PS3 off life support and ready to overtake Xbox 360 in 2009
By Dave Parrack
When the Playstation 3 was released, although there were many people who wanted one, seeing it as the natural progression from the massively popular PS2, the price was too high, and the early games line-up wasn’t too hot. However, through a combination of factors, sales have slowly picked up. Could it soon be the Playstation 3’s day?
Howard Stringer, CEO of Sony recently spoke at the D6 conference about all things Sony, and amongst his many words of wisdom was the first admittance that the PS3 has so far underperformed. According to Alley Insider, he said:
“Downward slope of PS3 curved was ‘mildly catastrophic’ for a while… ‘was on life support’ but is booming now. ‘We’re very pleased’”
The PS3 was on life support, and many, though obviously not Stringer, would argue it still is, being third (last) place in worldwide hardware sales. But Stringer is not alone in thinking business is now picking up, with research firm DFC Intelligence predicting the Playstation 3 will overtake the Xbox 360 in 2009, and then go on to finish this generation in a strong second place. The Wii seems to have first place wrapped up.
According to Next-Gen, DFC gives a variety of reason for this Sony resurgence. Pricing has now come down to a reasonable level, thanks to cuts over the last 2 years. The games line-up is now looking much stronger than it once did and most importantly, the PS2 is continuing to do well despite it’s age, meaning more potential brand loyalists every day.
At the moment all signs are that the PS3 is staying where it is, with the Xbox 360 doing just as well as it every month in the US, and holding it’s own in Europe (let’s forget Japan for now shall we). DFC is putting itself out on a limb with this prediction and I don’t agree with their assessment.
The Wii is going to win this generation, of that there is no doubt in my mind. As for second place, at this stage I think it’s anyone’s guess which console will snuggle up behind the Nintendo machine. That’s the point, DFC is just guessing, and your and my guess is as good as theirs.
NB: See our latest reader poll on the left to give your opinion over which console has the best games line-up for the rest of 2008. Remember that you can add your own answers… got to love those Chuck Norris fans.
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Tips N4G
May 30th, 2008
Dave Parrack should do an article on kevin
May 30th, 2008
Bourne,
I think you mean “DAVE PARRACK” should.
-Arvis
May 30th, 2008
*SIGH* another “ps3 will beat the 360″ article? oh well…if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.
keep the dream alive kiddies…. sony loves you.
May 30th, 2008
Kevin, have you even read the article or just the title?
Bourne, nice idea… maybe I should
May 30th, 2008
My point in case DAVE PARRACK - thanks Arvis
Kevin, he wasnt jabbing at the 360 ,and it wasnt his opinion, he gave sources for his quotes and its a good article, face it and stop thinking everything is about 360 bashing.
May 30th, 2008
Relax…all i’m saying is that these predictions have failed since before the launch of the ps3. i just don’t see how 09 will be any different than 08. yes, the price will drop, but so will they on other consoles, removing any advantage from such a drop on the ps3.
meh..time will tell, but all indicators are that 09 will be just as bad for the ps3 as 07 and 08.
May 30th, 2008
ps…ouch.. gta was the ps3’s ace in the hole, wasn’t it? bad news for the ps3, good for the 360.
http://chattahbox.com/technology/2008/05/29/gta-iv-sales-pushed-more-xbox-360-units-than-ps3/
with their MOST recognized franchise moving more competitor consoles than the ps3, things are looking grim for sony….thanfully.
May 30th, 2008
Ok kevin, u want 360 bashing? here goes:
IGN reviews of games:
MGS4 (9.9) V Halo 3 (9.5) V splinter cell (9-9.5)
May 30th, 2008
If memory serves kevin, it was Microsoft touting GTA4 as their “ace in the hole”
May 30th, 2008
Nice article DAVE PARRACK!!!!
Did Nostradamus mention anything about this war in his book?
May 31st, 2008
DAVE PARRACK!!
meh dont know what to say… Arvis and bourne already said what I wanted to…
WHO SAW KINGDOM OF THE SKRULL??
Not the Skull… no.. the chinese ripoff SKRULL??
xD
May 31st, 2008
Sure it will be a good year for the cheapest bluray player but it will also be a good year for the best game console the xbox 360. Like Microsoft is gonna sit still while Sony plays catch up. Sony home network gets delay after delay for fear of being compaired to xbox live. Sony should just bite the bullet and call Apple
May 31st, 2008
You 360 boys like acting that the 2 systems came out at the same time don’t yas…. Let us remember that it had a significant head start.
Your points would be very valid if they came out together. But the sales lead 360 has at the moment, is pretty damn poor for a system that has been out at least a year in advance.
Admittedly, I do remember loads of people saying that 2008 was going to be the bumper year for ps3, but now the goal post seems to have moved to 2009. Meh, 2008 isn’t over yet so time will tell. Regardless, there is plenty of years left in the ps3, it is still a baby…
It will be interesting to do a comparison when the 360 lifecycle comes to an end, then wait a full year and then do a comparision between 360 and the PS3. Then you will have a true indicator as effectively both systems will have been in the public for the same time?
May 31st, 2008
Oh bugger I forgot………
DAVE PARRACK
May 31st, 2008
Why does DAVE PARRACK need to write a column on Kevin anyway?
Also, DWH = hamburger.
May 31st, 2008
winner- because Kevin always likes to comment on how every article written by DAVE PARRACK or not is 360 bashing. its friggin hilarious!
May 31st, 2008
DWH- I saw it. Its absolute toss
lol
George Lucas needs to die.
Well die is a little strong, fired will do.
As for 2nd place, I think it will be very close, maybe xbox winning it because they released their console first. I mean, what counts as this generation? The PS3 is said to last for 10 years, but neither the xbox or Wii will last that long, so when Nintendo and M$ release their consoles, which generation will the PS3 be in?:/
But anyway, I don’t think it particularly matters, we won’t see another PS2, Gamecube Xbox situation. Its gonna be a lot closer this generation me thinks
May 31st, 2008
Jay - Hmmm I’m sure the reason why Home is delayed is so that it CAN be compared to xbox live, or better. Cause if they did get it right and it was on par with Live, we’re getting it for free, your not.
May 31st, 2008
Bourne,
If you find that hilarious then you need to get out more
May 31st, 2008
i find it hilarious because its so pathetic
May 31st, 2008
The PS3 isn’t doing too bad, when you look at the 360’s huge head start. It is catching up, that’s a fact. MGS4 is going to help it a lot, then Killzone 2 (unless it flops), and then with Bioshock coming out in October (Yay!).
June 1st, 2008
2008 will be a great year for sony. i expect this xmas to be all ps3’s. their library will be the best of any console by then and home and in game xmb will have been released by then as well. they also have a strong 2009 filled with big releases. things are changing fast. disagree if you will but time will be the judge.
June 1st, 2008
Jealousy is a Bitch, Isn’t it PS3 Fanboyz!!
June 1st, 2008
U would know
June 1st, 2008
im not jealous? whats there to be jealous of CAD?
June 1st, 2008
Too funny. Still idiots comparing X360 and PS3 to Wii. That’s akin to comparing Ferarri and Lamborghini to Civic. Just because they are available for purchase at the same time does NOT mean they compete. Continuing to but into that comparison is just plain stupid, and makes you look foolish.
June 2nd, 2008
CAD - that’s the point. the ps3 fans are jealous of the 360’s sales, games and online. For over a year, they and sony have been touting the ps3’s impending victory on the backs of “120 million loyal ps2 owners”. now that the theory of loyalty has fallen into pieces, jealousy and anger is all they have left. it’s okay… kids will be kids.
June 2nd, 2008
I ain’t jealous at all. I think the Xbox is good, but its had its day. I agree Sony is just touting things, but its already started to roll into place. MGS4 is looking to be everything it should be, XMB is coming this month, more games are on the way, more to be announced at E3 no doubt.
You’d be a fool to count the PS3 out. You really would.
June 4th, 2008
Kevin we have nothing to be jealous of, we have great games, free online and to be quite honest, im not really bothered about the sales, im happy with a ps3, if the rest of the world isnt, well screw them