Sony touts 52 million PSN downloads
by Kyle Orland 
{ Feb 15th 2008 at 6:30PM }
For context, Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace reached to 50 million download milestone back in August '06, roughly five months faster than Sony's network (when staggered launch dates are taken into account). Sony's current mark of 2.9 million registered PSN users also pales in comparison to the 7 million Xbox Live users as of last September, though Microsoft's head start likely played a part in that lead.
Still, Sony's online service is going in the right direction, growing from 6.6 million downloads in Dec. '07 to 7.9 million in Jan. '08. And with the PS3 starting to outsell the Xbox 360 in the American marketplace, could the much-predicted Sony turnaround finally be coming to pass?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Fernando Rocker @ Feb 15th 2008 6:35PM
Can I make a little flamebait joke?
Raikage Apple freaking DF (Wii FC 5508 0487 4434 0992) @ Feb 15th 2008 7:26PM
Like all those downloads are firmware updates?
LOLZ
...yeah...
OH I played Heavenly Sword, some say it's a mindless hackn'slash and too much like God of War.
I thought it was really fun, and had some very interesting elements, I loved the tilting to steer the body/sheild/kitten while throwing it. I also like the story segments where it has two separate frames like when that one dude was kidnapping that one girl. Over all it was and action game, but with all those neat little things thrown in it definitely is a game I want to play through.
I'm not sure why I'm writing this, probably my apology for not appreciating the PS3 as much as I should...
ALL BOW BEFORE BLU-RAY... there you happy Sony?
Trev @ Feb 15th 2008 7:54PM
7/10 to Raikage for the suggested troll. Very nice. Firmware updates don't actually have you connect to the store (or the PSN network, just the internet) to get them. My hat is off to you.
As for Heavenly Sword, it was pretty reminiscent of God of War what with the chain-weapon and the huge sword weapon, so I agree there. It plays a little different but it definitely IS all sorts of hacking and slashing. The combat opens up as you unlock more combos and ends up feeling like a trimmed down Soul Calibur. Its definitely more fun on hard if you're interested in giving it a second time through.
The multi-panel cutscenes are probably the coolest part though. They show off all the work that went into the facial animations and voice acting without having every shot be an inch away from a character's nose.
Raikage Apple freaking DF (Wii FC 5508 0487 4434 0992) @ Feb 15th 2008 8:05PM
I only got to play for about 10 minutes at a friends... actually 1 of 2 people I know who own PS3s. I'm definitely debating breaking into his house and playing some more.....
Or I could ask.....
Na breaking in is much more fun.....
Oh and Motorstorm not having split-screen = Epoch Fayle...
Raikage Apple freaking DF (Wii FC 5508 0487 4434 0992) @ Feb 15th 2008 8:17PM
OOH OOH I thought of another one Fernando!
Jeez, that's alot of horse armor!
Vince UK @ Feb 15th 2008 8:30PM
"Can I make a little flamebait joke?"
Like you wont say it anyway eh?
It's ignorami like you that makes video gaming less fun.
Trev @ Feb 15th 2008 9:55PM
Hey, the first one was good. Short, well written, showed at least some knowledge about the thing he was mocking and it was funny.
That's /good/ trolling, if there is such a thing.
ThornedVenom @ Feb 16th 2008 12:46AM
Joystiq justice: A Fernando gets voted down for asking permission to flamebait, yet a Raikage gets voted up for actually doing the job.
Raikage Apple freaking DF (Wii FC 5508 0487 4434 0992) @ Feb 16th 2008 12:58AM
MMMMM can ya smell it..... Justice.....
KayRazy Ken Kutaragi @ Feb 16th 2008 2:39AM
Go give the Joystiq staff that "favor" I mentioned and then ONLY then can you suck on Reggies FAT ass.
Marty @ Feb 15th 2008 6:36PM
My guess is that the current swell in sales is being largely generated by the market finally crowning Blu-ray the HD movie media of choice.
That said, I think the victory in HD movie formats could have a negative impact for PS3 in the coming months. Right now, people who don't play games are buying them because they are some of the cheapest BR players out there - but now that the "format war" is largely over, we'll see an influx of BR players, many which will be cheaper than PS3 will ever be, and that will hurt sales.
Fernando Rocker @ Feb 15th 2008 6:40PM
Really, you said some very good points... now companies can focus only in making only bluray players, and with competition, they will be cheap... If the bluray players hit the $120 price point and people still buy PS3 as this days, so, yeah, PS3 is gaining terrain againts the 360. If the sales drop, people was buying PS3 for the blurya player.
Marty @ Feb 15th 2008 6:45PM
I based my opinion on games sales between the two systems. If you compare sales for titles like COD4 and Guitar Hero 3, you'll see that there is a very large difference in ratio between games sold versus consoles sold. On the hardware side, the 360 has a 3:2 ratio on the PS3, but with software, the ratio is closer to 3:1 or 4:1. This could mean a lot of things, but I think it means that a lot of people are picking up PS3's for Blu-ray, and not because they are interested in a game machine.
That's not to say that these types of sales don't count for the PS3 - they certainly do count - but it's worth noting all the same.
ill trooper @ Feb 15th 2008 8:01PM
Marty, I think that's a valid point. However, you're also very fond of pointing out how you don't think high-def content, players, or TVs have much if any impact. Claiming that the surge in sales is from people buying PS3s as blu-ray players and nothing else doesn't ring true to me.
I think it's more than that - I'd say it's a convergence of many things: avid gamers adding a PS3 to their 360 and Wii collection now that more games are out and the price is better, home theater enthusiasts wanting blu ray and going with the most affordable and most easily upgradable blu-ray spec, gamers upgrading from a PS2, moving into current gen gaming now that the PS3 is cheaper, and adding in the holiday momentum, sprinkled with a very, very small pinch of the 360's bad record on hardware despite being a fun machine.
I think what we're seeing is what Sony thinks they built with the PS3: a 'play station' that they think can satisfy the needs of many interests, from gaming, to internet, to watching movies. It's also something that gamers here on blogs like this slam them for, but as the Wii's popularity shows us, one can cater to more than the hardcore gamer.
While I wrote that above paragraph, I'm not totally sold on that vision's execution coming true yet. The PS3 hardware is solid. The online is free. The last 5 weeks have shown the choice to integrate the blu-ray spec in the PS3 was a good one if you want it as a movie player. Will the rest of the 'vision' be fulfilled? The PS3's gaming and online gaming are not the best experience yet (the 360 is the essential machine right now, I wouldn't be as happy a gamer if I didn't have one), and the online store is still behind in the movie and TV show offerings that MS Live has. A lot still to flesh out to create that 'vision,' Sony.
Should be an interesting year for MS and Sony's game consoles.
John McPoop @ Feb 15th 2008 10:29PM
@marty
I just really don't agree with your view of why people are buying PS3's but I do understand the thought. I do think a small number of people bought PS3's as movie players. But, for them to buy the PS3 they are also most likely at the very least moderate gamers. I think the PS3's low attach rate is more to do with bad multiplatform porting, a handful of great exclusive titles and lack luster online services (albeit free). Personaly I have come around to the PS3 and all of its functionality outside of just playing games. And as a pswii60 owner I have come to hate my 360 because of multiple RROD and console failures.
While I do partially agree with what you say I think the PS3 is gaining steam because of its robust feature set and steadily improving console games. In fact I own just as many PS3 games now as I do 360 games and have had both since launch. I am sure my experience is not indicative of the public at large but I can see why sales continue to grow in all regions. Other than Ninja Gaiden 2 and Smash Bros Brawl the rest of the big titles are PS3 exclusives or multiplatform titles in my opinion (thats arguable and a matter of taste). I see the numbers steadily improving throughout 2008 but I dont think it will catch the 360 (hardware) until end of 2009. Reguardless of what people have said I still don't consider the wii in the same category as the 360 and the PS3. The PS3 and 360 are more of media centers and the wii does not even play DVDs (without a hack).
Arttemis @ Feb 15th 2008 6:48PM
For whatever reason the PS3 grows, I think it's a good thing for 360 owners. There are still HUGE flaws in the DRM License Transfer system (due to hardware failure OR when dealing with customers who purchased an elite just for the sake of upgrading).
Seeing as how we 360 owners got a glimpse of what competition with the PS3 can do in the form of mpeg4 playback a couple months ago, I get excited at the thought of more improvements (that should've been here ages ago) to the service.
Magetto @ Feb 15th 2008 6:58PM
Doesn't the xbox360 support mpeg4 as well?
Arttemis @ Feb 15th 2008 7:01PM
Yes it does! That was my point! I hope both companies upgrade their service in order to compete with each other. We, the consumers, win!
ill trooper @ Feb 15th 2008 7:15PM
I agree, and my prediction is that LIVE will be free by January 2009. I just don't think MS is going to be able to justify charging for it. The situation reminds me of AOL before they stopped charging - the competitor is starting to edge in with similar offerings for no additional charge.
However, I see that 2.9 million number, and I can only think that's nearly 3 million people that might want to be able to send game invites and chat with each other even if they're playing different games or watching movies - you know, Sony, the way Xbox LIVE does it?
Dan @ Feb 15th 2008 7:17PM
Agreed, competition is so important. And hopefully the recent NPD numbers will keep microsoft on their toes, and remember that sony is still a threat.
Brandon @ Feb 15th 2008 7:05PM
Is that a Canadian maple leaf in the middle of that Macdonald's arch?
lyrrad @ Feb 15th 2008 7:43PM
Yes it is.
ThornedVenom @ Feb 16th 2008 12:49AM
That's actually just a grape vine leaf, just so that the image would be appropriate for children under 13.
michaud.jon @ Feb 15th 2008 8:06PM
"Sony's current mark of 2.9 million registered PSN users also pales in comparison to the 7 million Xbox Live users"
That's 2.9m who registered simply because it was free. While the 7mil for Live actually pay to play.
It would be nice to know how many from each network actually play more than once a week or even once a month.
A BR Ps3 buyer can easily register but never play any games, unlike the Live user who PAYS for this purpose!
Kspraydad @ Feb 15th 2008 8:12PM
I'd attribute the slow pickup of PSN on conditioning. Xbox 360 users were already conditioned to LIVE during the Xbox era were they not?
PS3 users you are from the PS2 era are not yet used to having an online service I'd say.
As for me...if downloads = purchases than I've made 6 PSN buys not including add-on packs.
Kspraydad @ Feb 15th 2008 8:13PM
One other point....I thought there were other levels of LIVE service other than the pay gold level...are you thinking that the 7+ million are all GOLD level?
michaud.jon @ Feb 15th 2008 8:39PM
"One other point....I thought there were other levels of LIVE service other than the pay gold level...are you thinking that the 7+ million are all GOLD level?"
You have a point with the silver membership. But I think the 7mil number comes from the gold membership, since you can't play online with the silver.I guess the author of this blog post should answer that question.
As for the first part of that comment, I dropped out of the console market after my bad experience with the N64. Finally came back with a launch Wii unit and decided I wanted those talked about "hardcore" games the x360 offers.
As for the PS3, I despise Sony and have made a promise to myself never to buy their products.
Alcevious @ Feb 15th 2008 8:17PM
That's just lazy photoshopping.
Raikage Apple freaking DF (Wii FC 5508 0487 4434 0992) @ Feb 15th 2008 8:18PM
No it'z reel I seen it!
wes @ Feb 15th 2008 9:00PM
If im not mistaken did joystiq not post a thing along time ago about the general public not knowing the ps3 is a bluray player?...All this "they only bought it for movies" crap is nonsence.
I bought a PS3 finally this monday and the woman in infront of me with her kid had for games to go with it also.I think the people that say its only a bluray player are just afraid to admit that...gasp!...People actually do buy the damn things to play games on it.
Game_playa @ Feb 15th 2008 9:24PM
Dude you have it all wrong. It clearly states 52 and xbox had 50, We reached the 50 mill in a Month its just that we only had 2 mill after that. So this means that Ps3 reached there 5 months Earlier
John McPoop @ Feb 15th 2008 10:36PM
@Game_Playa
Thats a good catch actually. I do not think the spin was intentional but it is an intresting note that the PS3 reached the 50 million mark a few months back.
severian00 @ Feb 16th 2008 12:01AM
The fact of the matter is that the only reason the PS3 outsold the 360 in the latest NPD is because you can't find a 360 without hunting for one, meanwhile there's still plenty of PS3's to be found at every retailer. MS needs to get their shiznet together or else they are going to get outsold again next month.
qo_op @ Feb 16th 2008 2:35AM
Man you guys will believe anything Microsoft tells you, Ive seen 360's in every electronics store ive went in today, Bestbuy, gamestop, EB games, Circuit City. Yes im sure there are some places that dont have them in stock but for the most part. False.
SyChO-421 @ Feb 16th 2008 12:16PM
"Man you guys will believe anything Microsoft tells you, Ive seen 360's in every electronics store ive went in today, Bestbuy, gamestop, EB games, Circuit City. Yes im sure there are some places that dont have them in stock but for the most part. False."
I couldn't find any in the month of January, maybe they are now back in stock.
Game_playa @ Feb 16th 2008 1:15AM
I had the 360 and It was the Best worst thing ever so I sold destroyed it.
skullivan @ Feb 16th 2008 2:21AM
Come on Kyle, you know better than that. The PS3 isn't "starting to outsell" the 360, it outsold it for one month because Microsoft sold all the systems they had over the holidays. You can't honestly believe this is the start of a trend.
Hell, even the PS2 and PSP outsold the 360.
Don't get me wrong, I own a PS3 and I hope it continues to expand its userbase (and it will, now that HD-DVD is finally done for) but narrowly outselling the 360, when it's heavily in demand and the PS3 isn't, is a dubious honor at best
qo_op @ Feb 16th 2008 2:32AM
Yea, keep thinking that people are buying ps3's for blu ray players...... thats what MS wants you to think.
Martez @ Feb 16th 2008 3:18PM
People buying PS2's for the DVD player certainly didn't hurt it. Why do people keep saying that people buying the PS3 for Blu-ray (if a large amount of people are) is a bad thing? It's more people with the system in their home, potential software buyers if the right kind(s) of games are released.
Plus, Sony's in the movie business (not to mention the Blu-Ray business overall), so if they are only buying Blu-Ray discs, Sony still gets a cut. Money for Sony is money for Sony.
Sean @ Feb 17th 2008 12:31AM
The picture should be "Mcdownloads- 52 Million served"