Flame on: PS3 a 'sinking ship' (PSP, too)

by James Ransom-Wiley { Dec 12th 2008 at 2:42PM }

How about this for a lead sentence: "Sony's PS3 is dying on the shelves." Silicon Alley Insider has spun NPD's November report into a death sentence for PlayStation 3 and its little buddy, pointing to an 18 percent drop in November sales of the console from 2007 to 2008 as proof that PS3 is "flopping." (Comparatively, Xbox 360 sales recorded a modest percentage gain and Wii sales more than doubled.) The cause? It's a three-way tie, according to the analysis:

The cost: PS3 is the most expensive console. Period. (But it ain't exactly cheap to piece together a comparable Xbox 360.)
The Blu-rays: Americans continue to buy DVDs (by May's count, at least). Things are starting to reverse ... in Japan.
The games: Silicon Alley Insider believes PS3 doesn't have "any" must-have exclusives. That's ridiculous. But it doesn't have many.

Conclusion: "Tell yourself the PS3 has superior graphics if it makes you feel better, but a $400 console with a mediocre game library simply cannot compete against an Xbox 360 priced at $200 in this economy." Ooh! Dem's fightin words.

As for PSP? Same story. DS made Sony's handheld look amateur last month (final score: 1.57m to 421K -- guess who won?). PSP is too expensive, claims Silicon Alley Insider. It has super graphics that "no one cares about." And the games -- where are the new games?

[Thanks, Jeremy]

Source – Sony's PS3 A Sinking Ship: Sales Plummet [Silicon Alley Insider]
Source – Not Just The PS3: Sony's PSP Sales Stink Too [Silicon Alley Insider]

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)

Night Elve @ Dec 12th 2008 2:45PM

Wait. What?

nonpareil @ Dec 12th 2008 3:18PM

I've got a '360 and a PS3. While the '360 is fun, it's not as elegant as the PS3 (nor live as elegant as XMB).

I play more games on the '360, and generally buy for the '360 unless there are critical graphical differences, but I really, really wanted to love the PS3. I wanted it to blow me away with a steady flow of awesome titles that I couldn't keep up with (the PS2 did that, but I only had an xbox, and watched with tears in my eyes as I missed exclusives too numerous and wonderful to imagine).

What has the PS3 given me? It's generally my go-to device for streaming, because it's less finicky than the '360. I never use it to surf the web (uh, wut), and I only play a couple of games on it (LBP, MGS4, Uncharted). Every other game I've wanted has come out on the '360, and is generally available for less second-hand (used PS3 games are always more expensive, oddly). But nothing's blown me away.

I'm holding out for Killzone, Heavy Rain, God of War 3, but they may be too little, too late. I adore LBP, but despite being a masterpiece, there are way, way, way too many issues. You can pour hours into a great level, but no one will play. Levels vanish inexplicably. And the level search is still borked.

Uncharted is a great franchise, but I could have lived without it (though it is in a class above Tomb Raider). MGS4 I enjoyed heaps, but had the same gripes others had - I could have lived without it.

The bottom line is the PS3 is just over-engineered, and under-utilized. With the era of the exclusive over, gamers and consumers alike will look past brand loyalty to (1) bang for their buck, (2) online gaming options. The '360 wins on both fronts. Though MS has some serious build issues (much less now than earlier) with the Xbox, it's simply the only rational choice in the post-exclusive era, and in these rough economic times.

Turd Ferguson (formerly antsmarching) @ Dec 12th 2008 3:18PM

Yeah, you haven't heard? PS3 is worthless. And Dane Cook is a really cool, funny dude.

xFenixKnightx @ Dec 12th 2008 3:27PM

Hey now, PS3 is NOT worthless!

My Dark Knight and KungFu Panda Blurays say hello. :)

xFenixKnightx @ Dec 12th 2008 3:53PM

HEY, PS3 Fanboys!

http://www.kleenex.com

:D

Evan @ Dec 12th 2008 3:57PM

Yeah, that's my problem with LittleBigPlanet as well - you can poor hours into making a great level and with no guarantee that people will see and enjoy it. I'd prefer to put my time into creating Flash content, at least I have control of distributing it.

umm....hello??? @ Dec 12th 2008 4:03PM

@nonpareil-

heh...did you write that, or did I?? my thoughts exactly. the only thing I'd add is that (new release) BluRay movies are wayyy overpriced ($20-$35) for what you can get on DVD. and with many DVD's constantly on sale for around $3-$7 per movie, guess which way the consumer spends? or if they do watch Bluray, they go the rental route instead of buying (CostCo's prices are even around $35 for new releases).

anonim1979 @ Dec 12th 2008 4:11PM

@nonpareil

Considering that 90% multiplatform games are BETTER on X360 and the rest, with very few exceptions (3 or 4 games only!), AT MOST comparable to X360 version - always take X360 version.

PS3 on the other hand has some VERY good exclusives - when RSX and Cell are specially programed to work in tandem PS3 games shine - in multiplatform games weaker GPU in PS3 is liability - worse framerates/screen tearing/no AA/cut out effects/hideous bluring/lowe resolution/textures etc.

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=318609

giantenemycrab @ Dec 12th 2008 4:23PM

No matter how big of a "fanboy" you are for the 360 or Wii, I think we can all agree that Sony pulling out of the video game business would be a huge blow to the industry. We shouldn't want Sony to fail and still claim to be video gamers. The headline, "The PS3 is a sinking ship" should sadden and worry us all. Without competition, watch MS start charging $79 for games. Just watch. We need the "console wars." We don't want Microsoft, of all companies, to monopolize the "hardcore" sector of the video game market.

Heh @ Dec 12th 2008 4:26PM

@xFenixKnightx

I lul'd

LordVesper007 @ Dec 12th 2008 4:36PM

Umm no sony pulling out would be fine with me. Sega can take it's place or Apple for all I care.

sony is not important at all. Overchanging on a game console just to push a movie format is not what I call thinking of the gamers.

xFenixKnightx @ Dec 12th 2008 4:49PM

;)

Levi @ Dec 12th 2008 5:07PM

Anyone who says the PS3 has a crappy library of games, you should check the shelves. Anyone who says that Blu-Ray doesn't matter, go look at Dark Knight sales on the Tuesday it was released. Anyone who doesn't take the PSN games library into account, you are foolish, as it is full of awesome awesome games for ten bucks each. Finally, anyone who says the PS3 is dead just because it's selling the least right now is also dumb. It still sells hundreds of thousands of units. The numbers this year, despite the economic situation, are larger than last year. That's the very opposite of dying.

Let's not forget that PS3 has all those multiplatform games that you have on your 360's. Just because you bought them on your 360, leaving you with a lot less PS3 games, doesn't mean there aren't enough games, or that the 360 has a far superior library. You could just as easily have gotten these games on your PS3. I just played Dead Space, and I haven't finished Mirror's Edge or Fallout 3. There are 5 games coming out on the PSN in the span of about a month that I'm looking forward to. The PS3 does NOT have a weak library just because the 360 has a few more racing games.

I'm not a fanboy, but these flame wars piss me off, because it always results in idiot 360 owners (or even you guys that own both) saying the 360 is so much better. They are both fantastic systems.

The bottom line is that I would recommend the 360 to anyone who wants Halo, or doesn't have an HDTV. If you have an HDTV and/or don't care about Halo or Gears of War, I would reccomend the PS3. You would be foolish to ignore the Blu-Ray format if you have an HDTV at this point and it is definitely worth the extra $100 (assuming we're comparing to the Pro and not the inferior Arcade).

I don't really care what anybody says. These analysts are idiots who don't know what they're talking about. It just really pisses me off so bad for some reason when people say the PS3 has a weak library. It has so many good games I could puke all over your mom. And even though I have no desire to pick up a 360, I'm not so fanboy that I can't say it's a good system.

Tune in soon for a preview of my indie game in progress where you slaughter trolls and fanboys. Not kidding. :)

eNrique @ Dec 12th 2008 5:33PM

Well, i think it's more a matter of taste, I don't buy used games, cuz I am NOT a cheap bastard, that's why i can afford both consoles, but the games I have gotten so far, most of them are for the PlayStation 3, cuz the do look and play better, like Assasin's Creed, Burnout, Ridge Racer, Dead Space, Civilization 4, CoD 4, GTA 4 and the list goes on and on plus the exclusives. The games I have bought for the xbox so far have been gears, Kane's Wrath and Tales Of Vesperia.

No matter how you view it software sales for the Ps3 are growing

http://gamer.blorge.com/2008/10/26/analysis-ps3-selling-more-games-than-xbox-360-with-smaller-install-base/
*You can check out meta-metareview, Again if you want

If hardware sales are better on the 360, its because it's cheaper not cuz it's really better.
And for those whining about the price of the Ps3, let's make a small comparison:

Ps3 80Gb $400
Wi-Fi
Blu-ray
Free PSN
Ability to install other OS (like Linux, before you say "I don't use it", I feel sorry for you, the emulators alone are the best reasons to install it)
And Remote Access/Play (which is ****ing awesome really)
add a $20 bluetooth headset

xbox 360 $299
+Live for at least 3 years For 2 people $300 (i don't like to share accounts)
Wi-Fi $100
Plug and Play kit $20
(considering HD-DVD as the medium for Hi-def movies) another +50)

For me it isn't a real bargain

And I might be misinformed, but what's on catalog fo the xbox next year?
halo 4?, only dlc?

I don't think you're making a fair comparison,
But Well, IT'S JUST MY OPINION.

DigDug @ Dec 12th 2008 5:40PM

Meh. trailer-trash Xbox fanboy just got an internet connection and wrote some "news"..

Whats funny, is the headline is more fitting like this: "Xboxes are dying on the shelves, or soon after consumers get them home"

Seems this particular slimeball "news" site is desperate for hits, and has to resort to fanboyism to generate web hits. I thought the jokers here were bad...

DigDug @ Dec 12th 2008 5:45PM

You would have to be thick to fall for this stupid trick. Look who Silicon Insider is.. Variety, you know that magazine that Microsoft owns...

Microsoft are playing really dirty now, they actually invent blogs to trash the competition....

Lars @ Dec 12th 2008 5:58PM

/sigh... why Joystiq? Why?

I thought this was funny:

"The games: Silicon Alley Insider believes PS3 doesn't have "any" must-have exclusives. That's ridiculous. But it doesn't have many."

Because PS3 has more must-have exclusives than any other console right now, and PC's too (IMO). But even this is kind of stupid to point out because must-have's are completely objective. To me, if a system has just one must-have exclusive, then I must have the system :)

Noshino @ Dec 12th 2008 6:30PM

nonpareil,

A few points in regards of your post

"With the era of the exclusive over"

Far from it, I think you are mistaken, exclusives are less frequent than they were before because the cost of development has increased exponentially, not because people stopped caring about them. The few exclusives will matter.

"1) bang for their buck,"

Once again, you are mistaken, I think what you meant was cheapest console, because it has been proven that the PS3 is the console that provides the most features for the price

"(2) online gaming options."

That's up to each individual, there are people that don't like to pay for XBL so that also overshadows its advantages

"Though MS has some serious build issues (much less now than earlier) with the Xbox, it's simply the only rational choice in the post-exclusive era, and in these rough economic times."

That's the thing, you could go to any store and ask the staff in charge for their recommendation, they always recommend you the 360, yet you never ever hear anything about RRoDs nor the fact that you pay for XBL. I was kicked out of my neighborhood's Gamestop 2 weeks ago because I actually told a couple the truth about both consoles, and told them its better for them to wait til at least next year.

Btw, why doesn't this "Insider" provide any actual sources? I mean, over 3 major companies have proven that the PS3 software has been selling very well (at least before Black Friday)

required @ Dec 12th 2008 7:41PM

Little known fact is Sony sold a lot more PlayStations than Microsoft sold Xboxes.

gst @ Dec 12th 2008 8:23PM

@giantenemycrab

I highly doubt that the PS3 will be the downfall of Sony even if the console itself "tanks" or is a "sinking ship" or whatever. It takes a little while for a company to completely run themselves out of the console wars. Sega had to shoot itself in the foot at least a few times (32x, cd, followed immediately by saturn, dreamcast was questionably DOA no matter how charming it was) before they were run out and they were a much smaller company than Sony is.

To make the other obvious comparison, many people would have said (and probably did) that Gamecube was a sinking ship, but Nintendo managed a huge turnaround in the following generation, albeit by switching a good deal of their market focus to be more casual or broad=based.
Still, even if Sony were to do something along those lines out of desperation (or inspiration), what market are they going to switch to? The hardcasual? Naw. They'll keep fighting to have another PS2 - the one that (almost) everyone ends up having.

Its just that what that dominant console is, and what it is defined by changed every generation and you have to take a guess at it. PS3 guessed expensive, over-engineered machine of doom (and sleek chrome finish!). It turns out that isn't working as well. Oh well, they'll learn. And they'll be back.

And just to bring it back to a point, that means that gamers are just fine reveling in poor performance of the PS3. Let Sony take their lumps (if that is how this generation turns out). I'm more than confident that they will be releasing consoles for a long while anyways.

B @ Dec 12th 2008 10:09PM

Reed Elsevier owns Variety, and I see nothing of Reed Elsevier being owned by Microsoft.

Foetoid @ Dec 13th 2008 12:24AM

@eNrique

Your equations may work in your country, but not everywhere. In Australia, the RRP of the Ps3 is about AUS$699 but the 360 Pro is $399 (same as Wii). In your case the 360 is 3/4 of the price of a Ps3, but it's better value for money here. This probably works much the same in other countries.

Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Dec 13th 2008 3:15PM

All the WAAAAAAMBULANCES are going to be busy for the duration of this Article..

Vol @ Dec 13th 2008 4:47PM

@Levi:

"I'm not a fanboy, but these flame wars piss me off, because it always results in idiot 360 owners (or even you guys that own both) saying the 360 is so much better. They are both fantastic systems."

Fuck that. I own both systems (360/PS3) and I'm not an idiot (or anyone else) for thinking the 360 is better. It's the general consensus from owners of both systems that the 360 is the best gaming console.

Making a broad, sweeping statement that 360 owners are idiots makes you a douche and a troll. Last I checked, the majority of buyers are on the 360 side.

-1

Gurbinder @ Dec 15th 2008 7:42PM

This article annoys me. Not the fact that I'm a fanboy or anything but the fact someone downrates a console simply because of its sales. What matters is if its good not its sales. If you can't afford it, dont bother with it

EihBeir @ Dec 12th 2008 2:46PM

Alright, I was a clean fight. Watch your low blows...watch your kidney punches. Alright, get to your corners and come out fightin'.

Nutchos @ Dec 12th 2008 3:01PM

That was 2yrs ago. Now the PS3 is in a corner all bloodied up.

Not that I care, I have all three. Admittedly the only games I've played on it though are uncharted and MGS4.

Also as someone whose working in the home theatre department at bestbuy, Blueray is actually picking up a lot of steam. Right now blueray players are priced pretty low (around $250 for decent ones) and some come bundled with a tv for $99 (in Canada). Most of the customers I talk to buying TVs are either interested in picking up a blueray player with their tv, already have one, or are atleast considering one in the near future.

I would say a minority say they aren't concerned about blueray movies at all (mainly those buying for older parents, etc).

andyg8180 @ Dec 12th 2008 3:13PM

Has anyone contacted Chad Warden about this??

Cellien @ Dec 12th 2008 3:14PM

I have all 3 too, and the only games I've bought or care for the PS3 are LBP and Wipeout. Haven't played it in some time now though, to be perfectly honest.

The Aggie CEO @ Dec 12th 2008 3:25PM

@Nutchos: for someone who works at Best Buy you CONTINUE to prove just how much you and your fellow employees DONT know what you are referring too......

its BLU-RAY.......

shannon @ Dec 12th 2008 3:34PM

@Aggie: ooohhh! singe!

a @ Dec 12th 2008 4:26PM

If success= profits than things look different.

The fact is the 360 is the most heavily subsidized of the 3 consoles. MS has far deeper pockets and can afford to loose the Billions (4+ so far) that the others can't. They also trying to get the monthly subscription cash they couldn't get with MSN. For those that cry "the xbox is profitable" , note what my accountant friend pointed out, that the loss for all those repairs was taken a year ago and is still being payed out. It might make them money eventually, but Billions are hard to make up.

The fact that Nintendo out innovated everybody is somewhat amazing.

Overall though competition is better for us the consumer, as they keep throwing new features they would never have before fighting for our console cash.

SlyTheBoss @ Dec 12th 2008 5:08PM

Nutchos, for someone working in the home theatre department, you should know it's Blu-ray and not blueray. Wait, what? Best Buy you said? Oh sorry, I understand now...

Nutchos @ Dec 12th 2008 7:46PM

holy shit whats up with all the grammar nazis @.@;

The point of it was that BLU-RAY isn't quite as bad as the article claims it to be. A lot of people are interested in it going forward.

whookid @ Dec 12th 2008 2:46PM

(Sits Back, watches shit hit the fan)

Morisato @ Dec 12th 2008 3:40PM

What are you doing shitting over a fan? That's disgusting. It's just going to end up flying back at you and cover the back sides of your legs.

NukeAssault @ Dec 12th 2008 3:41PM

Oh god... its everywhere!

seemoneh @ Dec 12th 2008 4:08PM

Lol. Classic.

I miss my Bob Saget

wonderweazel @ Dec 12th 2008 10:02PM

oh,, Its in my raccoon wounds

sk8monroe81 @ Dec 12th 2008 2:46PM

lol.. seriously..just had to laugh due to all the arguements with ps3 fanboys about this.

i told you fanboys so.
why'd you have to argue so damn much about it???

i still love some ps3 exclusives though.

LordVesper007 @ Dec 12th 2008 4:09PM

They argue cuz it's all they can do.

Lmao at this article. Just classic.

Fuck sony.

el serpiente @ Dec 12th 2008 10:48PM

Are you two gonna make sweet love now?

Duke @ Dec 12th 2008 2:47PM

I'm so glad I got this new flame resistant suit today. Now I can watch this unfold without fear of being charred alive.

I think that it's unwise to start counting out Sony right now.

Ayrkain @ Dec 12th 2008 2:56PM

Yeah, I mean third place can still be profitable until Sony figures things out (if they can). They've botched it, and while that may not change anytime soon, they can still keep putting out first party stuff and try to keep multi-plat titles coming in.

Orion @ Dec 12th 2008 4:14PM

Ayrkain, you made me laugh...

It's funny to see fanboys of Sony's systems, now saying a 3rd place console can still be profitable, when those same fans were pointing and laughing at Nintendo's Gamecube sales figures always saying so confidently that "Sony may *consider* buying them out someday", acting quite cocky about the whole matter and assuming Nintendo was the new Sega. Nintendo fans said the console still performed well, made quite a bit of money, and sold compairable numbers as xbox for much of it's life, but sony fans just sat back and laughed. Don't get me wrong, I have every Sony system made so far (except the PS3), but I never liked hearing Sony fanboys be so condesending about Nintendo fan's logic when it came to sales. So...

Well my friend, it's my time to laugh. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Ahem..

Sorry 'bout that.

Ayrkain @ Dec 12th 2008 4:58PM

Well, Orion, I owned all three last gen. Had a 360 too, but it wouldn't actually y'know... play games. So I'm PSWii at the moment until Jaspers are more in demand. And incidentally, I wasn't running around on message boards last gen, so why are you trolling me?

ANTCEP @ Dec 12th 2008 2:48PM

psp too expensive? the ds is £100 here and the psp £110. they seem pretty evenly priced to me

sk8monroe81 @ Dec 12th 2008 3:05PM

he means psp is too expensive because not enough people are buying them...

dropping the price would make sales increase.

the ds lite sold 1,500,000 million units in 1 month at $ 150, while the psp 300 sold 400,000 units at $ 200

ssuk @ Dec 12th 2008 4:18PM

The DS is overpriced in the UK as well. It's been £100 since March 2005. How much are Nintendo raking in with every UK DS sold? It must cost them a tiny percentage of that £100 to make the DS console.

What's worse is that they'll probably charge MORE for the DSi...