Game publishers take it on the chin!
by Ed Stasick 
{ Nov 18th 2006 at 8:15AM }
Many analysts are now estimating that Sony was only able to ship 125,000 to 200,000 PS3s for launch day. Certainly, that didn't make fanboys happy. And it didn't make retailers happy either (though, I suspect that ebay entrepreneurs are pretty happy right now). But there's another group of folks that also took it on the chin on launch day. Big time. How many games were actually sold this week (especially considering that a bulk of PS3s were bought only to be resold later)? It's hard to imagine that any game in the launch line-up came anywhere near breaking 100,000 units. I suspect that several games only sold in the hundreds. For a launch day, the PS3 will undoubtedly have the lowest attach rate of all time. That's not a great distinction for a company that is losing money on every single console, betting to eventually make it up on game and Blu-Ray sales. I wonder how publishers with games coming out in the "launch window" will react to selling hardly any games? Or, have they already reacted? Is this why we saw mostly pixel-matched ports of Xbox 360 games and games that make even the PS2 embarrassed (Mobile Suit). And is that why so many launch games were "delayed" at the last minute? What games did you buy?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Erik @ Nov 18th 2006 10:12AM
This would have been a problem for sony even if they sold the amount they predicted. Selling 400,000 units would mean that software sellers could at best max out at that number. But what game has ever had a 100% adoption rate (unless it comes in the box)?
This is part of the reason we are hearing rumors about MGS4 perhaps becoming cross console. I know its just a rumor, but could you really blame konami if they decided to do it? They are a corporation and its all about the bottom line.
Andy @ Nov 18th 2006 10:39AM
People don't seem to understand that 400,000 was for the entire North America, not just US, the 200,000 counts were being projected for the USA, and everyone acts like this was a cut, when Sony still shipped 400,000 to North America, but 200,00 of those came to USA. I got my ps3 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance and Tony Hawk's Project 8. I was really anticipating Sonic and Motorstorm to be launch titles, as well as Rainbow Six Vegas and Fatal Inertia, but they were all delayed. For right now I've got a library of 15 blu-ray movies I've built up in advance, so those will keep me pretty busy, as well as a few ps2 games (I never had a ps2).
Dan @ Nov 18th 2006 11:18AM
Yes 400,000 is for North America, and the US only got 200,000. Then who got the other 200,000? Canada? Mexico? Haha... Those are the only other two countries in North America
Please use your brain. Engadget was right that people are unhappy because they didn't ship all 400,000 promised units.
Canada has a little more than 1/10 the US' population and a much smaller demand and economy. The same goes with Mexico, but a little more so (population is bigger though at 1/3).
Dan @ Nov 18th 2006 11:22AM
I meant only other MAJOR countries. The United States is much more important economically to Sony than Canada or Central American country, so to say we only got half of the shipment even though the US has a population of 300 million out of a total population of 510 million in North America... doesn't make sense at all. Especially when many , if not most, people in Central American cannot purchase something as expensive as a PS3.
Roofus @ Nov 18th 2006 1:20PM
Dude, why do you keep refering to Central America in regards to Mexico? Mexico is a North American country. The poster you are trying to bag on was simply saying that if Sony allocated 400k unites to "North America," that includes two other countries, and a portion of that 400k might been allocated for Canada and Mexico because they reside within North America.
Wes @ Nov 19th 2006 12:10AM
Regardless of the goods and bads of the launch, I'll answer just the question presented. I bought Resistance, Tony Hawk and NBA07. A noticed a number of folks getting Resistance, including those that planned to sell their console on ebay (to include it with a "free game" and up the price another few hundred).
I think that Resistance will do reletively well considering the low number of available ps3s. Madden was another popular title.
Pulse @ Nov 18th 2006 5:02PM
The PS3 launch games were crap, you just have to admit that, its not PS3 or the gamers fault, we were given crap, so this is how you react to it.
Erik, rumours are rumours, there is more reason not to port to 360 then there is to not to port it. One includes the PSP incorperation, if Kojima is already planning to involve the PSP in the PS3s MGS4, how the hell with 360 achieve that, plus Kojima said that in order to understand MGS4 fully, you'd need PO on PSP, bit stupid considering hardcore 360 fans wont buy a PSP. Then theres the trailer on the PSP Metal Gear Acid four that talks about exclusivity and the power of PS3 etc etc etc, it would really piss ppl off if Kojima did do that.
Besides, you cannot compare MGS4 to the likes of the crap we received at PS3 launch, MGS4 will sell by the millions, the games we got, will sell by the hundreds as its pointless even picking em up except to play online.
John Voyles @ Nov 19th 2006 12:15PM
I was told by the manager of the local sams club which was promised 16 , which is where we all ,that nationally had been cut to 142,000 for all of North America ,by the way we Sams only got 1,and I did not get one myself .
Tom @ Nov 18th 2006 7:36PM
Pulse>
So, to play MGS on the PS3, I'm gonna need:
A PS3 : $500
A PSP : $200
MGS4 : $60
MGSPO : $40
____________
$800!!
That had better be the best game ever made. And I had better get a toaster or a clock radio or something with that investment!
Dan @ Nov 18th 2006 10:52PM
I know Mexico is a North American country... so are all the other countries in Central America. Or perhaps you thought Central America was its own continent?
MY point was that the United States would get the largest share of the 400,000 units. For example, if 400,000 were actually shipped to NA, then I would assume that at least 350,000 were allocated to the United States.
Mexico, the other Central American countries, and Canada are substantionally less important than the United States for selling a new game machine... especially when considering the numbers I wrote above.
SP @ Nov 19th 2006 12:59AM
I bought resistance but i dont have a PS3 yet
Twenty5 @ Nov 19th 2006 8:30AM
"I bought resistance but i dont have a PS3 yet"
Hahahahha..... that was funny. Thx man
Sam @ Nov 19th 2006 11:23AM
you know, the reason why so few games were sold was because the ps3 is backwards compatible with ps2 and ps1 games. and because everyone owns those games, why bother buying a new one when you have tons of games at home right? right? right?
or not....
Ricky @ Nov 19th 2006 7:06PM
Danggg, Playstation 3 took it hard. While the Wii has a little more sucsessful launch.
Charles @ Nov 19th 2006 9:47PM
No surprise on the low sell through of games with consoles. While the eBay resell factor is high, what about the dearth of really great games or at least solid exclusive games. I bought Resistance and that's it. I'm too busy playing all the great Wii games.
Arya @ Nov 19th 2006 9:57PM
I really want a PS3, but I'll wait till I can walk in and buy. Getting one on launch day would have been nice, and I might have tried if there were any games I wanted. My dad really wants to play Motorstorm. I want R6: Vegas. We both want Fight Night, but waiting for round 4 is probably better. All the great games I want probably won't be out till 2007.
I don't think you can argue about the success of the PS3 launch... just try to find out at a store and at retail price. But perhaps the low unit numbers and lack of launch games will help to weed out potential early problems and give developers the time to do their jobs well.
The only problem I hear about the PS3 right now is the lack of games. I read complaints that the system is no good because of the games. I often wonder about the intelligence of these editors, maybe they expect 200 quality games on day 1 but hopefully others are more realistic. When Xbox launched, there weren't any great launch games, same with PS2 and Xbox360. I don't really understand that complaint anymore. I think the last great launch game could have been Duck Hunt.
kiddiegrinder @ Nov 20th 2006 12:52PM
I started buying all my games in june. I got 3 launch (Tony hawk {yuck}, Resistance, and Marvel ultimate alliance) games, and I also have already bought assassin's creed, MGS4, and Lair. It's all about the preorder. I think the people who are selling their ps3s on ebay should be castrated...males, and females. Because female castration looks really painful. Not that male castration wouldn't be, but anyhow...gamestop is telling me that they are getting shipments every week, of at least 5. So screw them. the ebayers will pay in the long run.
chillski @ Nov 20th 2006 7:16AM
i bought two games, and dont have a system yet either (resisantence and ridge racer) the walmart i was camping out at swore they had 10 ps3's on a truck on the way. well come 7am friday they said the last two were late, and guess who lucky number 9 was.
im still waiting to find out if they're ever gonna get those last two!!!!!!! :(
mr. mario @ Nov 20th 2006 2:09PM
I got one of 60 Wii-s available at my local Target - all of which sold out. The same target only had 4 PS3s for about 100 people who camped out (they opened at 8am launch day). I can't imagine the panic these publishers might be going through as they near the end of the fiscal year. For $400 (thanks to the 10% off for signing up for a credit card and $20 gift card for buying 3 games) I got a Wii, and extra set of controllers and 3 games plus the 5 Wii Sports games bundled.
And you wonder why publishers are switching over - you should too!
Lomax @ Nov 21st 2006 2:12PM
It's the old "Trojan Horse" maneuver. Sell you a Blu-Ray player with some game functionality to help the sales of their new format. Worst-case scenario, reduced sales due to shortages and pricing reduce the appeal of exclusive deals with SCE and more publishers go cross-platform. Sony already lost GTA4 and Assassin's Creed. Is MGS4 next?