Network now...NEWS
Wii Breaks 2m in Nov.
Nintendo of America has apparently delivered on its promise to improve Wii supply in the U.S., as hardware sales for the motion-centric console hit 2.04 million units for the retail month of November, the NPD Group reported Thursday.
The closest competitor to the system during the busy shopping month was Nintendo's own DS, which sold 1.57 million units. November 2007 saw Wii sales of 981K and DS sales of 1.53 million.
Sales of the Nintendo hardware helped drive total videogame sales (software, hardware and accessories) to $2.91 billion, a 10 percent year-on-year increase. Hardware sales were up 10 percent to $1.21 billion, and software sales were up 11 percent to $1.45 billion
While Wii had by far the largest hardware unit sales for the month, Xbox 360 enjoyed a boost as well, selling 836K, up from last November's 770K. Microsoft called November Xbox 360's biggest to date.
PS3 sales were 378K, down from last November's 466K. The aging PS2 managed to rake in 206K (down from 2007's 496K) and the PSP hit 421K during November (down from 567K).
"All three of the newer generation console systems have something to brag about," said NPD analyst Anita Frazier. "The expanded supply of Wii systems at retail was clearly evident in the sales figures this month. The 360 realized a nice unit sales bump over last November and the PS3 year-to-date unit sales growth is impressive.
"It's clear there can be more multiple victors this generation and while price is certainly a strong factor, particularly as the current economic situation continues to prevail, the most important factor that will drive success in 2009 will be the line-up of compelling games that will keep consumers involved in the industry."
The sales growth is also notable this November because the month had seven less post-Thanksgiving shopping days than 2007.
Software
Xbox 360's Gears of War 2 from Epic Games won the November software battle, selling 1.56 million during the month. NPD said the game has a 13 percent attach rate to Xbox 360 hardware.
Call of Duty: World at War, Wii Fit, Resistance 2, Left 4 Dead and Wii Music also cracked the top 10 during the highly-competitive month.
- 360 Gears of War 2*, Microsoft: 1.56m
- 360 Cal of Duty: World at War*, Activision Blizzard: 1.4m
- Wii Play w/ Remote, Nintendo: 796K
- Wii Fit, Nintendo: 697K
- Wii Mario Kart, Nintendo: 637K
- PS3 Call of Duty World at War, Activision Blizzard: 597K
- Wii Guitar Hero World Tour*, Activision Blizzard: 475K
- 360 Left 4 Dead, EA: 410K
- PS3 Resistance 2*, Sony: 385K
- Wii Music, Nintendo: 297K
(*includes CE, GOTY editions, bundles, etc. but not those bundled with hardware)
Frazier also noted one important PC title that is performing well. "We would be remiss not to point out the strength of PC game sales this month as led by the release of the latest World of Warcraft expansion pack. Wrath of the Lich King sold over 1.4 million units in the U.S. during its debut month at retail."
Accessories
Accessory sales were up 7 percent to $255.4 million during the month.
On the Economy
Frazier added that she is confident that the games industry in the U.S. can hit total revenues of $22 billion in 2008 despite the economic downturn. So far, the industry has generated $16 billion this year.
"One reason for the continued strength of the industry compared to other forms of entertainment comes from a number of sources. Certainly, the expanded audience for gaming due to the availability of a wider variety of compelling content is a strong contributor. Economic factors are also at play given that a videogame is a relatively inexpensive form of entertainment for the hours of value it provides.
"Our Consumer Spending Indicator shows that videogames is the category consumers are least likely to cut back on this holiday."
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Looks like this answers the Little Big Planet predictions in last month's NPD thread.
I think next year could have a lot of potential for Sony to bounce back. With MS (at least thus far they haven't been announced) really only having Halo Wars and Halo: OSDT as their marquee exclusives (they'll sell good on the Halo name, but they most likely won't be system movers or huge in the same way as Gears and the original Halo series), there's definitely room for Sony to play at least a little bit of catch up. But the bottom line is, there needs to be a price cut on the PS3, and it's a must that God of War 3 comes out in 09.
From what I recall, *this* year was suppose to be the "Year of the PS3."
It would be in poor taste for them to declare so yet again, after being so miserably wrong.
These 1.5 Million DS lites, and with the recent land-speed record in the UK, http://www.edge-online.com/news/ds-becomes-fastest-selling-uk-console, is why we won't be seeing the DSi here anytime soon.
So I guess this means that a new PS3 hardware SKU will be coming out in early 2009. Isn't that what they usually do when they perform poorly?
This is good news for Microsoft and Nintendo.
For Nintendo it means that they are finally getting a handle on hardware production and you will probably be able to find some in stores on a regular basis starting around February or March.
For Microsoft this means that they will be getting a lot more people to sign up for XBL and they will have an increase in yearly subscriptions. You have o admit, that was a clever way to streamline the loss on the hardware.
Like Sony are doing really poor...they only own half of the US market with 3 systems.
Yes they do. One system from the last generation that had an 8 year head start on the others. It may have been Number 1 then, but it is number 4 now. One hand held that is still a far number 2 in the hand held market. Finally, one high priced system that is third in the current market.
Yes they do. One system from the last generation that had an 8 year head start on the others. It may have been Number 1 then, but it is number 4 now. One hand held that is still a far number 2 in the hand held market. Finally, one high priced system that is third in the current market.
________
Yeah, and all 3 systems are still in production and selling in their thousands each month.
So it's all good.
That sure is impressive considering it takes totaling all three to beat the 360 most every month.
MS has Kim_Naroz as their viral marketer on this site and, apparently, Sony has Rider_on_the_Storm as theirs.
grognard66, you've got a cheek to talk about anyone regarding brand loyalty. Seriously.
Not the Playstation family defence, anything but that.
I guess some people don't like hard facts!
It seems like there is no way back for Sony now, ps3 is a failure and deservedly so. Poor hardware design which lead to poor games library and high price.
Gamers don't want it, devs don't want to use it.
"Wii Breaks 2 million in November"
In other news, vacuum sales increased 87% in the month of November, as 1.6 million reports of excessive dust collecting pour in from across America
I wonder if some of the impressive Wii numbers are due to people buying early because they feared a shortage in December? It'll be interesting if the numbers for this month (Dec) increase proportionally in line with the other systems, either way Nintendo must be very happy.
Bad news for Sony, i thought this was supposed to be the year of the Playstation, they'd better start looking seriously at whether $400 is too much for a console in the current economic climate.
Sony won't drop the price.. They don't care about market share now.. Hey, wasn't their tag line 'The third place' a while ago?? Share holders... they are the ones they need to please.. It's selling ok.. PS brand made like $700m in November... They won't just drop the price like that... fear not.. people will come round, there are some amazing deals in the UK at the moment, saw a PS3, DS 3 controller and 3 games (LBP, Farcry 2 and another great title) for £288 in Argos.. PS3 is an excellent machine, with some very very promising software lined up for 09.. It going to be a good year regardless of sales figures.
I'm wondering the same thing. Usually, December is 2x November, but I don't see how that could be the case here. 4 million Wiis in one month is just too hard for me to fathom. I do think Ninty will sell more than 2 million in December, but I don't think it'll be double November's numbers.
Also, keep in mind that December will be counted in 5 weeks this year. That extra week will surely put the Wii above November's numbers assuming supply holds up. I'm sure retailers have stockpiled for that last Xmas rush though. Even BestBuy went on record saying their unleashing a huge stockpile on December 14th.
The Wii seems to defy logic. The only thing holding Wii back from 4 million in the US in Dec. is Nintendo's ability to get that many on the shelves.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimmick
God, with the way people are reacting here you'd think Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo were paying their mortgage. Who cares? Just play the games for christ sake! Leave this shit to the suits!
Honestly, whoever takes these sales articles seriously needs to get out more, laid...or both.
If these articles, and peoples subsequent comments about them, anger you so much, why do you click on these stories? And then read peoples comments? And then comment on them yourself?
Who cares? I care. If my favorite console maker is doing bad business, or my favorite game didn't do good sales wise, then that lessens the chance my preferred console brand will release another one next generation, or that may favorite new game will get a sequel. Don't kid yourself, video games is, first and foremost, a business. And the moment any of your favorite products stop selling, and hence stop making money for ti's company, they'll be discontinued. Therefore, that makes this type of information fairly important to forecast what the future holds for gaming.
P.S. My sex life is just fine, regardless of how many sales articles I read.
"Don't kid yourself, video games is, first and foremost, a business."
True, but not the reason we follow developments so obsessively. I'd say it's more like politics, or sport - following the ups and downs of the various companies is hugely entertaining in itself!
Actually, Rider, the industry does revolve around America. The US makes up 47% of the global market. Europe is second and while Sony is doing better there, 360 dominates in Europe's strongest market - the UK.
Sony is in a terrible situation. They can't afford a price cut or their shareholders will revolt, yet they can't sell enough consoles to remain relevant without one. Hopefully, Sony will be chastened and learn the lessons of hubris that are costing them so dearly this generation and bounce back next gen (if they can afford to develop for a next gen). This generation is set in stone: Wii - 360 - PS3. Face it, there's no good way to spin losing nearly 40% market share from one product release to another.
grognard66, what's that on the floor? Oh, it's your soothie!
Pretty pathetic attempt at spin, Rider. Sony sales across all hardware platforms are nothing but disastrous. Now we know why Sony released HOME today (obviously before they were ready to do so based on postings on their boards and my own attempts to download it) - in an attempt to deflect some attention away from this report.
When sales are down year-on-year across all your platforms, while your competitors are realizing healthy growth at the same time, this can only be interpreted one way - they're losing market share, badly, at the absolute worst time of the year to do so.
PS3 - 378K
Impressive, considering it's $400.
It was $400 in November of last year and it sold 466,000 units. Damage control am fail.
More to the point...it's still selling, which can only be a good thing. The industry doesn't evolve around America you know.
Sales worldwide for the PS3 stand at 17.5m (or there about) and the 360's at 25m. Considering the PS3 has only been out for 2 years (even less in some other parts of the world) it's an excellent amount taking into account that it's been the most expensive system since it's launch.
That is some extraordinarily nasty news for Sony. I think in light of the recession, they would be wise to make their console more affordable...I'm sure they'll spin this by talking total hardware sales of all their platforms...but to be fair, it *is* impressive that the ps2 is still selling that well.
Have to consider what software developers are thinking, though -- developing for Sony's system isn't going to be as much of a priority as the otehr two. There just aren't as many potential customers!
The PS3 is already bleeding too much money. Cutting the price would cause Sony to move more units, yes, but their financials would be a TOTAL wreck.