PS3 finally wins a month
For the first time, the Sony PlayStation 3 was the monthly top-selling video game console, a mark that has been nearly three years in the making for the much-maligned platform.
According to video game analyst NPD, Sony sold 491,800 PS3s in September, beating out Nintendo's Wii--which moved 462,800 units--and Microsoft's Xbox 360, which came in last at 352,600 units sold for the month.
The PS3, the newest iteration of Sony's next-generation video game console, finally won the top slot in a monthly sales report, thanks to the platform's lowest price ever.
(Credit: Sony)For Sony, the news seemed to prove that many would-be PS3 buyers had been waiting for nearly three years to get one of the consoles at a price more in line with what Nintendo and Microsoft charge for their devices.
In August, Sony unveiled the $299 PS3 Slim, which got the platform under the $300 level for the first time. The Wii currently runs for $199, and the lowest-price Xbox goes for the same.
Based on the PS3 price cut, some analysts had been predicting that the console would finally come out on top when NPD released its September numbers. Indeed, Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter was proven right when he suggested that price cuts for all three consoles would most benefit Sony. He even said that he thought it is possible that the PS3 will outsell the Xbox for the rest of the year, which, if true, would be a major blow to Microsoft's video games group.
Sony would do well to temper any crowing. Its first one-month victory came after nearly three years, and clearly demonstrates that many buyers felt the console was too expensive previously. The PS3 was originally released with a top price of $599.
Still, the September results are big news for Sony and could be a sign that things are finally turning around for the beleaguered PS3. Given that Sony has always maintained that the next-generation console has a ten-year lifespan, we could eventually see the PS3 emerge as the next-gen victor, but only if the company keeps the console priced competitively and ensures that software offerings stay strong.
At the same time, the September numbers are also further proof that the Wii is no longer invulnerable. For most of the last three years, Nintendo's console has been the industry leader, dominating the offerings from Sony and Microsoft and forcing the two companies to argue that the Wii is actually in a different category than the PS3 and Xbox 360. Now, however, we're likely to see a realignment of the PS3's marketing, at least, relative to the Wii.
Video games across the board
Sony's first monthly win will certainly get most of the ink, but it's also noteworthy that the video games industry as a whole posted an impressive September on the heels of several lackluster months.
For the month, according to NPD, the industry posted sales of $1.28 billion, up 1 percent from $1.27 billion a year ago. That suggests that consumers are once again shelling out for games and consoles, especially now that the holiday season is approaching.
"The industry managed a modest increase over September 2008, and generated the second bestselling September on record after 2007 when Halo 3 released and sold over 3 million copies that month," wrote NPD analyst Anita Frazier in a note accompanying her monthly report. "On a unit sales basis, the industry was flat. The increase in revenues is driven by a rise in average retail prices in all categories with the exception of console hardware in which the average retail price decreased 8 percent from last September."
And while the Xbox came in third among consoles, Frazier reported that the Microsoft gaming platform did contribute "the most to industry unit and dollar sales as sales of the 360 hardware, software and accessories comprised 32 percent of the month's revenues."
But the PS3 price cut had the most visible impact. Frazier pointed out that the console sold more than twice as many PS3s in September as it did during the same month a year ago.
Daniel Terdiman is a staff writer at CNET News covering games, Net culture, and everything in between. E-mail Daniel. 
LOL 360 for 8 years.
and yes I am aware you did correct yourself.
Are you serious???????? they need an ad campaign with a half naked girl carrying popcorn to promote a new game release?.....when all they had to do to get you fangirls to buy one is release GT 5, 6 or whatever # they call it....for christ's sake they've been blowing smoke up all of your arses for how many years saying this games coming out? and still....you wait as we see not only Forza 2, but now we get Forza 3 in a week? goes to show ya, they need to see whats out before they TRY to copy it and one up it. So go blow your Blu Rays, and watch that DVD...oops thats a game, uncharted....and sit and wait for a racing game....and while your at it, play some GTA IV....sorry wrong system.....GO PS3....keep PLAYIN BEHIND!!!!!!!!!
I do believe that CrashPad63 was referring to the console "Ecosystem" aka the console/gaming market share and not the worlds
Allow me to finish this thread for you.
"Blah blah blah PS3 is teh gretist blah blah blah, XBOX 360 is gonna get MURDALIZED!!!!!!111!!"
"Blah blah blah blah blah, XBOX 360 PWNS!!!!, blah, *@($@# HALO ODST!!!!!!"
"My girlfriend likes Wii... so that's all I have."
...
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA LOSER!!!!"
Have you even looked at the PS3 game lineup? or the 360 lineup? or even the Wii's?
Truth be told the 360 had it's turn, but now the rising is going to begin, and PS3's going to be champ. And by the by the PS3 isn't going anywhere for a looooooooooooooooooooooooong time.
(Sorry Wii, your games are just pathetic......Smash Brawl and Mario Cart have been at the top since the gamecube....come out with something new please!)
P.S. I own a PS3, but everytime I go to a friend's house we play on a 360 or Wii (I have one friend that i hang out with a lot that has a PS3), so yeah don't say I don't know my games.
It counts as a win this month.
Wii looks like it's going to win this generation, and if Sony can slip into that 2nd place it will be seen as an achievement after a perceived bad start. This of course would also make the XB drop to 3rd place and dropping from 2nd to 3rd would hurt them a lot.
Personally, I just bought my PS3 in August. I had a Wii in the house before that, but my girlfriend bought that. I took my time simply because I don't have a ton of time to game anymore since graduating college. The fact I was getting a second Blu-ray out of the PS3 sealed the deal for me. Some other buddies of mine in their mid-twenties have also been getting PS3s as their sole current-gen system within the last year.
The Wii may be "winning" in console sales, but is it really winning? How many Wii's are gathering dust after someone (like my parents who bought one) thought it was a great idea, and that lasted for a whole month. I would say Xbox or PS3 generates more revenue per console due to its owners being more active in purchasing games long after the original purchase. I bet there are a alot of Wii sales that have only resulted in someone buying Wii Sports or the Fit and thats it.
On a happier note, my wife picked up Uncharted 2 for me and I've been loving it.
2 ) The media card reader is practically useless too because it's so much easier to stream content from my PC over Wi-Fi. Excellent media extender.
3) I used to think Backwards Compatibility was important, but not anymore. Both of my PS2s work just fine.
It took a matter of a couple minutes to set up my PC and PS3 to share media, why bother loading it onto an SD card?
Or I could just upgrade my HDD and load my media onto my PS3.
Or I could still put it onto my 16GB flash drive. Or a portable HD.
No, we 80 and 120 GB PS3 owners didn't lose much.
I rarely even need one controller charging, let alone two at the same time. If I actually needed more than two USBs, I can buy a hub for $10.
True they cut back some I/O options and still offer up more than the 360.
That said, the xbox360 live network is still superior to any of the other networks offered for both content, community, and ease of use.
Oh yeah and the fact that the PS3 can play blu-ray and provide updates via wireless or network cable and I wouldn't choose any other player on the market.
Although i dont think the xbox live service is so much better, and given the fact the ps3's network is free, there isnt an apples to apples comparasion there.
Although manny of my friends are 360 owners and brag about the network, they are little by little starting to realize the value of the ps3 and thus changing trends.
Most of them hadn't even seen a blue ray. I showed them transformers in full 1080p glory and they were awed (with my samsung led tv), to me, there is nothing better. And by the way, have you seen uncharted? ridiculous.
And that being the case, I'll give Microsoft credit, because they have handed Sony's rear so hard since the Xbox360's release that even now the slim may be too little too late... where did the exclusive titles go? They died... they left Sony, because who wants to make games for almost 500,000 people when they can make games for 3,000,000 and have a better sale? Microsoft has the market penetration now. They have the better network, they have the easier to use interface, and they are innovating... Sony keep trimming the fat off the beast they are trying to sell and now it's finally lean enough for general consumption.
The PS3 Slim - PS3 DE-volved... the PS3 I bought at launch is a better buy STILL at $450 bucks than this thing at $399 - the extra 150 got me 2 more USB ports, Media card readers, oh... and I got a PS2 bundled in there too. I've only recently gotten games for the thing... that is what I'm so angry at Sony honestly bend me over and screwed me pretty good. I haven't felt like this thing was worth it till the most recent firmware update. I'm just glad to see I at least got more than most of sony's customers. Enjoy the slim - I already replaced my 80GB hdd with a 320gb 7.2K drive.
"Please tell me you are joking here? If the PS3 was designed to compete with the Xbox720,how is it that many of the games on both platforms look better on the 360?"
Developing for the 360 is easier to do than for the PS3, at least with the current devel kit for the PS3, no one has ever denied this, and that is why cross platforms **sometimes** look **slightly** better on the XBOX than the PS3.
"How is it that the Xbox meets or exceeds the PS3 with much of the internal hardware specs?"
Yea, I don't think so. Just because you say that, doesn't make that true, at all. Try again.
"The PS3 is slightly more advanced in some areas because it came out a year later than the 360,just like the original Xbox was more advanced than the PS2 because it came out well after that system."
Very good point, but some (including myself) would say that's a sign of Sony taking their time so as to distribute the best product possible. Had M$ taken more time on their system, would we have a RROD?
"The Xbox 720 will most likely come out in the fall of 2012,when it does the PS3 will be completely destroyed in ALL facets and will be relegated to the second tier of consoles until the PS4 comes out a couple of years later. "
Of course thats entirely possible, considering 2012-2007 = 5. If M$ couldn't make a product to blow away the PS3 5 years after the PS3's release, then they may as well leave the gaming console industry.
"Anyone saying otherwise is just being an ignorant fanboy."
::cough::
Check your info. Games are written by developers. I've read the 360 is easier to optimise. Hence easier to get better looking graphics. The PS3 has better graphics ablity but programmers don't always tap into it. As for other options the PS3 beats the 360 in every department. That's why it's got a 10 year life span and the 360 is hitting it's limits now.
If the 720 dumps legacy support like the 360 did (it wasn't a priority only some games worked) developers will have to develop for a new platform. Meanwhile the PS3 with it's 10 year life span will be mid stride and with a developed base of people using the console. At this point the PS3 may start 'winning' over even the actual advantage the 360 has. It's a long term strategy on the part of Sony. Will it pay off? We will know when the next Xbox comes out.
Meanwhile the ONLY game that tethers me to my Xbox is Splinter Cell. Everthing else I buy is PS3.
only if everyone had the same point of view as you my friend, this world would be a nicer place
well said my friend. but like the saying goes "ignorance is bliss". let the fanboy have his cookie
This is a quality Cnet article!
I held out buying an Xbox and Wii.
Great.
Playstation has been the console since Ps1, Time for PS3 to take its place in the race!
Living up to its Standards!
FAT 32 is ancient
Sony know is and needs to work on it.
Sorry, Its not MS related ...
Its PS3 OS linux development which SONY should focus on to support attchaed USB drive formats than only FAT32 but NTFS also.
Millions of users had the same concern.
Hope CNET can inform SONY to do needful.
FAT 32 is ancient
Sony deserves this based on their hardware(true next gen console). Finally can get PS3, I already have xbox360.
Lol but still for me nothing beats my gaming pc.
It ain't gonna happen, it's far too late in the game for Sony to do anything but hope for the best.
BTW how's the PSPgo selling?.....yeah, just what I thought.
also, last I checked Sony doesn't lose $150 dollars for each console with a RROD. (cost is estimated to include the cost of shipping, hardware replacement, and repair time)
but most importantly, last I checked, my ps3 (or anyone elses) has never gotten a RROD.
r u talking to me about microsoft not having a portable gamin device?
because if you are then i'm just telling him than psp is better than zune
Sony would have to double and then exceed what they've sold so far, and that's not happening. not when there's only a 30K or so difference between monthly sales for the Wii and PS3.
And since you all missed it, my point about the PSPGo had to do with Sony not knowing how to keep ahead of the curve. They've absolutely blown it this go round, so all they can do is hope.
As far as the RROD's and whatnot-that doesn't matter, those are units that were sold, and Sony's had its own problems with the PS3 as well.
Facts people, use them.
It's PS3 for gaming with bonus blu-ray and media center.
Wii for yonger crowd or parties.
360 if you need to play Halo or enjoy talking to techsupport.
As for hope. Last time I saw the installed base PS2 beat everthing out there. The strategy paid off then. I've got no reason to believe it won't pay off now. Especially when MS dumps the 360 for it's next gen and starts over while the PS3 keeps chugging along.
Still I'd rather see enough viable consoles to where game developers support all consoles instead of exclusives. It would be nice to go home after a hard day of flaming in the forums and play our favorite game regardless of which console we had.
I guess it's not surprising really.
Take it as you want. I don't watch sport becuase t's boring to me but i wouldn't rag on some one that does while shouting for there team like they were getting paid to.
Que sera, sera.
- by willyburz October 19, 2009 7:07 PM PDT
- Wow, ps3 outsells the 360 for like the 2nd time in all of the next gen battles...It's over, and the ps3 is staying in 3rd place. The ps3 could out sell the 360 by this margin, and it would take years to even get close to the 360 install base. The 360 is the MOST COMPLETE gaming system. Live kills psn, the hardcore gaming base lives on the 360, the most complete gaming library goes to the 360, and with netflix / live movie rentals on top of it, the 360 owns the ps3. Not only that 95% of all cross platform games run, and look better on the 360! The ONLY area the ps3 can tout is as a blu ray player, THAT'S ALL! Last I checked, gamers buy gaming machines!
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- by this1! October 19, 2009 7:19 PM PDT
- every cross platformer ive played does not look better on 360. at all
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- by roachbrain October 20, 2009 6:12 AM PDT
- Let's see,
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- by cloudmatt October 20, 2009 9:36 AM PDT
- @roachbrain
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- by FIREitUP913 October 20, 2009 10:10 AM PDT
- How can you even state xbox360 has a more complete gaming library than ps3 when there is not one good platformer. Meanwhile ps3 has Ratchet and Clank Future: ToD and soon ACiT and there is also LittleBigPlanet, speaking of which, does 360 have any game that allows user created contect like LBP? NOPE. Clearly 360 does not have the most complete gaming library.
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Showing 1 of 4 pages (186 Comments)FPS, Killzone > halo
3rd person, Uncharted > gears
racing, GT > forenza
sand box, Infamus > crackdown
Can't even compare any of the generic crap for the 360 against LBP, Rachet and Clank, MAG, Last Guardian, Mod nation racers, Warhawk, Hevenly Sword, God of War, SACOM, MGS, Resistance ect.
PSN keeps getting better and it's free and does more than live could, browser anyone?. Only advatage to live is party chat. P2P and small multiplayer matches.
Deny all you want but the only advantage 360 had was the price tag, thats it.
PC, PSP, PS3, and Wii is all i need. Redring, no thanks.
Nail on the head. If there is a good 360 game there is a port to PC plus all the goodies PC has. I have and use(on occasion) a psp nice graphics cool games...I also have and use my DS(sorry Nintendo owns my hand held soul). I don't have the PS3 yet but 300 for hd blu ray power console sony has a winner this x-mas. Poor Wii this will be the first x-mas where they might not sell out every unit they put on the shelves. Please fan boys before you trash the Wii for not being HD or not having a hard drive or hating the controls that make you have to "do something" or even that it does not fill your hardcore gaming needs. Please play a Wii with fresh eyes think of it as a fun pick up and go experience, it's not any other system and isn't hardcore but I think it's the right system for some good clean simple fun.