For the month of September, Microsoft was giving away a free, brand new game with every Xbox One sold. It’s a cool promotion, and it’s one that saw many Xbox One’s fly off the shelves. In fact, it’s one of the reasons Destiny – which was heavily advertised to the point of almost seeming like a PlayStation 4 exclusive – has moved so many copies on Xbox One. That promotion, however, was not enough to stop the PlayStation 4 from being the top selling console in the US for the 9th month running.
Console hardware sales were up 136 percent to $432.7 million from $183.4 million during September 2013 – that’s quite the jump, but hardly surprising seeing as the new systems weren’t out then. September was good month for consoles sales, seeing an overall 200 percent year-on-year increase. The PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One combined make up 85 % of the increase. While no concrete numbers are given, according to Geoff Keighley, PlayStation 4 sales tripled August’s numbers. For the record, industry professional guesser Michael Pachter was convinced the Xbox would “win” September on the back of its free game promotion.
Per PlayStation: PlayStation 4 won the month of September, nearly tripling August sales.
— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) October 16, 2014
As far as software goes, Destiny was the biggest seller, naturally – but year-on-year software sales are still down. That should be terribly surprising though; GTA V was released in September last year, and without much legacy behind it, Destiny’s hardly going to topple GTA sales. That’s not to say Destiny’s done poorly. In fact, it’s now confirmed as the best new IP launch for any game.
“The launch of Activision-published and Bungie-developed Destiny in September 2014 proved successful in a number of ways: year-to-date through September data it is the top-selling video game on a unit basis, making it the most successful launch of the year so far as well,” wrote NPD analyst Liam Callahan. “But an even more prestigious feat was the fact that Destiny had the best launch month of all-time for any new IP in video game software.”
According to the NPD, more copies of Destiny were sold on the Xbox One than any other platform – but that’s more factor of how NPD sales are calculated than anything else. While bundled copies of Destiny, included in the shiny PS4 bundle aren’t counted, the free ones given away with Xbox One sales are, skewing the numbers a bit. According to both Activision and Sony, The PlayStation 4 is the most popular platform for the game.
Here are the biggest sellers for September.
- Destiny (XBO, PS4, 360, PS3)
- Madden NFL 15 (360, PS4, PS3, XBO)
- FIFA 15 (PS4, 360, PS3, XBO, Wii, PSV, 3DS)
- Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS (3DS)
- Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (PS4, XBO, PC)
- NHL 15 (PS4, XBO, 360, PS3)
- Minecraft (360, PS3)
- The Sims 4 (PC)
- Disney Infinity 2.0 (360, PS3, NWU, PS4, XBO)
- Diablo III: Reaper of Souls (PS4, 360, PS3, XBO, PC)
As a reminder, the NPD only tracks physical retail sales, and as we move closer and closer to a world that relies on digital distribution, is fading further and further into irrelevance.
Last Updated: October 17, 2014
Captain JJ in the shadow
October 17, 2014 at 11:39
I still feel a bit underwhelmed with Shadow of Mordor. It looks fantastic and it’s definitely a lot of fun to play, but it’s not addictive.
Hammersteyn
October 17, 2014 at 11:44
Wow same here, so I rather played The Evil Within while PSN was down.
Admiral Chief 0
October 17, 2014 at 11:54
DOWN DOWN IN AN EARLIER ROUND!
Captain JJ in the shadow
October 17, 2014 at 11:57
I ended up playing some Valiant Hearts. Spiffy little game that.
Hammersteyn
October 17, 2014 at 13:10
Finished it a while ago, but well worth the money paid.
Travis
October 17, 2014 at 11:45
Im pretty sure Dragon Age Inquisition and The Witcher 3 will blow SoM out of the water.
Captain JJ in the shadow
October 17, 2014 at 11:57
I’m not sure about DA:I, but The Witcher 3 will no doubt. But Witcher is a lot more open world, which you can’t really compare directly with SoM
veggiesaurus ZA
October 17, 2014 at 13:06
Still waiting for a GOTY contender. DA:I might be, but I can see it bombing.
GooseZA
October 17, 2014 at 12:45
“It looks fantastic and it’s definitely a lot of fun to play” – Not seeing the problem here 😉
I know what you mean though. I found I had to make sure I didn’t get too caught up in the nemesis system / side quests or it got a bit samey. As long as I kept the story ticking over it stayed rad for me. Clearing an entire stronghold of Uruk without being detected always felt awesome =)
Captain JJ in the shadow
October 17, 2014 at 13:16
Agreed. The story keeps things interesting.
Always love me some sneaking also. That never gets old.
Jonah Cash
October 17, 2014 at 15:44
Wow I thought it was only me struggling to like the game as much as I am told to….
Spaffy
October 17, 2014 at 11:42
Soon to be surpassed by the Wii-U, if you believe everything you read.
😛
harlemsfinest027
October 17, 2014 at 15:12
Smoking some good stuff
Spaffy
October 17, 2014 at 15:19
Yea, your mom gave it to me.
Seriously though, it was a gist to a previous article.
http://www.lazygamer.net/general-news/the-wii-u-making-a-comeback/
And didn’t you notice the international “I’m taking the piss” sign: ” 😛 ”
😛
Hammersteyn
October 17, 2014 at 11:44
Sperts!
Spaffy
October 17, 2014 at 11:48
Is that $432.7 million only for September?
How many consoles do Americans buy?
Showmoregraphs
October 17, 2014 at 12:02
Yaaaaawn! Who cares really?
Captain JJ in the shadow
October 17, 2014 at 12:04
I do (refresh for image)
harlemsfinest027
October 17, 2014 at 15:13
You do, since you came to read & comment
Ryanza
October 17, 2014 at 12:06
Microsoft should have stuck with it’s full DRM. It couldn’t have been worse than this, Microsoft. There is going to be a time when Xbox One hits a wall, there sales just drop. My guess around the 40 – 50 million mark. That’s if Microsoft can make that much in the next 5 years.