Sony sells 9 million PS3s, sets bar (slightly) higher for '08
by Randy Nelson 
{ May 14th 2008 at 6:45PM }
GameDaily brings news that the house Ken Kutaragi built -- and Kazuo "Kaz" Hirai currently holds the lease to -- has dropped farm factory-fresh PS3 sales data in parent Sony Corp's latest earnings report. The bottom line: 9.24 million PS3s were sold world-wide during FY08, and SCE projects bettering that by 8% for the current period ending March 2009, expecting its FY09 unit sales to number at least 10 million.
PS3 sales for FY08 were up a whopping 156% over FY07, which saw only 3.61 million systems leave the warehouse. Despite the impressive upturn, Sony's current-gen box continues to trail behind PSP and last-gen's champ, PS2, which sold 13.39m and 13.73m units during the same period, respectively. Still, Next-Gen reports that SCE has managed to make a significant dent in its losses over FY07 (?124.5 billion [US$1.18b], down from ?232.3b [US$2.21b]) and predicts that it will finally be back in the black by this time next year.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Markez (MKWii 4339-2878-5120) @ May 14th 2008 6:54PM
I really do want to buy one of these soon, I really, really do.
But this thing is just a fugly monstrosity. Whoever designed the appearance of the thing should be $#!+canned.
Korova @ May 14th 2008 6:56PM
I am waiting for the damn dualshock 3 to be included. Then I'll buy one.
The Sound @ May 14th 2008 6:58PM
It really isn't *that* ugly. It sits on my shelf and doesn't stand out too much.
Although it does look better if you stand it vertically.
John McPoop @ May 14th 2008 7:01PM
@Markez
I suppose its a matter of opinion but I love the all in one set up of the PS3 in comparison to the 360 that has snap on parts (HDD, Wi Fi & Power Brick all external). The PS3 looks pretty sexy in my entertainment center. However, I do prefer the new gunmetal MGS 4 console over my glossy black 60 GB.
In the end I am sure your purchasing decision will not be based off of the aesthetics of the console but rather all of the features and robust software library.
Ninjakamster (PSN: Chin-Poh) @ May 14th 2008 7:03PM
I really don't see how its ugly. I like that the power
brick is in the case.
The Wii looks primarily attractive to me because of its size, I like small electronics. : )
Curtis the Claw:PSN-ctclaw @ May 14th 2008 7:13PM
I think it looks good, I definitly prefer the look to it over my 360.
Maverick Saturn @ May 14th 2008 7:13PM
Wii looks the nicest in my opinion, small and practical, nothing extravagant.
360 and PS3 are just blocks with added curves to fool people into thinking they aren't blocks ¬_¬
Markez (MKWii 4339-2878-5120) @ May 14th 2008 7:14PM
Poop, arguments aside on whether the sw library is robust or not, and they certainly abound, I typically snatch a console up when there's a few titles I'm just dying for. In this instance R&C and Uncharted, they look totally schweet. I'm sure MGS4 is great and all, I just don't have any experience with the series.
xFenixKnightx @ May 14th 2008 7:16PM
Are you kidding me? The glossy black PS3 looks sweet with all my piano black electonics setup I got going on in my family room!
Its one Sexy Bitch IMO!
360, not so much.
As for gaming on the other hand...
browntown @ May 14th 2008 7:35PM
What are u talking about, the design is so sleek, the 360 is the ugly duckling. The wii is super sleek though, its so tiny, they should make it in black though.
John McPoop @ May 14th 2008 7:47PM
@markez
I here what your saying and we could go round and round all day about that - so we better not. If you already have a 360 then you have access to all of the multiplatforms already. I am not ashamed at all to admit I love my PS3 and prefer its software library to the other consoles.
Let me recommend some exclusive titles to you that I have really enjoyed - Again, not a list war but just some exclusives I have personally enjoyed
Warhawk
Resistance
Ratchet And Clank
Uncharted
Gran Turismo Prologue
Hot Shots Golf
Heavenly Sword
Motorstorm
Unreal Tournament III
Folklore
MLB 08 The Show
There are some other games that I own that are pretty fun but not great games like Lair, Time Crisis, Genji and Dark Kingdom. Lair is actually and underrated game.
There are also some very fun PSN games like Pixel Junk monsters, Calling all cars, everyday shooter, Pain, High velocity bowling,Tekken Dark Resurection flow and Mortal Kombat II among others.
Of course you have all of the great multiplatform titles (to name a few) like Call Of Duty 4, GTA IV, Burnout Paradise, The Club, Orange Box, Rock band, Guitar Hero, Assassins creed, Devil may cry 4 and Skate among others.
In the end it is about your own personal preference. I wanted backwards compatibility so I could give my old PS2 away to my young cousin and I have a large PS2 library. Obviously the PS3 can also play games from any region in the world so no need to have modifications to your console or the flashing disc.
Even if I never played a single game the thing still provides tons of entertainment with a full web browser, Blu-Ray player, and offers medical research with Folding@Home. You can even install Linux on the damn thing (I haven't yet and probably won't). Its really a lifestyle and fully featured entertainment hub. I can shoot pictures or video and save them to the PS3 to watch later or even print wirelessly. Its like an affordable gaming centric entertainment computer.
Obviously there are some highly anticipated titles coming and they are the actually some of the games that made the Playstation brand famous. I can't wait for MGS 4 because it is my favorite game series of all time.
I am not trying to sell you on one or convince you to buy one. I guess I am just putting the things out there that I enjoy about it.
It has some drawbacks and is far from perfect but it is my favorite gaming console and consumer electronics device.
John McPoop @ May 14th 2008 7:55PM
@Markez
The Wii is certainly very sexy in its own right and I consider it portable. I don't really consider the PS3 or 360 that portable in comparison. The only things I don't like about the Wii is the unattached stand & wired sensor bar. Software aside, its a beautiful device but it does lack an HDD.
You know I would argue that the Wii has the worst software library out of all three consoles. Mainly because of the inability to offer the multiplatform titles. The Wii games I have are all fun and I can enjoy them with the family. Thats the thing I enjoy most about the Wii is anyone can pick it up, have fun and figure out how to play with little need for previous gaming experience. It serves its purpose in my household.
I would like to see a different color than white for the Wii. We need some options like the DS Lite has. I like that new cobalt blue color.
Markez (MKWii 4339-2878-5120) @ May 14th 2008 8:51PM
Yeah dude, for sure. Inevitably, I'll own all three. And you just reminded what a kickass time I had with Hotshots on the last few PS consoles. Just can't help when I see that thing in the case at the retailer that it's a huge ugly biotch. Which incidentally was a great one liner in a few Rob Schneider films...
Poisoned Al @ May 14th 2008 8:58PM
tl;rded like you've never tl;dred before!
PSN: KillaKornbread (the shirt is a lie!) @ May 14th 2008 9:43PM
i think the PS3 is a beautiful console. that sexy clear black beast sits proud on my entertainment center/desk. my TV is matte black with chrome labels so it looks great next to it and neither takes up as much desk space as i originally thought they would. my Wii is sexy too but it just doesnt match what i have going on scheme wise, so it sits on a lower shelf below my DirecTv receiver. you probably wouldnt notice it sitting there unless you took a hard look. PC sits under the desk too (everything runs on the same TV).
360 may be on top as far as games (and that is really truly all that really matters) but the PS3 and Wii have it beat in terms of looks by far.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ May 14th 2008 9:52PM
Yeah I'm considering getting a ps3 myself. If only my job would stop screwing my schedule up.
GargantulaKon @ May 14th 2008 10:08PM
That is funny, since it is here sitting next to me now, I do not think it is ugly at all, but futuristic looking. It could use a few more hard edges and less "bubbliness" though. Do not worry how it looks, when you play games, you look at your screen.
Emophia @ May 15th 2008 6:04AM
We've been blessed this gen when it comes to how a console looks.look at last gen, GCN, kids toy, Xbox, big ass brick, PS2, just ugly, Slimline was alright though.This gen, the 360 is my fave, but only because it\s matte, I'm a total sucker for matte.PS3 is my second.Sony, give me a matte silver PS3 and I'll never touch myself to a 360 again, I promise.Wii looks pretty slick too.
FrankTheCrank @ May 14th 2008 6:54PM
But there are no gamez....
But no Haloz....
But...but...but....
Ninjakamster (PSN: Chin-Poh) @ May 14th 2008 7:03PM
No games, but plenty of Blu-Ray movies to watch! ; )
Ninjakamster (PSN: Chin-Poh) @ May 14th 2008 7:03PM
Noo, my winking smiley was chopped in two! Its widow is so sad! : (
Gun Barrier (=Gamer Tag) SSBB: 3952-6696-7009 @ May 14th 2008 7:10PM
seeing all these "but but but wut about..." comments get me annoyed.
Maverick Saturn @ May 14th 2008 7:15PM
Well if it bothers you that much, stick a Blu-ray movie in and pretend its a game! Whallah, problem solved :)
Curtis the Claw:PSN-ctclaw @ May 14th 2008 7:16PM
There is the $40 demo though, which I bought:(
Curtis the Claw:PSN-ctclaw @ May 14th 2008 7:18PM
Well with blurays revolutionary interactive games included on every movie, who needs PS3 games? You can play bluray games!
FrankTheCrank @ May 14th 2008 8:45PM
I kid, teh heh...
I'm Loving my PS3. Things are getting better no doubt and this is a good year for Sony, no doubt.
The execution of the hardware, both PS3 and PSP, was fantastic. I don't think anyone can doubt that both machines are amazing hardware. The launch of PS3, due mainly to price, hurt them. But now with the software ramping up and the optical HD format war over, the PS3 is looking like a better platform every day.
At the same time, it's making the 360 lawnmower look really weak. For what you get, $350 vs. $399, the PS3 is a STEAL. Especially given how janky 360 hardware is. Nobody doubts that either. It's a well established fact.
Korova @ May 14th 2008 6:55PM
Sony is still bleeding all over the card table and losing chips to Ninty and Xbox, like a drunk 49er at the wild west saloon.
Ninty is gorging itself on the shrimp cocktail and wiping the sause off with its tie made of money and Xbox has a retinue of sexy double-platinum blondes giggling on its knees.
I think at this point bleeding and losing like Sony is doing is beginning to border on bad taste.
John McPoop @ May 14th 2008 7:07PM
Well the 360 is certainly still in the red with the 1 billion dollar write off for repairs. They just did it all in 1 quarter so it looks like they are making money. Sony is coming a long way in terms of stream lined manufacturing and they are passing the saving along to the consumer to an extent. The thing was built at a loss initially and by the end of fiscal 2008 it will be out of the red and into the black. Not to mention all the boatloads of cash they will continue to make due to Blu-Ray winning the format war.
You are right about Nintendo though. They have mad boat loads of cash from the start and will continue to do so into the future. I remember reading (on the stiq I believe) they make around $150-$200 profit off each console they sell.
Also, the first fiscal year the PS3 was available was actually much shorter than this past fiscal year of earnings.
Zsavior @ May 14th 2008 7:14PM
I thought Xbox360 got into the black with halo? they are still bleeding money? I thought I read they are turning a profit now?
name123 @ May 14th 2008 7:27PM
The problem with the Wii, though, is that Nintendo is the only one really raking it in.
EA's financial report shows the PS2 made them more money than the Wii:
"Yup, The PS2 Is Still Buttering EA's Bread"
http://kotaku.com/390211/yup-the-ps2-is-still-buttering-eas-bread
John McPoop @ May 14th 2008 8:12PM
@Zsavior
Well they are making money because they wrote off the entire 1 billion dollar loss in 1 financial Quarter. So they had a Quarter of huge loss and every quarter since then has made them hundreds of millions of dollars. The last I saw they still have not recouped that entire billion dollar loss. There was also a piece online( Joystiq?) about how they have shifted different divisions in the company to misrepresent the actual earnings and losses (IE Zune)
At the current rate it will not be long before they recoup that entire write off.
name123 @ May 14th 2008 6:56PM
10m, so no price drop or slim PS3 this year. The software really isn't there yet.
Playboy X - My Avatar Actually Changed @ May 14th 2008 7:00PM
Here wii go again with this
Ninjakamster (PSN: Chin-Poh) @ May 14th 2008 7:01PM
Come on with the PS3 bashing!
LAWL @ May 14th 2008 7:28PM
Hmm,those numbers are better than expeted.
What are the chances sony is triying to manipulate the sales nubers AGAIN on the ps3 to make it look better?
Id say big.
browntown @ May 14th 2008 7:45PM
When has SONY manupilated their PS3 numbers, its not like they can lie about them.
jsn @ May 14th 2008 7:02PM
that's what being the best blu-ray player on the market gets you. Sadly it is still the best blu-ray player on the market too. Boycott blu!
unboring @ May 15th 2008 12:04PM
your so entirely lame JSN, always with the same old tired anti-sony slogans. Boycott Bluray? Why would I want to do that, It looks amazing on my 52" 1080p Bravia? KDL52W3000, why would I want to boycott Blu? HDTVs are quickly becoming the norm, why would people want to settle for 480p DVD when they can enjoy the maximum the performance of their home theaters with 1080p video and DTS HD and DOLBY TrueHD uncompressed High Definition Audio. Bluray is wayyyyyy better, just because you can't afford a HDTV, or you need glasses, doesnt mean I should be happy with 480p resolution.
Roto13 @ May 14th 2008 7:03PM
It was a rough start, but they seem to be picking up. I plan on buying one next month if I can. MGS4. :P
Benny @ May 14th 2008 7:05PM
Considering the immensely shitty PR the PS3 has had, it's doing a stellar job in terms of sales.
I guess the 10-year establishment of the PlayStation brand has paid dividends. Next generation I can see there being a big rethink in the Sony camp.
Ninjakamster (PSN: Chin-Poh) @ May 14th 2008 7:10PM
Lets hope so, just as Nintendo finally moved to optical media after foolishly sticking with cartridges in the N64 which was a big reason for it losing out to the PS1.
Just Me @ May 14th 2008 7:14PM
Sony sold something like 100 million+ PS2s, so I'm not surprised the PS3 would sell a good number of units on momentum alone. It's just a matter of enticing that existing base. The only thing holding back the masses has been pricing. There's no doubt in my mind that if the PS3 were cheaper, it would have totally dominated out of the gate.
Benny @ May 14th 2008 7:31PM
That's actually a good point. I think we forget the average Joe doesn't (didn't?) pay much attention to E3.
Maybe that's why I got strange looks for shouting RIIIIIDGE RACERRRR in public the other day...
Maverick Saturn @ May 14th 2008 7:10PM
Yup, and PSP sells 1% more software then last year ¬_¬ Sony have you forgotten about PSP?
Ninjakamster (PSN: Chin-Poh) @ May 14th 2008 7:17PM
Isn't the PSP really plagued by piracy issues? I've pirated a couple of PSP games. Hmm, why did I just say that out loud?
Maverick Saturn @ May 14th 2008 7:20PM
Lol, yeah, in America and Europe it seems, Japanese from the looks of things actually buy thier, Monster Hunter 2G just hit 2mill.
That would never happen over here.
Ninjakamster (PSN: Chin-Poh) @ May 14th 2008 7:19PM
Wonder how the sales would have been if Sony followed 360's strategy, games on DVD and have an optional external Blu-Ray drive or an SKU with the drive built in. For movies only.
I was shocked when the 360 first came out and was still using DVDs when the PS3 was announced to use Blu-Ray on its discs.
And yet, games are still perfectly fine on DVD, and its the slow Blu-Ray drive on the PS3 which makes lots of games have mandatory installations.
Sucks to see GTA4 needing over 3gb for installation on the PS3 and nothing on 360. Sigh...........
Curtis the Claw:PSN-ctclaw @ May 14th 2008 7:25PM
The installs are really starting to annoy me. I have at least 30 PS2 games and am sure I will have that much on the PS3 as well. If each game requires a 3gb install then I'm going to be pissed. I know I can just throw in a laptop hard drive, but I don't think I should have to pay more for something like this. My 360 has a 20gb hard drive and I've got 20 games for it and still have around 10gb free.
Maverick Saturn @ May 14th 2008 7:25PM
Sony were so fixated on capacity, they sacraficed speed and quality.
While the disks hold much more, they take longer to read, which is annoying to say the least.
Still...I can't complain much, its better then the times we had to wait for PS2 and PS1 games, and some PSP games.
Matt B @ May 14th 2008 7:27PM
It's only a big deal because the internet made you think so.