Reactions to May sales figures - Usual spin on PS3, Wii, Xbox numbers
By Dave Parrack
The NPD sales figures for May came in yesterday, showing how the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii have all done over the past month in the US. That means it must be time for Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo to spin the raw data to make themselves look better and their rivals look like they’re dead in the water. Bring it on.
Every month around this time, we see a similar pattern of events occurring. First come the hardware and software sales figures for the previous month, then we get each company’s reaction to these, and then crystal ball watchers such as Michael Pachter use the figures to extrapolate what is going to happen for the next 10 years or so.
The NPD figures for May, as discussed yesterday, show that Nintendo is still dominating, with the Wii and DS massively ahead of the PS3, Xbox 360 and PSP. In terms of software, Grand Theft Auto IV came out on top, but it was pushed hard by Wii Fit and Wii Mario Kart. But how did Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo read the results?
Nintendo
We’ll start with Nintendo, seeing as it came in on top of the pile for yet another month. There really is no need to either spin or make digs at your rivals when you are clearly winning the war, and so Nintendo took a typically modest approach.
Nintendo talked about how peripherals such as the Mario Kart Wii Wheel and the Wii Fit Balance Board are vital ingredients in the console’s recent success. The company’s press release also points to the fact that 19 of the top 30 games in May are for Nintendo consoles, as well as talking up the fact that 63% of all consoles sold in the month were Nintendo machines.
Sony
As Sony actually came in second this time around, with the PS3 managing to beat the Xbox 360 sales total by 22,000, we’ll look at its response next. This victory was talked up as well as victory in the GTA IV sales battle being claimed. Sony also talked up the year-to-year growth of the console yet again.
In terms of Grand Theft Auto 4, Sony claims that, despite being way behind the Xbox 360 in terms of sales, the attach rate in the US is higher, being at 32% compared to 26% on the Microsoft console. The company also expects this victory over the Xbox 360 to be anything but a one-off, with Metal gear Solid 4 cited as a reason for the sales growth to continue. Jack Tretton, president and CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment America said:
Leading into a pivotal season packed with blockbuster titles and unique online service offerings, consumers have chosen the PS3 as their home entertainment console of choice - showcased by its year-over-year sales growth of 155 percent. With its commanding line up of software titles and enhanced movie playback capabilities, the PS3 has seen phenomenal momentum with a software sales increase of more than 234 percent and additional studio support of delivering content in the Blu-ray format…
The dual platform release of the much anticipated Grand Theft Auto IV title reaffirmed its legacy on the PlayStation platform with a 6 percent higher attach rate than Xbox 360, reinforcing consumer choice of PS3. Poised for continued momentum, PS3 is delivering on its breadth and depth of exclusive titles to its gaming fans with today’s prized exclusive title launch of Metal Gear Solid 4. The media have hailed 2008 as the year of the PS3, and with solid sales and growth opportunities ahead, we feel consumers are saying the same.
Microsoft
And lastly we hear from Microsoft, which really only has the attachment rates to talk up, along with possibilities for the future being presented by exclusives due to be unveiled at the forthcoming E3.
Just like last month, Microsoft claimed victory in the GTA 4 sales battle, citing a 2:1 sales ratio win over the game on the PS3. It then talked up the 7.7 software attachment rate before claiming it as a prime reason for the Xbox 360 being the friendliest console to third-party publishers. The press release concludes with:
“Last month we showcased an all-star line-up of games including Gears of War 2, Fable 2, Banjo and Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, Viva Piñata 2 and Too Human. We still have quite a few aces left up our sleeve; see you at E3 next month!”
I love how all three companies spin the figures each and every month to claim victory in at least one facet of the industry. But let’s face it: Nintendo are continuing to dominate, with Sony and Microsoft now struggling to compete on the same playing field.
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Stumble It!
Tips N4G
June 14th, 2008
Nintendo are killing the competition. Who would have thought that?
June 15th, 2008
i don´t know about u guys, but this is getting boring.
June 15th, 2008
credit to them i spose. they gambled and won.
June 16th, 2008
I’d like to point out that just because my brother’s tee-ball team won all of their games doesn’t make them a better ball team than the Red Sox.
Just throwing that out there….
-Arvis
June 16th, 2008
To godquality01
I find it funny.
To Arvis
Maybe it makes them a better team than the Chicago Cubs.