Xbox 360 sales reach 28M, Xbox Live garners 17M users

by Justin McElroy { Jan 6th 2009 at 11:55AM }

Thanks to "over-achieving" in Europe and (we'd imagine) a few sales in North America over the holidays, the 360 has reached 28 million units sold worldwide. That's more than 8 million ahead of PS3 and around 12 million (estimated) behind Wii. Microsoft also claims there are around 17 million users on Xbox Live, with over $1 billion in sales occurring on the service.

To give some perspective to these numbers: If you were to stack all the 360s on top of each other, then stack all the PS3s and Wiis next to them, then stack all the PCs and DSs and PSPs in yet another stack and then just walk away, we could probably all get a lot more reading done.

Tags: consolewars, sales

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Duke @ Jan 6th 2009 11:59AM

As you can guess, my new business renting out 10 million 360's better take off soon otherwise I'm screwed!

Alien Lord @ Jan 6th 2009 1:32PM

9240000, that's almost a million.

DigDug @ Jan 6th 2009 6:16PM

This news fails on so many levels.

1. it's not 17m gamers on XBL, as this number is both free sliver accounts and paid for gold accounts. It's likely to be around 9-10m gold accounts globally (less than PSN gamers).

2. It's only 8m difference between PS3 and 360 because only Microsoft have announced their global xmas numbers. Expect that to drop once Sony and Nintendo do the same...

3. Microsofts numbers include over 1m store demo units, Sony and Nintedo do not.

4. Microsofts numbers include RROD replacements.

Are you people thick?

Alien Lord @ Jan 6th 2009 3:44PM

DigDug you really are a Sony troll, what does Sony pay your psychiatrist?

Duke @ Jan 6th 2009 3:46PM

DigDug - your post had nothing to do with mine so thanks for nothing. You're a troll and we all know it. All you do is talk the same anti-MS bs each time you post - so spare us from calling others thick.

gravewolf @ Jan 6th 2009 12:00PM

What is 33% of 28 million? ...just kidding.

Alien Lord @ Jan 6th 2009 1:43PM

9240000, that's almost a million. *replied to the wrong person*

sandjack @ Jan 6th 2009 2:03PM

*ten* million you mean?

Alien Lord @ Jan 6th 2009 2:20PM

shit you're right, I should have added the commas, it makes it easier to read larger numbers.

=Lord Negatron of the XBots= @ Jan 6th 2009 12:03PM

Fap fap fap fap fap!

Ugh... Huh?-Wha-what are you doing in here?!? ALL OF YOU! OUUT AT ONCE!!!

I..I...I was just reading.

gravewolf @ Jan 6th 2009 12:05PM

My eyes!!!....rushed out screaming...

Wiinterfang @ Jan 6th 2009 1:06PM

Ew there's Oil everywhere, I'm out of here.

*slips*

Marty @ Jan 6th 2009 1:28PM

That's... that's not oil.

Vol @ Jan 6th 2009 12:05PM

That's a lot of friggin' plastic.

Julian @ Jan 6th 2009 12:12PM

a little over half their userbase has LIVE? thats kinda sad for a console who has a selling point of "We have the best internet service" The ps3 has a bigger PSN-userbase ration than that

Duke @ Jan 6th 2009 12:22PM

I don't follow on how that's sad. If they sold 8 million more units, then how do you think PS is in a better position? Just because of how many may or may not be using online gaming features? I would look more towards units sold and attach rates for games and accessories.

Julian @ Jan 6th 2009 12:28PM

well it is sad for XBL because they market it as the best online gaming service around with the best features etc etc, only little over half their userbase uses it, that can't look good when your tuting your service like that. It looks even worse, when your competitor which is new to the online scene has more users on their network than yours, and even if the Playstation 3 has less units out there, it has a bigger percentage is using online, than XBL, which I state again, is supposed to be a selling factor of the 360

xFenixKnightx (In Memory of Ben Carmine RIP) @ Jan 6th 2009 12:32PM

Julian = Blind PS3 Fanboy

How cute.

Just buy all 3 man. ALL of them are great it's just that 360 is the best. IMO...of course :)

Wiinterfang @ Jan 6th 2009 1:10PM

The online factor was the selling point of the original Xbox, the selling factor of the 360 is pure awesomeness I believe most 360 user bough the 360 for that.

marauder800 @ Jan 6th 2009 1:37PM

I have 4 PSN accounts on one machine, and most of the people I know also create multiple region accounts. You can't really rely on PSN usage stats for that reason. To be honest, despite having 4 accounts I almost never game on PSN because of the lack of mic usage. Including an inexpensive mic with the console was genius on MS' part.

Alien Lord @ Jan 6th 2009 1:40PM

Exactly Wiinterfang I bought mine for the system and when I first got one I couldn't go online because I couldn't get broadband, I'm sure there are a lot of users in that boat.

Matthew @ Jan 6th 2009 1:59PM

Julian,

Don't you think that its even more sad that something like 1/3 of PS3 owners don't know that their systems play Blu-Ray, too lazy to dig up the article but I am sure that you remember that one

Matt @ Jan 15th 2009 1:58AM

@zero2dash:

"How is it "more robust", exactly?

Last I checked, both have -
-a universal friends list
-chat and messaging
-online play

So what exactly about Live is "more robust" than the PSN?"

The fact that the Xbox Live service is more reliable, easier to navigate, easier to find friends, DLC offerings, etc.

It is much more robust. Not to mention that the PSN is going the wrong direction with Home, deciding to attempt a switch to what Penny-Arcade calls "nothing more than a cumbersome menu, a rampart over which you must hoist yourself to accomplish the most basic tasks." Also saying, "Here is everything you need to understand about Home, if you should accidentally launch it from your XMB: press and hold the Playstation button in the center of your Dual-Shock or Sixaxis controller. From the menu that appears, select Quit."

As it happens, I agree with them. And I have used it. Now, in the immortal words of Tycho Brahe, you seem to be "under the impression that because something is free, this places it on some golden dais beyond censure. It's no virtue to give away something that no-one in their right mind would buy."

Marcus @ Jan 6th 2009 12:09PM

17 million users is kind of a false stat. I know several people who have multiple accounts, especially for Halo.

Fernando Rocker @ Jan 6th 2009 12:08PM

At this rate, I don't think that the PS3 will ever catch the 360 sales.

The PS3 is still 8 millions behind, and the gap just decreased less than a million.

And it's actually a good thing. The 360 and PS3 are very comparable machines graphically speaking, and the only advantage that the PS3 has over the 360 is the Bluray player, but as a gaming machine, the 360 gives you a better experience than the PS3 for a much lower price.

Good sales for a very good system.

Esat Dedezade @ Jan 6th 2009 12:13PM

I am in total concurence with ^ statement.

xFenixKnightx (In Memory of Benjamin Carmine RIP) @ Jan 6th 2009 12:20PM

Fernando FTW!

"At this rate, I don't think that the PS3 will ever catch the 360 sales."

Yeah its not happening. Not saying Sony needs to pack it in or anything, I'm just saying Sony Fanboys need to pack it in. :P

Fernando Rocker @ Jan 6th 2009 12:23PM

And the Bluray advantage over the 360 is only in the movie playback, and not in gaming.

I mean... MGS4, according to Konami, is 32GB (not 50GB). So, a game of the size of MGS4 could be possible on the 360 with four discs... but... just imagine if MGS4 was ported to 360: 4 discs, each disc containing 2 Chapters... you just have to change the disc once every two chapters, and it will take less than 30 seconds. That's less time... very little time compared to the time it takes the PS3 to install the data between each chapter.

Even the PS3 mandatory installs are to make the PS3 loading times comparable to the 360 loading times... comparable, and not better.

Duke @ Jan 6th 2009 12:23PM

I gotta admit though, I have been using my PS3 more and more lately. I like the machine. Whether its behind in sales forever doesn't matter as long as the devs keep making good titles.

xFenixKnightx (In Memory of Ben Carmine RIP) @ Jan 6th 2009 12:28PM

Blasphemy, Duke! BLASPHEMY!!!

:P

anonim1979 @ Jan 6th 2009 12:29PM

@Fernando Rocker

30GB
AND that is MGS4 + MGO

Put MGO on one DVD, throw out PS3 firmware upgrade (250MB), (theoretical) instalation files/repeated files put on BD to speed up slow bluray access time etc.

Meybe do separate language versions - ie. only englisg , only french, etc.

And it will take at most 2 DVDs if not ONE.

Fernando Rocker @ Jan 6th 2009 12:31PM

anonim1979

And not only that. MGS4 has several hours of unlooped and uncompressed radio static sound. I mean... why? Just to fill the Bluray disc?

That's completely unnecesary.

Duke @ Jan 6th 2009 12:37PM

Fenix, I figured that would shock you. :P

Cellien @ Jan 6th 2009 12:52PM

There is nothing in MGS4 that made me think wow, Blu-Ray gaming is the future. Unless you consider uncompressed 90 min cutscenes as gaming or even necessary.

xFenixKnightx (In Memory of Ben Carmine RIP) @ Jan 6th 2009 1:07PM

MS E309: "MGS4: Weapons of the Patriots Subsistance available Holiday 09' on Xbox 360!!!"

ZOMGICANFINALLYHAZMGS4ONMY360WTFBBQ?!!!!!!!

:P

Wiinterfang @ Jan 6th 2009 1:08PM

Good to have you on our side Fernado...I have wii on my user name so you and me are the same brother, thanks for joining the Light side.

Tiptup300 @ Jan 6th 2009 1:11PM

pfft, Why the hell wouldn't my radio static be in 5.1? Think fernando!

zero2dash @ Jan 6th 2009 1:25PM

@ Fernando

"but as a gaming machine, the 360 gives you a better experience than the PS3 for a much lower price."

Not when you factor in the cost of Live @ $50 a year, compared to the PSN being free.

I like both systems equally, but I am very happy that I can play over the PSN for free which is the reason I've let my Xbox Live subscription expire.

eNrique @ Jan 6th 2009 1:40PM

Well considering almost everyone has AT least 2 360's(like me, 1 rrod and the other a ticking bomb) and 5+live accounts it's not really a surprise.
And again, NO MGS4 can not be ported to 360 on 4 Dvd's, and MGO is part of MGS4, so it is really 50 Gb, even Kojima said that the space was insufficient to what he wanted to create, get over this bots really.

And I am sure you haven't played the Metal Gear Solid Series, have you?

"and the only advantage that the PS3 has over the 360 is the Bluray player"
Ever tried Linux?
Well I guess bots are not that smart, not even to use a linux distro, that's so sad.
Also is the free Online Network, Bluetooth headset compatibility, Mouse/keyboard support, Web browsing, Wi-Fi out of the box, and the best of all rrod-free. :)

and bots still don't get this Sales=/=Best Console
Just look this year, the PlayStation 3 had the best software lineup this year.
Like it or not.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/43916.html

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/27/meta-metareview-the-best-reviewed-games-of-2008/

And the PS3 being just 8 million units behind 360, I really doubt it, again how many of those 360' are broken?
and the US=/=World
The good thing about the PS3 price is that I never encounter ****in rednecks or screaming 12-year old kids on PSN.

Marty @ Jan 6th 2009 1:37PM

With a $259 Xbox 360, you'd have to pay for three years of Live before you caught up to the price of a PS3. That's not that bad.

Hala Madrid!! (Somebody get me a tie! And it sure as hell better be red!) @ Jan 6th 2009 1:40PM

LOL @ zero2dash for choosing PSN over Xboxlive.

XboxLive FTW!

Matthew @ Jan 6th 2009 1:52PM

@ eNrique

Dude I have a PS3 and love playing the thing but PSN is totally not even on the same level as XBL connection issues, servers down, and just plain bad service, which has all been chronicled here on Joystiq and other websites everytime they released a "killer app" like LBP and if you are referring to Home, you might not run into any rednecks or 12 year old kids, but all it is is a bunch of fucking losers who run and I mean run to any female in Home and try and talk dirty to them and/or dance, I gladly pay $50 not to have to deal with that

Alien Lord @ Jan 6th 2009 1:55PM

@eNrique have you tried applying at Sony for a position in their spin doctor department?

Wiinterfang @ Jan 6th 2009 1:59PM

eNrique looks like the quintessential PS3 user.

anonim1979 @ Jan 6th 2009 2:01PM

@Nrique

BR with MGS4 is ~30GB

Proof:
http://i32.tinypic.com/2b1574.jpg

THERE IS SECOND GAME ON DISC - MGO.
And MGO can be really really easy on standalone DVD.

There is system update (0,25GB)
There are (probably) repeated files for speed up loading/installs/uncompressed audio data/etc.

MGS4 is also SUB-HD game - no problem to port it to X360 with its stronger GPU.

Metal Gear Solid 4 - 1024x768 = 786,432 pixels (Full 720p - 1280x720 = 921,600 pixels)

http://forum.beyond3d.com/showpost.php?p=1174920&postcount=226

With a averange framerate below 30fps:
http://forum.beyond3d.com/showpost.php?p=1180399&postcount=103

So what a problem - multiplatform games are in more than 90% case better on X360...

eNrique @ Jan 6th 2009 2:16PM

Matthew
"PSN is totally not even on the same level as XBL connection issues, servers down, and just plain bad service"
Really?, you mean being down for the complete holiday season? Even that you PAID for it, Too bad I didn't notice.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/03/xbox-live-outage-day-13-still-up-and-down-still-preventing-fu/

And NO, I am not referring to Home, since i really don't give a crap about it...
like some other hypocrites

http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/12/31/ernst-and-young-microsoft-to-use-home-to-hold-virtual-meetings/

by the way I want to catch up a little bit, but what's on catalog for 360 as exclusive for the 1st 2 quarters of 2009, DLC, DLC, and more DLC???

=Lord Negatron of the XBots= @ Jan 6th 2009 2:06PM

eNrique! *waves you over*

You used some disturbing terminology that triggered my sensorz. "Linux and WiFi out the box". 2 things a "gamer" is not concerned with.
W-wait... Did you say LINUX? WiFi?

** WAITING ON YOUR OPPONENT (29-28-26...) **

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE!!!
-thanks Zax-

Duke @ Jan 6th 2009 2:11PM

eNrique you shouldn't criticize others for not being smart when you think that selling multiple units to 1 customer is a bad thing. If they choose to have 2 then that's great for MS. Also, the rrod units don't come into play as you could send those in for repair. The replacements are not counted as sales. So really, your argument is desperate looking as all hell.

Also, I use PSN and you are full of sh*t if you don't hear a bunch of 12 year olds talking smack on there as well.

eNrique @ Jan 6th 2009 2:16PM

anonim
"THERE IS SECOND GAME ON DISC - MGO."
There is no 2nd game on the BD, it's part of MGS4.
Thet's like saying Halo 3 multiplayer is a 2nd game on the halo 3 dvd.
And I forgot to mention Matthew;
"but all it is is a bunch of fucking losers who run and I mean run to any female in Home and try and talk dirty to them and/or dance, I gladly pay $50 not to have to deal with that"
You know you don't have to deal with it, since it's a beta app, a no one is forcing you to enter, but if you prefer to pay $50 to not enter, I crearly understand.

eNrique @ Jan 6th 2009 2:29PM

Duke
You missed the point, I am not saying it's bad for ms to sell multiple units to 1 consumer, even they said in an interview that they were making a great bussines with 360 accesories (wi-fi, wireless headsets, HDD's) and they knew that peaple were buying 360 just to switch from component to HDMI, so no it's not a bad thing for microsoft, but it is for us, consumers.
And rroud units do come into play, you will be surprised how many people have rrod'd 360's, because they voided the warranty, most of us to make the 12 watt fan mod, trying to prevent the rrod.
So I kinda feel cheated, just my opinion.

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