Saturday, October 25, 2008

The numbers game Sony, Microsoft and Wii

It has been a really tough couple of years for Sony Entertainment and particularly Sony's gaming division. A lot has been said about Sony's wrong strategy, what actually is the cause for concern.....

Being an Sony loyal myself and having spent 3 days and four nights in a store to buy the PS3 at launch...
It really pains to see that a product so great did not catch on as expected.

Many would say that Sony is doing well outside the US.....
Firstly we must acknowledge that it is doing well in Europe

Since I do consider Wii catering to a younger and older generation compared to the PS3 and 360's targeted audience, I would not consider that as competition from a serious gamers perspective.

But that doesn't hold when we are comparing this from a business perspective...

EUROPE -------------------------------------------------------------------------
VGChartz comparing the three consoles in Europe starting from Wii's global launch

Analysis of Europe's Number's :
Despite Sony starting really really late.
I was march 2007 that it launched compared to Wii December 2006 launch and XBOX360 launch way back in November 2005.
Despite having a late start Sony actually beat XBOX 360 as of this day in Europe

PS3 sold 6.4 Million consoles
XBOX 360 sold 6.0 million consoles

JAPAN --------------------------------------------------------------------------
VGChartz comparing the three consoles in Japan starting from Wii's global launch
Analysis of Japan's Number's:
Sony's sales have been mediocre here than what I would expect.
Microsoft lack of brand and awareness and regional attachment towards Sony lets it maintain its numbers well ahead of Microsoft.

PS3 sold 2.4 million consoles
360 sold 0.75 million consoles
Wii sold 6.8 million consoles

AMERICA -----------------------------------------------------------------------
VGChartz comparing the three consoles in Japan starting from Wii's global launch
Analysis of America's Number's:
Sony's sales have been less than mediocre. It is a real cause for worry.
Microsoft's great head start and continuing the momentum of the original XBOX gave it a great start.
Many would say that Microsoft has been ahead by a year and that it is unfair to compare the total numbers...
Microsoft sold 4.3 million consoles more than ps3 before Sony started shipping adequate consoles in Feb 2007.

PS3 sold 6.6 million consoles
360 sold 12 million consoles
Wii sold 14 million consoles

Comparing the numbers from Feb 2007
Microsoft maintained a steady lead until the holiday season came thru and the lead bumped by a million and a half....




WorldWide ----------------------------------------------------------------------
VGChartz comparing the three consoles Worldwide starting from Wii's global launch
PS3 sold 16 million consoles
360 sold 21 million consoles
Wii sold 33 million consoles


Sony has sold almost the same number of consoles as 360 in the time frame from its launch despite microsoft head start and a growing fanbase in 2006.
It is only a matter of time that Ps3 will overtake 360 in worlwide sales.

Does this mean its all good for Sony vs Microsoft.....
There will further analysis of the industry in future posts.. so keep reading

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