Hirai expecting 11 million console sales by fiscal year's end
by Nick Doerr 
{ Dec 16th 2007 at 5:00PM }
In addition to this lofty goal, Hirai says the PS3 is going to start again as a console to play games on -- their strategy is moving off of pricing and into software. This is a good move, since the console on its own has started outselling the Wii in Japan (November numbers were surprising, though many will attribute it to the Wii shortage that never ends) and tripled sales in the US. Hirai finishes by saying Sony's game division is expected to be back in the black in 2008. We look forward to seeing if he's right!
[Thanks, SonyFanboy!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Thoas @ Dec 16th 2007 5:47PM
it's possible
ChodalBerryWagon @ Dec 16th 2007 6:08PM
I guess its logical.
They sold about 5.5 mil in 1 year of no games and a high price, and they're planning to sell another 5.5 mil in half a year of good games and a good price.
At first it sounded ridiculous, but now I'm thinking that it's possible.
The1 @ Dec 16th 2007 6:18PM
When is the end of their Fiscal year?
Ciaran @ Dec 16th 2007 6:28PM
At the end of spring.
It is very possible. Look at what games are coming out Haze, Home (It's not a game but still...), GTA IV and many others. I could see this happen.
Darko @ Dec 16th 2007 6:30PM
Unless their fiscal year just started I'd say they're on crack... but then again thats common knowledge. Seriously though sony execs need to be forbidden from making any type of statements, ever. I swear, their stock probably drops a couple bucks every time one of these guys open their mouths.
Kenology @ Dec 16th 2007 8:02PM
"...since the console on its own has started outselling the Wii in Japan"
lol @ "*started* outselling the Wii"... Judging how Wii more than doubled that November sales gap between it and the PS3 just one week (last week), I'm not so sure we can expect that to be sustained. We'll see what GT5:Prologue can do for hardware. But I'm a bit skeptical of the extent of its impact in the face of Wii Fit.
Popfrogs @ Dec 17th 2007 2:30AM
You honestly think Wii Fit will hurt PS3 sales...or even boost Wii sales? Wow dude. This video says it all. http://www.sarcasticgamer.com/2007/07/twisted-trailer-wii-fit-parody.html
Kenology @ Dec 17th 2007 12:06PM
Popfrogs - that is not what I said, my friend!
Also, I have no interest in Wii Fit myself, but parody video or not, Wii Fit is owning Japan right now - as evidenced by the past three Media Create charts.
Organic_Shadow @ Dec 16th 2007 9:03PM
Isn't this an old quote? I thought he originally said this in a post-E3 interview in a hotel room with some press and Tretton? No?
In either case I don't think it will happen. I think 8-10 is possible but not 11mil. LBP got delayed, supposedly, and there isn't a whole lot of anything on any consoles coming out between now and the summer drought anyway.
Frank @ Dec 16th 2007 10:45PM
Not a chance this will happen.
Draco @ Dec 16th 2007 11:10PM
what are they at now? like 7 or something? fiscal year end is in March, that leaves 3 and a half months including December Christmas season and January gift cert spending.
its possible, it is an expectation, I expect it to get to around that amount.
acedoh @ Dec 16th 2007 11:51PM
This is far from impossible but these great sales now will die down by January. By the end of 2007 the PS3 should be over 8 million. With less than 3 million in four months it's far from impossible. Gran Turismo Prologue well have a great effect in Japan just as Grand Theft Auto and Haze will help the PS3 greatly here in North America and Europe. I still think they will need another price drop in six months to really get the ball rolling.
mccomber @ Dec 17th 2007 3:44AM
This is completely possible if they are able to keep any of the momentum they've had going into the holiday season going through the post-season. Time will tell, but I think they'll make it.
Sauvage @ Dec 17th 2007 5:32AM
I would be surprised if PS3 hits 11 Million by March. Not impossible, but unlikely. But I really think that by November 2008 the race will be between Nintendo and Sony as PS2 owners finally cough up for a PS3 and HD-TV.
Maybe Microsoft will surprise me, but I seriously doubt it.
samfish @ Dec 17th 2007 9:47AM
I don't think it'll happen. 9 million seems reasonably optimistic, but there really isn't anything coming out that would inspire sales except MGS4...which I personally think will be more akin to Metroid on the Wii.
Dehshizknight @ Dec 17th 2007 7:25PM
I think they will reach 11 million sales because, you have to admit, that the most hyped games for PS3 (Killzone 2, Haze, Little Big Planet, Metal Gear Solid 4, Grand Theft Auto IV, etc.) are going to come out the beginning of next year.