Microsoft optimistic as Xbox 360 has record Euro month; Sony claims overall lead
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Dec 4th 2008 at 2:26PM }
Meanwhile, Sony shucked word of Microsoft's dominant November and took a thunderous lead in the back-and-forth shouting match for the European crown. "I am confident that in PAL territories our installed base is 300,000 units ahead of Xbox 360," SCEE president David Reeves insisted to MCV, adding, "No we are not going to go down in price; neither are we going to go down in price on PS3 in spring time either." So there.
Source - Microsoft cautiously optimistic about Xbox sales [Reuters]
Source - Xbox 360 enjoys highest sales month ever in Europe [GI.biz]
Source - Sony: We're ahead of Xbox [MCV]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Squirtforce @ Dec 4th 2008 2:31PM
These console wars are really heating up, folks!
Cody @ Dec 4th 2008 5:32PM
Isn't Europe located over in Not America? Who cares??
copa @ Dec 4th 2008 2:34PM
"No we are not going to go down in price; neither are we going to go down in price on PS3 in spring time either. In fact, we're raising prices. We expect consumers to get a second job to be able to afford our console in a global economic meltdown. What kind of a job? Well, it involves your mouth and my cock."
SONY'S BACK, BABY!
arrrgh @ Dec 4th 2008 2:43PM
wooo!!! delays for everyone!!!
xFenixKnightx @ Dec 4th 2008 2:49PM
+1
Cody @ Dec 4th 2008 5:44PM
I gotta say everyone I've spoken with around my social circles have been abuzz for the PS3 as of late. Within the past 2-3 months it's definitely been the hot console to get in their eyes. And their reasons for not wanting a 360? Everyone of them brought up the red ring issue. Hardcore gamers on these blogs roll their eyes reading this, but the general public perception cannot be denied, just like the public perception on Wii is it's a "party console".
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Dec 4th 2008 6:19PM
@Cody
Thank you for that very "informative" post. Glad to know your small group of friends apparently represent the opinion of every gamer in the world
Wiinterfang @ Dec 4th 2008 7:27PM
+2.
Kaws1986 @ Dec 4th 2008 8:33PM
Looking at these comments and seeing the ones that got voted up and down shows that this site is filled with Xbox fanboys.
Ridgecity @ Dec 5th 2008 1:14AM
That comment made Iwata jump on Reggie's shoulders!
Mr Khan @ Dec 4th 2008 2:43PM
Certainly doubts about the 360 being able to stay in 2nd place were waived by Black Friday and its 2-1 blowout of PS3 in North America. But as the PAL territories increase in importance, PS3 still might be able to close the gap in the worldwide match
Dirty @ Dec 4th 2008 2:49PM
Just curious as to why you think the PAL territories are more important now? Seems to me that they are the same as they always were.
Mr Khan @ Dec 4th 2008 2:53PM
The importance of Europe (especially in the vein of it soon taking precedence over America) is something that has gained growing popularity amongst industry analysts
Of course, if the analysts were to be believed, PS3 would be king and Wii would be dead so take it as you will
Hala Madrid!! (THE BIRD IS THE WORD!!) @ Dec 4th 2008 2:53PM
Actually, it was a 3-1 blowout of PS3 in North America.
Haggard @ Dec 4th 2008 3:10PM
I suppose the Euro and EU have brought economic stability and increased prosperity to eastern european nations, which increases the number of potential customers.
But I'm fairly sure with 200 million people in the UK, France and Germany alone we were already quite a significant buyer of games consoles.
Hala Madrid!! (THE BIRD IS THE WORD!!) @ Dec 4th 2008 2:49PM
lower the price Sony, so we can keep this console war interesting. please?
C'mon, just 50 euros lower, so I can buy one for my brother this Christmas.
The Aggie CEO @ Dec 4th 2008 4:37PM
they will.......but if they admit to it now then people will wait til Spring thereby fucking Sony's Fiscal 2008 year up as far as sales goes.......thats why they deny the price cut even tho we KNOW its GONNA happen
Night Elve @ Dec 4th 2008 2:50PM
I guess you could say that Microsoft is taking a big risk by reducing the Xbox price ...
... and I understand the position that SONY is taking regarding the no price cut policy, they are already losing enough money from each console and let's not forget there is a financial crisis.
Most people complains about the PS3 price but if you ask me the price is right, is a fine machine which can play Blu-ray movies, surf the web, play music & videos, you can view your photos and is a neat DLNA certified machine.
And of course with great games like MGS4, LBP, Uncharted, R2 and so on.
:)
Mr Bunky @ Dec 4th 2008 3:00PM
The PS3 is a fine machine, but in this global recession, many people want a game machine over a game machine/movie player. At half the price, the 360 is really stealing a lot of the PS3's sales. Also with Black Friday Blu Ray players at $129-$149, the value of the PS3 is diminishing very quickly.
I think Sony has left the door open wide for Microsoft to steal a lot of their sales. And with Sony's current pompous attitude, that door has no signs of closing.
Haggard @ Dec 4th 2008 3:13PM
The PS3 is an excellent value choice for combined games machine and media centre, but unfortunately console gamers and movie nerds are not necessarily the same market.
Marty @ Dec 4th 2008 3:17PM
"The PS3 is a fine machine, but in this global recession, many people want a game machine over a game machine/movie player."
I don't doubt that in the global recession, consumers will turn to games, as well as movies, to take their minds off all the bad stuff... but who wants to pay premiums for Blu-Ray when you've already got the DVD, or can get it for half the price?
In my opinion, the hi-def movement came around at too high a price point for most, and then when the prices began lowering, the whole thing was further undermined by the crummy economy - and the result is that it's all sitting pretty stagnant right now, leaving the market wide-open for cheap digital distribution, among other things.
Lord Negatron @ Dec 4th 2008 3:24PM
IMO Haggard, said it best.
I don't even watch TV after work, much less movies when trying to slip in game time during the week.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Dec 4th 2008 5:03PM
"In my opinion, the hi-def movement came around at too high a price point for most, and then when the prices began lowering, the whole thing was further undermined by the crummy economy - and the result is that it's all sitting pretty stagnant right now, leaving the market wide-open for cheap digital distribution, among other things."
it's a new format, they always come in at outrageous prices. DVD came in the same way. you dont remember the PS2 being a "great value" at $300 because it had a DVD player in it? now that was way back in 2001. so i dont think that part is the problem, im blaming it solely on the economy. people just dont have the money now (and that includes Sony). Microsoft has done a great job of realizing that and has adjusted accordingly, and it's paying off now. Sony being stubborn along with being broke are not in a position to make the kind of moves MS is doing now.
i personally feel the PS3 is an awesome value (even at launch price) but i guess not everyone feels that way. i have a 360 too and it's a very similar experience for a lot less money but i still get that "premium" feeling when using my PS3 because of all the features and magnificent quality of the whole experience. but again, people just dont have that "premium" money right now.
Invisible Robot Meat @ Dec 4th 2008 2:50PM
Microsofts magic 8-ball red ringed. Thats what they get for developing their 8-ball in-house instead of springing for the one at k-mart
The Aggie CEO @ Dec 4th 2008 4:40PM
ROFLMAO!!!!!!
Khaled @ Dec 4th 2008 8:21PM
lol haha
Alien Lord @ Dec 4th 2008 2:53PM
Sony is full of shit as usual and MS will lead the real consoles (Wii doesn't really count till it has more real games).
jajaes @ Dec 4th 2008 5:06PM
thank you good sir!
Maverick Saturn @ Dec 4th 2008 5:44PM
You're so wise :)
el serpiente @ Dec 4th 2008 6:05PM
I think Alien Lord has a master chief poster on his wall. And he says "PEW PEW" when he throws his cheerios around the kitchen.
Markusdragon @ Dec 4th 2008 2:53PM
Competition is good.
tlarkin79 @ Dec 4th 2008 2:56PM
You have to remember though, when someone buys an xbox 360, they know they are buying a gaming system first, and it's cool that it can get all that online content too.
Personally, if I buy a PS3, it's because it's the best blu ray player out there. Oh, and it plays games too. I'm still much more likely to buy games for my 360 than any other system.
Havoc @ Dec 4th 2008 5:38PM
You know thats the type of comment I always see from people who dont own one. You know maybe alot of people just arent the type to own two consoles that are so similar.I spent 1,200 on my ps3 on day one and im not going to go out and get a 360 either. I think anyone thats complaining about 399 for a ps3 isnt going to get one anyways. Thats like saying Id buy that ford if it was a thousand cheaper even though i already own a chevy and i can only drive one car at a time, I dont think that ford having nicer wheels or a better stereo is realisticly going to convince you that you need it. Game systems these days are investments like a ten year investment according to sony and cant be looked at like owning a super nintendo and a genesis at the same time. Not Today....
The Fuzz 53 @ Dec 5th 2008 11:54AM
Voted down for stupidity.
$1,200? Really?
Jinkster @ Mar 2nd 2009 12:19PM
And you sound like the typical PS3 owner that doesnt own a 360.Well I have a 360 and a PS3 and I bought the PS3 mainly for the blu ray and the webbrowsing is a plus. When it comes to games though, the 360 wins hands down. I've played the Killzone Demo...and its unplayable with the controller...not fun at all.For one, the controller on the PS3 is not that great. It was good when the PS2 was out, but they never moved it forward. Sure it has motion controls and now has rumble, but its shape and analog sticks suck.Also PS3 owners do really get this...but it SUCKS playing a game without a headset and friends to play with. Sony made it too difficult to meet friends online and they dont include a headset with each machine. How many people will actually go out and get a blutooth headset to play games? Not many unfortunately.
GoonieGooGoo @ Dec 4th 2008 2:57PM
Methinks a better indicator would be Software sales....and we know Sony isn't winning that battle.
Noshino @ Dec 4th 2008 4:02PM
EA: "the PS3 accounted for about 17% of total revenue in comparison to the Xbox 360’s 10%"
Namco Bandai: "the PS3 currently moved approximately 57% more software than it’s direct competitor, the Xbox 360"
Ubisoft: "According to UbiSoft’s half year financial report (6 months 2008/09), the PS3 accounted for about 20% of the software sales compared to the Xbox 360’s 14%"
http://gamer.blorge.com/2008/10/26/analysis-ps3-selling-more-games-than-xbox-360-with-smaller-install-base/
Before you say anything, these are fiscal reports, so no, they are not made up numbers.
F1 @ Dec 4th 2008 4:18PM
Sorry Noshino, but the numbers for Sony's software sales are just like the Nintendo's; inflated. Because Sony puts a game in nearly every fracking box they produce their software sales naturally increase. This is the same reason Wiisports is constantly on top of the top 10 game sales. In all actuality if you trim software sales down to stand alone products and not include Sony's/ Nintendo's little bundles of joy you'll probably see that 57% drops down to 30-40%.
Alien Lord @ Dec 4th 2008 4:39PM
Noshino you are full of shit, watching to software sales 360 out sells PS3 every time, Sony almost never gets more then 2 titles on the top ten list1
The Aggie CEO @ Dec 4th 2008 4:43PM
@F1:.........
they put an EA game in every box????
Show me where that bundle is??? no really......show mw....
Dirty @ Dec 4th 2008 4:46PM
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001A3DKGC
The Aggie CEO @ Dec 4th 2008 4:46PM
and oh yea.......its not Wii Sports its WiiPlay....which comes with a Controller.......
Game Sales dont include games that come with the console........which is why the True numbers of MGS4 are still up in the air.......
The Aggie CEO @ Dec 4th 2008 4:51PM
@Dirty......bah.....here I am thinking we are talking about PS3 sales......not the PSP.....which I'm pretty sure had rather lackluster sales on that model as compared to the God of War, Star Wars, or Daxter bundles......
Dirty @ Dec 4th 2008 4:51PM
Also Noshino, looking at that blog for 2 seconds revealed that they are extremely biased.
Noshino @ Dec 4th 2008 4:55PM
huh? the only games that I recall being on a bundle from the 3 companies that I mentioned were:
EA: Madden, Rockband, Fight Night Round 3
I don't really recall any other bundles for the 3 of them...
Also, the 360 has a EA sports bundle and a Rockband bundle as well, so they negate each other...
Noshino @ Dec 4th 2008 5:06PM
F1,
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=360+sports+bundle&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=
Alien Lord,
Don't take my word for it, those are THEIR financial reports
Dirty,
I know, but I mentioned just to show the source. Anyway, I ll post the direct links I guess.
EA:
http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ERTS/481554381x0x205801/b5229035-2624-4a11-bcee-6dc5645f5ffe/Earnings%20Release.pdf
Ubisoft:
http://www.ubisoftgroup.com/gallery_files/site/270/1042/1827.pdf?PHPSESSID=a7e7dd6437825b39444ac12d9e61f3ee
I would post the Namco Bandai, but it is all in Japanese (and I can only enter 3 URLs :( )
nick @ Dec 4th 2008 6:58PM
I'm looking at the link for EA Financials, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it's from May 2008 reporting on the fiscal year that ended in March 2008. It appears we're talking about games that were released back in December 2007 and early 2008.
If look at FY Q1 through Q3, you'll see the data is more consistent, and then in Q4 the numbers are radically different.
The reason for the increase, I suspect is the number of PS3s sold around that time frame. I'm not sure you can conclude that PS3 games generate more revenue overall, but you can say that PS3 games sold well for EA during end of their fiscal year back in March. It would be interesting to see how the number look beyond March 2008. Generally 360 games outsell their PS3 counterparts when multiplatform.
By the way, the games that were released by EA during the period in question were Army of Two, Burnout Paradise, FIFA Street 3, and NFL Tour.
Noshino @ Dec 4th 2008 8:14PM
nick,
you got a good point, see, in EA's case, the sales have been on the rise throughout the year, but as seem in 2nd quarter of FY 09 you can see that the sales of 360 software was higher, now if you look at the releases for that quarter you'll see that Rockband 2 was released on the 360 during that quarter...
GoonieGooGoo @ Dec 5th 2008 11:16AM
All I gotta do is look at my wall.....if its multiplatform...it goes to 360.....just like XBOX vs PS2.
"my friend only has PS3 so I had to buy that version of the game to play with them"....that's the only reason I can think of why you would go for the PS3 version over 360 versions in most cases if you had to choose between the 2.
borland502 (SDF Macross) @ Dec 4th 2008 2:58PM
They are getting cocky in Europe. I love you Sony, but you actually have a chance at bitch slapping someone over there. Don't let it be your loyal fans.
Sales didn't just automagically increase for the 360 overall because Banjo came out.