Ben-DutkaNo offense to EA Sports or anything, but any month where two versions of NCAA Football 11 top the charts is a slow one for the industry. Don't get mad, EA; we're just making a point…besides, we like your game .
Anyway, even though July proved to be a pretty uninteresting month from a gamer's standpoint, it was a good one from an analyst/business standpoint. This is because despite the prediction that July would see another steep decline, July turned out to be almost flat, falling only 1% in the year-over-year comparison. If you look at the hardware, that section actually saw a 12% increase and for one of the first times since September of 2007 (when Halo 3 launched), the Xbox 360 claimed the top spot with 443,500 units sold. Unsurprisingly, the introduction of the new slim 360 along with a $50 price drop for older versions helped it to beat out the Nintendo DS (398,400) and the Wii (253,900). The PS3 sold 214,500 while the PSP moved only around 84,000 units.
Software fell 8% to $403.3 million for the month, although the aforementioned NCAA Football 11 dominated the charts. Accessories fell 2%. Other games high on the monthly chart were Crackdown 2 , Super Mario Galaxy 2 , and LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 . For Sony's part, they note that the PS3 enjoyed its 12th consecutive month of year-over-year growth, and there are currently 13 million PS3 systems in US homes. And actually, those 214,500 consoles sold in July represent a 76% increase compared to July 2009, and PS3 sales are up 45% year-to-date (Jan-July 09 vs. Jan-July 10). Said Patrick Seybold, SCEA Senior Director of Corporate Communications:
"With the holidays just around the corner, there’s no question the critical role video games will play to drive consumer interest and entertainment spend this season. We know consumers are looking for more reasons to gather in their living rooms and are looking for content options that are compelling, relevant and offer fun for the entire family. PlayStation is the best company to deliver this total entertainment solution for every consumer. We’re also amply prepared to feed the consumer demand with new innovations like PlayStation Move coming next month, and unbelievably realistic 3D gaming experiences like Gran Turismo 5, in addition to anticipated games such as LittleBigPlanet 2 and EyePet coming later this holiday."
Is this what they call summer drought?
Hmmm, I'm wondering why did they're not showing any figures for the PS2? Is it finally falling flat, or is it another reason.
If that is the case, maybe Sony might bring out their PS2 emulator by next year, that they had been trying to work on, & had applied for a patent earlier.
Last edited by BikerSaint on 8/12/2010 10:02:16 PM
I think the NPD has stopped tracking the PS2.
Well let us all keep praying for that to happen!
I mean the PS2 emulator thing…I still think PS2 is the best console out there with its MASSIVE Collection of awesome games.
Last edited by shadowpal2 on 8/12/2010 10:15:21 PM
Looks like a lot of x360's broke down in July. Must be this heat wave.
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 8/12/2010 10:08:06 PM
DAMN a year of growth – nice!
"Is this what they call summer drought?"
You do understand that video game industry have been in recession-mode over 1 1/2 years now, right? Why do you think there have been month over months flats ever 2008?
Anyhow these month over months flats that the industry have been experiencing tells me one thing…gamers are finding other things to do with their money other than just investing it in games. Sad part about its going to get worst given the fact gamers are over the $60 price tags and the release tend to be sequels.
Month over month, PS3 is up.
Please everyone, when discussing these numbers, remember that NPD tracks the North American market only (in fact I think it's the US market only) so these numbers only reflect what happens in the US.
good heads up. I'm not sure how England is doing, but the US is experiencing more loss and recession than most countries out there. Canada has been on the rise the past year and a half, although Ontario just experienced net job loss this past month. But this month was an exception.
Well according to the hard nosed corporate economists where I work, the US went into recession earlier than is officially recognized, and is paying for years of poor policy that supported empty Wall Street economic 'growth' while ignoring a gradual manufacturing decline, and promoted tax cuts without tackling government spending. In their view, the US recession was deeper than most, longer than most, and recovery will be slower here than elsewhere. :/
Only 400 million? Whatever will we do?
I don't see how the Wii and 360 can do better this holiday season, for 12 mounths now the PS3 has been climbing in sells, and the 360 and wii are evening out. really, really soon Sony will pass up in the sells and the 360 and wii will rapidly decline on the charts.
Xbox has the new Halo(the last with bungie) so that should be a good mounth for them, but that is it.
Will there ever be another Halo and if there is will it be a Xbox exclusive again?
Technically M$ owns Halo I believe and so there will never be a halo on a non M$ console.
Which is fine with me, they've been sliding downhill ever since the first one.
I really want to see the PS3 take first place during the Fall and Winter seasons.
I predict the ps3 will see a drop next month in terms of hardware sales, due to sept 2009 being the month the ps3 slim came out. Ben and everyone get ready for the media to be calling stories about how the ps3 slim has "finally died out". Can't wait to see what destructoid headline will be.
I'm not sure about that, september this year is when PS move comes out and while it might not be as huge, it could surprise us.
Not only is Move coming in September, but Sony's line up of major titles for the period from September through January is quite attractive – led of course by GT5 and LBP2. Those two should drive a gentle rise in unit sales.
These numbers are nice and all, but considering it only shows U.S. sales, all it can really tell you is that there are a lot of dumb people in this country willing to replace their broken 360's way too often.
It shows people in the U.S. are starting to see how great the ps3 is, but slower than they should.
Don't forget that only the new 360 squats are Kenect enabled, so that's why this sudden mad spurt of squatters buying the new 360's.
Plus factor in the $50 price drop on all their original "double 180's"(anyway you look at it, they're still just spinning in a complete circle).
Also, Gamestop's giving $200 if they trade in their older model for a new Kenect enabled Squat. And in the same token, just how many gamers do you know that would part with their beloved 60 giggers for a new slim PS3???
Then add in all the 360 re-buys due to RRODS & the new Squat's REOD's, plus don't forget that MS also banned over a million modded boxes too.
But none of the NPD numberswill show you any of that either.
And if it wasn't for all the above, I think most of the squatter's would have probably evicted the new bot-box.
Last edited by BikerSaint on 8/13/2010 3:59:41 PM
dam straight its been a slow month!
cant believe im saying this but the best game to release last month was crackdown 2!
shudder………… i suddenly feel so dirty!
Dude I would rather play ncaa football than crackdown 2.
Plus july had persona 3 portable, dragon quest IX, deathspank, star craft II WOL, heck I'd rather play clash of the titans than crackdown 2.
mowing down freaks, flipping cars with the agency supercar, or driving the 4WD up buildings is 10 times more fun than all those games put together!
it may of been a 100 AUD expansion pack, but i have to admit it was allot of fun!
Can't wait for September 10th(EU Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep release) and November(when things start picking up a again).
Btw, I got some PSN cash yesterday and used it to buy the first Crash Bandicoot, the Flower dynamic theme and the Flower soundtrack(which is a greatly relaxing combo, I keep my PS3 on all the time now). Anyway, I have just enough money left for one Final Fantasy game, so, before I go to work, I'll ask you guys to discuss which one is best or just give your votes, here or through the Playstation for any one who has me in their friend list (anyone who doesn't: PSN = FullmetalX10)
Final Fantasy VII or Final Fantasy VIII?
Last edited by FullmetalX10 on 8/13/2010 5:10:51 AM
FFVII, dude. Come on. 😉
-Arvis
Depends on your tastes. But if you want to get involved in a deep engaging story over a couple titles, FFVII is the only one with a compilation. I suggest picking up the advent children blu-ray if you get FFVII the game. It's a really long and deep storyline.
The only downside to FFVII is the dialogue. They could have done wonders. It felt rushed. (Which actually, if anyone remembers the FFVII original release, it was rushed.)
Get VII, its so good. It does everything right, from the magic to the weapons, the armor, and the combat. It's just great.
FF VII it is with a 6-2 win.
Also FF Advent Children is awesome, I've seen the regular one first and when it released, the extended blu-ray one 😀
Holy crap, if you've seen the extended blu-ray and the special features on it, why the heck WOULDN'T you get FFVII?!?!
Final Fantasy 7 is the greatest video game ever made, according to me. Go with that one.
I don't know, I wanted to, never had any Playstation cash though, also began to doubt between VII and VIII for some reason.
Anyways, I'll go play it all day tomorrow and go check out The Expendables, since that just hit theaters in my region.
Last edited by FullmetalX10 on 8/13/2010 6:05:18 PM
I just cant wait to see ps3 sales once GT5 is released, the ps3 will BOOM!
That "Super Mario Galaxy 2" is a blast to play ! I bought a Wii just to play SMG 2! It's that good ! I doubt if Nintendo cares about how they stack up against MS and Sony since their core audience tends to be more family oriented type of games !
It's not fair to compare the Wii to the PS3 or 360 simply because both consoles are far more superior to the Wii !
In the adult category, PS3 and 360 should be winning ! I doubt if parents are rushing out to buy their 9 year olds a PS3 or 360 since the games tend to be more mature in nature !
Last edited by phade2blaq on 8/13/2010 7:03:43 AM
I imagine every die-hard Xbot replaced their RROD machine with a new unit last month. It wouldn't surprise me if only about 10% of those were purchased by new customers.
Yep. But that is how M$ft pads its numbers, making it seem like there are more 360s out there then there are.
Unfortunately for Sony, however, the telling numbers are games sales, where the 360 versions of games dominate over the PS3 versions.
Yes, there are that many achievement whores out there.
@Orvis man,
Remember that these numbers are the US only, and in the US the 360 does substantially outnumber the PS3. Probably not by as much as raw numbers suggest, but there is still a disparity here. So US software numbers look rosy for MS. Globally it's not so pretty. If you paid attention to EAs numbers and annual report, you'd have seen that they are quite thankful for the PS3 and it's growth. Once you start looking globally, the multi-platform game sales that look lopsided in the US are far more even, which considering the claimed numerical superiority of one platform over another, just doesn't add up.
nice to see the ps3 moving up more, with that new move bundle with a ps3 and larger harddrive that will defently sell loads I know I've tried to preorder and at least 4 of the store in my area can't take anymore preorders for this bundle 🙁 so i'll see what I decide to do.
Oh I would love to see a new KB commerical haven't seen one for a long time.
I want everyone to remember that hardware sales only count when the software sales for that console reflect it. It does seem like 360 software sales are a little better this week than last week, but overall it doesn't look like the software isn't keeping up with hardware sales. I don't mind the PS3 being in 3rd place this gen because it's a 3rd gen console with most all the offerings of a first place system. I just hate it when some preach the false picture that the PS3 is doing horrible when in reality it is a growing and viable platform.
Microsoft has done well in having their existing customers upgrade. I know one person who traded in all three of his older units for new ones.
I wonder what the timeframe outlook is for the PS3 to actual lead overall hardware sales in one month. The article seems to convey that the PS3 is doing great by its own standards but is still lagging behind in overall console sales standards. BTW I saw an article on CNN.com I believe, that states the PSP phone will be here in October. They had a mock version of it picture. That is the single most product I am looking forward to. I want a psp but I refuse to carry that and a phone at the same time.
Last edited by Amazingskillz on 8/13/2010 11:32:36 AM
It depends on whether your focus is US or globally. In Europe and especially Japan, the PS3 already leads. In the US the lead is substantial, but somewhat illusory since there are so many replacement 360s purchased, but it's impossible to quantify that number.
lol Wow, the PS3 got destroyed in sales.
That'll be why EA recently called out the PS3 specifically as being important to their revenue and success.
Hmm, just wondering, is this holiday season going be slow? The only game that will probably move units is GT5. I'm not too sure about anything else. 🙁
Little Big Planet 2 will shift consoles. Depending on how Move is received, it has the potential to move some consoles at Christmas.
in europe the ps3 and 360 numbers tend to be on an even keel, having said that though GT5 will lead a huge rise in unit sales for ps3 in Europe. GT has always been most popular in Europe and generally account for about 60% of GT series sales. Also i think the move will have a great launch in europe, we europeans love our niche gaming. look how well the sales of Singstar,Buzz and Eyepet have done in europe. They have all required some sort of etra Sony product to play them yet it hasent put us off.
I think the difference is that in general Europeans have a wider vocabulary of 'fun'. Personally I love SingStar and Buzz is fun enough. SingStar really doesn't get the sales it deserves State-side. But that may be because the music chosen for inclusion on the SongStore is typically not very well focused for the American market. Having a team in the US working on songs to cater to US audiences as well as the team(s) already in Europe, would help a great deal.
On a related note…..
Wii to Blame for Industry Software Slump, "Suffering from Console Saturation," says Pachter
http://www.industrygamers.com/news/wii-to-blame-for-industry-software-slump-suffering-from-console-saturation-says-pachter/
pachter is a idiot full stop!
he said antivision are going down and not even black ops can save them, he was saying antivision are not going to see the profit this year that they did last.
ummm, looks like someone forgot about the most anticipated game for the year, and probably for the century!
starcraft 2!
the original went on to sell 11 million units, and it looks like this is going to smash that!
sure, black ops wont sell as much as MW2 but starcraft 2 will!
SC2 + BO = more copies sold than everything antivision released last year!!!!!!!!!!
not to mention the other games they have or are releasing this year, like spider man or GH or DJH or singularity or TWFC.