1020°

Evidence shows Microsoft's not truthful about Xbox 360 Europe hardware sales numbers

Fuzzy math has been the only explanation to the back and fourth between Microsoft and Sony concerning their Europe hardware sales claims; they've been all over the place. But Microsoft in particular has been bitting its own lips.

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gamesthirstarticles.blogspot.com
5294d ago
Vicodin5294d ago (Edited 5293d ago )

Just the latest in a long string of desperate attempts by Microsoft and its fans to lie about the Xbox 360's poor sales.

Both Nintendo and Sony switched to reporting actual Sold To Customer numbers back in 2005 or 2006. Microsoft is the only company that passes off Sold To Retailer numbers as Sold To Customer number. That means Microsoft is able to inflate their worldwide 'sales' numbers by some 2-3 million since they include every single Xbox 360 sitting on store shelves or in store warehouses or being shipped from Microsoft.

The most absurd example of this was the first year of the 360 where Microsoft flooded the retail channel with an massive numbers of extra Xbox 360s so they could put out press releases proclaiming '10 million sold!' when the actual sales figures were around only 8 million. They flooded the retail channel with so many extra consoles that stores were still selling them all the way through the next quarter and Microsoft ended up shipping no new Xbox 360s to retail the following quarter.

Microsoft's lying about actual Sold To Customer numbers with Sold To Retailer numbers is one of the fundamental ways the little 20 year old Xbox fan who runs vgchartz is able to constantly inflate Xbox 360 worldwide sales numbers. Japan and the US have reliable and public sales numbers so vchartz sticks all these extra 360 consoles in the mysterious 'Others' region. As long as Microsoft continues to lie about actual Sold To Customer numbers vgchartz is able to continually inflate 360 sales worldwide by about 2 million by sticking all those shipped but unsold console in the Others category. And that is why the little kid who runs the site absolutely refuses to breakdown where all these claimed 360 sales are in the Others region.

Nihilism5293d ago

wow microsoft lied...who would have thought, play games not sales people, put this childish B.S to rest. Leave it to the companies to play the sales game

MGSR THE HD VERSION5293d ago (Edited 5293d ago )

"Is the software giant lying just to make itself look good? Or is Sony the ones skewing their numbers? Share your thougts."

oh my god, they're both going to give rough estimates on their number figures, and this guy isn't even all that accurate on his testament.

Gamehead365293d ago

Please, can you guys at microsoft just focus on delivering great games for your platform? Stop spending assloads of money on exclusive content, and stop saying "we're better than sony because we sold x units more" or "we're better than sony because we put the toilet seat up when we piss" and focus on your platform.

I only have a ps3 but want to get a 360 soon. (Played the first half of mass effect and loved it) I do not want to hate you microsoft. But sweet mother of god they make it difficult not to.

5293d ago
soxfan20055293d ago (Edited 5293d ago )

Unfortunately, there is no reliable independent tracking service in Europe like the U.S. has with NPD.

You can either believe MS, Sony, both, or neither. The truth is generally found somewhere in the middle.

Of course, a website that has two grammatical errors in the first paragraph should send up some red flags as to it's own reliability.

Megaton5293d ago (Edited 5293d ago )

Heh, I remember them flopping around with sales lies at Gamescom. Was pretty funny.

MS - "We've sold 9 million units!"
SCEE - "We've reached 10 million sold in EU territories."
MS - "We're 1 million ahead of Sony!"

IdleLeeSiuLung5293d ago

doesn't MS and Sony count Europe differently? If so, then the numbers they both cite might very well be correct.

Company representatives are obligated to shareholders to report factual and correct information.

Isaac5293d ago

"The truth is generally found somewhere in the middle. "

Most absurd assertion of the day, congrats to the Microsoft fanboy that stated it.

5293d ago
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vhero5293d ago

Its not about MS lying when he said hes confident they are 1 million ahead im sure he honestly thought Sony were lying. Which in truth is poor on his behalf he is a professional and should know better. As usual MS dropped the ball I been saying this for months they lie about sales numbers.

Immortal Kaim5293d ago

Don't you guys ever get tired of whining 24/7?

Bathyj5293d ago

For starters, M$ has NEVER done that, so thats just a flat out lie, as I said when he first claimed it.

@ Vicodin 1.2
Bubbles to you.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers their incredible channel stuffing. They shipped so many consoles so they could report them sold, they were still selling Christmas stock in April. Does anyone else remember how they had to come out and cut the forecasted shipment numbers drastically because retailers were still getting rid of stock from the year before?

One thing M$ still gives me is a good laugh.

Sarcasm5293d ago

I thought there's a difference between PAL and EU. MS reports EU, but Sony reports PAL.

Syronicus5293d ago

They lied to the consumer and released a defunkt console months before R&D was complete only to beat Sony tot he market. They knew about the issues the 360 was having and yet they released the console anyway. If they will runt hat kind of scam, do you think they are betond these kind of lies? I think not.

WenisWagon5293d ago

I love how the source is from a blogspot.com blog, Lol.

ManGastaS5293d ago

fanboys with blogs making articles just to help them sleep at night!

what ever helps you sleep at night...

Mr_Bun5293d ago

If you can't win fair, use the official MS handbook

Game13a13y5293d ago (Edited 5293d ago )

poor microsoft, i just bought a 360 and i feel ashamed and embarrassed of ever supporting you. come on, come clean and play fair, there's no shame if you can't beat Sony. Sony is a mega company who is famous for making many many top quality electronics, whereas MS is only known for making Windows which many many people dislike.

ultimolu5293d ago (Edited 5293d ago )

And BOOM! There goes the dynamite. There is something not right about their calculations. I agree with that. If the European numbers are false, then what about the United States? How many broken consoles have they counted as sold numbers? Or consoles people had to rush out and buy just because their system broke so many times?

There's NO WAY to spin this.Lol @ two grammatical errors. Oooh, wow. That guy can easily fix it.

leila: You might as well say that about people who support the Yankees...or a hockey team. I don't think he meant it that way.

leila015293d ago

Long gone the days where you would buy a console for it's software and not because you wanted to support a company that doesn't give a damn about you...

kwyjibo5293d ago

You can't compare like to like. It allows them to both massage their figures.

I mentioned this during the first time it came up, but apparently, we're greenlighting bullshit blogspot bloggers now, a sh*twipe know nothing who can't even afford his own domain name, let alone research.

4Sh0w5293d ago

Microsoft and Sony have different definitions of Europe and its all over the place when you consider shipped vs sold, I don't think either of them are really counting sold to customers accurately.

Whats even more funny is he only compares Microsoft and Sony statements he has nothing from an unbiased soure, and yet he immedeatly assumes that it's not Sony who's lying about their numbers. Why? I mean I guess Sony is above lying to make themselves look good? Then finally after all the microsoft jabs he entertains the idea that sony could be skewing their numbers. So again, what evidence?, Ridiculous article that proves nothing.

kwyjibo5293d ago

Why does that matter? Who the hell are gamethirstarticles?

Yet they've managed a flamebait frontpage greenlight, whilst operating from blogspot. That's the issue.

For someone named DaTruth, you certainly don't really give a damn about the truth do you. Next time you make a comment, make it relevant, "who are you?"

Jesus.

BISHOP-BRASIL5293d ago

@Soxfan

It's called GfK, it works not only at Europe but on many other regions too (including USA) for tracking many products sales and other market research.

For games in Europe it's GfK that big 3 run for, just happens that, different than NPD, GfK don't release their numbers on the web for public. The same goes to Chart Track and Media Create, they work is usually released through thrid party media.

Everytime you see a Danish, German, French or Spanish chart, it's most probably GfK work.

IdleLeeSiuLung5293d ago

I firmly believe as many has pointed out, MS and Sony counts what country belong to Europe differently and report numbers differently. Hence the discretion, not to mention either one of them could be lying. However, I highly doubt it anyone lied since these numbers aren't that useful for shareholders even if you boost it about a 1-2 million extra.

2cents5293d ago

Evidence shows that people have lost touch with their inner gamer, and focus on bullsh1t corporate propaganda. Fighting the war against their fellow gamers and massaging their ego's to the point of insanity.

Damn it people, who gives a cr@p who has sold more. PS3 is really showing its capabilities now which is a GOOD thing, and both the 360 and PS3 have a wealth of additional features. I love my consoles, but I hate all the fanboy sh1t that goes with it.

Why should I be ashamed of loving my 360, man it has given me YEARS of entertainment. The PS3 is really starting to spread its wings and show us what it was made for. Be happy people, stop hating coz of your own selfish blinkered views. You cant be a gamer if you dont appreciated both sides.

Who ever has sold more is irrelevant. End of

Karum5293d ago

Sony don't normally state Europe itself as a region when reporting sales numbers, they mention the PAL region which is more than just Europe, I believe it also includes the likes of Australia and a few other countries.

darthv725293d ago

All three don't directly sell to the general consumer. To say that Nin and Sony are reporting sold to customer numbers would be hard to believe because of that last statement. Technically...a retail chain IS a customer and therefore the only numbers that mean to MS (as well as the other two) are the numbers sold to stores because it gives a rough estimate on the sell through.

When a store orders more that is an indication that they have sold what they had on hand to customers which can be somewhat translated into sold to store...sold to customer. In the end, it is the stores that should be reporting what they sold and they report those numbers to the different tracking agencies who in turn report them to the big 3.

Trebius5293d ago

SHOULD go down in history as the most despicable company in the world...

The sad thing is they probably wont because of their zombie following...

I dont see how anyone can support a company like this...

DaTruth5293d ago (Edited 5293d ago )

Hurts to be reminded you're a nobody, eh! Defensive much!

The question is perfectly relevant. If there's no reason we should listen to him, there's no reason we should listen to you.

You're both two big nobodies; Only difference is, he's nobody with a blog and you're less than that!

kwyjibo5293d ago

Oh, well done with the ad-hominems again. Maybe in your world, it's OK to be swiftboated, I'd just prefer to defend myself - like you've just attempted to do.

Regardless of your own thoughts on who I am or aren't, it's good that you agree with me that this greenlighted article is by an absolute no-one with a blogger account.

It's just that I am vehemently against this type of sh*t being given an audience by N4G, yet you think it's quality? But then again, given the handful of agrees you have on your parroted empty "who are you" post, maybe this is what the imbecile audience here wants.

----

Incidentally, if I had wanted "recognition", I would have started a blog, and not chosen a popular, and thus, untraceable pseudonym taken from The Simpsons.

barom5293d ago

lol does not surprise me. Microsoft methods has always been deceitful.

Microsoft: Oh here's the cheapest "next gen" console on the market
---> Gets home puts a game in to play online, oh wait I need an external wi-fi adapter.
---> Runs out gets a Wi-Fi adapter for 100$... phew finally some online gaming but wait what is this Xbox Live Gold?
---> Pulls out credit cards and dishes out another 50$
---> Thinks back: oh crap that costs more than the most expensive "next gen" console.

And that's not even including the hard drive. Not to mention that there are no blu-ray capabilities. Xbox 360 accessories is a big rip-off but they manage to lure in so many blind dogs with their "cheap" price that they manage to sell a decent amount, there's a reason why they keep bragging about their game/accessory attach rate.

+ Show (34) more repliesLast reply 5293d ago
Sevir045294d ago

to it's consumers? cant say i'm surprised but that's M$ for you!!!

Bathyj5293d ago

I swear M$ reminds me of the tabacco companies in the 50's (not that I'm quite that old.)

They knew their product wasnt up to scratch but didn't care cause of the $ signs in their eyes, not that they've actually made profit overall, but you get my meaning.

Redempteur5293d ago

That's a first !

/* sarcasm .... */

Microsoft Xbox 3605294d ago

Microsoft like its fanboys have been inflating their numbers from the very beginning.

5293d ago
Dutch Boogie5293d ago (Edited 5293d ago )

Same bullshit different day. M$ knows how to lie.

4point7BillionLoss5293d ago

just some fanboy blog ... again ...

Play Behind !!!!

Sir Ken_Kutaragi5293d ago

...people who believe Micro$oft's LIES!!! ;-D Well i don't really;)

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+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 5293d ago
LordMarius5294d ago

I dont know, I hear AliTheBrit keeps re-buying their console and so might the rest of the European bots.

Bumpmapping5294d ago

Bu bu but M$ would never lie!

4point7BillionLoss5293d ago

Sony says home isn't a priority
http://www.gamefocus.ca/?na...

Sony Says home is a priority
http://playstationlifestyle...

We say home is Sh!t !!!!!

abc12335293d ago

saying that Home isnt a priority but is still quite successful then saying it is a priority can hardly be compared to made-up sales figures in order to look good. Sorry but the 10 hours that you wasted to find that info wasn't worth it.

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Vader822d ago

No 7 days to die is criminal

210°

Microsoft once tried to nab LittleBigPlanet from Sony after a few drinks

It turns out that many moons ago, Microsoft once had its eye on the Sony published LittleBigPlanet series.

Read Full Story >>
eurogamer.net
XiNatsuDragnel5d ago

Microsoft had a good idea but fumbled it again.

Cacabunga4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Project Spark idea was decent but they quickly gave up ..
LBP was wonderful

ApocalypseShadow4d ago

Microsoft in a nutshell. Always tried to poach Sony employees, games, 3rd party games and devices like the depth camera that was turned into Kinect but was running on PS2 before Xbox 360. Wouldn't be surprised they wanted LBP. Just like they worked behind the scenes pushing the MLB to bring Sony's baseball game to Xbox instead of making their own.
https://www.playstationlife...

They didn't spend years trying to develop their own baseball game. They wanted Sony's game.

They're scum.

Zachmo1824d ago

Microsoft didn't force MLB on Xbox. MLB gave Sony 2 options either go multiplat or risk losing the license.

Rynxie3d ago

And why do you think MLB said that? I believe Ms approached MLB.

ApocalypseShadow3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Totally ridiculous comment.

The only exclusivity Sony had was to their own creation of The Show. Microsoft could have paid the MLB for the license just like Sony did and made their own baseball game.

Microsoft instead, groomed MLB for years in trying to poach Sony's game and bring it to Xbox. They're worth 3 TRILLION dollars. You think that's not enough money to make their own baseball game? Don't be delusional.

Microsoft spun it like they always do and told the media that they had to trust Sony with their hardware. After they put Sony in that position of not having a choice. Either go multiplatform or stop making one of their successful games. That's a no win scenario.

And what did Microsoft do? They didn't try to sell the game to the Xbox community. They put it on game pass to hurt Sony. Pushing the idea of why buy games that are $70 when you can play them in their cheap service for $10. It was a dirty tactic.

You fell for the Kool aid drink Microsoft served you instead of spitting it out. Hope it tasted good because you were fooled by Phil and the gang.

3d ago
Hereandthere3d ago

Xbox executive Sara Bond has told Axios that Microsoft spent a number of years trying to get MLB The Show onto Xbox consoles. And when it finally succeeded in breaking off PlayStation’s long-held exclusivity, the company had to “trust” Sony with pre-release Xbox Series X/S consoles.

Bond revealed that MLB The Show “always came up” in conversations between Microsoft and the Major League Baseball organization. “We always said, ‘We love this game. It would be a huge opportunity to bring it to Xbox.'” she recalled. However, when Microsoft’s efforts materialized, it put the company in an awkward situation where it had to send in pre-release consoles to a rival company.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3d ago
Notellin3d ago

"Microsoft instead, groomed MLB for years in trying to poach Sony's game and bring it to Xbox."

Take a nap, conspiracies are rotting your brain.

3d ago
Hereandthere3d ago

Xbox executive Sara Bond has told Axios that Microsoft spent a number of years trying to get MLB The Show onto Xbox consoles. And when it finally succeeded in breaking off PlayStation’s long-held exclusivity, the company had to “trust” Sony with pre-release Xbox Series X/S consoles.

ApocalypseShadow2d ago

Lying to yourself is unbecoming.

Article link tells you all you need to know in Sarah Bond's own words.

Hereandthere3d ago

They were too cheap/inept/lazy to develop their own mlb game, so they port begged for years and bribed the mlb to make the show multiplatform. Like i said many times, xbox brought nothing to the table their 24 years, ZERO.

ApocalypseShadow2d ago

At least you and others get it. Note drank the Kool aid and asked for seconds thinking it was refreshing.

Most don't even know how it all played out but it's there in black and white for all to see. Microsoft brought it up for years until the MLB forced Sony's hand. It was a win win for Microsoft. Kill one reason to buy a PlayStation or kill the game by dropping it in a cheap service to kill Sony's sales numbers on PlayStation.

OtterX4d ago

"However, Healey said Media Molecule wouldn't have felt right doing that, adding it would have been "morally corrupt"."

Major kudos to Media Molecule for being an upright studio with principles.

Cockney2d ago

They chose well, Sony gave them the backing to pursue their dreams with no restrictions even tho their games especially dreams have very niche appeal. Media molecule and Sony deserve respect for this in an age of risk averse publishing.

RNTody4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Great, more stories like this please. Show the last of the zombies holding the line what we've been saying for years: Microsoft is anti competition, anti industry and has no interest in making games at all.

But hey, at least there's an Xbox Games Showcase to look forward to, right?

Inverno4d ago

Well considering SONY just killed the series, LBP would've been dead by now either way. Though MM probably wouldn't exist by now either, so I'm glad they stayed with SONY, hopefully they don't get shut down any time soon or ever honestly.

Inverno4d ago

They shut down the servers, that's millions of user created levels gone. That and dead are pretty much the same, it's also been years since 3 and they cancelled HUB soooo.

3d ago
fsfsxii3d ago

They shutdown the servers because no one was playing, no one in the community cared about the user created levels so why keep them up? Wtf you guys would never succeed in running a business.

Inverno3d ago

Yea dood no one was playing so they shut off the servers. Cause people with enough common sense can't just Google why they were actually shut of, right?

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