We here at Joystiq absolutely revel in statistics and can think of nothing better than smothering ourselves in
warm, moist data. Did you know that approximately 54% of all posts written on our site contain frequently unnecessary statistics? And did you know that the only thing we like more than reporting on numbers is to make them up on the spot? Oh well. Here are some real ones, straight from Sony's CES 2009 keynote:
- 17 million! The number of PlayStation Network accounts ... accounted for. 17 million is a really popular number for online networking, apparently.
- 330 million! Numbering the pieces of digital content that have been downloaded through PSN.
- 2 million! That's how many users the Life with PlayStation service has. An updated version will be coming this Spring.
- 2,000 hours! The answer to the question, "How much video content is MTV Networks adding to Sony's video delivery service?" The deal, which manifests in February, includes shows such as "MTV's The City, Comedy Central's Emmy and Peabody-Award winning South Park, Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants and VH1's Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels."
- 4! The number of bullet points which encapsulate all that information! This one doesn't count.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dirty @ Jan 8th 2009 1:18PM
Holy Crap!
tmmoore_nc @ Jan 8th 2009 1:31PM
I'm shocked at the EA news, myself.
D_Average @ Jan 8th 2009 1:37PM
That means Crash Commando should get 17 million purchases, the game is probably the best game in the last 10 years or so.
Levi @ Jan 8th 2009 1:46PM
Dude! Yes! Completely agree, that game rules! Hell, Sony should just promote Crash Commando as the system seller lol
j.howlett @ Jan 8th 2009 1:54PM
stuart and wayne bot can be cheap, but the game is a blast
Lebowski26 @ Jan 8th 2009 1:38PM
MTV? Jesus, Sony.
I guess my PS3 will continue to collect dust...
David @ Jan 8th 2009 1:38PM
You have to remember that these 17 million PSN accounts can't really be compared with 17 million Xbox Live accounts. People, and Sony, will claim that it means a higher percentage of users are online, however they are different in a few ways. First being that Xbox Live is subscription based and therefore its less likely that people will create multiple accounts. Where-as many people like myself have 3 PSN accounts, 1 for each region to take advantage of downloads from Japan and Europe. Another factor is that PSN is also available for the PSP. Meaning that you have an additional 40 million users that can create accounts. Its just stupid to compare the two and say "OMG just as many people use PSN for online games as 360". If Microsoft and Sony instead talked about active users (may be hard to define though), or average daily traffic, that would be a different thing and could be compared.
PSN: Aggie_CEO @ Jan 8th 2009 1:49PM
Dude I have a Live Account and dont even OWN a 360 yet......
Its Called Hotmail/Zune/XBL
and believe it or not I'm sure that if U log into an Xbox once or maybe even Xbox.com that then they count those stats as well.....
colinbell @ Jan 8th 2009 1:54PM
Well, there are 2 factors at work here
1. PSN has got way more multiple account users
2. However, every PSN account can go multiplayer anjd avail the full range of online and multiplayer while a big part of Live users are Silver accounts.
So, its really difficult to say which has the more number of active multiplayer accounts.
I would think the proportion would be higher on PSN because its free - while obviously its much lower than 17 million at the same time. Anyway, as MS does not give out exact figures of Gold accounts, I suppose Sony doesnt feel the need to come out with their corresponding active accounts number.
j.howlett @ Jan 8th 2009 1:57PM
you can't pull the multiple account thing when i know people who create a new user name when they want a free month
Little Big PSN ID: johnnynumber5 @ Jan 8th 2009 2:43PM
David,
The MS stats are also misleading because they count SIlver members in their grand tally of people using X-Box Live.
OTAM @ Jan 8th 2009 3:16PM
"you can't pull the multiple account thing when i know people who create a new user name when they want a free month"
This is me right here. Ironically enough my newest tag for a free month is "PSN Is Free". Hit me up with a friend request and play some Gears of War 2 with me or a PS3 game!
eNrique @ Jan 8th 2009 3:08PM
1. Well they can't really be compared since the silver live accounts can't access online gaming.
2. It's a subscription based, but you are forgetting, again, about live silver accounts and that each console comes with 3 free 1 month gold accounts, and most people will gadly take anything that is free and comes bundled.
3. PSP users can use their accounts on the PS3 as well, everything is part of the PlayStation Network.
Not trying to troll but, Do you really think that the majority of people who buy a $200 console have more access to a broadband connection against those who pay for a $400 one.
You are pure Genius
The saddest part of this is that in the article about the 17M live accounts everything was so happy about it, and here, everyone is trolling, and you even got up voted by bots.
:(
David @ Jan 8th 2009 3:13PM
@eNrique
I got up voted because I am one of the few PS3 users on this thread that isn't trying to blindly stand behind Sony and their deceptive numbers. PS3 and 360 both have their pros and cons and overall I like the PS3 better and play it everyday. However the only pro I see for PS3's online service is that it is free, other then that it is not near as good as 360s, nor does it have as many unique users playing.
Little Big PSN ID: johnnynumber5 @ Jan 8th 2009 4:02PM
David,
Everyone I know with a 360 also has accounts in different regions to download exclusive demo's. In addition to that MS counts the free silver and free 1 month gold memberships in their total tally.
Your just being a douche & a terd sandwich.
One story about factual information from Sony and allt he trolls come out of the wood work.
David @ Jan 8th 2009 4:14PM
@Little Big PSN ID: johnnynumber5
I have never defended M$ claims to their numbers, I have only criticized Sony's numbers as this post after all is about Sony's numbers. If I must comment on M$ numbers then I will. Yes I agree M$ numbers will be inflated too, there satisfied? M$ isn't near as inflated though, go online on both of them, even most of the shovelware will have more users playing that game on 360 then some of the top games played on PSN. My argument is simple. Its about active users playing games online. Though they both spin numbers like there is no tomorrow, M$ is much closer to reality on this one then Sony.
Sir Buzz Killington( The Artist formerly known as Jakka) @ Jan 8th 2009 1:40PM
Microsoft...it'd be a good time to feel threatened and make LIVE free....
lebowski26 @ Jan 8th 2009 1:46PM
While it would be nice, I have to say that the $50/year fee for Xbox Live is one of the more worthwhile expenses in my life. I know PSN is free, but as someone who has both consoles hooked up online, XBL is SO far superior to PSN that it's laughable. I would miss XBL a lot if it were taken from me. That's worth $4.16 a month.
Sir Buzz Killington( The Artist formerly known as Jakka) @ Jan 8th 2009 1:50PM
In that case, Sony get your lazy ass and create a service that's better than XBL!
philmcphail @ Jan 8th 2009 5:55PM
Jakka's in essence is right, but I love the service and am gladly willing to pay for it. I just don't wish it was 50 bucks. When I first got my 360, I could only afford ONE GAME because I had to put $150 towards a wifi adpater and a year of LIVE. 50 bucks is too close to a game's price. I bet if MS lowered XBL (13+1 subscription) to $25, no one would argue, no one would complain. Before you guys mention: "oh, its only 4 bucks a month" think that you have to pay in full right then and there. And if you're like me, some sacrifices will have to be made.
Levi @ Jan 8th 2009 1:43PM
It's definitely a play every day system if you don't own a 360 too.
Shangheli @ Jan 8th 2009 1:44PM
Me and most people I know have about 3 different accounts lol. Microsoft show UU (unique users), So should Sony.
PSN: Aggie_CEO @ Jan 8th 2009 1:51PM
did they SAY they showed unique users or are you assuming???
eNrique @ Jan 8th 2009 2:20PM
I have 7 live accounts...
What's your point again?
61 6e 64 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 63 72 69 74 69 63 69 7a 65 20 6d 65 20 77 68 65 6e 20 49 20 73 61 79 20 62 6f 74 73 20 61 72 65 20 72 65 74 61 72 64 73...
David @ Jan 8th 2009 2:34PM
@eNrique
I highly doubt that you have even 1 xbox live account. What is the point in lying about this, all you do in the end is make other PS3 users look like idiots. It shouldn't be too hard to come to the realization that more people use Xbox Live and that Sony is simply spinning numbers in their favour to fabricate an illusion that just as many people use PS3 online as 360.
eNrique @ Jan 8th 2009 2:51PM
Hey David the Genius, just explain me how do you know that i have zero live accounts uh?
This is one of them:
http://live.xbox.com/en-US/profile/profile.aspx?pp=0&GamerTag=enriqueortsa
Btw I never used it, well I jus sent some prank messages. :)
Little Big PSN ID: johnnynumber5 @ Jan 8th 2009 3:53PM
David,
Anyone can get a free 1 month gold account. MS spins numbers by couting Silver accounts in their total active user tally.
PSN: Aggie_CEO @ Jan 8th 2009 1:47PM
Sorry but I play Warhawk every day.....
ObiBen @ Jan 8th 2009 1:52PM
at first glance I thought the headline read "Sony fires PSN staff"
Gun Barrier @ Jan 8th 2009 1:57PM
you beat me to it. Thats what i read, too. lol
Strategy_Panda (The Sandwich Poisoning Crew) @ Jan 8th 2009 1:54PM
I like Home
PSN: Aggie_CEO @ Jan 8th 2009 1:56PM
as much as I would like to Jump up and down about this I know a few people, that like myself, have numerous PSN accounts(Japan, Hong Kong, Europe, and US) now I SERIOUSLY doubt its more than 1 million people that have more than one account at this point(considering that Japaneses and HK accounts are tedious to setup if you dont know the language)......but they should at least take into account that maybe 2 million of those are duplicates......
Comedy Central stuff on the PSN store tho is cool with me.....I might actually get some Daily Show/Colbert Show stuff for on the Go with my PSP
Evan @ Jan 8th 2009 2:09PM
Having an account does not mean you play a game online. Downloading a "piece" of digital content doesn't mean you've bought anything online.
It's like advertising how many people picked up a free food sample in a grocery store. It does not tell you how many people bought the product.
eNrique @ Jan 8th 2009 3:51PM
Try telling that to Microsoft
Noshino @ Jan 8th 2009 2:11PM
oh, come on Joystiq, it is rather disappointing that you guys haven't posted the biggest news...
"1 million of goods sold via Home"
Never saw that one coming, probably in 2-3 months, but in less than a month...goddamn
JerJerBinks @ Jan 8th 2009 2:16PM
I play my PS3 everyday, yet I may go 3-10 days without turning on my Xbox360. Strange? No, not really, I just think the PS3 experience is much better than the 360 experience.
ScottG13 @ Jan 8th 2009 2:16PM
Still waiting for the killer app for Home.
No, Griffin, Quincying doesn't count.
Archon @ Jan 8th 2009 2:23PM
Why won't you wait until IT STOPS BEING A FUCKING BETA?
It's like complaining that the beta of a game you get to play is only two levels long and let's you use only two out of 20 weapons. Duh.
Sometimes I hate the internet.
The same goes with Quake Live. I got a beta invite, think it is an AMAZING, had fun testing it, but then I go to the forums and read comments of ten year olds complaining about every single f*cking pixel on the screen. Grow up, people. Nobody forces that on you. It is your CHOICE to use.
ScottG13 @ Jan 8th 2009 2:32PM
Ummm... if you're going to promote a product based on the number of users you've gotten to sign up to use it, its not a beta. You can call it that, but its a release. A full and free release.
Archon @ Jan 8th 2009 2:40PM
Because you say so, lord of the internet?
ScottG13 @ Jan 8th 2009 2:50PM
Of course. I'm the targeted consumer and if I say there is reason for me to yet install and use Home, then there isn't for me. Which is all I said in my original post. There is no killer app. I'm sorry you slaved for 2 years on the Home dev team and are so sensitve about its lameness.
jhchevy @ Jan 8th 2009 2:18PM
Maybe I'm in the minority but I could care less about multiplayer games, which Xbox 360 is better at. I bought my PS3 because of the free online and it's other good features. If I was into multiplayer I probably would have bought the 360. The games are basically the same between the 2. It's the small stuff that seperates them. Off topic: Sega Genesis NHL 97 Hockey is better and more fun to play than any other hockey game made yet. Even on the "Next Gen" systems.
Noshino @ Jan 8th 2009 2:26PM
I don't know much about Hockey (Sorry ._.), but have you tried NHL 09? I have been hearing a lot of praise for the title...
lebowski26 @ Jan 8th 2009 2:33PM
NHL 09 = runaway Sports GOTY
Archon @ Jan 8th 2009 2:18PM
If you buy a PS3 and use it every 20 days or so "because it's boring and/or crap", you are a spoiled brat and deserve to die.
eNrique @ Jan 8th 2009 2:20PM
I think that's because of the bigger attach rate to online gaming the PlayStation 3 has over the 360.
Like, most people I know that have a Ps3 have a broadband connection and a HDTV, while the majority with xbox's don't have a broadband connection nor HDTV's.
But I can be wrong, I don't speak for the whole install bases.
JMO
Evan @ Jan 8th 2009 2:56PM
A higher attach rate to online gaming is both good and bad. It implies the PS3's demographic is more hardcore, but also implies that the PS3 is having trouble reaching casual gamers (who can effectively subsidize a system for hardcore gamers).
eNrique @ Jan 8th 2009 3:13PM
You certainly right about that, never tought of it, now that you said it I don't know a single kid that has a Ps3 but lots of the own a 360 or a Wii (my cousins).
Good Point +1
Noshino @ Jan 8th 2009 2:24PM
"*17 million! The number of PlayStation Network users that think Home BLOWS!"
Huh? how could it be 17 million, when according to data also released on the presentation, there is only about 3.4 million people that have downloaded Home?...
Also, Home, which has only been out for about 4 weeks and doesn't have that many items on sale, already made $1 million in sales...I guess it does blow huh?
Give it time to grow, or you are telling me that XBL was worth it from the get-go?...
xFenixKnightx (In Memory of Ben Carmine RIP) @ Jan 8th 2009 2:41PM
Noshino
"or you are telling me that XBL was worth it from the get-go?..."
Yes. Yes it was.
"Huh? how could it be 17 million, when according to data also released on the presentation, there is only about 3.4 million people that have downloaded Home?..."
Maybe this would work if Home wasn't even out yet, but Home IS out and most have probably heard. "Home blows" Therefore probably not going to dl at all.
Leave it to you to go and defend Home, of all things. But then again I shouldn't be surprised, you defended Haze till the death but didn't show up tp the funeral.
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/megaowch-haze-handed-4-5-review-by-ign/
;)