Analysts see a brighter future for PS3

by Andrew Yoon { Dec 3rd 2007 at 11:15AM }

It's taken awhile, but business analysts are now confident in Sony's future. The past few months have been a great turnaround for Sony, with a successful new ad campaign, new marketable price point, and selection of great exclusives and multplatform titles. So, what does the future hold? A lot. 2008 is going to be a great year for Sony, and analysts can agree.

Hiroshi Kamide from KBC Securities said Sony is "making up lost ground ... Going forward another 12 months or so I'm sure we'll see better titles turning up as well." Could some of those titles include Killzone 2, Metal Gear Solid, and LittleBigPlanet? Macquarie Security's David Gibson added, "It's certainly a sign that the momentum of the PS3 business is improving ... The PS3 and the games business is past the worst in terms of financial losses and the sales momentum is improving because of the price cut and the new model."

There are even more titles to look forward to for Sony's black box next year. Certainly, the tides are changing. PS3 may not become "number one" next year, but it's certainly going to be a much better year for Sony fans.

Tags: analyst, analysts, ps3, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Dave @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:08PM

First! PS3 FTW! LAWZORZ!!!1!1!!11!!P

Larz @ Dec 4th 2007 7:37PM

Who let you out of your cage?

The PS3 is the first console I ever bought early on (usually wait 2 or 3 years). And I must say it's been a very pleasing experience. I keep thinking about getting a 360 but the value is poor by comparison. The best exclusives are on the PS3, and cross-platform games I'd rather play on PS3 since the controller is more comfortable and I know the hardware isn't going to up and die at any moment. Once the 360 gets cheaper or has some really interesting exclusives I'll definitely grab one.

Organic_Shadow @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:14PM

The worst financial losses ARE over now, regardless of how many people still think Sony is losing MORE money on the 40gb than they were before. They dropped the price because they lowered cost. They are losing around the same amount of money as they were with $600 units in the beginning, if not less. Cost of manufacturing and parts has gone down over the year...

Anyway, my only concern right now is exclusives. Seems like multiplat is all the rage right now.

andyscout @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:39PM

@Organic_Shadow

Yeah, multiplat's is all the rage. What's worse is that many multiplatform games are developed on 360 and then ported to PS3, which lowers the quality of the PS3 version.

Leobebes @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:39PM

You mean like in the case of PS2 games being ported over to the original xbox?

Bobby @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:40PM

"PS3 may not become "number one" next year, but it's certainly going to be a much better year for Sony fans" ps3fanboy.com is admitting it thinks it wont prevail against the 360?? :(

Kenology @ Dec 3rd 2007 4:54PM

Nah, PS3Fanboy is only being realistic. Sony is going to have a great 2008 but it's just so far behind the Xbox360 and Wii... we're talking millions worldwide. It's not like the other two systems are going to stop selling because Sony will have a banner year.

mike @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:40PM

"Hiroshi Kamide from KBC Securities said Sony is "making up lost ground ..."

Maybe im misunderstanding this statement but they have not made up any lost ground wirldwide against the wii or 360, if you add it all up they have just fallen behind less than the last few months.. but they have still lost more ground

Zoesch @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:17PM

Considering that Wii is number 1 and selling strongly (Just not as strong as before) then the PS3 is unlikely to be number 1 in 2008, as for the 360 it all depends on how hard it plateaus (If it does) next year and what the remaining 110 Million PS2 owners decide to do in 08 and 09.

Realistically I think this analysis is spot on, a bright future doesn't mean overtaking your competition straight away but it means profitable growth.

Josh Hughes @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:41PM

Once more and more exclusive games show higher interest (and, hopefully, higher sales) as well as their usually higher quality, multi plat will lost its' steam for the most part---you already see some studios like Free Radical opting for single console development while others, like Epic, chosing to make their games for one at a time rather than doubling up (timed exclusives essentially)---when you do multi plat, 9 times out of 10 quality is the first victim, COD4 is the only one I can think of where that didn't happen.

Frank @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:46PM

Epic only made the ps3 version of Unreal first because of Microsoft's strict user-generated content. This is no way signifies "choosing to make their games for one at a time rather than doubling up (timed exclusives essentially)"

Noshino @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:48PM

err...Frank, it does...they could have just delayed the PS3 version til they were able to get the "ok" from Microsoft, they didn't want to do that, so yes, they did decide to make the game "one-at-a-time"

Mezstizo @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:04PM

Editors and Analysts are trying so hard to create positive spin for the PS3 but I just don't see it appealing to the consumer. From where I'm at, I see people buying the PS3 mostly for it's Blu-ray player. If you look at vgchartz you will see that PS3 games are not selling well. It's not wonder that developer are more interested in the 360. I'm shocked to see that High School Musical Sing it! for the Wii is currently outselling a great game like Uncharted.

Sora57 @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:07PM

Mezstizo: what are the Uncharted sales at now?

Efeez1986 @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:53PM

I hate how everybody doubts the PS3. PS3 is outselling 360 everywhere in the world except America. Even recently in Japan, the PS3 has been outselling Wii on a weekly basis. Everybody knows their getting the best hardware, and the best features when they buy PS3, and of course the best games. Microsoft has been throwing their money around trying to buy every exclusive they can, and they still can't fuck with PS3 exclusives(MGS 4, Killzone2, Haze, FF 13, Vs 13 and so on). There's also a big misconception that 360 has tons of great games, WRONG! They only have 4 great exclusives in a 2 year cycle, and PS3 has 6 in a 1 year cycle. Stop saying PS3 doesn't have any games, because there lineup looks pretty impressive to me for the 1st year:Uncharted, Heavenly Sword, Warhawk, Resistance, MotorStorm, Ratchet and Clank plus all the multiplatform titles. Don't forget the fact that Unreal Tournament 3 comes out for PS3 December 10, 360 isn't getting it until late next year or even 2009.

Leobebes @ Dec 3rd 2007 4:02PM

Dude I know you said what you said out of frustration because there is the perception that the PS3 isn't the dominant console this generation. But you need to give credit where credit is due. Sure the PS3 has Blue Ray, but give credit to the 360 for launching a year earlier and still putting out visually stunning games. Also the whole 4 360 AAA to 6 AAA PS3 titles is opinion. Remember that for a whole year Oblivion , ghost recon, and rainbow six vegas were 360 exclusives. Just be happy that Sony rebounded this holiday somewhat, there is a reason the 360 is on top in terms of the higher end machine sales. They have put out a good product as well, so has Sony. Its great for all us gamers!

Mezstizo @ Dec 3rd 2007 6:10PM

Games like Uncharted in two weeks have only sold 130k. COD4 X360=1.6m & COD4 PS3=800k
Even stores seem to be pushing X360 product more than the PS3. I see that Circuit City is selling the 360 version of COD4 for only 39 buck this week. Why not the PS3 version too? I often see more sales for the 360 versions of games but not PS3. Is this a conspiracy against Sony?

Ether02 @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:33PM

no, it just means that there are more 360's out there than ps3 , and most multi plat games perform better on 360 and people like achievements. But I have to admit ps3 owners don't buy too many games based on the sales of a++ ps3 exclusives compared to multi platform games like assassin creed and COD4 on the ps3. As for me I have bought all of sony exclusive games b/c to me they offer insane movie like quality and production values compared to games on other consoles.

BTitty @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:35PM

Why would they put a sale on items that are selling(bigger user base), you normally mark down items that are hard to sell(smaller user base) to generate more sales of said item. Now, I'm not saying that 360 games are hard to sell, but maybe there is something else to it. Only other option is they are enticing people to buy a system or for the larger user base to come to their store and purchase other products. More often then not the former outwieghs the latter.

TheSh0wstopper @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:33PM

""There's also a big misconception that 360 has tons of great games, WRONG!"

No not wrong. 360 does have a ton of great games. As far as those 4 exclusives go do you mean:
Bioshock, Halo 3, Gears of War, Mass Effect, Crackdown, Overlord, Blue Dragon, Project Gotham, Forza, Ace Combat 6, Saints row, Dead Rising, etc, etc..
Now I was no math major in school but that seems like a lot more than 4, and I left out a bunch of other games (C&c3, Chromehounds, Hitman, Wait im doing it again). Not to mention the fact that 95% of multiplat games are better on the 360.
I own both systems and currently have over 30 games on 360 but only 6 on PS3. At the moment 360's lineup craps over PS3's. Sorry dude try again.

-TheSh0wstopper

Noshino @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:54PM

TheSh0wstopper,

That is what I hate about Microsoft, their "exclusives" aren't really exclusives, hell, some of the games you mentioned are already in PC with much more content and at a better price....

That is why I loved my PS, N64, PS2, NGC, exclusives really mean exclusives...

you want to compare ports? what about we compare the 360 to the PS2 while it was still at an early stage? King Kong for example, you couldn't really tell the difference between them....

Sorry dude, try again

Frank @ Dec 3rd 2007 8:38PM

"That is what I hate about Microsoft, their "exclusives" aren't really exclusives, hell, some of the games you mentioned are already in PC with much more content and at a better price...."

I see...3 games out of like 12 that he listed that are on PC, although I could be off. And if you think releasing a game on PC along with a console somehow makes it "not as good", you're an idiot. It's just stupid fanboyism to claim a game isn't "exclusive" if they release it along with a PC version. In this "console war" we're in, PC are an entirely different subject, and shouldn't be considered.

Donato @ Dec 3rd 2007 4:20PM

Same thing I have heard for the past year...the future looks brighter. I guess the present is overrated.

Darkdrium777 @ Dec 3rd 2007 4:57PM

Hahaha lol I guess so...

Joe @ Dec 3rd 2007 8:58PM

since the past year, things did get better for Sony even with a sketchy line up. now with heavy hitters such as MGS4 and Killzone 2, and FF13 and Tekken, and GT5, and White Knight Story, and maybe Little Big Planet, and etc, how can you not be optimistic? those are familiar franchises, as oppose to new ip's that dominated the ps3 library of exclusives. I know, i know - r&c didn't sell well, and i really don't know why. I'm still enjoying it, since i haven't finished it.

Those titles make the present feel insignificant, in terms of gaming on the ps3.

Ether02 @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:33PM

Dizz @ Dec 3rd 2007 6:12PM

What not a lot of people realize is that sony only needs to sale enough PS3's to make blu-ray the winner. because even if they do come in 3rd place as long as they make a profit off the PS3 and make blu-ray the standard that means your next xbox most likely will have to include the blu-ray drive which is putting money in sony's pockets anyway. not they will make money off the PS4 and somewhat off the next xbox (if it includes the blu-ray drive) but its a big gamble on sony, because if they dont make a profit and blu-ray is not the standard then the lost in two areas

Donato @ Dec 3rd 2007 7:52PM

I love how Sony believes that after the holiday season, the 360 will just keil over and die because all of the exclusives are spent. NEWSFLASH they will still make great exclusives. Games in 08 include
highly anticipated titles like Ninja Gaiden II, Halo Wars, Too Human and Fable 2. Concerining GTAIV, Microsoft already got the rights to DLC and the game will benefit Microsoft because of the heavy installation base. Also, hasn't MGS4 been delayed to like June or somethin. I rest my case.

Myke @ Dec 3rd 2007 8:51PM

Sony doesnt think that M$ will die over... Most of the gaming world thinks that. M$ wont win anything if they cant sell outside of America. Have you heard of the term "Global or International"? You're right, M$ has NG2 which doesnt really graphically better than Sigma and the very very very delayed Too Human. You forgot about the FF rip-off Lost Oddessy. Also, Metal Gear, i mean, Splinter Cell: Convicton....wait nevermind. That got delayed to Fiscal Year 09.....

Anyway, Sony has the bigges games releasing on PS3:
MGS4
KZ2
FFXIII
LBP
GT5

And there are still more exclusives I didnt feel like naming. I'm sorry dude but face the facts. The 360 will NOT get any better than what you've experienced so far and most of the games they have such as Forza, Lost Oddessy and etc are they're nothing but PS rip-offs. With Sony's releases next year plus HOME, the PS3 will dominate 2008. Sucks to be you!

Happy Holidays!

TheSh0wstopper @ Dec 4th 2007 8:46AM

@Myke,

Dude, are you bugging. Why are those games rip offs of Playstation games? Forza is a racing game, Gt is a racing game that makes it a rip off? Lost Odyssey is a rpg and so is FF but if you have been following that game at all I dont see how you can call it a rip off. Thats like calling White Knight a rip off of FF or Zelda. Also, Who says FF is coming out IN THE US next year? I am a REAL FF player and have owned and ended all of them since the original on NES. If you know anything about FF games you would know about THE HUGE GAP between the Jap releases and the US releases. If FF comes out in Jap in March (which I doubt) it still would not reach US this year. GT5, I bet that wont be out next year either, thats why they are releasing Prologue to hold people over. MGS4 will be awesome, I am confident KZ2 will be good (though the first one sucked). You didnt mention a few nice exclusives for sony: Socom, White Knight story, that game like infamous (I cant remember the name), Tekken, and a few others. Next year will be sweet for Sony but it will be sweet for MS as well.

With a bunch of great games coming out for both systems next year i'm glad I HAVE BOTH so that I can just get all of the good games instead of trying to convince myself that my 1 platform that delays anything worth mentioning is the end-all be-all of gaming.
SUCKS TO BE YOU!!!
HAPPY HOLIDAY!!!