There is no disputing that PlayStation is Sony’s all-in-one saving grace when it comes to balancing the books. Out of all the departments Sony has their fingers in, PlayStation consistently outdoes itself, and the PS4 in particular has been breaking internal forecasts all over the place. And forget the initial launch rush, because a year later PlayStation managed to outdo itself once again.
Sony has revealed their revised third quarter financial earnings, which ended on December 31st of last year. That’s easily the busiest quarter of the year, with the combined activity of the festive season and the absolute retail madness that is Black Friday. So it’s unsurprising that PlayStation cleaned house here, selling over 6.4 million PS4s during this time – as we already knew. But it’s a sales stat that help Sony earn a massive £2.9bn – or 53 billion ZAR – as part of their Games and Network Services division.
The PS4 was the main catalyst here though, with a slump in PS3 hardware and software sales predictably holding things back. Regardless of that though, the earnings are a 16.8% increase from the same time in 2013 – during which the PS4 actually launched. That pretty much caps off an incredibly strong first year for the console, which broke 20.2 million sales earlier this month.
Sony also seemed to recoup some losses by the sale of Sony Online Entertainment last month, which cost the company £34m during the same quarter in the previous year. The PS TV and Vita are also still performing dismally for Sony, and one can only wonder how long it’ll be until the axe is brought down on either of them. Speaking particularly about the Vita, I don’t think that day is too far off.
Despite this, as well as a 104% increase in operating income across the entire company, Sony is still expecting to post a net loss when their fiscal year closes at the end of this month. That will be the sixth in just seven years, but CEO Kaz Hirai seems to be taking the right steps towards a strong restructure. These things don’t happen overnight, but Sony’s stronger focus on PlayStation is their best move yet.
Last Updated: March 17, 2015
Jonah Cash
March 17, 2015 at 17:18
Mandatory Pieter comment…. Oooohhh the ponies are still losing money!! SamsungStation inbound in 2016!! Woot Woot!!
(Pieter I actually like you, and as soon as Windows 10 allow me to play xbox games on my PC I am adding you so that we can play some TitanFall together!!)
Hammersteyn
March 17, 2015 at 17:35
Yeah, I bet he’s just trolling for the fun of it.
40 Insane Frogs
March 17, 2015 at 18:30
Reminds me of what Oceanus told Tethys while waiting for sushi at the corner sushi cafe….
Hammersteyn
March 17, 2015 at 17:40
Morpheus is still a gamble for them. Hopefully it pays off.
40 Insane Frogs
March 17, 2015 at 18:16
I hope so too, I’m looking forward to using it, but I’m also (understandably) cautious.
40 Insane Frogs
March 17, 2015 at 18:12
Kaz for President! Imagine what Kaz Hirai would be able to do for South Africa.
Pieter Kruger
March 17, 2015 at 19:02
Yes, Kaz is the man! The same man that said the latest hack would have no significant impact on their financials ($15m and counting cough cough!) But I suppose if your running a company that does not have enough cash or assets to pay their debt, $15m is nothing! Vita and TV is dead, expect those to be axed asap! Will Morpheus pay off?, lets hope so! Anyways, think ponies can expect a lot more Indies and a lot less AAA’s and exclusives! Wonder if all the asset sales were included in the gaming revenue section……
ed
March 17, 2015 at 19:33
The indies are fun and unique, & sorry if PS4 gets more of them, there are more PS4’s in the marketplace. Less exclusives? Huh. Still far more than MS has. And SOny usually makes theirs rather than buying them. But I suppose if you’re a productivity software company that doesn’t have the knowhow or management buy-in to play in the video game space you get what MS has – zero profits after years of investing in the Xbox brand.
Sorry but Sony isn’t going anywhere. They have more than enough money & assets to continue on. You realize Live has been hacked just as much as PSN? And MS are supposed to be this scary software company. 15 million in hacking costs? That’s like $15 to you & me. Big deal.
Vita & PSTV are idiotic & will be axed. But they were gambles who’s failures were never going to bring down Sony.
Sorry butthurt fanboy, but your precious MS are getting their ass handed to them this gen and it’s far too late to turn it around. It’s an underpowered box with a toy camera that no one wanted. At least you got that power brick that acts as a home heater in the winter.
Pieter Kruger
March 17, 2015 at 19:51
NOT PSTV but Sony TV. NOT PSN hack but Sony Pictures hack, you really should unsubscribe to the Pony Express…..????
LoveThemBills
March 18, 2015 at 00:27
It’s SPony Express, the S is silent or it might be a $ sign – not sure
Jonah Cash
March 17, 2015 at 20:17
🙂 I beat you to it!!! Hahahaha
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2015 at 08:04
inb4him
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2015 at 08:06
What’s wrong with indies?
Pieter Kruger
March 18, 2015 at 08:33
Personally I don’t really like them, but for Sony in particular, they’re not bringing in the much needed monies a best seller AAA exclusive would’ve! At least Bloodborne is looking mighty fine so far, hopefully this will be the cash cow Sony needs right now! ????.
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2015 at 08:39
you shouldn’t look down on indes tbh. I used to but being fed free indies titles in my feed bag while in my stable has really opened my eyes Ori and Helldivers have made an enormous splash already this year.
Pieter Kruger
March 18, 2015 at 09:56
Think I’m out “indied” tbh. Yes, there are a few gems amongst them but they are few and far between. I’d rather spend 100 hours on Titanfall or BF online than play 100 Indies. I ‘m quite drawn and intrigued to the moba scene, maybe that’ll be my next fix when they start rolling out on Xbox One? ????
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2015 at 10:06
Ugh MOBAS…… I could play anyone of them for free and I still don’t
Pieter Kruger
March 18, 2015 at 10:14
I’ll give SMITE and Gigantic a go for sure when they release! I prefer games that I can look at as a long term investment, not looking for a quick Indie fix! I think I would’ve loved Eve online too, but it sounds like it’s basically too late to start now! ????
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2015 at 10:24
Way too late, rather get into Star Citizen. But it might even be too late for that come to think of it.
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2015 at 08:13
So what if they tried exploring new options the PSTV might not sell well and the Vita might not be as big as the 3DS, but you grow your business by venturing into new markets. I think that’s why they threw their hat into the VR circle.
Pieter Kruger
March 18, 2015 at 08:31
I agree, but only if your company is financially stable and secure can you afford to take calculated risk with new ventures. Sony’s problem is their huge egos and pride, it’s like they were blind towards their own financial woes and this comes from the top leadership! Believe me it kills them each time they have to sell an asset or post such huge losses. These financial reforms should’ve been implemented 4 years ago already but their egos didn’t allow for that. Games games games! They should’ve just focused on that! Remember they’re still not making money off all those millions of PS4’s sold, yes it’s helping with revenue but it’s being offset and nullified still by huge costs sadly!
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2015 at 08:42
Rather late than never and luckily the ponies are keeping them afloat. But imagine Sony tanks and we all get XBOX Ones, there will be weirdness when you’re looking for friends to play with 😛
Pieter Kruger
March 18, 2015 at 08:49
May that day never come when competition dies! Xbox One’s dismal launch and PS4’s early lead is exactly why Xbox One owner are in such a good happy place right now!???? also: http://gossipplug.com/tech/xbox-one-ps4-merge-sony-gets-ok-to-purchase-failing-microsoft-xbox-franchise ????????????
Jac7
March 18, 2015 at 07:54
My Play-Indie-Station needs games 🙁
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2015 at 08:06
https://store.playstation.com/
Jac7
March 18, 2015 at 08:40
Many spanks. A major problem I never considered when I bought the console was the ridiculous price tags games come with nowadays. Finding myself having to save two months to buy something. Damn First world problems.
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2015 at 08:51
I was teasing, there are sales now and then as well. But gaming is an expensive hobby
Jac7
March 18, 2015 at 08:55
Thinking about downgrading back to Sega Genesis.
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2015 at 09:35
I remember their games cost around the R300 mark back then. Add inflation and it would be even more expensive
Jac7
March 18, 2015 at 09:41
Damnit man, you’re gonna force me to go outside and look for something to do.
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2015 at 10:07
XD
Pieter Kruger
March 18, 2015 at 09:58
You won’t get any soon, but at least you’ll have the option to stick a monitor to your face one of these days….????
Wraith
March 18, 2015 at 08:32
They must also be coining it off of the increased (mandatory for MP) PS+ adoption.