Microsoft does CES - every keynote story listed
Sony stands firm of 10-year PS3 life claim
UGO assures 1UP's been left alone - all details
October 17th, 2008 @ 09:37
Oh dear. The latest Media Create figures paint a grim picture of PS3’s fortunes in Japan right now, with the machine now the lowest selling current gen console on the market, and by far at the lowest level it’s ever been in Japan. Xbox 360’s still doing relatively well, tracking above both PS3 and PS2.
Last week’s chart here. Data for the week ending October 12.
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October 17th, 2008 at 9:41 am
This is pretty shocking.
October 17th, 2008 at 9:42 am
LOL!
Japan too!?!?
Again??
10 year plan??
October 17th, 2008 at 9:43 am
The new 80gb model with Gran Turismo Prologue bundled in (for the same price as the current 40gb machine with nothing) is out at the end of the month, which might go some way to explaining why it’s doing quite so bad.
But still…. Sony must be getting pretty friendly with the bottom of that barrel by now. They really ought to try releasing some games which actually appeal to the local market or something. I know that might sound a bit radical.
October 17th, 2008 at 9:48 am
That’s five weeks the 360’s been ahead now, by the way.
October 17th, 2008 at 9:51 am
What’s with the “now”. Haven’t you been reporting the same info for the last 5 or so weeks? Or is it just there for sensational tabloid affect?
October 17th, 2008 at 9:54 am
I’d assume he was commenting on the combined effect of news of the PS3 having bad sales (or less than everyone else’s at least) in both the US and Japan.
All we need now is for European figures to follow the trend and I may not be able to stop laughing.
October 17th, 2008 at 9:54 am
with the machine now the lowest selling current gen console on the market
You didn’t need the ‘current gen’ bit either.
October 17th, 2008 at 10:03 am
At least Sony seems to be “confident” about their place in this gen. So all is good
October 17th, 2008 at 10:16 am
I don’t think we will see any change in japan till WhiteKnightStory … perhaps Lbp can improve the situation a little bit , but I don’t think Its effect will last long eventually.
October 17th, 2008 at 10:24 am
“We have built up a certain brand equity over time since the launch of PlayStation in 1995 and PS2 in 2000 that the first five million are going to buy it, whatever it is, even if it didn’t have games”
Well, you were right Sony. But what are you going to do about the other 115m people you managed to bring on board with the PS2.
October 17th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Microsoft have some more Square Enix stuff in the works between now and next February so the battle for last place will be back and forth for some time I think.
October 17th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Woah G1GA, your hate for Sony is really quite amazing.
October 17th, 2008 at 10:36 am
There are a few things on the horizon that might change things for Sony, but to be honest it’s nice to have the underdog console.
When one has an obvious winner, one has supporters like Gigs there. It’s just the frat equation at work, it makes sense. If Microsoft were to ever drop to the bottom, I might actually pick up their console.
I suppose it’s dignity and last place, or more exclusives and “omgroflcopter”. As I’ve said before, the same was true with Sega back in the Dreamcast days. I don’t think I could ever back the forerunner simply because of how the market leader tends to behave, or misbehave.
October 17th, 2008 at 10:38 am
I feel sorry for people like G1GA, you can almost taste his/her excitement.
October 17th, 2008 at 10:40 am
I don’t hate Sony!
It just makes me laugh when people who used to consider themselves high and mighty come crashing down to earth.
It’s not just Sony.
They thought that they could sell us a console for £500 with no games and a half working controller, but they don’t seem to be laughing all the way to the bank so far…
October 17th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Having owned many ‘underdog’ consoles I can’t say I’d be pleased if the PS3 went that way (if it was the only console I had). Games drying up, prices staying high, more shovelware?
October 17th, 2008 at 10:44 am
It’s too expensive. End of story. When I said at the beginning of the year - as did others - that PS3 sales would rise sharply in the holiday season, it was based on the assumption that there’d be a heavy price cut in September/October. Given what’s happening in the wider financial world, it’s no surprise that a “premium” product is being left on the shelf, especially when there’s a far cheaper, equivalent console. With loads of RPGs.
October 17th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Esha, you’re almost as mental as G1GA.
October 17th, 2008 at 10:45 am
“If Microsoft were to ever drop to the bottom, I might actually pick up their console.”
Really??
I’m a gamer because of the games that I like to play.
Which means that I get the console with the best games.
But hey, if you get the console because no-one else wants it, then…
well…
…that’s just a silly…
October 17th, 2008 at 10:45 am
“Esha, you’re almost as mental as G1GA.”
LOL!
October 17th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Sensational story. But quite explainable - it’s the lull before a new SKU is released… Why would anyone want to drop cash on a PS3 now when in a few weeks or so the new 80gb model bundled with 2 pads and LBP are out? Plus of course the 160gb model also due this month.
If anyone should be worried it surely should be Microsoft… They’ve dropped the price of their machine so low even tramps in the street can afford to buy one, yet their sales are only a few thousand more than PS3 worldwide even with the new SKU lull.
I’d wait a few more weeks for LBP’s release with the new SKU’s before sounding the PS3’s death knell.
October 17th, 2008 at 11:23 am
As much as I like LBP… I wouldn’t be too quick to herald it as the next saviour of the PS3. Especially not in Japan.
October 17th, 2008 at 11:29 am
The bundle doesn’t have LBP and two pads. The bundle has Gran Turismo Prologue and a single pad. There’s a separate LBP bundle which just includes the game and a pad, no PS3.
I don’t think LBP will do much in Japan at all, tbh. Although it looked to go down quite well at TGS, so maybe they’ll surprise us yet.
October 17th, 2008 at 11:32 am
“I’d wait a few more weeks for Heavenly Sword’s release with the new SKU’s before sounding the PS3’s death knell.”
“I’d wait a few more weeks for Haze’s release with the new SKU’s before sounding the PS3’s death knell.”
“I’d wait a few more weeks for MGS4’s release with the new SKU’s before sounding the PS3’s death knell.”
“I’d wait a few more weeks for LBP’s release with the new SKU’s before sounding the PS3’s death knell.”
“I’d wait a few more weeks for KillZone 2’s release with the new SKU’s before sounding the PS3’s death knell.”
“I’d wait a few more weeks for [insert anygameulike here]’s release with the new SKU’s before sounding the PS3’s death knell.”
LOL!
October 17th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Careful, G1GA. You’ll burst something.
October 17th, 2008 at 11:54 am
haha!
October 17th, 2008 at 11:59 am
I don’t really think that the price is the problem in Japan , that’s the problem in the US/EU. In my opinion the real problem is the absence of titles for that market … they want their JRPG, pokemon, monster hunter and games like those .
October 17th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
@Blerk:
From IGN.com, 8th October:
“In other PS3 bundle news, Sony will be bundling the 80 gigabyte model with two Dual Shocks and a copy of LittleBigPlanet as part of the “PlayStation 3 LittleBigPlanet Dream Box.” This bundle, which comes in a special box featuring artwork of Sack Boy, will sell for 44,980 yen. Black, white, and silver models will also be on offer.”
The article goes on to detail what you mentioned about the game and pad pack:
“Sony is also planning on pushing LittleBigPlanet through a DualShock 3 bundle. A copy of the game will be bundled with a DualShock 3 at 7,980 yen, representing a savings of some 3,500 yen over buying the products separately. The controller bundles will also be available in black, white, and silver varieties.”
October 17th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I thought those reports were originally mistranslated and it turned out that the console bundle only actually included a single pad?
Anyway, if I’m wrong - my bad.
October 17th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Hey I could easily be wrong too. Ahh, lets have a hug and make up.
October 17th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
/turns on red lights
/sets up video camera
You really don’t want to ask Blerk for a hug. He’s… exuberant.
October 17th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I’m also hungry.
October 17th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
People fail to realize when they talk about the PS3 sales is that Sony sells to two different markets movies and games so 70% bought it to play games 30% bought it for blu-ray so dont worry Microsoft gonna be around no matter what,they always gonna have they homeland for support.
October 17th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I still think the price is hurting them.
If you want a console cheaper with similar games there is an alternative.
Problem is how long do you let it go before its too late.