Sony: PS3 sales increased dramatically, won't reflect in NPD

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 15th 2007 at 12:45PM }

Sony's CEO Howard Stringer is giving a little tease about Sony's current PS3 sales numbers before NPD lays down the law later today with the October data. Stringer says that in the two weeks prior to Nov. 11, they sold 100,000 units per week. However, the NPD group will only reflect data for the month of October, which saw the PS3 selling between 30K and 40K per week, according to Stringer. Sales only expectedly jumped after the introduction of the 40GB model on Nov. 2.

Stringer admits to all the difficulties the PS3 has found in the last year, telling the Associate Press, "Obviously, we've taken so much heat over the year on PS3 ... Finally, the turning point has been passed." Although it's probably still too early to say that, at least Sony seems to be on the right path -- good thing everyone's sales go up during the holidays.

[Via GameDaily]

Tags: 40gb, business, pricedrop, ps3, sales

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Joshua @ Nov 15th 2007 12:52PM

At least they acknowledge that it's been tough for them so far, I guess. =/

pixelator @ Nov 15th 2007 1:31PM

People LOVE to hate the PS3. Nintendo fanboys (the most vocal and aggressive group on the net next to Mac fanatics) and other Sony haters make for a strong voice.

The reality is, the PS3 is fine. It's powerful, comparatively tough to develop for (like the PS2 was) and high priced (like the PS2 was). It's off to a slow start (like the PS2 was) and needs a strong surge of excellent games & online support (like any console) to make it worthwhile -- and when/if it does, people will buy it regardless of the media and online lynchmob and, yes, even with a high pricetag. Other than Mario Galaxy and a handful of other titles, I really don't see the Wii as that much more compelling. ATM, only the 360 keeps coming back to me as the 'one' console that passes my 'desert island' test... Despite M$ nickel-diming me at every turn.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Nov 15th 2007 1:47PM

@pixel

I agree with you somewhat, but it can't just only be good games. It has to be games that are unique and can only be found on the ps3. I'm not talking about making some generic FPS, slap it with a new name, and put on the box only for ps3 (*cough Killzone 2 cough*) I'm talking about something that could represent the console as a whole, like what Halo did for the xbox and SMG is doing for the Wii, the ps3 needs that type of game. If sony really wants us gamers to care about Blu-ray they need to get a developer that truly takes advantage of the technology, not just uping the graphics and adding more levels.

pete @ Nov 15th 2007 2:07PM

I have been a PS3-hater since system details were announced. Way too much functionality for way too much money and way too few games.

Well, I finally bought one on clearance at KMART - an 80GB model for $400. Why did I do it?

Not for the games. It was the divx announcement that sent me over the edge. The PS3 is actually a marvelous media center hub -- built in wi-fi, supports external HDs with ease, Blu-Ray, now divx. I was going to build a new computer for pretty much the same thing, and that would have cost me both money and resources. For $433 (after tax), I got everything I need in a media center.

But I will not be getting any games. Wii360 all the way.

Noshino @ Nov 15th 2007 2:16PM

pete, you are missing a lot...

xyz @ Nov 15th 2007 3:21PM

Wrong wrong wrong. Comparing the PS2 to the PS3 is a horrible argument. One year into launch, PS2 had about a 30% greater market share than PS3 has. AND the PS2 was first to launch, and the PS2 was not 50-140%(!) higher priced than it's competitors at launch. And the PS3 timing with BluRay is nowhere near correlative to the PS2's timing with DVD. PS3 is certainly not down for the count, but I had a PS2, I played the PS2, and PS3, you are no PS2. With the big price drop things could turn around. They are now a better value than a 360 and if the HD video market takes off as people hope, Sony may be saved by the value add of a bluray player. I'm not a Sony hater, I'm a stupidity hater.The PS2 and the PS3 are about as comparable as the Xbox and Xbox 360.

upz @ Nov 15th 2007 4:30PM

"AND the PS2 was first to launch, and the PS2 was not 50-140%(!) higher priced than it's competitors at launch."

Oh how we love to forget Dreamcast...

xyz @ Nov 15th 2007 4:47PM

Dreamcast was a fluke and was not part of last generation. It was dead before either Xbox or GCN even launched and should not be considered part of the competition. That it was one of the greatest consoles ever released in terms of both hardware and software doesn't change the fact that it was not part of the competitive supply in the last generation.

Larz @ Nov 15th 2007 5:15PM

Who gives a crap about the numbers... how does that affect me? Bottom line is PS3 has done good by me. People squabble about the price which I don't get. 360 is $350 vs PS3 at $399 and you get a LOT more with the PS3. All the hardware problems are enough to turn me off of 360, but on top of that, the only good games are shooters which suck compared to PC shooters. I buy consoles for adventure, platforming, puzzlers, hack-n-slash, etc... you know, stuff that doesn't work so well on PC. And there's lots of good stuff like that for PS3. Yeah I've got the other consoles but comparing them, I get the most use of the PS3. If I liked horrible FPS controls I'd probably like 360 better, but that's just my honest opinion.

Catprog @ Nov 15th 2007 7:26PM

@Larz

The console with the least market share gets the least games

LaughingTarget @ Nov 15th 2007 8:17PM

Volume of games is not a good metric to follow. Volume of good, exclusive, must own is. When we consider that, the software gap from last generation is incredibly narrow.

Rubang B (BRUSH WITH FAME) @ Nov 15th 2007 9:58PM

@xyz, "I played the PS2, and PS3, you are no PS2."

That was a classic zing!

gonk @ Nov 15th 2007 12:53PM

the two weeks prior to nov. 11th include some days in october

and no shit the november sales will be higher, they dropped $100 off the price and removed b/c

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Nov 15th 2007 1:57PM

and it kinda helps that it's basically the holidays. The ps3 sales were going to increase even without the introduction of the 40gb.

Chris @ Nov 15th 2007 12:57PM

It's funny that Sony is now starting to get the "underdog" vibe already even though they still make a ton of money off PS2 and PSP. Since everyone has been badmouthing them, get ready for everyone to start saying Nintendo is evil and Sony is great.

Such is the mentality of the fanboy who like Sephiroth because they think it makes them different.

sicsided @ Nov 15th 2007 1:13PM

that line wins for the best line of the week!

jsn @ Nov 15th 2007 12:59PM

it's proof of just how bad things are when he has to come out to excuse the sales numbers. I'll have to see these 100k per week numbers to fully believe them.

Cyro @ Nov 15th 2007 1:41PM

That was exactly what I was thinking.

Dread-not-naught @ Nov 15th 2007 12:59PM

Somehow, I smell a fire a brewing over the hills on this one....and I swear Super Mario Galaxy will be mentioned for it's awesomeness despite having nothing to do with this. I predict it. Aside, from me just mentioning it...damnit.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Nov 15th 2007 1:15PM

You just mentioned it, for the very reason you predicted.

Self Fulfilling prophecy FTW!

James @ Nov 15th 2007 1:17PM

Is it possible to both predict something and inadvertently prove it right in the same statement?

Bucket @ Nov 15th 2007 1:46PM

I predict that someone will reply to your comment, thus proving that it is possible.

MrDark @ Nov 15th 2007 1:04PM

Sale of merchandise going up closer to the holiday season? Unpossible!

Akamaru @ Nov 15th 2007 1:06PM

Good for Sony. Remember kids, competition is good.

Marty @ Nov 15th 2007 1:22PM

Competition with consoles means that we have to buy three consoles to play all the games we want to play, instead of just one. It's time the Sony juggernaut takes a breather anyway.

Joe @ Nov 15th 2007 5:26PM

shut up marty
i can't believe ppl voted you up.

thanks to competitions, the quality of hardware and games and features have improved. each company tries to outdo each other, and that's good for consumers.

thanks to competition, atari crashed and burned after they tried to force ET to its consumers.
competition is good.

your just a cheap bastard.

amirnetz @ Nov 15th 2007 1:08PM

"Please don't look at our October NPD numbers, please, please...".

glitched @ Nov 15th 2007 1:18PM

I thought NPD wasn't releasing numbers anymore?

ColossalHat @ Nov 15th 2007 1:25PM

They weren't going to, but all of the big three decided it would be better for them if they allowed a neutral party displayed their sales data. Thus, the NPD will continue to do so.

Silent Xenocide @ Nov 15th 2007 1:27PM

No, they had to get approval from Sony MS and Nintendo. Which they all gave approval so the numbers continue.

Cyro @ Nov 15th 2007 1:42PM

@ amirnetz:

lol!

iconmaster @ Nov 15th 2007 1:46PM

LOL. I have a feeling tonight's NPD numbers are going to be *highly* entertaining. :)

Count Noobula @ Nov 15th 2007 1:09PM

Hmmmm. I bet the demographic that bought the 40GB Spider-Man pack were those wanting a Blu-ray player, not a game machine. Seriously, good price for the Blu-Ray player aspect. In terms of overall gaming functionality I would have gone with the 60, 80, or even the 20 if you could find one.

Although I could be completely wrong about that. There are those out there who don't care about backward compatibility at all.