Sony's PS3 A Sinking Ship: Sales Plummet

[chagocal]

Sony's PS3 A Sinking Ship: Sales Plummet
By Eric Krangel
December 12, 2008: 09:21 AM ET
More from
Silicon Alley Insider

(alleyinsider.com) -- Sony's (SNE) PS3 is dying on the shelves.

Alone among the three major videogame consoles, sales of the PS3 are down about 19% from November 2007, according to the latest stats from the NPD Group. Sony was only able to sell 378,000 PS3s this November, compared to 466,000 last year.

And the problem for Sony isn't the recession, it's the PS3. Microsoft (MSFT) put up respectable numbers with its Xbox 360, selling 836,000 units vs 777,000 in November 2007. And Nintendo's (NTDOY) Wii continues to dominate the market, more than doubling sales from 981,000 to 2.04 million.

So why is the PS3 flopping so badly?

It's the most expensive console on the market, $150 - $200 more than its rivals. Even if you believe the video game industry is "recession-proof" (it isn't), a tanking economy makes consumers more price-conscious.

The PS3's big bonus is its ability to double as a Blu-Ray player. Too bad no one seems to care about hi-def DVDs. The differences between Blu-Ray and DVD are hard to see on a TV less than 50".

The PS3 just doesn't have any must-have titles exclusive to the console. "LittleBigPlanet" has generated decent buzz but isn't a game-changer, and neither is Sony's new virtual world "Home."
There's really only one option left for Sony to remain in the game: deep price cuts, and not just for people with good credit. Tell yourself the PS3 has superior graphics if it makes you feel better, but a $400 console with a mediocre game library simply cannot compete against an Xbox 360 priced at $200 in this economy.

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by chagocal

Sony's PS3 A Sinking Ship: Sales Plummet
By Eric Krangel
December 12, 2008: 09:21 AM ET
More from
Silicon Alley Insider

(alleyinsider.com) -- Sony's (SNE) PS3 is dying on the shelves.

Alone among the three major videogame consoles, sales of the PS3 are down about 19% from November 2007, according to the latest stats from the NPD Group. Sony was only able to sell 378,000 PS3s this November, compared to 466,000 last year.

And the problem for Sony isn't the recession, it's the PS3. Microsoft (MSFT) put up respectable numbers with its Xbox 360, selling 836,000 units vs 777,000 in November 2007. And Nintendo's (NTDOY) Wii continues to dominate the market, more than doubling sales from 981,000 to 2.04 million.

So why is the PS3 flopping so badly?

It's the most expensive console on the market, $150 - $200 more than its rivals. Even if you believe the video game industry is "recession-proof" (it isn't), a tanking economy makes consumers more price-conscious.

The PS3's big bonus is its ability to double as a Blu-Ray player. Too bad no one seems to care about hi-def DVDs. The differences between Blu-Ray and DVD are hard to see on a TV less than 50".The PS3 just doesn't have any must-have titles exclusive to the console. "LittleBigPlanet" has generated decent buzz but isn't a game-changer, and neither is Sony's new virtual world "Home."
There's really only one option left for Sony to remain in the game: deep price cuts, and not just for people with good credit. Tell yourself the PS3 has superior graphics if it makes you feel better, but a $400 console with a mediocre game library simply cannot compete against an Xbox 360 priced at $200 in this economy.

just dont know what to say about that. but hes wrong.

[Blu Titan]

First, the author is a TOTAL moron! Second, third, and fourth...he is a TOTAL moron.

[darwin316]

well....at least this part of the article is BS:

The PS3's big bonus is its ability to double as a Blu-Ray player. Too bad no one seems to care about hi-def DVDs. The differences between Blu-Ray and DVD are hard to see on a TV less than 50".

edit: it looks like everyone picked up on that one.

[saprano]

The ps3 is far from a sinking ship all they need to do is drop the the price, that will along well with all those games coming next year. will it pass the 360? i think so, the wii? only god knows that.

[Bizdady]

Thats what happens when your competitor lowers prices to about 200 bucks cheaper than you. Dont get me wrong I love my ps3 but now that bluray players are cheaper the ppl that would ps3 for bd players are actually getting players taking away ps3 sales.

[CanadianKrazyMods]

most people will buy the cheaper of the 3, but smart people know you get what you pay for. Taken into account what the PS3 offers, it is the better buy. But if you only have an old CRT TV and only plan on gaming, then the xbox does make more sense. I do think the PS3 needs to lower the price to get sales, but as long as they are happy with current sales, the price is right.

What gets me is that all these peopel that buy the $199 xbox will be in for a shock when they find out they will be paying over $100 for a xbox HDD, that to me is low to sell those knowing you pretty much need that HDD.

[Idealsupra]

Originally Posted by CanadianKrazyMods

most people will buy the cheaper of the 3, but smart people know you get what you pay for. Taken into account what the PS3 offers, it is the better buy. But if you only have an old CRT TV and only plan on gaming, then the xbox does make more sense. I do think the PS3 needs to lower the price to get sales, but as long as they are happy with current sales, the price is right.

What gets me is that all these peopel that buy the $199 xbox will be in for a shock when they find out they will be paying over $100 for a xbox HDD, that to me is low to sell those knowing you pretty much need that HDD.

Dont forget about the WIFI add on needed and the $50 for Xbox Live as well.

Bottom line is the ONLY reason the 360 sells as well as it does and better then the PS3 is because its $199. M$ pulls as close to a bait and switch as is legally possible with this. Advertise all this stuff the 360 has and can do yet the one you advertise requires you to purchase all this stuff separately to achieve all of it. After all is said and done you are looking at close to $400 for the Xbox to be "complete". And even then its only what a 20GB HDD? Fails every 3 months?

The PS3 is bought by intelligent people who do their research.

[AJ98]

Originally Posted by chagocal

Sony's PS3 A Sinking Ship: Sales Plummet


The PS3's big bonus is its ability to double as a Blu-Ray player. Too bad no one seems to care about hi-def DVDs.

Unfortunately, a large number of people I run across in stores are not aware the PS3 can also play BDs.

No joke - I have seen people pick up a BD, say they can't watch it b/c its blue.

I ask "Do you have a PS3?"

"Yes. "

They are surprised when I tell them the PS3 is also a BR player.

"Gee, I didn't know that!" is the typical response...

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by chagocal

Tell yourself the PS3 has superior graphics if it makes you feel better, but a $400 console with a mediocre game library simply cannot compete against an Xbox 360 priced at $200 in this economy.

Can someone PLEASE explain to me why this kind of BS still gets written?!? How in the world is it still perceived by many that the PS3 has a mediocre game library!?!? Have they not played the games on this system?!? And please, just PLEASE tell me what 360 and Wii has, softare wise, that's just soooooo much better than what you can play on PS3?? I am sick and tired of such misinformation!

LBP
Uncharted
Metal Gear Solid 4
Resistance 1 & 2
Motorstorm 1 & 2
SOCOM
Wipeout HD
Ratchet and Clank
Warhawk
MLB 2008: The Show
Gran Turismo 5: Prologue
Valkeria Chronicles
Pain
High Velocity Bowling
Ecochrome
Super Starfighter HD
Flow
.................................and these are just the exclusives!

My god, now please explain to me what the Wii and 360 have in terms of exclusives that match this in terms of quality and quantity?!?

[Mr. HiDef]

Originally Posted by AJ98

Unfortunately, a large number of people I run across in stores are not aware the PS3 can also play BDs.

No joke - I have seen people pick up a BD, say they can't watch it b/c its blue.

I ask "Do you have a PS3?"

"Yes. "

They are surprised when I tell them the PS3 is also a BR player.

"Gee, I didn't know that!" is the typical response...

and what state do you live in?

[brett_day]

sales are down on ps3 blah blah blah,

sales are down on everything, it's called the economy knuckle head! lol! seriously i wonder how these people can call themselves journalists?

[darwin316]

Originally Posted by Idealsupra

Dont forget about the WIFI add on needed and the $50 for Xbox Live as well.

Bottom line is the ONLY reason the 360 sells as well as it does and better then the PS3 is because its $199. M$ pulls as close to a bait and switch as is legally possible with this. Advertise all this stuff the 360 has and can do yet the one you advertise requires you to purchase all this stuff separately to achieve all of it. After all is said and done you are looking at close to $400 for the Xbox to be "complete". And even then its only what a 20GB HDD? Fails every 3 months?

The PS3 is bought by intelligent people who do their research.

it all depends on the user... I have 2 PS3s and I dont use the built-in wifi.

Anyways...for me, it's all about the games. So far, I only have 2 games for the PS3, while I have 10+ for the 360, and 10+ for the wii. I want to buy more games for the PS3 but i'm finding more games I like in the 360.

[chagocal]

I’m with you guys but I was shocked yesterday when I looked but the price of the PS3 I'm getting for my brother it was 399.99 that’s a a big difference from 599.99 I paid for mine back in Nov.06

[dk3dknight]

Originally Posted by CanadianKrazyMods

most people will buy the cheaper of the 3, but smart people know you get what you pay for. Taken into account what the PS3 offers, it is the better buy. But if you only have an old CRT TV and only plan on gaming, then the xbox does make more sense. I do think the PS3 needs to lower the price to get sales, but as long as they are happy with current sales, the price is right.

What gets me is that all these peopel that buy the $199 xbox will be in for a shock when they find out they will be paying over $100 for a xbox HDD, that to me is low to sell those knowing you pretty much need that HDD.

I started this generation with a 9 or 10 inch tv I choose ps3, it just made more sense, and yeah I bought blu-rays, I knew I could see all there beuaty but im going to support it none the less.

[darwin316]

Originally Posted by brett_day

sales are down on ps3 blah blah blah,

sales are down on everything, it's called the economy knuckle head! lol! seriously i wonder how these people can call themselves journalists?

well....both 360 and PS3 did better this year in november than they did last year.

[NovaBomb]

I still don't understand why anyone buys an XBOX, Everyone I know whos has one is on there 2nd or 3rd already. Maybe thats why they sell so many, they keep dying.

[Mr. HiDef]

Originally Posted by brett_day

sales are down on ps3 blah blah blah,

sales are down on everything, it's called the economy knuckle head! lol! seriously i wonder how these people can call themselves journalists?

did you read the article? cause Wii sales doubled their sales so not everything is down

[darwin316]

Originally Posted by NovaBomb

I still don't understand why anyone buys an XBOX, Everyone I know whos has one is on there 2nd or 3rd already. Maybe thats why they sell so many, they keep dying.

I doubt that dude...MS extended the warranty for all those RRODs, and those repairs are not part of the "sale". I think pricing is the issue here....with the PS3 costing way too much.

[air_max]

[enter author's apartment/home to discover XBOX 360 and a t-shirt with 'I'm an XBOX fan boy' written on the front]