Sony: 'PS2 will be ahead of Wii in 2011'

Sony boss Chris Deering has surprised many by predicting that the firm's PlayStation 2 console, which launched in the UK in the year 2000, will have more active users than Nintendo's Wii by 2011.

[Cyberwaste]

Doesnt the ps2 have more active users playing already?

[Kratos Spartan]

I can't understand why he would say that? Last I heard the PS2 had a 140 million base. The Wii? Only 30 million. I don't get it. Why is he saying only 90 million for PS2 by 2011? WTF!!!

[silverchode]

active users maybe?

[Kratos Spartan]

Now define "active users" Eyetoy vs. motion control? That's all I could think of for it. And still there is no way to really count active users, is there? Polls aren't really accurate, because not everyone who should will reply to one. So who knows.

[orakga]

... as in people who still have their consoled plugged into their TVs and play games on them. So, by that account, the active user base for the PS2 HAS to be lower than 140 million. It's because many people who had at one point purchased PS2s now own PS3s, 360s and Wiis and don't use their PS2s anymore.

But yes, it's nearly impossible to measure that "active base" accurately (especially on a last-gen console which doesn't need an online connection like the next-gens), so that is merely an estimation.

But IMO, that 90 million number STILL looks high. I think, without countring sales from developing countries in the mid-east, south america and... lord, AFRICA, those numbers are going to be hard to sustain in 2011. Who would not have bought a PS3 or 360 by then? (they'll both be under $200 by then!!)

[Palodios]

I've been saying it for a while, but the ps2 is crucial for Sony to "win the war against the Wii", so to speak. So far, we've heard all these rumors and speculation about motion control from Sony, but what if its not actually meant for the ps3 but for the ps2?

3rd party wii "exclusives" have been pretty much just cashcows. Give the ps2 motion controls and 3rd party developers working on those motion control games will make them for the ps2 also, because cheap ports mean bigger profit, and there wouldn't be any reason not to. People with ps2s would skip the wii and just buy a peripheral instead, except for those looking for the hardcore games, effectively making the ps2 the cheapman's Wii.

Its just a hunch of mine, but really, what does Sony have to lose, besides an investment in a system that has proven itself?

[ape007]

the legendary ps2

the overall best game console of all time

you can't beat the ps2

I hope ps3 follows the same road

and I hope the next gta is ps3 exclusive a true sequel to san andreas on 50 gb blu-ray disk

[Tarasque]

Dood you have done gone ape sh1t. I would might put the ps2 in the top 5 maybe. Atari 2600 and the nes and the playstation (not ps2) set standards for gaming.

[Silellak]

My favorite age of gaming is still the SNES-era. Both the console games and PC games during that timeframe were spectacular.

To me, the SNES will always be the greatest console because it has the highest concentration of my Favorite Games Evar.

[RememberThe357]

...just because I want to see a new San Andreas.

[ice_prophecy]

lol? As amazing as this may or may not be. Please concentrate on the PS3... darn it!

Or at the very least bring some of those new ps2 titles to the ps3.

[juuken]

I agree. I love the PS2 and all but Sony should focus on the PS3 now.

[Gam71]

If he's right and this is not the typical pr spin that we get from all three companies then maybe sony could put b/c back in as that could tempt the ps2 users to upgrade and keep playing and buy ps2 games.

if he is right then sony really need to push the ps2 and wind down the ps2. 2011 and still no foothold for the ps3 is not good.
It's a testament to the ps2 if thats true but by then it will be holding the ps3 back.

I think he knows it as he had to put the ps3 and psp together to get it above the 360.

They need to look to getting the ps2 "active users" onto the ps3 not boasting that it will be no. 1 in 3 years time.

[orakga]

Just because your ex was hot, it doesn't mean you're *still* a stud. Focus on your current project Sony and stop showing off your past achievements.

[mfwahwah]

He predicts that PS3 and PSP EACH have 70mil, at least that's what I gathered from the original story.

[RememberThe357]

That was the best analogy ever. bubbles.

[Gam71]

Orakga that was a damn good analogy.

As for the ps3 and psp it's open to a person interpretation.
We will never know until we get clarification but as it's probably a dig at the 360 you're probably right.

[DaKid]

Active users is a lose term, there really is no way of telling who has more active users, besides using polls. On the other hand its easy to get an idea with the PS3 and 360 because online is a big part of those systems.

The articel says the Wii will have 80 million users by 2011. I think it will have more by then with a few more Christmas's to come and a price drop for the already overpriced hardware.

@ice_prophecy I agree

[yanikins111]

dunno about using online to guage user bases. The 360 and ps3 are selling to different demographics. Most people i know with ps3's dont play online, whilst most people i know with 360's do. Its not that they dont like the service btw, gaming is really just a part time thing for them...

[DaKid]

I was just saying that its a little easier to gauge because they can collect information right from their online service. I am not saying take how many are on, but look at how much they login, how long they play, what they play. and use this information to with stats to get an idea for the entire uses base. a Stats point of view, adjusting for margin of error of course.

[orakga]

You're right, the PS3 doesn't get as much online PLAY as the 360, but the users connect to the PSN just the same. In fact, they HAVE to connect to the PSN every month or so for the firmware updates, so measuring the number of PS3 machines that connected to PSN (even if they're not using multiplayer for it) gives a very accurate reference point for the active user base.

[mfwahwah]

You can get FW updates without logging onto PSN. You can install it from a flash drive that has the update downloaded from the Sony website.

[RememberThe357]

Most people I know play their PS3s online and not so much on the 360. Not sure why that is, but what ever.

[Rob0g0rilla]

I wonder if it'll hold the PS3 back....

[RememberThe357]

I think/know that the PS360 and the Wii are mostly two different demographics. Nintendo has stated repeatedly that they do not see the Wii directly in composition with the PS360. It sounded to me more like they want to use the ps2 to get some of the demographic that the Wii has courted. With the price point and the library the PS2 has I could see that happening. The PS3 doesn't have the price point to compete with the Wii for casual gamers, but the PS2 does.

[Voiceofreason]

Nintendo stated they are not in a race to see who can make the most powerful console. That doesnt mean they are no longer a game maker. Their products are available in the very same gaming stores that carry PS3 and 360. Their sales are charted and compared with those same companies.The companies that make games for PS3 and 360 are also making games for the Wii.

[Skadoosh]

They need the ps2 because the ps3 is losing a lot of money.

[Fishy Fingers]

Havent Sony already confirmed they're now making profit from the PS3?

Edit: Sorry I'm incorrect, Sonys gaming devision as a whole turned a profit but the PS3 alone is on track to turn profit in March 2009.

[La Chance]

They lost something like 3-4 billion because of the ps3 and they said that there concern isnt to sell more but to sell better , that means being profitable.

and yeah its "unfair" to say something like that since they got a 5 year and 100 million headstart.

[Syronicus]

Unfair? Kinda like how the Xbox fanboys talk about how their install base is larger than the PS3's? How the 360 has more games out on the market? We all know the 360 had a year head start right? So now we know that the install base argument is unfair. Thanks for clearing that up.

[jspc1989]

no offense but it alomost sounds like u took that personally lol. I suppose neither of u were right reali becus they were both just opinions on whats fair and what isnt.

[Syronicus]

No offense taken. What I said was more sarcastic than anything. I have read a ton of posts on the subjects I brought up and when I heard a known Xbox fan say what LaChance said, it struck me as odd and somewhat funny. Nothing too serious.

[Omega4]

I doubt that, Nintendo still got a lot of tricks up their sleeves like a huge pricecut (considering its overpriced now), new colours and a possible HD addon will be more than enough to keep up high demand just look at the DS.

Also the prediction is a bit unfair considing the PS2's 5 year head start

[Rico_Suavez]

Serious? What tricks does Nintendo Have? Another Wii peripheral? Ha give me a break.. And there is no way they are going to drop the price anytime soon, trust me. And a HD Add On ha... I realize a long time ago Nintendo is winning its own war...

[kevnb]

they are dead to me now anyway, and Im not the only one who bought a wii and was disappointed.

[orakga]

An add-on to produce HD graphics?
Wow, you can't be serious. If you had the simplest understanding of computer architecture, you'd know that is IMPOSSIBLE, especially on the Wii hardware (which port would it plug into? What bus speed does that port have?)

There's a reason why all seasoned gamers dissed the Wii when it launched. And while many of them were being too cynical of the Wii, the one thing they did point out correctly was the Wii's hardware limitation.

The only "tricks" Nintendo has left are in the creative department. On the hardware front, the only way they can improve is by releasing a new piece of hardware (which would upset a lot of existing users and confuse the average consumer).

[Montrealien]

Montrealien : "Water is wet."

[DaKid]

STOP THE PRESSES!!!

[kevnb]

I mean the ps2 and ps3 are both selling pretty well. I mean ps2 is good enough for many people still, while the ps3 is great for those looking for more.

[enjoi187]

yeah all the poor people buying used 3.99 games like power drone..lol

[Captain Tuttle]

Sounds like they've given up on the PS3 being #1 this gen.

[Kratos Spartan]

They may have just released the PS3 too early, maybe cuz Micro released their "next-gen" system and Sony didn't want them to steal the next-gen thunder. The PS2 is still selling a decent amount. I still believe the 360 was rushed out to compete with the still selling PS2.

Just look at the changes from the first xbox to the 360. The PS2 didn't have a standard hard drive like the xbox. And now the 360 doesn't. I think Micro tried to make a PS2.5 cuz they failed to stop the momentum of the PS2 with the first Xbox. And then they slapped a next-gen sticker on it and told Sony "you're late!" So Sony was forced to respond with theirs.

[Lex Luthor]

And sony fanboys say MS spokespeople chat crap.
Bloody Hell.

[La Chance]

I completely agree.

What he said is so stupid , they got a 5 year and 100 million headstart.

Its funny there isnt a single sony fanboy to point out how stupid the whole thing is.

[kevnb]

but at the same time, was there more people playing snes than ps1 in 1998? Or even more people playing ps1 than xbox in 2004?

[mistertwoturbo]

Well you see they work both ways. That's why people like Tordavis who says he hates all three companies. They all have their own sh*t that they put in people's faces.

But the one that throws the most feces around just happen to be Microsoft. And Don Mattrick is like a living walking pile of poo, cause he says the most crap out of anybody.

We are talking about some serious DOO DOO here lol

[Gam71]

I'm sorry but i have to disagree about ms throwing the most around.
This gen for sony has been based purely on mud slinging then backtracking.

[SilPho]

Sounds more to me like people are expecting the Wii's to gather dust and be forgotten while people still play the PS2.

[mistertwoturbo]

Okkkkkk Sony. Time to retire the bad boy in 1 year 4 months.

[highdro]

u mean the ps2 will be ahead of every thing in 2011,to be honest i dont see any other console doing what the ps2 has done.u can say the ps3 might do it but if u look around u will see this gen is different and it will be so much harder for the ps3 to sell as much as the ps2 with the 360 and wii around,u just have to admit the 360 is doing better than the last x box and its ready to keep going at sony...as for the wii ..i hate the wii......i boycout the wii !!!!!!!!!!! ;P

[thehitman]

the 360 isnt doing any better than its predecessor which is why MS are in a bad situation and they try to cover it up with all their PR. The xbox sold like 40mil counsoles. The 360 maybe just broke 20mil so right now they are on the same track. Reality is no1 wants a 360 every1 just waiting for ps3 to drop in price. Every 360 gamer knows that they are going to pick up 1 when the ps3 hits around 250-300.

[Gam71]

The xbox sold around 20mil not 40 so it IS doing better.
Your first lie.

Reality is no-one wants a 360?
Then why has it outsold the ps3 this month?

I should have known from your first comment you was an idiot. The second confirmed it.

[silverchode]

because its even cheaper than it was b4 maybe.

[thehitman]

Wiki says 24mil and wiki is always off by like 5-10mil since they dont update and is userbased. I remember MS saying they sold almost 40mil original xboxes. Either way it still took the 360 just as long as the xbox to sell 20mil consoles so it still doesnt change the fact its not doing any better. Only difference is that the 360 will last longer by maybe 1-2 years.

And where is the info that the 360 outsold the ps3 this month? You work for NPD? Enlighten me on the sales figures. The 360 is almost 200 dollars cheaper and can barely compete its obvious people dont want the 360 as much as they want a wii or a ps3. 360 is like 25 dollars more expensive than a wii but the wii is outselling it by a crazy margin so dont give me that 360 is doing good BS every1 is telling you.

[thehitman]

Wiki says 24mil and wiki is always off by like 5-10mil since they dont update and is userbased. I remember MS saying they sold almost 40mil original xboxes. Either way it still took the 360 just as long as the xbox to sell 20mil consoles so it still doesnt change the fact its not doing any better. Only difference is that the 360 will last longer by maybe 1-2 years.

And where is the info that the 360 outsold the ps3 this month? You work for NPD? Enlighten me on the sales figures. The 360 is almost 200 dollars cheaper and can barely compete its obvious people dont want the 360 as much as they want a wii or a ps3. 360 is like 25 dollars more expensive than a wii but the wii is outselling it by a crazy margin so dont give me that 360 is doing good BS every1 is telling you.

[Gam71]

Ah i see you subscribe to the "double post to make it true" method of discussion.

Wiki for facts?

Try googling. Lots of more reputable sites have the xbox at around 24mil.

I will wait for npd only because anything else i offer you won't believe unless it says ps3 is great. Then you'd lap it up.

360 is $200 dollars and can barely compete?
doesn't it have double the install base in america where you live?

I put this to you
teh pow3r of the cell and all sonys promises as well as the ps2 user base and its still behind the 360.

[Voiceofreason]

The Wii is already ahead of PS2 sales in the same time frame.

[Spydr07]

You do know the PS2 has averaged 17.5 million sales per year to date, right? I wouldn't be thinking the Wii will reach that just yet. According to VGChartz, which typically overrates sales, the Wii isn't even at 31 million sales yet. Given the Wii was released Nov. 6, 2006, it would need to sell over 4 million consoles in the next few months to get that average. Check your numbers man, the PS2's average hasn't been touched. And this even includes the massive decline in sales with the next gen consoles being released in the average. No console this gen is on pace to touch that.

The PS2's first year was severely limited in sales from manufacturing issues (moreso than the Wii). Hence the only reason the Wii is ahead in the same time frame.

[whoelse]

The people who buy Wii's are the people who don't game that much.

[Voiceofreason]

Software sales say otherwise. Polls even showing it getting more play time then PS3. Maybe it's time you guys found something to trash it for that hasnt already been proven wrong. The whole excuse that nobody plays it doesnt work when it also leads in software sales over all. Even with the year head start Wii software is at 151m and 360 is at 133 million over all. It is funny though because PS3 has an install base of 15 million but only sold 65m units of software. Less than half of what sold on 360 with 75% of the 360 install base..

[Eiffel]

"Sony boss Chris Deering" Nice way to start a biased news report.

[jspc1989]

ever month of the year they arent going to sell more than microsoft in the long run. Theyre selling very well monthly now but theyre catching up to slowly.

I don't know y but i think when the new 360 dashboard comes through there cud be a little surge in sales, purely becus when they display the 360's (and ps3's) on tv's in shops, the average parent buying it for their child will see it as looking like the more appetising option, as in msofts favor, it does look alot more friendly whether that is to ur taste or not lol. Then there a small matter of the price tag and the game selection.

i could be wrong though lol.

[Common Sense]

It's going to start with LBP, R2, Valkyria Chronicles, WKS, KZ2, Infamous, GoW3, Wardevil, FFXIII and some other games.

[N4G Member]

Sony likes to talk and talk and talk, just shut up and do it Sony. Sony is like annoying when they talk. Very!

[orakga]

and THANK YOU for saying it.

Sony RARELY had to step in and say anything during the PS1 days. As a matter of fact, they only spoke at E3 and TGS to announce a new title coming out in 3 months (Gran Turismo!), and never got into a mudfight with ANYONE.

Over the years, they've turned into a PR machine.

[Zerodin]

PS2 is one hell of a console, too bad it's still your bread and butter!
I thought your mighty mighty PS3 would replace it by now!
What was that excuse again? Other companies abandon their old consoles too fast?
I guess that's what happens when the PS3 doesn't turn a good enough profit.

[Viktor E]

http://xbotscrying.ytmnd.co...

[nieto]

too bad a 10 years old console can kick the x360 ass too...
that shows how impressive the RRoD boX its. ;-)

[ChickeyCantor]

Even in 2011?
It's like if they are more relying on the PS2 than the Ps3....
They should rather stop producing the Ps2 and convince people to buy a PS3.

[kevnb]

money is money

[Viktor E]

Unlike Too Human,the Ps2 is a success http://dyackflop.ytmnd.com/

[dan-boy]

an undoubtably a virgin!!

lol. i would hate to be a no lifer of your calibre. tell me, what's it like to be you?????

[WIIIS1]

Dan my man, Nasim is ALREADY telling us all loud and clear just how tragic it is to be a PS droid loser like him. You can't possibly make it any clearer than his through his posts on N4G.

[Zerodin]

You're on my ignore list, so unfortunately I can't see your reply! ^-^ Suck dat penis! Bai!

[Common Sense]

a gimmicky motion-sensing remote control for the Ps2.

[Kwertie]

They already did. It's called sixaxis, just not on the PS2.

Anyway, is this really something to brag about? They only had like a 100 million headstart before the Wii was released. Basically what he's saying is that the Wii can't sell 100 million in 3 years, which is pretty obvious unless Nintendo step up the manufacture and put some better games out there.

[kevnb]

what? He clearly said more people will be using the ps2, user base and number of consoles sold is not the same thing. For example, the nes user base is nearly non-existent, but it sold 40 million consoles.

[ThatArtGuy]

I still play my NES. :D

[Common Sense]

PS2 vs Wii
PSP vs DS
Ps3 vs x360

[SSCOOLCHEA]

ps2 vs wii
ps2 vs xbot and xbot360
ps3 vs xbot 720 or nintendo new system

keep thinking your system is still good bots...you mfkers are to funny
broke azz beotches

[Aclay]

His comment really doesn't make much sense since the PS2 already has a larger userbase than the Wii.... I guess he's predicting that the Wii wont outsell the PS2 or something. At the rate the Wii is still selling, it is on track to possibly outsell the PS2, but Nintendo most likely isn't going to have the Wii out for 10 years, and it's possible that the Wii wont outsell the PS2.

[kevnb]

so it makes alot of sense. Hes saying a 10 year-old console will have more people using it than the wii...

[Wii60Fan]

People are still buying the ps2 and playing games on it is amazing to me.

[orakga]

... and I'd really like to know what they're playing. (other than the obvious guitar heroes)

[Blank1017]

Am I the only one who saw this as a cop out on the PS3?

"Yes we admit that by 2011 there will still be more Wii users than PS3 users.... BUT PS2 ROCKS GUYS YEA!!"

its like they were diverting attention.

[B1ueBurner]

Only a True Sony Fanboy can come with these kinda of predictions, I mean really who is going to be interested in PS2 or the wii by 2011, I can understand the wii (but not really) but are they serious when they say things like this.? The PS2? Come on. Come on!!

And to you Diehard fanatics, you are going to have to get over the PS2 sooner or later. Do like technology & Grow up.

[Thelagster]

yo ma niggas dis is gu sh*t son day aint no abanden the ps2 niggas cuz us niggas we plays games ya feel me... yo yo sony where ya words at son!

[nieto]

are you trying to make fun of somebody?

[LoVeRSaMa]

N-Bomb =/

[mint royale]

Seriously sony why are you chatting on with crap and mindless insults which only achieves to confuse people. Surely if they are looking to the future then they should try and focus on the ps3 keeping up with the wii.. or have they already given up with that? The ps3 needs support or its not going to get anywhere near what the ps2 achieved.

Nintendo is going to increase its userbase from 21 million to anything around 200 million.

Microsoft is definately going to increase its userbase from 24 mill with the old xbx to anything around 40-70 million.

However sony are really struggling. They've shipped just over 130 million ps2's to retail according to their latest financial reports but they only expect the ps3 to sell around 11 million this fiscal year? Thats a hell of a comedown. PS2 - 130 million in 8 years. Ps3 under 15 million in 2 years. Sony expect to be around 24 million by the end of march 2009 so i'd say they have no chance of catching the ps2 and will probably sell around 50-80 million ps3's in total which is still a big total but their biggest disappointment so far.

[madjedi]

Anything around 200 million i guess wii's sold lmao, sure keep telling your deluded self that. Given roughly 16 mil per year about 80 million + or - 5-10 mil, if sales don't start slowing down, it's entire lifetime.

As a console the wii will be dead(production halted) by 2010 early 2011. 70 million is being a bit too generous for the 360, they will be lucky if they hit 50 million. assuming they treat it like the original xbox, i would put ps3 at 90-100 million maybe even higher.

For someone that claims to be a ps3 owner you sure are either blind or stupid. To think sony is not supporting or has given up on the ps3, first party sony games say hello.

What makes you think sony won't keep the ps3 for the long haul, like they have done with the ps1 and ps2.

[proArchy]

Doesn't anyone else think this is a mistake? Misprint? Should be PS3?

[TheDeadMetalhead]

It could be. O_O

[mint royale]

the ps3 doesn't have a chance of being close to the wii by 2011.

[TheDeadMetalhead]

The PS2 had a really good run. But it's an old man now!

It's time to pass the torch to the PS3 and check into a retirment home with The SNES and the PS1.

[PimpHandStrong]

is the Wii in 2011 wont have any users because it will have been replaced!

and i think he is right

I dont see the Wii doing anything in 2011

[PimpHandStrong]

PS2 games still look better then Wii games and it cost less and has MANY MANY more great games!

[mint royale]

have you played wii games? Nearly all the games look better than ps2 games. Seeing that the wii is more powerful than the xbox (which was most powerful last gen) then the games that push the hardware look alot better than ps2 games. How ignorant.

[linkmaster95]

You mean when games will no longer be in production for ps2 and the wii has wii motion plus? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! right!

[jerethdagryphon]

ps2 is marketed now as a latain america 3rd world console where it has an immense amount of games and the games are chap as well i know if iwas some kid in some 3rd world country or somethingl ike that ps2 would be the console to buy it has stability it has games and it has aforadability its sell now for -100 quid its dropping in price and they still sell 2010 is when ps2 stop 10 years 2016 ps3 whichputs ps4 at 2026 end of sale sony always aims for the long road xbox wii may be racing ahead but wiis already out of steam and xbox is starting to flag

gamers wont want more clones of games ps2 still rolls forward 8 yearson and still good if ps2 stays selling by 2010 it will earn a place in legends

[mint royale]

Is that why its selling better than ever? Is that why its outselling the ps3 and 360 combined by 2-1!? Is that why it will be over 50 million by march? Ahh questions you probably don't want to answer.

[TheDeadMetalhead]

Yes, the Wii is starting to drop in sales (But I suspect that to change once Mario Super Sluggers, Fatal Frame 4, Wario Land Shake It! And the mystery Xmas games come rolling out). But it IS still outselling the PS3 and 360 by quite a bit.

I'm mostly just trying to stop an arguement. But yeah. You're both right :)

[Voiceofreason]

It is funny to see some of the same people that consider the WIi outdated garbage to now say that a console that's even more outdated then the Wii should make it all the way to 2011, but the Wii should already be dead...

[ChickeyCantor]

Contradict When Contradiction is Due XD

Most opinions are driven by hate just to destroy the things they dont like.
LHC can create a little black hole, so can these people....they are powerful with their words in the wrong way 0_o be afraid.

[Dogswithguns]

Im still buying and playing PS2 games almost everyday. played on my PS3.

[gumgum99]

am I missing something here?

last time I recalled, the PS2 has a 10-year health plan that's due come 2010. How can it have anything by 2011 if its discontinued 1 year before? If anything, it'll prob be ahead by 2009 or later.

And for those who suggest that Sony should focus on the PS3, Its not gonna happen. Sony has made this clear from day one that their systems are 10 years.

Such comments are kinda early. Wait til 2010 guys ^_^

[SmokingMonkey]

the Wii wont last, they already said they are working on Wii2 and SONY is still reaching into new markets with the PS2 (india with new slimmer PS2) and HUNDREDS of games, GREAT games

BOW TO THE KING

PS2