PlayStation 3 Is Done

Since last November it picked up exclusives like Metal Gear Solid 4, Resistance 2, Little Big Planet, Motorstorm 2 and GT5: Prologue, plus an improved list of 3rd party titles and general improvement of quality of software and it still managed to sell 20% less than it did last year.

My last blog emphasised the point that 'Year of the PlayStation' was utter nonsense. For one reason, there was no reason to suggest we would see a continued momentum for Sony's next-gen console to reach Microsoft's installbase and potentially leap frop in 2009. In fact, it was only till MGS4's release when we see a significant boost of hardware sales. Despite my warnings, people believed the prophecy was coming true. However the following months saw a declaining rate of sales, and that momentum - predicted to have continued throughout the year, had its flame burned out within only a month.

Hardware sales aside; software sales are dire. Resistance 2 has sold poorly in Europe and in America achieving less than 400K during a holiday festival. An AAA first person shooter to an established franchise failed globally. LittleBigPlanet was the greatest tragedy with sales, dropping out of the Top 20 within two weeks of launch in Europe and not even making the Top 10 for the entire month of November in North America. I want these games to suceed because in my opinion they deserve it. If it was up to me they would go multiplatform as effective of now - just so Media Molecule and Insomniac can get the appreciation and accolade in sales they sincerely deserve and no real gamer would argue that they deserve it. It's clear the PS3 won't sell software, atleast on the consistent rate we expected it to be. Only the likes of a MGS4 have any hope challenging the charts.

It's a short blog tonight, but it's almost 2am in the morning. A soured experience for Sony who continue to, rather sadly, quote percentage growths year-on-year. Well that's not difficult considering how poorly the console was selling in early 2007.

[Oner]

I honestly can't understand how you have come to this assumption. Here is a quote by CViper that shows it's not so "doom & gloom" as your view has painted

For 2008
360 ~ 2 million console sales in America
PS3 ~ 1.8 million console sales in America

Also what about the World Wide economic crisis? Wouldn't you agree the price tag of the PS3 is a major hindrance in this time of belt tightening? That along with the 360's total install base LTD in the US @ about 14+ million being twice that of the PS3 makes the overall picture better to understand. Yes the 360 will have more sales because of it's base in it's region but it also has titles more suited for it's base; though with not as much variety as it should.

Is 1 million games sold somehow now "bad" when looking at LBP? I can't see how. Plus how is it R2 just launching a few weeks ago (and later in the EU not being taken in account) being almost equal to L4D also "bad"...maybe it would be best to wait until after Christmas to actually come to a culmination of a point. if it holds true then I could agree that those few titles have shown to be weaker than expected but I can't see how that will happen, but we'll see. I can see and understand some of your points but to be so blatantly brash without perspective actually hinders your view more than make for a strong "argument".

[Captain_Sony]

You're smoking some really bad crack if you think either of those consoles sold that little in 08.
Things do not look good for PS3. I can only assume that you think the way you do because you are very misinformed.. Again though the first part of your post wasnt clear so I am not sure but 360 sold 850k last month alone. They went from around 18m to 25 million in 08. Sony went from 14m to 19-20m in 08.Sony got to within 4 million of the 360 world wide sales and lost it all this year.
It's a great console but its destined to be the GC of this gen. Great first party games and decent 3rd party support but no interest from the general public because they are split between Wii and 360 this gen.
I cant agree that things are over for the PS3 but it is time to admit that things are not going good for it. How many once exclusive games are not multi platform or exclusive to another console or company? Dragon Quest, Fatal Frame, DMC, GTA, Final Fantasy and all the other Jrpgs that arent going to PS3 but to 360 or Wii. None of their big guns made a single difference.. This was the year to buy a PS3 if you ever wanted one. The line up this year for PS3 games killed last years line up.. Only it sold less this year..There is more to it then price or the Wii wouldnt be at 2m last month when you can get a 360 for less.People are paying 300.00 to 400.00 for Wii's online when they can get a PS3 for around that price..

[Oner]

Actually I haven't looked at any recent sales data but again my point is for America (as I stated, not World Wide). By all means show me information where it says different...and please don't link to VGChartz. Use NPD, internal numbers or similar like here ~ http://www.scei.co.jp/corpo...

[Rhoic]

Xbox 360:

3,295,200

Playstation 3:

2,818,800

Wii:

8,021,000

----------------------------- ----------------

Almost 1/2 a million difference between the PS3 and 360 dude.

[Oner]

Thank You. That just supports my point for how something being much more expensive is still competitive relatively.

[acedoh]

So come 12 to 18 months from now everyone could have a good laugh. People were giving the doomsday routine back in early 2007 before SONY did their first price drop... Let's be realistic. Companies like SONY know how valuable the video games division is. If anything they will even put more money into it since gaming is one of the only growing industries in a dire economy...

[TOO PAWNED]

NPD 2008:
Xbox 360:

3,295,200

Playstation 3:

2,818,800

Wii:

8,021,000

----------------------------- ----------------
Ok how is this BAD for Sony?

[socomnick]

Sony aint finished, they are just struggleling and will continue to be 3rd this gen, we might not see a ps4, or will see a budget ps4 that is underpowered and is profitable for sony early on.

[Lombax]

This is a mad house, I tell you. A MAD HOUSE!!

Official Numbers

PS3: 16.84 million units sold as of September 30, 2008 (8.42m per year)

XB360: 22 million units sold as of September 30, 2008 (7.333m per year)

VGchartz

PS3: 17,826,920 million units sold as of December 06, 2008 (8,913,460m per year)

XB360: 24,862,357 million units sold as of December 06, 2008 (8,287,452m per year)

PlayStation 3 Is Done? No, your credibility is.

[Timesplitter14]

True, but the PS3 still has the best games

For 2008, 2009 and possibly 2010

[cmrbe]

you are quite dumb sometimes.

PS3+x360+wii install = 1/2 PS2 installbase. How on Earth can you say PS3 is done when you know very well these facts. IS Sony just going to cancel GOW3,GT5 and so many other exclsuives they have worked on for the last 4 years?.

If these are the sales of the PS3 at 199 with most of it games out then i will agree with you.

[pixelsword]

Before you write a lot, read a lot.

R2 did poorly in Europe in the beginning because of supply, not because of popularity.

LBP hit a million, and will continue to rise.

Both games were undersold because other titles that came out for the PS3 were geared towards the PS3... namely Bioshock and Mirror's Edge's exclusive DLC. Dead Space coming out the same month, and next month Tomb Raider, a game whetted by the gameplay of Uncharted months earlier, is also why many delayed their purchases of some games to buy others later on.

That's not even counting Motorstorm: Pacific Rift.

Nice article, but if you read up on what you wrote about, you would've known that.

[Graphics Whore]

The PS3 isn't going anywhere, no console is going to disappear, if you think otherwise you got a foot up your ass quite honestly.

[Danont]

Sony is most likely working on the PS3 Slim, so we'll get there eventually. So how many people would jump on the PS3 at $250? It might not happen for quite some time, but must eventually be the case. It's just a case of the turtle & the hare, which means it's far from over.

[andron]

Claiming Sony is going down and the PS3 is doomed are all the rage. Too bad it's not backed up by any facts.

Yes, Sony is struggling right now. But that's because of the general economic recession and the fact that they are a Japan based company struggling with a strong yen versus dollar.

Let's talk again in 6 months time and see how it goes eh...

[panasonic23]

no this is how ms is gonna win this gen ms wide the gap between sony by 8million now if if the wii shortage are true about u won't be able to find a wii for Christmas . Then people gonna go for the the next affordable thing 360 aracade version and if the 360 increased it lead into at least 12million or 11 it over for sony.

Because now they got sony right where they want them now until feb this is where thing get interesting KZ2 come out the 27 u notice ms got 2 games prepare to stop KZ2 hype and sales gta4 lost damn i know it a dlc but what if ms make it availabe on disc but they also bundle it with gta4 for 50$. Then halo wars u c it released date is march 3rd right hmmm kinda close to kz2 don't you think so it stop kz2 hype from caring on but their is also 1 other problem kz2 is trapt but get even worse ms advertise the sh!t out their games so u probably c 1 or 2 ad on tv for kz2.

Then ms would cut it price for the 360: arcade 180$ pro 280$ elite 350$ sony is fvck to compete with the wii ms wii annouce a motion sensor controller

[Mc187]

Your english you right like a 12 year old with torrets. I would be less offended if wrote in your native language, which is probably A$$holenese.
On topic Mues did someone pee inyour coffee or something You always were impartial when speaking your mind on n4g and now it seems your pandering to an audience of rabid fanboys.