For the past couple of years the sales rankings have been cut and dry with the Wii dominating by miles and the 360 securely in second with the PS3 being the last released and running in 3rd.
However news over the weekend has put the PS3 a mere 3 million behind the Xbox 360 with sales of 41.6 million compared to the 360’s 44.6 million.
In February this year the 360 had a lead of 5.9 million which means the PS3 has caught up by 2.9 million this year alone and ignoring any sales jumps that the Move and Kinect may provide we could see the PS3 overtaking the 360 in August next year.
Sony will be rightly ecstatic with this fight back after an abysmal launch and the guys over at Microsoft will be starting to panic just a little.
What difference Kinect and Move will make respectively is anyone’s guess at the moment but it’s quite surprising to see this entire generation’s rankings are now reliant on motion controllers. Whether we like it or not that is what is going to be remembered.
Source: CVG
Last Updated: November 1, 2010
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 10:14
It gets even more interesting since it seems as though Major Nelson reported xbox 360 sales for this year so far at 42 million, although there is some confusion over whether he meant across all regions or across 32 countries. Which means if Major Nelson is correct, the gap between Sony and Microsoft is only 100 000.
In addition, news broke that Microsoft hasn’t actually been reporting sales but rather shipped units, which is ironic since Sony is generally accused of this by xbox sales fanatics, regardless of the fact that Sony has actually been posting retail sales (since 2006).
Obviously all of this is up in the air, but things are going to heat up with Kinect launching in the US tomorrow (and in other parts of the world this week). Will Kinect help Microsoft fight off 3rd place, or will it ship more X360s and attempt to take on the big N?
The battle is heating up!!
lans
November 1, 2010 at 10:15
Actually if you go to MS site actual figures its 41.7 million then rounded up to 42 million stated by Major Nelson himself
the lead is less than 100K!
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=256931
go to MS site yourself to the 41.7 million
Gavin Mannion
November 1, 2010 at 10:29
That was in July… pre-Halo Reach and pre-worldwide new design launch.
To say they only sold 3 million since those two events is entirely believable.
lans
November 1, 2010 at 10:37
you have a point, looking back i see i got the quarters mixed up with the calendar dates and Xbox 360 Shipment figures up to end September was 2.8 million, so i guess you could be right! gavin well done! have a noddy badge!
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 10:38
That is indeed plausible that they would have sold 3 million consoles on the back of Halo Reach.
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 10:57
We’ll only know how well both consoles did at the end of the next quarter when they release the official numbers, which will be very interesting! I’m just curious to see whether the Oprah gamble and their $500 million advertising bill will pay off for Microsoft. I still think the States is going to post insane Kinect sales for the first few weeks, and when word of mouth spreads about the laggy games, sales will taper off. As for the rest of the world, I don’t see Kinect being all that popular. Unlike the yanks, it’s not about national pride to buy everything xbox for us(American products fuck yeah*)
*cough.. regardless of all the consoles being made in China…
*straightens tie*
Lol! If Pachter can play analyst, then by Thor’s left nipple I can too. 😎
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 11:02
Anyone else surprised by the numbers that are posted for the old girl (PS2)? There’s still life in that little black box.
http://www.scei.co.jp/corporate/data/bizdataps2_sale_e.html
RSA-Ace
November 1, 2010 at 11:05
@lans. Yeah MS first Quarter is Sony’s (and the rest of the worlds) second Quarter.
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 11:07
From 2006 till now, she’s (PS2) sold 46.6 million units, which officially puts her in second place, the xbox 360 in third and the PS3 in fourth.
RSA-Ace
November 1, 2010 at 11:09
What I’m really surprised about is that Move helped sell more consoles than Halo did.
So Christmas will be Kinect vs. Move and GT5 (maybe).
Also with the failure rates of the consoles I’d even say there are more PS3’s in homes than Xbox 360’s. Which actually brings up another fact.
MS console owners buy a lot of games. Their software attach rates are really high compared to Sony’s. Xbox has been hacked and I’m sure there are millions of people downloading their games yet they still outsell 30%+ in terms of software.
ewie
November 1, 2010 at 11:20
Much of a muchness, It have been a virtual tie between the Xbox 360 and the PS3 from the launch of the ps3 with the ps3 only selling 1M more in the same time-frame.
I still don;t understand the difference in reporting numbers between shipped to retailers and sold to retailers as these are much the same.
No company Microsoft or Sony will ever have sold to “End customers” (Me and you ever).
Uberutang
November 1, 2010 at 11:21
I often see folks buying PS2’s.
They are cheap, you get the console + 5 games for around 1k these days, and the game library is insane good.
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 11:31
Indeed,
I’ve been replaying Bully since yesterday, but my PS2 is over 8 years old (knocking on death’s door?) so I’m actually thinking of getting a replacement PS2… just in case. I’ve got a PS2 emulator running on the PC as well, but it’s not the same. It’s cool for capturing screenshots, but do I really want to sit in front of my PC playing PS2 games?
AC!D
November 1, 2010 at 11:32
No one is mentioning the big elephant in the room the Wii.
– Sales are dwindling. Is the motion control hysteria over?
– Will Wii even reach a 10 year cycle? I cant see what else they could possibly offer. We are well into the HD generation and vitality sensors and price cuts arent going to help much.
– So my ultimate question is this…..Will the PS3 pass the Wii by then end of its lifetime? bearing in mind PS2 is going into its eleventh year. Sony’s strategy is plain to see: The PS3 will be run for 7 years on the market till PS4 releases and keeping going. Its anyones guess how long the PS3 will actually keep going say 10 years?, 111 years? or even more? I cant really add MS to this equation because their strategy is more dynamic and they respond to the market in different ways. They might just kill off X360 early if Kinect flops after the initial sales launch phase.
It will be interesting to see what Nintendo’s response will be…Maybe launch a new HD console earlier? If they do will the Wii still be relevant? I dont think Nintendo have enough resources to create games 3 consoles i.e Wii, Wii2 and 3DS? I think ppl underestimate how many resources it takes to keep 3 consoles on the market like Sony have.
lans
November 1, 2010 at 11:48
No one is mentioning wii, coz i think by now people have given up hope of any victory, the only big victory sony is gonna have over nintendo is software sales eventually, they selling about the same number of units globally, and yes both more than the Xbox (3rd)60!
RSA-Ace
November 1, 2010 at 11:51
Yeah it’s all rubbish. They report the same numbers. The closest you’ll get to “end customer” is VGChartz – which is them guessing.
Fox1
November 1, 2010 at 11:53
You do know that refurbished PS3’s are being sold as new on store shelves?
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 11:54
@AC!D I read an interesting write up over the weekend that the casual market has all but dried up (understandable given that they’re not habitual gamers), which means Sony and Microsoft are going to have an uphill battle to recapture casual interest (Although, invoking Oprah was a genius move by Microsoft).
But, I doubt Sony or MS will get close to the big N, but as much as the Wii hardware sales have slowed down, it’s still cleaning house on the software side.
More awesomesauce:
If Sony can still sell the PS2 (46 million since 2006), why can’t Nintendo keep the Wii going and also have a new console out?
lans
November 1, 2010 at 11:55
what about the XBox RROD?
Fox1
November 1, 2010 at 11:57
Time for MS to cut prices and restructure pricing in emerging markets :za: because that’s were they are getting a beating. The super high prices of Kinect ain’t gonna help them recover in the emerging market :za: regions that they once ruled with the 360 Arcade.
lans
November 1, 2010 at 12:02
@Fox i like you when you talk like this, all deep in thought and worried about the future of the Xbox, not so outrageously confident anymore, humble pie tastes delicious…yummy!
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 12:02
@Fox, I absolutely agree. I still don’t understand why they insist on putting a premium on sales in emerging markets. Do you remember that months ago we had a similar discussion on the benefit of these companies capturing market share in emerging markets, instead of maintaining their ivory towers in the first world. After all there are more people outside of Europe and North America (especially in the sweet spot: middle class).
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 12:06
It would be nice if the PS3 was allowed to live on like the PS2 has, because I wouldn’t mind picking up a replacement PS3 slim in 5 or 7 years for under R1500.
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 12:12
Fixed by Xbox 360S!
Fox1
November 1, 2010 at 12:17
Dude, I’ve been commenting about high pricing on games and consoles before you joined this site :wassat:
AC!D
November 1, 2010 at 12:17
Thats my point though when the PS3 reaches a mass market price point wont it sell like hot cakes even after the PS4 releases? Hell PS2 is almost going for a R1000 now so who in their right minds will choose a standalone Blu Ray player over a PS3 at that Price point? Granted we have a ways to go till then but shit its like the PS2 has been out forever and it just keeps going. I can see the same thing happening with PS3 and Blu Ray might be a big factor in that. Hell i purchased a second PS3 just as a Blu Ray player so i wouldnt have to keep moving my PS3 around the house. Granted i purchased it when my 60GB was in for repairs last month but but the biggest factor in my thinking was the Blu Ray player and a spare PS3 for when my launch model completely breaks down.
All that is after the PS4 launched. In the mean time i can see two price cuts and Wii owners going HD with PS Move to keep Sony steadily outselling Wii till the PS4 actually launches.
Ill admit its a long shot but i wouldnt be surprised if PS3 ends first this gen. I guess we will see in another 6 to 7 years 😆 Someone remember to revisit this thread then if were still alive ok? 😆
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 12:21
lol dude, I’ve been posting under a slew of different personas for a very.. very.. VERY long time. :happy:
AC!D
November 1, 2010 at 12:21
Well said. I like you better also when you talk about things that could benefit us a gamers and forget the fanboy bullshit. 100% agreed with your post.
@ Lans dont incite him. Rather debate his reasonable and vaild argument otherwise it will turn into another fanboy shitfest. Save that crap for Aussious!!!!!
Fox1
November 1, 2010 at 12:22
Yeah I remember. Why a full $100 difference between the 2 markets? Did you notice the Wii has already dropped to R2000 + a game and gizmos?
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 12:22
Ah, you replied to Ians not me. Carry on, soldier, stiff upper lip.
Uberutang
November 1, 2010 at 12:23
I personally have had 6 Xbox 360’s to date…
Wonder how real the real stats are…
AC!D
November 1, 2010 at 12:27
This is what i want for Xbox Live in South Africa to adopt Sony’s strategy. Also notice how Sony opened up new studios in India and used mostly 3RD parties to create games for Move instead of using mostly exisitng resources. I really like that philosophy.
talk2jad
November 1, 2010 at 12:33
Frankly I don’t get why a story like this gets people so excited, unless somebody actually believes that the more sales of a particular console makes it the better console. In the same breath then, KFC sells more chicken than Nando’s therefore KFC is the best….er wait….thats not right!!!
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 12:34
Yeah! But it would still (kind of) be valid since Microsoft is posting shipped instead of sold. All 6 of your xbox 360s would have been listed as shipped (i.e. sold to a retailer).
I guess where it gets tricky, is the year prior to the 3 year warranty where the retailer gave you a replacement box instead of Microsoft. Did they recoup those costs from Microsoft directly? And what about the years after the 3 year warranty?
Even with the warranties and replacements, I wonder how that works in the greater sales scheme, whether the replacement/refurbished xbox is listed as shipped or whether its cost is absorbed in some other way?
If any one has a clue please enlighten me 🙁
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 12:43
@AC!D and Fox: Definitely!
This is slightly off topic, but still relevant to us, as an emerging market, but one thing I’m still unsure of is whether Microsoft SA will be delivering local content to us or whether regional content will be decided for us elsewhere. We should just accept the fact that there’s no way in hell that we’ll be getting netflix or ESPN, but you kind of hope that they can deliver local-flavoured content, be it supersport or even ETV News. I would even be happy with ZaNews in Zune, Zoopy for Zune or Gamestate on Zune.
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 1, 2010 at 12:44
Chicken Licken > KFC (That’s the truth!) 😛
Uberutang
November 1, 2010 at 13:01
http://www.scei.co.jp/corporate/data/bizdataps3_sale_e.html
RSA-Ace
November 1, 2010 at 13:02
The same thing is happening with Xbox (possibly on a larger scale even)
RSA-Ace
November 1, 2010 at 13:03
More sales means possibly more developer support. If you going to make an exclusive game (to cut down on costs/time to develop) you would want to choose the console which has the greater genre market.
talk2jad
November 1, 2010 at 13:18
:biggrin: I personally prefer Chicken Licken over KFC
Fred
November 1, 2010 at 13:30
Both HD consoles are doing well , just the Wii is starting to suffer, but Nintendo has the NDS coming.
Parker
November 1, 2010 at 13:41
Am I the only one that thinks this thing is completely pointless? If the PS3 does end up selling more than the 360, what then? It’s not like third place will have to drop out the market, as each console has grabbed a piece of the market.
None of them are going to end up like Sega, because the clearly aren’t any flops this gen. We most probably will be seeing PS4, Wii2 and the 720. The small differences in sales should only serve to give some fanboys a smug sense of superiority.
/console war
lans
November 1, 2010 at 13:49
oh please do you know how many people ripped on sony as a doomed console and etc, and now that its actually about to beat the xbox 360 we must turn the other cheek and accept its not about sales. Ps3 fans are not virgin mary’s, we need our turn in the spotlight for however brief that may be!
the ridiculous things all those xbots have been saying is coming to a close, there WILL BE A CROW FEST!
and yes because when the ps3 has beaten the xbox 360, xbot, can’t rip on us anymore, and ps3 fans will be content, i.e piece and quite in blogs and forums for once much less flame wars, more people getting along, world peace etc etc
Parker
November 1, 2010 at 14:13
Okay, I’m mostly a PS3 fan myself, but let’s not pretend the PS3 fanboys are any better than the rest.
Sales are something the big business execs should worry about, not us consumers. It’s good to stay informed, but to actually take this shit personally…
The PS3 is winning on the games front though, and that is shit you take to heart.
AC!D
November 1, 2010 at 14:59
Its a sales article dude? I you didnt like the discussion on sales then why didnt you go to a gaming related article? Fable 3 review is out. If its pointless dont click on it! No????
Fox1
November 1, 2010 at 15:25
Sales war = Price war = Cheaper consoles and games for us :biggrin:
Gavin Mannion
November 2, 2010 at 04:14
The Wii’s technology was dated when it released so I don’t think anyone thought it would ever have a 10 year lifecycle.
I personally think Nintendo’s big plan is to ride the Wii until it’s on deaths door and then come out with a massive new console that blows us all away. The 3DS is by far and away the most amazing handheld I have ever used and it would be fool hardy to bet against Nintendo having something up their sleeve for the home console.
Remember they have been profitable since day one and the Wii fit is still in the top 10 software charts every month. There sales are slowing but in reality the Wii is still outselling the PS3 and Xbox 360 in most regions