NPD Delayed unitl Monday Oct. 19th

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by binarymelon

Not that I think they would, but I can't imagine if they were going to they would let anyone find out about it.

Hmm, what I'm trying to say is that all that happened is the publication, manufacturers and game publishers should all have their spreadsheet by now. If there are any changes explanations will be required.

Not only that, while NPD don't do real-time tracking, top subscribers can request 'up to the minute' data, so again if there are discrepancies explanations would be required.

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

Hmm, what I'm trying to say is that all that happened is the publication, manufacturers and game publishers should all have their spreadsheet by now. If there are any changes explanations will be required.

Not only that, while NPD don't do real-time tracking, top subscribers can request 'up to the minute' data, so again if there are discrepancies explanations would be required.

So basically there are no "tricks up one's sleeve" in this case? Or maybe its companies try to recheck facts, etc for the delay?

[saprano]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

Hmm, what I'm trying to say is that all that happened is the publication, manufacturers and game publishers should all have their spreadsheet by now. If there are any changes explanations will be required.

Not only that, while NPD don't do real-time tracking, top subscribers can request 'up to the minute' data, so again if there are discrepancies explanations would be required.

Giving MS's dirty competition tactics in the two industries you can see why it was the first thing that came to peoples minds. it really has nothing to do with being a fanboy or whatever, its just a fact of how they work.

Has NPD been delayed before?

[Terjyn]

Originally Posted by saprano

Giving MS's dirty competition tactics in the two industries you can see why it was the first thing that came to peoples minds. it really has nothing to do with being a fanboy or whatever, its just a fact of how they work.

Has NPD been delayed before?

Yes, several times. The last time was a few months ago and it was delayed an entire week.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Marine Mike

So basically there are no "tricks up one's sleeve" in this case? Or maybe its companies try to recheck facts, etc for the delay?

Well a manufacturer can request clarification or breakdowns and ask for a delay pending their results but yes, there are no tricks to be had.

Originally Posted by saprano

Giving MS's dirty competition tactics in the two industries you can see why it was the first thing that came to peoples minds. it really has nothing to do with being a fanboy or whatever, its just a fact of how they work.

Has NPD been delayed before?

Oh yes I realise why there is some internet sentiment thinking MS are playing dirty, and maybe they are trying, but I would be very surprised if they are able to succeed in having the figures changes in their favour as it would undermine their [NPD] whole business model.

Yes, I believe it has.

[Terjyn]

I looked it up for a concrete example...February NPD was supposed to be released on March 12, but was delayed to March 19. And there was nothing special about February NPD, so I find the conspiracy angle this time thin.

*EDIT* On second thought, February was the month where Street Fighter IV had almost identical sales between 360/PS3. Maybe it's NPDs way of double checking themselves, making sure their own numbers look kosher?

Maybe it means that the PS3 slim didn't do nearly as well as Sony thought it should and Sony is the one requesting the delay/verification. The conspiracy angle works both ways.

[Elandyll]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

Well a manufacturer can request clarification or breakdowns and ask for a delay pending their results but yes, there are no tricks to be had.



Oh yes I realise why there is some internet sentiment thinking MS are playing dirty, and maybe they are trying, but I would be very surprised if they are able to succeed in having the figures changes in their favour as it would undermine their [NPD] whole business model.

Yes, I believe it has.

My thinking (and I could be entirely wrong) is that someone (a big actor - not necessarily MS) might have requested a slight delay in order to repare some kind of communication plan.

Could be anyone, and wether to counter balance some kind of disapointing results, or make a big marketing deal about very good results.

Whatcha think of this scenario ?

[Elandyll]

Still nothing? Not even a leak?

Weird.

[Maximus]

6:30 est.

[pmac]

For the conspiracy theorists (article was from the 15th)



NPD Results Delayed for Gamestop Corp, Activision, Take Two Interactive, Electronic Arts, THQ Inc.

By Michael Johnson, Published: October 15th, 2009 3:27 PM PDT



Video game investors will have to wait a couple more business days to see September's NPD results for video game software and hardware sales.
"We have just released a communication to our clients, explaining that, due to last minute processing requirements, the NPD Video Games Retail Tracking information for September 2009 will now be released on Monday, October 19."
Investors are hoping for a turn around in video game stock sentiment. Publishers Activision (ATVI), Electronic Arts (ERTS), THQ (THQI), and Take Two Interactive (TTWO), along with retailer Gamestop Inc (GME), have all been outperformed by the S&P 500 in a one year period. Since October 16th, 2008, Gamestop is break even while the S&P has risen 21%. Activision gained 7% but Take Two is down 4%, EA is down 23% and THQ is down 36%. Analysts are pointing toward a long list of highly anticipated titles this holiday and in 2010 to bring the video game publishers and retailers back to life.

Source