I hate to break it to you guys but companies do this all the time. They usually just don't get caught. It's often a small part of online marketing / PR efforts.
If anything, the saddest part for EA is that it wasn't savvy enough to mask its moves better.
@ Covarr - If you actually read the Next-Gen article, you'll see that the PS3 number is really 0.9million for 2006. The chart itself is just not to scale apparently.
In fact, the Wii is slated to outsell the PS3 in 2006 based on the report.
And again, I'm not saying the chart or report in general in correct. I'm saying it's ignorgant to start flaming analysts when the report does not reflect your opinions. Yes, they've been wrong and wil be wrong in the future, but these guys aren't just throwing darts at a board. They're using real data to make real analyses that will impact real business decisions and are making real money doing it.
If all of these reports were just bunk, like so many here would seem to think, how do these companies exist at all? Why do other companies use these reports? Of course question them, but have good reasons for questioning them.
It's one thing to argue with the analysis and back it up with actual data and research, but it's just ignorant to disagree with it and claim that the analysts are "laughable."
Where's your research? And no, the opinions of your friends and message board buddies don't count as research.
Actual funds are poured into making these analyses and actual business decisions are affected by them. It's not just some guy sitting around saying "Wii SuXX0RZ" or "360 FTW!!!" Can their forecasts be wrong? Of course they can. But at least they were initially based on something.
I think one of the most interesting things on this site are the people who keep posting "you guys suck" / "joystiq suXXors." If you hate Joystiq, why do you keep reading and posting? Does it make you feel better about yourself to belittle others? Is this how you feel like a big man?
As to Vlad's original post - I disagree with you as many others do. As others have said, you can't say "all other things being equal" here because, well, they aren't. The Wii is different from the 360 is different from the PS3.
To use your candy bar analogy: we're not talking about three milk chocolate bars. We're talking about M&Ms versus a KitKat versus, say, an Almond Joy. All candies, yes, but would you say that someone should rationally choose a KitKat because it's cheaper? No, because it's not the same thing. All candy yes, but different candy.
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Aug 16th 2007 2:27PM (Joystiq)If anything, the saddest part for EA is that it wasn't savvy enough to mask its moves better.
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Market research firm forecasts console sales through 2010 [update 1]
Oct 23rd 2006 2:21PM (Joystiq)In fact, the Wii is slated to outsell the PS3 in 2006 based on the report.
And again, I'm not saying the chart or report in general in correct. I'm saying it's ignorgant to start flaming analysts when the report does not reflect your opinions. Yes, they've been wrong and wil be wrong in the future, but these guys aren't just throwing darts at a board. They're using real data to make real analyses that will impact real business decisions and are making real money doing it.
If all of these reports were just bunk, like so many here would seem to think, how do these companies exist at all? Why do other companies use these reports? Of course question them, but have good reasons for questioning them.
Market research firm forecasts console sales through 2010 [update 1]
Oct 23rd 2006 12:38PM (Joystiq)Where's your research? And no, the opinions of your friends and message board buddies don't count as research.
Actual funds are poured into making these analyses and actual business decisions are affected by them. It's not just some guy sitting around saying "Wii SuXX0RZ" or "360 FTW!!!" Can their forecasts be wrong? Of course they can. But at least they were initially based on something.
Penny Arcade responds to our "hideous editorial," misses the point [update 1]
Sep 15th 2006 10:16AM (Joystiq)As to Vlad's original post - I disagree with you as many others do. As others have said, you can't say "all other things being equal" here because, well, they aren't. The Wii is different from the 360 is different from the PS3.
To use your candy bar analogy: we're not talking about three milk chocolate bars. We're talking about M&Ms versus a KitKat versus, say, an Almond Joy. All candies, yes, but would you say that someone should rationally choose a KitKat because it's cheaper? No, because it's not the same thing. All candy yes, but different candy.