PS3 moves 1.2 million over the holiday season

by Nick Doerr { Jan 7th 2008 at 1:00AM }

Maybe we're remembering incorrectly, but we weren't sure if the PS3 could move one million units across the holiday season. If that's what we were doubting, we have to eat our words. In a press release, Sony announced their hardware sales and the PS3 moved 1.2 million hardware units in the holiday season (November 23 - December 31, 2007).

The good news for Sony doesn't end there. The PSP moved 1.4 million units and the ancient, wise PS2 managed to keep up with its brethren, moving over 1.3 million units in this, it's eighth holiday season. In recognition of this success, SCEA bigwig Jack Tretton said "The PlayStation brand ended the year in a very strong position and clearly indicates more positive momentum going into 2008. We are particularly pleased to have sold through 1.2 million units of PS3 during the holiday selling season." We're proud too, Sony. Excellent work.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Organic_Shadow @ Jan 7th 2008 1:05AM

So no roundabout number as to how many PS3's are in consumer homes yet?

My guess is ~8 million or so. Almost six around September, so Nov + Dec + Jan gift card spending...

Dehshizknight @ Jan 7th 2008 2:48AM

This data is since Black Friday, not the whole season.

Rich0841 @ Jan 7th 2008 1:06AM

Sweet, PS3 is starting to get some attention finally...

Nick @ Jan 7th 2008 1:09AM

Keyword there... "Moved"

Now remember people moved means shipped NOT sold. Yet again Sony trying to fudge reality. But they also mention Sold so who knows... In the end I would take anything from the PR department at Sony with a cup of salt.

btw i have a ps3. I bought one at launch sold it and bought one again over this past holiday after they finally released some worthwhile games...

leiwei @ Jan 7th 2008 1:14AM

Maybe moved means sold in this context.

"The PSP moved 1.4 million units and the ancient, wise PS2 managed to keep up with its brethren, moving over 1.3 million units in this, it's eighth holiday season"

I don't understand why they'd be shipping 1.3 million units of PS2s around the world.

Nick @ Jan 7th 2008 1:24AM

shipping to stores, thats what it would mean. sony pulls out the moved or shipped stats out a lot when they want to show so called "market share growth" to try and show that they aren't doing poorly. I'm not saying sony is doing bad, they are actually doing a lot better then last year but hell almost any company can improve on the major failure that was the PS3 launch. In the end its to make the shareholders happy and if they are happy Sony is happy. Remember they only care about the consumer when they really really piss them off.

/rant off

JJ @ Jan 7th 2008 1:54AM

You do realize that ALL 3 (Ninty, MS, Sony) use shipped numbers right?

Because shipped numbers, to them, is sold merchandise (sold to stores that is) so they already got their money, now its up to the individual store to move the product to the end user.

But as far as the Mfr. is concerned, its a sold product.

Hyams @ Jan 7th 2008 8:30AM

Sony didn't exactly fail. They may not have done as well as they hoped they would, but the PS3 still sold more consoles in its first year than the 360 did.

The PS3 is selling better than the 360 is. The 360 only has a higher total sales because it's been out twice as long, and over time this gap will shrink.

Zombie Huggles @ Jan 7th 2008 11:36AM

Finally? You didn't think Resistance was a worth-while game? I admit, there was a dry season through spring, and for me, through the summer too. I essentially used my PS3 has a bluray player and snazzier PS2.

It's fun to think that PS2 still sells well. You know, when Gamecube released in Japan, the Playstation 1 was out selling it. When Nintendo didn't understand Sony's approach to the next-gen, it's because the PS2 was still doing amazing, Sony can take their time with PS3...though i wished they'd release Home sooner. Point is, Nintendo had to abandon the Gamecube and Microsoft did so with the Xbox to force more 360 buyers. Sony is the only company that didn't force people to buy a new expensive machine to continue playing great games. God of War 2; would it have been a system seller for PS3? Sure, but why cut out so many people from the experience? Now PS3 and PS2 users can enjoy one of the greatest action adventures games on the market.

mr judg @ Jan 7th 2008 1:12AM

Awesome stuff...

btw people. hit up the Japan store

Yakuza 3 demo just gone online.. its in 2 files due japan ps-store limit

sinister @ Jan 7th 2008 1:13AM

"We are particularly pleased to have SOLD through 1.2 million units of PS3 during the holiday selling season."

leiwei @ Jan 7th 2008 1:20AM

must be old news but wow they have a pixel junk monster theme on the japan store.

mercyfulfate @ Jan 8th 2008 1:31AM

nick, do I detect some sort of xbox fanboism emerging here? The playstation 3 has been getting a lot of attention lately, from developers, gamers.. etc. I was in a store, little kid who already has an xbox.. his mom was in there looking for a wii for xmas.. they didnt have any, and he was like ... i want a playstation 3... while she tried to force ds and xbox games onto him. even that is a sign of the changing times. The wii shortages, plus the availablity/selling out of ps3 systems is a very good sign. I even know loyal xbox fruitties that are starting to want to play ps3.

ndoerr @ Jan 7th 2008 11:03AM

I'm just being level-headed and realistic. Objective, et cetera. For the record, I don't even own a Microsoft console. Probably never will. Not because of some personal vendetta, but because I just don't like the style of games that come out on their systems. I suppose I'm not a big Western gamer.

CloudyFuture @ Jan 7th 2008 2:16AM

from other articles talking about this they say sold or sales not moved or shipped.....not to mention that these numbers are NA only from what I understand.....any one know if thats true or not ? .....

One things for sure dec NPD numbers should be interesting I think.....

Waldex @ Jan 7th 2008 2:54AM

We are right behind you black monster! blow them all!!

jango fett @ Jan 7th 2008 3:09AM

video game consoles suck. Bring on minority report like life! ;)

jango fett @ Jan 7th 2008 3:11AM

by the way, ¿how much has the psp sold since it was first released?

sammy @ Jan 7th 2008 4:25AM

Jack Tretton stated previously in an interview which was mentioned on this site a month or so back, he counts as units sold to consumers and not shipped to stores.

I think a lot of companies used shipping figures to blur the lines, but I think the number of units does not sound unthinkable for this high sales period. I imagine Xbox and Wii did better personally, although I still think it a good sign for Sony as I don't feel they have hit their stride yet.

Ryan @ Jan 7th 2008 6:41AM

this is great but most of those sales were in japan and not in the USA. we need to catch up to the 360.
3 and a half million ps3s are in usa. and 10 million 360s in usa.
U CAN DO IT PS3 ur doing better than the 360 did last year.
April will be a big month for sales for the ps3.

jtedesco33 @ Jan 7th 2008 9:44AM

It is great News but MS PR numbers say they sold around 7 million consoles during the holiday period. There is still a lot of mountain left to climb. Although there are no notable 1st party exclusives for MS during 2008 at least yet. So far 2008 is shaping up to be a catch up year for Sony as long as they keep gettin exclusives!

brazen @ Jan 7th 2008 4:15PM

Just to clarify - This is not including worldwide sales, only North America. http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080107/japan_sony_playstation.html

Starfire @ Jan 7th 2008 8:07AM

That's great news, even if it's only the shipped ones. Kinda surprising that they still sell the PS2 so well, I suppose it's that huge games library. I have a PS2-compatible PS3, but it just feels strange playing old, low-resolution games on it.

sheamus @ Jan 7th 2008 8:21AM

I would not be surpised to see the PS3 mactch the 360 within a year or two. But it will do it without NA. Consistently the 360 outsells PS3 everymonth in the US. NA gamers care about online more than others, and the 360 is still a ways ahead. Becuase of that 360'rs don't want to leave that community, and organizing a mass exodus of their buddies ain't easy. You may see a lot of 360 owners buy PS3's for the exclusives, but they will still by the multi-console games on 360, which in the end helps sony very little.

But I think europe and Japan will be able to carry the load.

~S

Brucie B @ Jan 7th 2008 8:25AM

I Got 1!!! Yay
But No Games...

Hyams @ Jan 7th 2008 8:32AM

Well ... go out and buy some then. ^_^

I recommend:

Uncharted
Ratchet and Clank
Warhawk
Heavenly Sword
Resistance
Motorstorm
Ninja Gaiden
Unreal Tournament 3
Folklore

RCW @ Jan 7th 2008 8:39AM

Good north american numbers, especially since PS3 is kicking the 360's ass in Japan and Europe.

marklar @ Jan 7th 2008 12:48PM

it doesn't matter cause "everyone knows that Japanese people don't have souls" :P

Kspraydad @ Jan 7th 2008 8:56AM

The accounting definition of SOLD THROUGH, which Jack Tretton used in his comment, is SOLD TO CUSTOMERS.

There is ZERO ambiguity with the term SOLD THROUGH.

Musiczone @ Jan 7th 2008 9:33AM

The biggest question is though, how many consoles did Wii and 360 sell. I hope Sony atleast got closer to them.

Hyams @ Jan 7th 2008 9:45AM

Given that this is American sales we're talking about, I'd imagine the 360 sold far more than PS3.

Byron517 @ Jan 7th 2008 10:14AM

HA!! This is awesome news!! Hopefully the PS3 can keep this going and really do well this coming year!! I'm looking forward to see what the future has in store for Black Monster!! Keep it going SONY!!

Los Havros @ Jan 7th 2008 11:01AM

I take it that this data is U.S. only. It'll be interesting to see what worldwide figures are for the entire holiday season. I mention this as I live in the UK, and quite a few mates (including myself) got a PS3 over the holiday period. Mostly the 40Gb model. Looks like Sony's adjusted model and pricing has paid off.