SCEA responds to poor September NPD figures
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Oct 19th 2007 at 12:45PM }
SCEA responds: "According to NPD data, September 2007 was a strong month for the PlayStation brand, which showed a 13% increase in total retail dollars generated year-over-year in the US with total sales of $337 million for the month."
Sony will have to look towards the future and hope its recent price cut announcement will keep it afloat. "PS3 continues to maintain an overall increase in sales, with 119K units sold at retail for the month. Also, with the new $399 40GB PlayStation 3 SKU hitting store shelves on November 2nd, a new $499 price point for the 80GB model effective immediately, and highly anticipated titles available this holiday, such as Racthet & Clank: Tools of Destruction, Warhawk, Heavenly Sword, Folklore, and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, the PS3 is poised for very strong performance through the holiday season and into 2008."
[Via Next Gen]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Solace @ Oct 19th 2007 12:58PM
sure, it wasn't a big month for Sony, but i'd be more nervous if i was M$. their "biggest game of all time" couldn't really give it that much of a lead compared to the Wii...
RazielDune @ Oct 19th 2007 1:04PM
wait...even with Halo 3 they only went that much more than wii?
Enon777 @ Oct 19th 2007 1:52PM
It's all about games! I have all three systems and my PS3 has the weakest collection of games. They seriously need a boost in games. These dumb ass developers always delay games for the PS3 and then they half ass them.
Frosty @ Oct 19th 2007 1:11PM
Microsoft makes their money through software sales (as does Sony). Their software attach rate is way beyond the wii, and as such, they are doing just fine and dandy. Why ya gotta spin all news about other companies negatively?
TheSh0wstopper @ Oct 19th 2007 1:12PM
Heya fellas,
Been a while since I posted here. Anywho I have a small rant, bare with me...
I think that if the 360 does not lower the price of the Elite (maybe even the premium) to $300 or less by early next year (march) Microsoft will be in for a world of hurting. In the overall picture of a 4-5 year generation console war current sales dont mean squat. Next years sales numbers will trump this years and so forth and so forth.
There is no longer a huge price difference in the systems, in fact the 40gig PS3 is actually cheaper than the elite. Let me paint a picture for you:
Date: March 28, 2008.
Customer walks into his local gamestop.
Gamestop Employee: Hello sir how can I help you?
Customer: Hi, im looking to pick up a new gaming system but cant make up my mind between the 360 and PS3.
Gamestop Employee: Well what types of games do you like?
Customer: Well I play anything that is fun, I have a PS2 and have been playing that for the past few years.
GS Employee: Well the 360 Elite is $400 and the PS3 40 gig is $400.
Customer: Well they are the same price so what games do each one have?
GS Employee: Well the 360 has some great games Like Gears of War and Halo 3.
Customer: Yea I heard Gears was good, but its like 2 years old now. Halo is cool though. Hmm what does the PS3 have?
GS Employee: Well Metal Gear Solid 4 just came out. Oh yeah and so did Gran turismo and FF is coming out soon.
Customer: METAL GEAR!!! I love that series. Gran Turismo and Final Fantasy too. I have been playing those games on my PS2 and sure loved them.
GS Employee: Well ratchet and Clank came out a few months ago also and Socom just came out too.
Customer: Wow I know all of those franchises and love them. But for $400 I hope these systems do other things than just play videogames.
Employee: well they both have pretty cool media functions but the PS3 can also play Blu ray movies.
Customer: The PS3 plays Blu Ray movies AND ITS THE SAME PRICE!!! My friend just got a High Def Tv and its pretty sweet. I see prices on the tv's are going down and I was thinking about getting one too. You know what I think i'll take one of those PS3's.
thanks for the help.
Microsoft better get that price down.
TheSh0wstopper
AG23 @ Oct 19th 2007 1:21PM
I figured with Halo 3 it wouldn't be a good month for the PS3.
But I am shocked at the sales of Heavenly Sword. I thought for sure it would get 500K in it's first month.
What day did it come out again?
AG23 @ Oct 19th 2007 1:24PM
And I forgot to mention in my previous post that I love Heavenly Sword BTW.
I re-read my previous post and it almost looks like I was trolling. Not the case, very happy PS3 owner!
OrganicShadow @ Oct 19th 2007 1:25PM
So umm, yeah. Did anyone actually expect them to do decently Halo 3 month? Especially with 40gb rumors flying around?
Not trying to soften the truth or anything, but I think this is just one of those inevitably bad months. They can spin it all they want and I won't care. They did the right thing by spreading their blockbusters out a little, but the timing of the releases just plain sucked.
40gb is a good sign that they're at least stepping up to the plate and taking the problems with PS3 seriously, but they're going to need to get a few runs(and not in their pants) to catch up with Wii and 360 as far as unit sales are concerned. Their PS3 install base estimate by March 08 is ridiculous IMO. 12 million was it? I'll estimate 8 million at most.
TheSh0wstopper @ Oct 19th 2007 1:27PM
@ AG23
No reason to be shocked.
1. not that many PS3's out there
2. Playstation owner's dont buy games like Xbox owners do. Look at PS2 game sales. While it does have a lot of million salers, its actually quite pathetic compared to the installed base of the system. For example FF12 sales numbers are very similar to Gears of Wars #'s. Im not even sure if God of War 2 broke a million (and if it did prolly barely)
TheSh0wstopper
"Good to be back"
Matt @ Oct 19th 2007 1:28PM
TheSh0wstopper, dream on. It's funny how I've heard similar scenarios several months ago when people were talking about the upcoming Lair, Warhawk, Heavenly Sword, and Folklore. Well, those games are out and still just a meager 119,000 units sold. Wow, that is horrible.
And for those questioning the fact that Halo 3 "only increased sales that much..." Come on, a $400 system, nearly 2 years old moves over 500,000 units in a month. That is an unbelievable feat that Sony can only dream will happen to them. Even Metal Gear does not have the overall general appeal that a game like Halo 3 has. It's been nearly a year now. I'm still waiting for something to happen on the PS3 front. Maybe, just maybe this $399 system will help, but I doubt you'll see anything near a 500,000 unit month this upcoming holiday.
NATO_Duke @ Oct 19th 2007 1:30PM
Nobody should have expected it to be a strong month, especially with Halo 3. Games like Racthet & Clank: Tools of Destruction, and Folklore might bring some love to the system though.
Truth @ Oct 19th 2007 1:39PM
God will sony fanboys face the facts that your systems is a lost cause?......Stop deflecting the fact that ps3 is ass by trying to downplay 360 sales.....Do yourself a favor sell your ps3 to some sucker and get a 360, you'll feel alot better and won't be so bitter......Or keep living in denial and go by sony accounts one of those spiffy new last gen ps3 joysticks with rumble and STFU!
clavian @ Oct 19th 2007 1:40PM
Matt:
"Even Metal Gear does not have the overall general appeal that a game like Halo 3 has."
Thank God for that! I'm personally thrilled that Sony won't be hanging their hat on a tired FPS shooter.
TheSh0wstopper @ Oct 19th 2007 1:44PM
@ Matt,
The system was $600 when those games came out. My main point was the Microsoft needs to get that price down. A PS3 for $400 is a MUCH beter value than a 360 for $400. And what idiot would put games like Lair, Folklore and Heavenly sword in the same tier as MGS, FF13 and Gran Turismo? Oh you did, figures.
TheSh0wstopper
Azza @ Oct 19th 2007 1:46PM
@ Matt
119,000 was for the month not on the whole.
Also what has the 360 got coming up that is whoth buying by xbots and next month's xbox sales will sink again after the halo inspired spike.
Pete @ Oct 19th 2007 1:49PM
Ok, so they sold 159,000 PS3s in July. Great month!
They sold 139,000 PS3s in August. Ok month!
Then they sold 119,000 PS3s in September.
Then they came up with this quote:
"PS3 continues to maintain an overall increase in sales."
Now that is an impressive spin.
I'm not sure that October will be much better, considering that the $399 version is coming in November. :(
Mike @ Oct 19th 2007 1:50PM
clavian - "tired"?????!???!!
Man, i got together with 4 former college buddies (Me and another guy in town, one in Boston, one in Houston and one in Dallas) last night and had an awesome 3+ hours of gaming with Halo3.
I can understand if you might not have a game where you can party up and play together for that long, but it goes a LONG way to making Halo3 not "tired" like you said.
I love both consoles, but in doing so, you have to give the positives for each, and Halo3 is a definite POSITIVE for the 360.
clavian @ Oct 19th 2007 1:58PM
Mike, I have both consoles as well, and I realize it's a matter of personal opinion, but I am very tired of all the FPS's out there, and having played a bit of Halo 3 it just isn't my bag. I'm sure it's fun for you, and I'm not trying to knock the game. Like I said, I'm just personally happy that games like Assassin's Creed, Uncharted, MGSIV, and LittleBigPlanet are nearing release, because it gives people more to play. In all honesty, I am excited about several games on the PS3 and am having a difficult time thinking of many exciting 360 titles to buy, with the possible exception of Mass Effect (gotta finish Oblivion first).
KillarClown @ Oct 19th 2007 2:01PM
you know.. all around me i am seeing an upswing in both sales and positive attitude towards the PS3.. at least it feels that way here in toronto.. slow and steady wins the race :)
oh and just in case my name doesn't appear below on my comment my name is killarclown
Azza @ Oct 19th 2007 2:02PM
@ Mike
Ummm resistance is an fps with very good online play and can easily break the 3 hour mark.
Also halo is the only thing positive for the 360
Sammy @ Oct 19th 2007 2:08PM
The only way Sony can truly fight back is if they start to address the flaws in their line-up. Yes they have a handful of strong games on the horizon but currently the 360 has more. I think they are actually doing okay to hold off in such a lean time but there is more to be down to even begin to silence the disenchanted masses. Price cuts will help with the software but Sony has to pull some big guns out as soon as possible. Considerably improve their first party output.
Matt @ Oct 19th 2007 2:03PM
Azza, Yes, I know that is for the month and it is still horrible.
And yes, Xbox 360 units will "sink" again, yet still remain higher than PS3.
Azza @ Oct 19th 2007 2:11PM
@ 21/ matt
No you lie.
frankym @ Oct 19th 2007 2:20PM
It is no surprise Halo 3 boosted 360 sales. However, in terms of exclusives, what does the 360 have in the coming year? PS3 has: Uncharted, Haze, LBP, Killzone 2, MGS 4, FF XIII, GT 5. Most of these are monster titles. Seems like 2008 will be definitive for PS3.
How can people claim that the PS3 is dead...it has been out for less than 1 year people. Look at those exclusives I listed...MGS 4 will easily be the best game of 2008. Wait until this time next year to make conclusions.
Do 360 fanboys really think Sony is dead?? Sony has billions invested in the PS3 along with massive 3d party support. Systems fail when there is little or no 3rd party support. That is not the case with PS3.. Just go to IGN and look at the release list...much more robust than 360.
Finally, as for the console wars..all industries have a life cycle. The video game industry is seeing an expansion...every year there are more gamers with the average age getting older. There will be 3 major players in the market now...the market is simply adjusting. There will no longer be a dominant console. Just like the auto industry, there is not just 1 brand of car. If you want to get around, buy a Honda. If you want high end performance and want to stand out buy a BMW.
Oh, and note that 360 sales in Japan and most of Europe are practically non-existent. Once the true power titles come out for PS3 in the coming year, all those PS 2 years will switch to PS3.
Pete @ Oct 19th 2007 2:44PM
Frankym, where are you getting your statistics for European sales? Other than Spain and a couple other countries, it appears that the 360's sales are about even with the PS3 if you align the launches at vgchartz (don't know where else to get info). And if the launches aren't aligned (which is the real picture we have today), the 360 is solidly ahead. So "non existant" is a bit of a stretch.
Now in Japan, I'd agree completely.
HektikLyfe @ Oct 19th 2007 2:53PM
I love my PS3. Unfortunately I can't say I love the games that are on it. Heavenly Sword was very cool but definitely not a system seller. Warh... I didn't complete the name because they didn't complete the game.
The PS3 HAS seen an increase of sales. Put it this way, if they sold 1 console in September its technically an increase, right? ;) XD
As for the 360, Kudos! I think its impressive to dethrone the monster that is the Wii even if it is for only one month. They sold more 360's than the Wii dudes! I don't know why people don't see that as a big deal.
I have a Wii too and most of those games are mediocre but the simple fact that a "hardcore" gaming console outsold the mainstream Wii Sports player is big, big news.
That will all change when Mario Galaxy is released of course but I have to give props to Bungie for doing the impossible this early in the game.
Dirtbag66 @ Oct 19th 2007 9:51PM
The PS2 sold 215,000 units last month. Think about that for a second. That system came out 7 YEARS AGO! How many XBOX units were sold last month?
Everyone needs to remember that the 360 came out a year before the PS3. It had time to gain momentum, so of course when the PS3 came out (less than a year ago, mind you), it was going to look ridiculous next to the 360 which already had a solid line-up of games.
Give the PS3 some time! It is by far a more powerful system, and after a few years, all the pieces will fall into place.
I highly doubt that Sony will just start waiving a white flag saying, "We surrender Microsoft and Nintendo! You win!"
crankbait @ Oct 19th 2007 4:09PM
@27
Amen, If they would have included a scaler I would have bought one and although I love my 360 I lament not having a PS3 as well. But 480p on my 65" 1080i set, no way!
GL @ Oct 19th 2007 4:20PM
Matt, I was going to jump on you until you last comment. The 500K consoles is for Halo 3. And I expect Halo 3 to sell 8-9 MIL copies? So, 3.3 MIL is nothing. It's basically Halo 2 all over again. The Halo games sell to the Halo crowd. Expect a bit over half the xbox owners to get Halo 3. So, what I'm telling you is that the former 25MIL xbox 1 owners are getting Halo 3 and a 360 -- right now we're at 10MIL 360 owners and 3.3 Halo 3 owners. Look at the big picture. It's like selling Pick-up trucks to rednecks. They will sell to their base.
No matter what you do, you can't force people to like Halo. Sorry. Especially JRPGs fans.
GL @ Oct 19th 2007 4:24PM
frankym, part of the reason is that the PS3 has a high-standard put upon itself. So, anytime it's not doing as well as most think it should it's easy to pick on. The other reason is that 12-14 year old xbots are very dumb. Mix the two together and you get dumb "doom and gloom" stories.
ryano @ Oct 19th 2007 5:28PM
of course the PS3 is not doing well! it's only in it's first year with many of their titles on the 360. the 360 got out the door first, layed down it's hand and is straight dominating the hardcore market.
i bought a 360 so i can get in on Bioshock, Oblivion Gears of War, Halo 3, Mass Effect and Virtua Fighter 5 as well as game with my friends online, not sit around and wait for a game to prove my system's potential.
and the PS3 has tremendous potential! all the story's about it are true, and blu-ray is a better format for gaming, the public is just not ready to give up DVD just yet. they just need killer app games to play. Even Uncharted as good as it is, doesn't have that power. and Rachet and Clank is a very fun series but still doesn't share that power.
next year will be interesting for the PS3 akin to a beast awakening. until then, it's all about the 360's fall lineup and Mario Galaxy baby!
ryano @ Oct 19th 2007 5:37PM
and on a side note why Halo 3 is doing so well despite it being "old" "played out" "Halo 2.5":
is it's marketing power. it's probably one the most recognizable marketable games i've seen in a long time. Like Mario you can do anything with the Halo franchise, unlike Haze, Killzone or any other shooter.
also, like a blockbusting Star Wars flick, it's the only game that has been whored around everywhere you look. i wouldn't be surprised if i woke up to Hal-O's cereal.
it's just got neutral image that guys and gals of all ages can latch onto, much like Mario, Zelda, Metroid and AND Little Big Planet.
sorry if i rained on anyone's parade, but it's true.
Dean Longmore @ Oct 19th 2007 6:45PM
"last night and had an awesome 3+ hours of gaming with Halo3."
lol, for a game thats mostly multi-player thats pretty pathetic. I've spent that much time playing pixeljunk racer demo with mates or the super puzzle fighter demo (Australian, we dont have the full versions yet). Resistance and warhawk far outreach that playability too, and resistance even has a decent single player mode.
BlackBeltJones @ Oct 19th 2007 8:14PM
People on both sides of this argument are making rediculous claims. Apparently the internet is very serious buisness.
@ 33
I wouldn't admit to playing pixeljunk racers.....mate.
Frank @ Oct 19th 2007 8:27PM
@33
Yea...because the dude only played 3 hours, the game must suck. Nice logic, slick.
"I had a blast playing warhawk for an hour last night!"
33's logic:
"LOL THAT GAME MUST SUCK IF YOU ONLY PLAYED IT FOR AN HOUR!! i played A DEMO for 2 hours with my mates, so ur game must be pathetic!!"
The1 @ Oct 19th 2007 8:49PM
Again fanboys amaze me.....Why are you guys worried about the XBOX 360? Sony and MS needs to worry about Nintendo who is waxing their azzes. You always complain about Halo 3 or the Halo series and their is no game around that has seemless online play. Sony needs to mimic this. Furthermore, think when you play online as a team and people do not talk or anything. Also, I have over 50 friends on my PS3 and only 3 are online at any time. The issue is that if there were games people would be buying these games and things would be different. Sony needs to get its act together and not worry about MS because this is what is pulling them down.
ryano @ Oct 19th 2007 8:51PM
@33
yeah, i have to jump on that and say that your logic does suck. 3 hours seems like a great fun time for any multiplayer, although my Halo 3 bouts go well into 2 AM. Playing with classmates and teachers from my school is such a killer time that i wouldn't find anywhere else.
so how many hours of multiplayer would one NEED to play before it is deemed WORTHY of your excellency?
osirus @ Oct 19th 2007 9:19PM
Yeah Right The Junkbox can stay on for more than an 1 hour before committing suicide. RRoD FTW
Starfire @ Oct 19th 2007 9:23PM
PS3 needs to find it's own character- just as the others found their own niche. This means having sympathetic characters in the games- Mario is big not only because of the games, but because of the character. Maybe Ratchet and Clank can help here and later on the other big names. Folklore and Heavenly Sword are really beautiful creations, but no-one knows or cares about their stories. As #23 says for Halo 3 - yes, they got it right with this one, that's why it's selling millions as it's such a 'pop culture' event, just like the Wii controller is.
It's a multi-system world, Sony needs unique, unmissable experiences on the PS3's own terms. Also they need to appeal to people who don't usually game, especially the ones with a HDTV, get them to try gaming in HD.
ryano @ Oct 19th 2007 10:11PM
1 hour? truly you jest. i keep mine on all day sometimes downloading demos.
the 360 is getting better hardware as the PS3 is getting better software.
let's just leave it at that and forget that our systems had faulty starts.
osirus @ Oct 19th 2007 11:37PM
You are playing with fire leaving a 360 on that long.I like to see proof that 360 hardware is getting better.On the MS XBOX forums that doesn't seem to be the case.
ryano @ Oct 20th 2007 2:40AM
i don't think i'm playing with fire, i'm using the console how it's supposed to be used.
360's now come with a heatsink. also all the better parts are being given to the Elite models.
i can't say that i have proof for you, but i've been doing fine with mine since june of this year.
as long as you give it some breathing room and don't enclose it you're fine.
belive me i went through 4 360s last year and gave up. then i heard reports that they were getting better more quiet. and it's true. i'm happy with my 360.
when the PS3 gets a few games i'm interested in, i'll get one too. it's about the games really, not how long you can leave your system on.
PS3s fall lineup just doesn't scream killer app to me. i like to own a system that plays games i like, not somthing that has "Potential".
bamf @ Oct 20th 2007 6:03PM
Halo 3 is only moving 360's the same way Halo 2 moved xbox's and just like Halo 2, the 360 is dependent on Halo 3 to carry the sales for the longetivity of the consoles life. For the xbox, Halo 2 wasn't enough to have a huge successful world-wide intall base. I don't think Halo 3 will do any better to shift 360's. You see a 500k sale in the month of September and maybe near that amount in October but November and December will no where be near that figures. Then when we go through the months of first quarter, you'll see the 360 shift around 100k a month while PS3 will be triple that every month.
Jay @ Oct 21st 2007 4:15AM
Actually XBOX will sell more in NOV, and DEC. When the rest of the orignal xbox owners who are mostly kids, will beg there parents for 360's and Halo3 :)
Just wait and see
Oh btw if sony doesn't sell anything big this holiday season you can kiss the MGS, and FF exclusiveness goodbye. The owners of Konami and Square are here to make a profit and don't care about fanboyism.
Ironhide @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:29AM
"Even Metal Gear does not have the overall general appeal that a game like Halo 3 has."
**Thank God for that! I'm personally thrilled that Sony won't be hanging their hat on a tired FPS shooter.**
You mean they aren't counting on Killzone to push ps3 sales? Yup, good thing the ps3 doesn't push tired fps games...
**The system was $600 when those games came out. My main point was the Microsoft needs to get that price down. A PS3 for $400 is a MUCH beter value than a 360 for $400. And what idiot would put games like Lair, Folklore and Heavenly sword in the same tier as MGS, FF13 and Gran Turismo? Oh you did, figures.
TheSh0wstopper**
Oh Showstopper, you clearly did not see the hopes and dreams of Sony being dashed as these titles did not even touch the sales numbers they had hoped it would. Sony compared these titles to MGS, Gran Tourismo etc.
Also consider that while titles like Gears of War and Halo 3 will be old news when MGS and GT are released, there will be tons of other titles out that will rival some of the best that the PS3 can offer. People are going to look at Gears of War and not see a two year old title but a pinicle title that showed the 360 is capable of holding it's own against all comers. Do you honestly look at greatest hits type games and say oh it's old so it's not worth picking up? Not a chance. I beefed up my ps2 game collection significantly, grabbing a few landmark games like Shadow of the Collosus amongst other games by picking up greatest hits.
If the PS3 can produce more than say 6-10 must have games they may just have a chance against the juggernaut that is 360. So far, I don't see anything on ps3 that I either can't get better on 360 or isn't all the hype it was cracked up to be. I'll get a 40gigger once I see some worthwhile games but MGS won't do it for me. Little Big Planet will make me buy one but not those titles that the fanboys are pinning thier hopes on. Lair and company were held very lofty indeed, and yet fell far in the eyes of many Sony fans. There aren't many big titles left for Sony as of late, so Sony better have some heavy weapons ready to fire if they want to at least hit stride with the 360.
Steve @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:20PM
Posted at 2:02PM on Oct 19th 2007 by Azza
"Also halo is the only thing positive for the 360"
...and the award for most idiotic fanboy coment of the day goes to Azza.
Frank @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:44PM
"Halo 3 is only moving 360's the same way Halo 2 moved xbox's and just like Halo 2, the 360 is dependent on Halo 3 to carry the sales for the longetivity of the consoles life. For the xbox, Halo 2 wasn't enough to have a huge successful world-wide intall base. I don't think Halo 3 will do any better to shift 360's. You see a 500k sale in the month of September and maybe near that amount in October but November and December will no where be near that figures. Then when we go through the months of first quarter, you'll see the 360 shift around 100k a month while PS3 will be triple that every month."
I don't think that logic is right. 360 sold 11-12 million before Halo 3 even launched. Those 11-12 million people weren't all buying in a year or two in advance for Halo 3, they were buying it for other titles. You'll see high steady sales for a few months, then a slight drop, but nowhere near the 100,000 mark. I expect them to stay in the 275-300k zone.