SCEA's Peter Dille comments on GTA IV sales

by Andrew Yoon { May 12th 2008 at 10:00PM }

According to Level Up, the Xbox 360 version of Grand Theft Auto IV has been outselling the PS3 at nearly a 2-1 ratio, with 64% of sales going to Microsoft's platform, and 36% going to Sony's. Granted, this data comes from first week sales at GameStop, which will skew towards early-adopting hardcore gamers. Many had suggested that GTA was so strongly associated with the PlayStation brand that PS3 sales would boom from the release of the new GTA. Could this initial sales data suggest otherwise?

Peter Dille, senior VP of marketing at SCEA, thinks that this is a figure that Microsoft shouldn't deem as a victory. He says that any difference in sales is due to the difference of install bases. "There's a larger installed base right now on Xbox 360 than on PS3. So it's not surprising that there's going to be more selling on Xbox 360 than PS3. Having said that, we're really excited about the ratio. If I had an installed base advantage of 3-1, I wouldn't be crowing too much about a 60-40 sales advantage."

The coming weeks and months will start drawing in the more casual market to the game, a sector which the PS2 captured wholeheartedly in the last generation of consoles. "We think it's not as high as what GameStop's telling you, if you look at [the full picture on] the national level. They're outselling us, but not by that same margin, and it's because of their installed base lead. With an installed base lead that's close to 3-1, if you're bragging about a 60-40 software split, it's clear evidence that the PlayStation 3 consumer is overindexing on GTA IV, and the PlayStation brand loyalty that we've been talking about is bearing itself out in the marketplace as we speak."

Tags: gamestop, grand-theft-auto, grand-theft-auto-iv, gta, gtaiv, peter-dille, sales

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Ninjakamster (PSN: Chin-Poh) @ May 13th 2008 12:13AM

The episodic DLC was of course a big selling point for the 360 version and one reason I'd like to get a 360 later this year, also for the other many games for it of course.

PS360 FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jona @ May 12th 2008 10:28PM

If I had an install base disadvantage of 1:3 I wouldn't be trash talking a 2:1 loss.

Mike @ May 13th 2008 12:13AM

All i have to say about this is gta might be selling a tiny bit better for 360 is because more ppl have 360's then ps3's. Might i also add, It was a game for both systems wait till Metal gear and Home/littlebigplanet/resistance 2/killzone2 The ps3 sales will be crazy my best friend sold his 360 the first day he came over and played some ps3. I also had the 360 when it came out and the original xbox/ps2 as well. 360 your time is up your not coming out with anything but gears 2 and the ps3's power isn't even at its fullest potential yet. I am simply a gamer not a fanboy dont get me wrong 360 was an amazing console but its time is almost done. It is going to be like the ps2 now when 360 first came out you get what im saying? it will still have games it will still be a good console but not until its next system it will not surpass the ps3 simply because it was released before the ps3, and with the online being free and just as good as XBL PS3 is the best console out there. *whew* i can go on and on but i think ive gotten my point out.

Matt @ May 13th 2008 12:30AM

Whatever Mike. Dream on. Just like Lair and Heavenly Sword was going to help Sony take over the world.

Metal Gear Solid is a niche, hardcore game. Home isn't even a game and definitely is not a system seller. Little Big Planet is to PS3 what Viva Pinata was Xbox 360. Killzone 2, give me a break, like anyone cares about that game 3 years later.

You also have to realize that MS has never had a significant price drop and this year will be the year of the $299 Pro/Premium system, possibly the Elite, and the $199 Arcade/Core system.

hai2u @ May 13th 2008 1:50AM

I hate to break it to you Matt, but Metal Gear Solid and Socom may indeed be hardcore games, but they sold a hell of lot of PS2s and millions of copies of the games and the same will happen with the PS3. I'm no fanboy and I own both current systems, but in the long run the PS3 is the system to back. Mark my words.

Mike @ May 13th 2008 2:37AM

lol how can u diss the TOP games wait... EXCLUSIVES FOR THE PS3 WHEN You dont even have one! and if you do sell it you dont deserve one. you have no clue what your talking about go back to your 360fanboy website kuz thats what you are a FANBOY if you were a true gamer you would know that the ps3 is going to surpass the 360 in a matter of a year or less!! blue ray won the format war. ps3 is getting more exclusives then 360 ps3 has a MUCH BETTER FREE network imo and getting better its going to have movies and shows just like XBL its DL content is far better then XBLA imo. THE PS3 OWNS XBOX360 JUST FACE IT!!

Consolcwby @ May 13th 2008 3:11AM

@Matt: You forgot one game in your rant - Final Fantasy XIII... probably because you KNOW this will sell systems. Too bad for you that the 360 is almost obsolete. Maybe the next one will be able to play something 'next-gen'... or should I say CURRENT-GEN? (See, isn't it terrible to read a stupid rant from an insipid fanboy? Now you know how I feel reading your comment...) =P

JaseH @ May 13th 2008 9:28AM

Matt you're such a fanboy. You insult everything PS3, and yet you think anyone should take you seriously?

Surely everyone deserves the benifit of the doubt, but you really have become ridiculous.

Someone was complimenting the PS3 & explaining their opinions as to why they see a brighter future this year for the console.. and you reply... "dream on"...

I've come to the conclusion that you are very high denial, and you won't admit it even if your life depended on it. Before you start putting down PS3 titles for the year of 2008 & 2009, look at your own.

Please, do us all a favor, save the bullshit & go back to where you belong.

XBOX360Fanboy.com

__________________________________________
JaseH.

RemeberThe.357 @ May 12th 2008 10:41PM

I bought GTA IV on my PS3 for that exact reason.

Todd @ May 12th 2008 10:36PM

Grand Theft Auto is a ridiculously stupid game anyway.

Ninjakamster (PSN: Chin-Poh) @ May 12th 2008 11:30PM

I'll have to respectfully disagree with you.

Dehshizknight @ May 12th 2008 10:41PM

360 GTA: 3,297,606

PS3 GTA: 2,597,781

[Via VGChartz.com]

Considering that the install base is 3:1, PS3 sales are doing pretty good.

total.wimp @ May 13th 2008 9:14AM

vgchartz also gives weekly sales numbers for the consoles. Although US sales for PS3 and 360 have been very similar for quite a while, the PS3 is seeing significantly more of a boost in sales since GTA IV came out. I would expect to see the opposite if there was a clear preference for playing GTA on the 360.

Kurt @ May 12th 2008 10:43PM

I doubt that figure is actually correct. First week sales figures at GameStop *only* doesn't provide sufficient proof. Worldwide sales figures plz!

Dwag @ May 13th 2008 12:12AM

Dillie thats a lame ass excuse for why a suppose 'Playstation game' is losing to the 360

Well its expected from companies to use lameass excuse to defend there consoles.

playcrackthesky @ May 12th 2008 11:01PM

Who cares about american sales? Thats where xbots thrive.

Americans needs to embrace the ps3 more, but then again...americans need alot of thing.

Rest of the world will do the job for you.

Nrk @ May 12th 2008 11:30PM

LOL amen brother, but i would like to correct you on your last line

"Rest of the world will do the job for you. (Again)"

lol jking, their's many nice Americans. Too bad they got about 50 million idiots, im feeling for the nice Americans :(

kevin @ May 12th 2008 11:29PM

your totally right im in the us (im not american) and at school all my friends make fun of me because i own a ps3 and to be honest with you only another person in my school does and its the principal so ha pretty sweet owning him in call of duty 4 anyways your right im staying with sony and not leaving them in the rough times like these

hey_big_dck psn:fuliano626 @ May 12th 2008 11:33PM

like always....... playcrackthesky

playcrackthesky @ May 12th 2008 11:57PM

Nrk, I had again in my first write up but then I thought it was too harsh so I removed it =P

fuliano, sup mate ;)

Mike @ May 13th 2008 1:28AM

lol F those xbox noobs i have all 3 systems and im actually selling my 360 2 moro for ps3 games/reserves (im in the usa and im American ps3 is the best system yet!!) Take this from someone that has had a 360 since its launch i got tired of paying for service that is just as good on ps3 (and getting better) Im also selling it kuz theres no games comming out for 360 but gears 2 and halowars and like 2 human that was supposed to come out like 50 years ago ps3 is ganna take control in a year or so maybee less

Dwag @ May 13th 2008 12:12AM

don't know what happened to my first post but anyways I'm gonna assume I didn't post it here.

Well anyways Dillie seems to making excuses for something that was polled,predicted and everything else to happen.

360s GTA is overall selling more why cant they just feel happy that the game has such a huge install base on there system

Ninjakamster (PSN: Chin-Poh) @ May 13th 2008 12:12AM

What do you expect when the 360 has a higher install base and has the upcoming episodic exclusive DLC for their platform as a major selling point?

Hell, its a selling point for me. I'll get a 360 later this year for that and of course its many other games, provided I can get more time for gaming.

PS360 FTW!

Ether02 @ May 12th 2008 11:41PM

I'm American and I agree with you guys, lol its seems many of us embrace faulty hardware.

Consolcwby @ May 13th 2008 3:02AM

I'm american, and I embrace my PS3... every night. And I'd like you all to know that we're trying to have a little PSP one day!... I'm up for it! =D

Cornerman8 @ May 12th 2008 11:43PM

The PS3 is solidifying its position and that's all that really matters to me. Whether it beats MS or not is yet to be seen, but as long as it has strong marketshare, then I'm glad. That way, the games can keep coming. The experience offered by the Playstation brand would be sorely missed, if Sony fell off the map. MS has good games, but the variety (and quality of that variety) might never reach the studios Sony has in its corner. I love shooters, but that's not all I love. Strong software sales and increased relevance, only helps to reinsure that those experiences will continue to be offered.

On a side note (I know you're reading this Brian) - I told you, the PS3 has 2 bumps to make it through this year. 1) was GTA4 and 2) was Gears of War 2. The 360 will coast til Nov on 3rd party titles, with a big push on Gears in Nov. Sony will hang tough during the holidays, which will likely boost sales in Blu-ray and consoles. With Halo and Gears out of the way, Sony can really start to exploit MS. Course there may be some surprise megahits along the way from 3rd party games...i.e FallOut, FarCry, DeadSpace, maybe even Ghostbusters or Call of Duty 5. Everyone does well during the holidays, Christmas allows the 360 to coast. Watch it play out. Critical acclaim for MGS4 starts first. Socom gets a Warhawk-like score, LBP gets high scores...and we're at fever-pitch up until Resistance 2. By that time, you've defined the PS3 as a must-have for the holiday season.

Matt @ May 13th 2008 12:21AM

dream on

Cornerman8 @ May 12th 2008 11:51PM

Please excuse the idiotic among us...they kind of run the country right now...its a quantity over quality kind of thing. Between the president, the spoiled rich kids, flashy rapstars, disillusioned baby boomers, and foul-mouthed juvenile online gamers, its pretty hard to admit you're an American without being kicked, spit on, and booed out of the place. We're not all bad. Reasonable people are just outnumbered :-)

never$$hort @ May 13th 2008 4:55AM

Good job!! You summed that up perfectly!! My thoughts exactly.. :)

Mein Bratwurst @ May 13th 2008 4:58AM

The truth has been spoken.

Patrick @ May 13th 2008 8:58AM

If you think every foreigner is an angel and other governments are always better, you're welcome to move.

The_Doctor @ May 13th 2008 9:55AM

Patrick, I don't think that's what he was saying. He was saying that there are a lot of good people in America and we shouldn't let a few bad apples ruin it for the rest of the country.

I know that almost everyone outside the USA views you guys as resource hogging, Iraqi killing, own-point-of-view-enforcing yankees; but I, as an Australian, believe there is more to it then that. There are a lot of great minds in America and a lot of good comes out of that place. It's just that recently all the good is being fogged over by the bad.

adolson @ May 13th 2008 12:23AM

It doesn't shock me, considering PS3 "fanboys" bought the 360 version instead of the PS3 version.

Aozora @ May 13th 2008 1:47AM

The PS3 version has outsold 360 in Europe(according to VGchartz and Next-gen.Biz).

renegade @ May 13th 2008 1:54AM

I like it when analysts are wrong about anything.

Tony @ May 13th 2008 9:28AM

"What do you expect when the 360 has a higher install base and has the upcoming episodic exclusive DLC for their platform as a major selling point?"

A hell of a lot more than 60/40

?

Consolcwby @ May 13th 2008 3:12AM

See my above comment. =P

Consolcwby @ May 13th 2008 3:14AM

Meant that last one for Ninjakamster (PSN: Chin-Poh) aka A$$Hat.

pbognar @ May 13th 2008 4:01AM

GTA 4 for the xbox 360 isn't outselling the PS3 GTA 4 everywhere. I live in switzerland and you can't find PS3 GTA 4's in stores. They are totally sold out. However the stores are full with xbox 360 GTA 4. I think its diffrent in every country.

Afro_Dude @ May 13th 2008 9:38AM

Indeed. 3pm on launch day PS3 copies of Gta were sold out in my hometown, there were still lots of copies of gta for the 360, in 4 different stores I tried. I even tried looking in Dublin (I'm Irish but I dont live near Dublin) 2 days later & the PS3 versions were sold out there too, with plenty of copies for the 360 left.Now I'm no analyst, but that tells me the PS3 version is outselling the 360 one in Ireland. I'd predict a much closer ratio than 64 to 36 once you count global sales . . . .

Brodie-san @ May 13th 2008 6:26AM

I bought TWO copies of GTAIV for the PS3. One for me and one for my friend's birthday.

*offers himself up for some big love*

Oh, and Mike? Please invest in some commas. Reading that last post was like looking into the mind of a madman! (I'm joking!)
:)

Mike @ May 13th 2008 6:49AM

Didnt you know I AM A MADMAN!!!!!!

Langx @ May 13th 2008 7:35AM

I really feel for you fanboys on both sides.
I want to play the best games. I don't care what system it's on.

Your both missing out on great exclusives on both systems with your loyal ignorance towards two companies that really don't give a damn about you.

JimyD @ May 13th 2008 2:13PM

I agree. I know it might be a financial strain to own both consoles but it's well worth it. For example, I owned CoD4 for PS3 and could never get online to play multiplayer since the game always froze on me when trying to connect. I tried most of the troubleshooting tips that IW recommended but I play console games so I don't have to deal with this crap so I picked up the Xbox 360 version and now I'm locked and loaded with the great multiplayer on Xbox Live. I'll probably pick up GTA IV for the Xbox 360 since the PS3 has some tech problems, and I might opt for the DLC.

I enjoy my PS3 just as much as long as games run on it without problems. Insomniac gets it - Resistance multiplayer is great fun and runs without any issues. The same goes for Warhawk. Both systems have their benefits so why not make the best of it and enjoy them both?

Mike @ May 13th 2008 5:37PM

I want to play the best games too and there def on the PS3. 360 is getting nothing but gears 2 and Halo wars with the upcoming list of 360 games compared to ps3 games the ps3 is getting much more just go look for yourself at gamestop.com in the Soon to be released section is it really worth keeping that xbox for a couple of games youve basicly already played?? Like ive said please dont get me wrong i used to have every system out there i still got my wii and ps3 n just sold my xbox today actually for ps3 games/ reserves. I suggest you do the same with your xbox and sell it with all your games (i got like 400) and invest into that ps3. Sure xbox is a good console but its time is almost over and i dont want to be paying for service that is just as good as PSN to play a few games like halo or gears sorry i can be playing better games for free with much more of an exclusives collection....Peace..

45nm @ May 14th 2008 12:02AM

THANK YOU, atleast someone has better things to do in their spare time than start flaming another console hoping they get patted on the head by Sony/Microsoft...

Alex @ May 13th 2008 8:44AM

What I think is hilarious, and you see it in every single PS3 fanboy posting is how they always say "our system is just as good imo" and then go on to tell you about everything that is "going to be on their system" in the FUTURE! LOL PSN is awesome and one day we will be able to D/L movies and shows just like LIVE has been doing for over a year now. One day we will have home (been working on it for 3 years now) One day we will have Killzone 2, One day we will have MGS4. 360 people have been playing our great games for 2 years now. We have been enjoying EVERYTHING that MS has promised and all you guys can do is talk about what you will be enjoying. The PS3 has been out for over a year now and still not one of the really cool things that was promised to you by Sony has been delivered on. Have fun in NOVEMBER walking around ina virtual HOME! LMAO!

Aozora @ May 13th 2008 10:24AM

@Alex
I don't buy The 360 because it's the most unreliable piece of hardware and most of its best games are on PC.

Pirathonite @ May 13th 2008 10:39AM

Actually, I've enjoyed and still enjoying exclusive titles such as: Uncharted, Ratchet and Clank, Warhawk, Folklore, and Heavenly Sword, which all are pretty good.

It took two years for Bioshock, Halo 3, and Mass Effect to be released.

PS3 isn't even a year and a half years old yet and it still has a decent number of exclusives.