March NPD reveals improving PSP sales--is it enough?
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Apr 19th 2007 at 9:15PM }
Sony issued a statement today, reminding gamers that the PlayStation brand continues to get stronger. According to NPD data, "March 2007 showed a 24% increase in retail dollars generated year-over-year for the PlayStation brand in North America with total sales of $447 million." The three-pillar strategy seems to be quite successful for Sony: sales from PS3, PSP, PS2 (and God of War II), are all adding green to Sony's wallet. PSP hardware has gained some momentum in March: up 2% over February with sales of 179,796 units. More importantly, software sales have experienced a 13% jump.With a price drop at the beginning of April, next month's figures should prove even better for Sony. However, one has to question if the price drop will be enough. Nintendo DS sold through over half a million units in the same period--easily more than twice that of PSP. Sony may not be number one, but as long as it maintains steady growth and profitability, does it really matter? And most importantly, does it matter to gamers?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
PSP_#1 @ Apr 19th 2007 9:53PM
OK OK so the DS sold twice as many, big deal. If the PSP's sales are growing how is this bad?? Does it mean that if developers don't see a certain increase each month then they won't be as likely to develop games for the PSP, or do they look at how many PSP's are out there and still growing. I really hope the latter is true. I still firmly think that if Sony would advertise the Mighty PSP wisely on TV then it would pay out tenfold. PSP has it's peice of the market and is growing.
TheGuy @ Apr 19th 2007 10:16PM
PSP sales in general are doing well, but it's when the numbers are compared to DS sales that people claim "OMGZ PSP IZ FAILNG". Let's not forget, while in general PSP sales aren't doing as well as DS, when considering this is a first generation handheld gaming device for Sony it's doing pretty well. Also, when considering life-span the superior hardware of the PSP gives it a lot longer lifetime than the DS, so Sony shouldn't even worry about the next-gen PSP until Nintendo does and even then I'm doubtful it'll surpass the PSP in graphics considering Nintendo's focus on "Innovation/Gimmicks". I don't know about you, but I still see a bright future for the PSP. Only a matter of time until this Nintendo fad ends.
Johnny Lasley @ Apr 19th 2007 10:33PM
Nintendo doesn't have gimmicks.
Touch screens and motion control is not new technology either. I think there's a better argument of the PSP being innovative.
Both are brilliant pieces of hardware. Too bad I never was into Ninty-style games. So YAY! PSP...do well and make more great games.
GRT @ Apr 19th 2007 10:42PM
"Sony may not be number one, but as long as it maintains steady growth and profitability, does it really matter?"
It only matters to bloggers. Gamers don't care. Sony seems pleased.
Bloggers need to fuel the flames so for them, only position #1 matters.
PSP_#1 @ Apr 19th 2007 10:44PM
Inovation you say????
DS - Touchscreen Mic???
PSP -
Most Powerful Graphics and Sound (Console Quality)
MP3 (with Visualations)
Internet
Location Free
RSS
Image Viewer
Wide High Resolution Screen
IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
Ok these are not inovations but if you put them together in the sleekest looking portable handheld than that is truely unique and inovative.
Pocket PC's inovated touchscreen mic among other things not Nintendo.
SKI @ Apr 19th 2007 11:04PM
"Sony may not be number one, but as long as it maintains steady growth and profitability, does it really matter? And most importantly, does it matter to gamers?"
Nintendo was profitable throughout the entire GC era and yet the "gamers" were calling for Nintendo to quit and go 3rd party like Sega.
Kade Storm @ Apr 19th 2007 11:47PM
You idiots better not turn this into another gimmick debate! You're gamers, idiots! Everything is a fundamental gimmick. Grow the **** up!
Yes, some of you make the ideal point: Comparisons at this level are bloody stupid. So long as PSP is doing well on its own, and probably one of the better selling gadgets from the videogame genre, on market, then you people have nothing to moan about - and no reason to start gimmick wars, AGAIN! EESH!
Andrew Yoon @ Apr 19th 2007 11:59PM
THANK YOU Kade Storm! I was writing to note that Sony's doing better. Does it need to be "number 1" to be successful? No. We need to spend more time thinking about the games on our system, rather than obsessing over sales figures. Sure, it's my fault for reporting them--but it's news, no?
PSP_#1 @ Apr 20th 2007 12:33AM
Kade if you don't fcking like the post's then don't read them but you and your name calling can shut the fck up. There is no wars here just trying to put as we see it in perspective you fcking idiot. Gee I can Rant as well! And if Andrew likes your Rants than good for him but I find it annoying!
Kade Storm @ Apr 20th 2007 1:00AM
What perspective? You have no perspective. And then I get grilled for name calling. Let me tell you something, I will comment on idiotic behaviour, and if you don't like it, then either you can rant back--won't make starting 'gimmick-wars' any less of an idiotic move. Or, better yet, YOU CAN LOOK THE OTHER WAY AND IGNORE SOMETHING THAT ANNOYS YOU SO MUCH! Lawl!
PSP_#1 @ Apr 20th 2007 1:18AM
I don't mind your ramblings but you are no authority on who is and isn't an idiot. As far as perspective, here you go again making an ignorant assumption every post here is someones perspective, let me tell you something as well I WILL REPLY TO ANY IDIOT that makes smartass statements and thinks they are putting everything into perspective for everyone else. I did not choose to grill you as you put it but you like to start rants and childish name calling then you will just have to deal with lashback.
Kade Storm @ Apr 20th 2007 1:42AM
Okay, then going by your ethical standards: Who have your authority to decide what's 'childish' and what isnt? Hypocrite, much?
And you clearly misinterpret my concept of 'perspective' with your literal translation. When you say perspective so literally, you're talking about opinion. When you get in my face, stating that I shouldn't interject when you're going off topic, because you're trying to put things 'into perspective', then that's saying something else. Everyone's opinion does not equal to the act of "putting things into perspective". Before calling me ignorant, perhaps you ought to learn the craft of expressions and figures of speech.
Whether or not my rants/ramblings/whatevers seem to bother you, is really your problem. I don't care. It's fact that half such topics turn into a pathetic fanboy-pissfest between which console is 'credible', when the real question is something much different: "Are you okay with PSP being number 2, so long as it's still a commercial success?" I merely shifted the focus back to this question, albeit with some spite!
Now, that's bringing back the perspective. Because if you read that little statement above the comments box, you'd realise that the administration here, expects us to keep comments within the context of the topic. That should be the 'perspective' for this topic. However, your banters, and very direct attacks on me--and my current post included--are a clear loss of perspective under that context.
So now I'll get back on topic, and state once again that this isn't a question of which console is credible or not. This isn't about which console is a gimmick. This is about PSP's position in the market, which is moderately good, if not strong; so there's not need to directly compete against the better DS sales. This isn't a matter of good sales vs. bad sales; it's good sales vs. better sales. So long as PSP is in the good, we should focus on the real issues - quality titles and games that push the system to its limits and beyond.
-FIN-
txa1265 @ Apr 20th 2007 4:29AM
I think that the whole thing is that we as a community need to champion a 'no comparisons to the DS' mentality. Sure - we can compare to see which version of Puzzle Quest is better, but let the systems exist on their own.
Sony has established a solid #2 handheld in a market that has become *dominated* by handheld gaming! The pundits from late 2004 were wrong - the PSP didn't crush the DS, it will never catch it, and is 'losing 'market share each month . I say 'losing', because what has happened is that the two have found relative market share amounts, and are solid in those.
So we don't need to worry - so long as the PSP continues to grow and we see more good games, then don't worry. The PSP didn't die, didn't fail - and we stuck by it while people were saying it was dead.
pixelator @ Apr 20th 2007 11:21AM
Ignoring Nintendo's Virtual Boy, Power Glove, U-Force-laden past and focusing just on this gen, it's clear that adding two displays and PDA touchscreen to the DS was meant to be - a gimmick. In this case, a functional one (depending on the game), but tell me the whole 'Touch' ad campaign wasn't selling a gimmick.
The Wii controllers are also gimmicks, especially with the funky Nunchuck/Wiimote - a dual controller that's as much about being different, unique and eyecatching as it is about being good for the actual gaming experience (depending on who you ask).
People seem to think the word 'gimmick' can only refer to something bad or that contributes nothing tangible or functional, but that's simply not what the word means. The touch wheel on an iPOD is gimmicky, but it serves a purpose. I collect electronic gizmos and there's an old mini Yamaha keyboard that can do voice sampling. Certainly a gimmick insofar as it was a marketing hook at the time but musicians can and do use these things for various hardcore applications today.
Here's Merriam-Webster's version of what GIMMICK means:
1 a : a mechanical device for secretly and dishonestly controlling gambling apparatus b : an ingenious or novel mechanical device : GADGET
2 a : an important feature that is not immediately apparent : CATCH b : an ingenious and usually new scheme or angle c : a trick or device used to attract business or attention
Note - it doesn't say ANYWHERE that a gimmick has to lack functionality. One secondary definition says its importance may not be immediately apparent (and it's true, you have to PLAY DS and Wii games to really understand what the touchscreen and motion controllers do for the experience).
So does Nintendo have gimmicks? HELL, YES! ...But - and this is where Nintendo really earns that badge they wear so proudly - there's INNOVATION in the way they apply such gimmicks. See, the definition of a gimmick can be that it's simply a new angle on something old, and even the most rabid Nintendo fanboy will cop to that much regarding the Wii/DS.
These gimmicks are helping them sell, quite successfully I might add, two systems that cost less to make and have inferior technical specs compared to the competition. ...Give credit where it's due.
txa1265 @ Apr 20th 2007 3:45PM
OK, here is my concern:
- The PSP is doing pretty well.
- The PS*3* is not. Sony might try to pretty up however they like, but the bottom line is Wii sellouts everywhere and piles of PS3's sitting unsold.
- So who cares? We PSP fans *should* care! Why?
- Because as we have seen, Sony will gladly toss attention to the PSP in order to focus on the PS3. We have been told that 'this year will be better' ... but I just don't see it. You can see how Microsoft has hit a nice stride, so I see Sony needing another year to hit a comfort zone with the PS3, and us PSP gamers suffering as a result.
pixelator @ Apr 20th 2007 7:11PM
Here's the way I see this gen shaping up:
1). DS - smash hit. No argument. It's huge, like biggest game system in history huge (if you call a handheld a system). It's not keeping the PSP from doing fairly well overall, but it's not helping Sony make a bigger in road into handhelds, either.
2). PSP - moderate success. Compared to most consoles and every other non-Nintendo handheld, it's doing better than average. How long the developers will support it remains the only question in my mind. There doesn't seem to be any slacking off going into Year Three, so keep your fingers crossed that the software sales creep up as they have been doing and that hardware benefits from the price cut (and the hardware revision I'm almost positive is coming this year, at least news of).
3). 360 - It's not a smash hit in an international sense, but is holding its own in the USA market with solid software sales and decent hardware sales. I personally think it's the most attractive system available currently, simply because Wii and PS3 lack decent selections yet. In another 2 years, I think it will be losing steam and wind up eventually having had a better run than its predecessor but unable to hold on to the Number 1 slot for long, despite a year head start.
4). Wii - I think it has fad-style hotness and is riding somewhat on coattails of the DS Lite. I give the control scheme a 40/60 shot at really 'changing how we play games' and having lasting appeal when the second and third generation of 360 and PS3 games start cranking out. I also think it still lacks some third party publisher support, although that appears to be turning somewhat in the wake of the first three months of sales. In the end, though, I still think it will wind up 2nd place in Japan and either 3rd or 2nd, here.
5). PS3 - Developers I've spoken to think the hardware of this system is incredible. I asked one programmer recently about alleged memory issues and difficulty in coding he said it wasn't a big deal. He gave me an example of the cel processing power using a small clump of grass multiplied many times over. No other system today can do what this thing can, regardless of the fanboyspeak. I like my 360, but this thing is truly next level tech. So will that make it succeed? I think that, plus their still immense third party backing, will eventually pull the PS3's ass out of the fire. I know it looks funky right now (or downright bleak if you read all the Sony bashing and negative press), but in two years I think the tables will have turned considerably in Sony's favor.
Kade Storm @ Apr 21st 2007 1:53AM
Pixelator,
Videogames and markets are gimmicks, some more than others. This is something I am not interested in discussing or wasting time over.
What I am bothered by:
Every typical fanboy who uses the word 'gimmick' to define (berate) a console, is in fact using it as a negative jab. Case and point: That little argument at the start of this thread was hardly a critical analysis of DS. It was an outright fanboy insecurity in action. And in this case, it wasn't even the stupid outrage; it was the fact that they were digressing.
On topic:
I refuse to make any predictions about console wars. I only worry about the possibility of PSP getting neglected.