the PS3 (by a few days) and has gotten pretty close to catching total 360 sales.

The fact remains that it is currently more profitable to put certain types of games out on the 360, or on both consoles. Until this changes, the PS3 won't really 'win'.

As I always state though, I don't hate the PS3. I personally feel that the 360 has some great games to offer, and more that appeal to me personally. I only bought a PS3 because of it's blu capability. I don't feel the PS3 is doing as bad as some people say it is, but it isn't doing as great as some people think it is either.

Actually I find your view to be the skewed one. The Wii software sales can compare because it has the larger install base, which you would expect for a cheaper system. Premium priced items cannot be expected to sell at the same unit rate as lower priced items... true in any market, not just games.

[mightypen]

Originally Posted by Blu-Ray Buckeye

#1 Why does the newsmedia focus on U.S. sales instead of global? This is a massive multibillion-dollar industry at this point, so it makes more sense whether talking hardware or software to just talk about global figures. U.S. in the past has favored 360, Japan favors PS3 and Europe is more neutral... regradless the truth comes through globally.

The first reason is that the media you are looking at is US based, thus will inevitably have a US centric view. The second reason is the lack of real numbers from Europe.

[Cordre69]

Honestly, I see Japan's sales as more relevant. I'd say 80-90% of the games I play (or more) are made there. Most American games are lousy movie-based piles of crap, first-person shooters, or -craft strategy games. None of which I play. If you take out FPS games and sports titles, the 360 has what, A game? Maybe 2? That aren't also on PS3/PC that is. I believe that Assassin's Creed is the first non-exclusive game I've bought in the last 5 years.

[saprano]

Originally Posted by bajor27

No matter how you slice things, the numbers will be skewed in one way or another.

360 outsold the PS3 in the US which has a very different gaming market for games than Japan where it sells very poorly. The % also get skewed by the fact that 360 owners have different exclusives than PS3, so people who own a PS3 and not a 360 might pick up a game that is on both consoles instead of a 360 exclusive.

Giving the benefit of the doubt to Sony for not having a bigger install base isn't really fair either, as the Wii launched after the PS3 (by a few days) and has gotten pretty close to catching total 360 sales.

The fact remains that it is currently more profitable to put certain types of games out on the 360, or on both consoles. Until this changes, the PS3 won't really 'win'.

As I always state though, I don't hate the PS3. I personally feel that the 360 has some great games to offer, and more that appeal to me personally. I only bought a PS3 because of it's blu capability. I don't feel the PS3 is doing as bad as some people say it is, but it isn't doing as great as some people think it is either.

yes the ps3 is doing great, i call great when you have two systems breathing down your neck for an entire year and you STILL manage to sell console's. not to mention microsofts so called ps3 killer came out, and didn't even scratch the ps3. and i call great when you outsell something for month's on end, do you want me to go on?........and im tired of people saying 360 has better games, every single game thats on the 360 is also on the ps3. except for the obvious ones like halo,gears, and bioshock. the 360 and the ps3 has for the most part the same games, but thats going to change big time this year and all Real ps3 owners know what im talking about

[Blu-Generation]

Originally Posted by saprano

every single game thats on the 360 is also on the ps3.

You mean almost all.

As for the ones that aren't on PS3 are on PC. So pretty much the 360 barely have any exclusive.

[Sith]

Originally Posted by Blu-Generation

You mean almost all.

As for the ones that aren't on PS3 are on PC. So pretty much the 360 barely have any exclusive.

By the time they hit the PC though they've already made there money....If you were the biggest computer company in the world wouldn't you release
them on pc after awhile...

And this argument on the page is getting old, basically people like video
games enough, that it looks like all 3 systems are gonna do just fine this
cycle...

[saprano]

Originally Posted by Blu-Generation

You mean almost all.

As for the ones that aren't on PS3 are on PC. So pretty much the 360 barely have any exclusive.

yea thats what said.

[Blu-Generation]

Originally Posted by Sith

By the time they hit the PC though they've already made there money....If you were the biggest computer company in the world wouldn't you release
them on pc after awhile...
And this argument on the page is getting old, basically people like video
games enough, that it looks like all 3 systems are gonna do just fine this
cycle...

So what's your point again?

When did I say PC can't or shouldn't get 360 games?
I don't care if a company release their games on PC or not, I was just saying that "they do".

Your comments kinda make your point pointless.

[aphex]

I don't really mind all the people throwing false statistics at the ps3 game sales. It's just like fighting with hddvd fanboys, they'll keep saying what they're saying until they're proven wrong. By the end of the year, it's gonna be a joke to say that the 360 is the better system. The ps3 sales are gonna catch up worldwide and in the US.

[Terjyn]

Originally Posted by Sith

By the time they hit the PC though they've already made there money....If you were the biggest computer company in the world wouldn't you release
them on pc after awhile...

Do you think that it's a failure for Sony if Metal Gear Solid 4 is released 6 months later on Xbox 360?

And this argument on the page is getting old, basically people like video
games enough, that it looks like all 3 systems are gonna do just fine this
cycle...

The 360 is doing pretty terribly in all actuality. No other successful console ever had sales go down from year 1 to year 2. For all the talk about terrible PS3 sales it's still doing better than the 360 did, just not in the US. Considering just how much money the 360 has lost Microsoft...and how it continues to lose money, I'll be shocked if people look back in 10 years and call the 360 a "success", assuming something major doesn't change.

[bajor27]

Originally Posted by Blu-Generation

But it won't really lose either.

I wasn't trying to say it would lose. In fact, I expect sales to be great this year.

Originally Posted by Blu-Ray Buckeye

Premium priced items cannot be expected to sell at the same unit rate as lower priced items... true in any market, not just games.

That's funny because I expected Blu-ray players to outsell the lower priced HD-DVD players.

Originally Posted by saprano

i call great when you have two systems breathing down your neck for an entire year and you STILL manage to sell console's. not to mention microsofts so called ps3 killer came out, and didn't even scratch the ps3. and i call great when you outsell something for month's on end, do you want me to go on?

I'm not really sure what you're referring to when you say outselling something for month's on end, but anyway, I wouldn't call being outsold by the Gameboy Advance in the US during some months last year great (Are there even any Gameboy Advance games still being made?). I wouldn't call being last in the current-gen console market doing great. And Halo 3 was pretty fricken ginormous salewise and attributed to the only one month where Wii wasn't #1 in the home consoles for last year if I'm not mistaken. The PS3 certainly survived and performed well, but I personally wouldn't say great.


And again with games, the only exclusive PS3 title that interests me this year is Little Big Planet, where as the 360 has Fable 2, Gears 2, and Too Human which all really interest me.

It's all relative in the end - we all have differing opinions based on what we think is great (saleswise and gamewise).


Oh, and I'll have to find the data again, but I'm quite sure the PS3 has the lowest attach rates of the 3 systems in the US (when looking at 2007 yearly software sales). I believe the numbers were something like 12:1 for Xbox, 10:1 for Wii, and 8:1 for PS3.

[Grisle]

Originally Posted by bajor27

The fact remains that it is currently more profitable to put certain types of games out on the 360, or on both consoles. Until this changes, the PS3 won't really 'win'.

I disagree...the PS3 will win just like the PS2 did. Obviously all the consoles can exist and do well respectively, but unlike the other systems the PS3's potential is great. This seems to be a point of contention for PS3/BD haters...they don't want to look at the validity of the potential of both the PS3 and BD. As time goes by the dominance of the PS3 will grow further from the other consoles. The 360 is a great machine and the only other problem besides not having some sort of HD drive in the machine is the failure rate...other than those I believe it's a great console...it just won't be able to compete with the PS3 in time. I'm interested to see how soon MS puts out their next console...the 360 had a 1 year head start and I think the next one will try to have even more of a lead.