PS3 the 'only console that grows more valuable'
Sony clutches at straws as it loses out to Nintendo and Microsoft in December sales battle.
While Microsoft is boasting about a year-on-year sales increase and a record month for hardware sales, and Nintendo finished the year on top, Sony has put a different spin on the reported 1.21 million unit sales of the PS3 - its console grows "more valuable over time".
"The combination of innovative hardware and a relentless line-up of blockbuster titles is why the PS3 is perhaps the only console that grows more valuable over time," commented Patrick Seybold, SCEA director of corporate communications.
Choosing to look past the console's December sales, Seybold turned his attention to the coming year.
"As we come out of the gates in 2011, PlayStation is brimming with new games to whet the appetite for all gamers, like next week's highly anticipated launch of LittleBigPlanet 2, which received top scores," Seybold enthused. "And right around the corner, Killzone 3 is positioned to set a new standard in hardcore gaming as the first AAA title to utilise both 3D and Move functionality."
There was, however, one stat Sony could use to trumpet the popularity of PS3 software.
"According to the December NPD, PlayStation is the only console company to show year over year software growth with an impressive 32 per cent increase in its sales," Seybold revealed.
VideoGamer.com Analysis
We're not entirely sure what Sony is getting at when it claims the PS3 gets more valuable over time - we're pretty sure the console hasn't become a collector's item just yet. It's more likely Sony is referring to the growing functionality offered by the platform: Blu-ray, 3D, streaming TV services, motion control gaming and more.
While it seems clear that Microsoft ended 2010 with a bang and Nintendo proved that the Wii and DS are far from finished, 2011 is shaping up to be a great year for the PS3. A strong line-up of games doesn't necessarily translate to improved platform sales, but Sony's certainly doing everything it can to attract new gamers.
Highest Rated Comment
pblive
1.This article isn't suggesting someone asked Sony 'what about the fact that you're in last place?' and then Sony replied saying their console was more valuable. It was a seperate PR stunt to take people's minds off the fact that they were in third place.
2. The sales figures are impressive anyway, I know people like to say 'oh this console is in first place' all the time, but really the main focus is on making money and selling enough consoles to make a tidy profit and also get a decent user-base. Sure, Sony would love to have the same units out there as MS, or, even better, Nintendo, but I'm sure they're not disheartened by the sales.
3. The console IS growing in what it can do and the updates are impressive. It's just a pity that the firmware updates seem to happen every other day and game updates are even worse. It's not so much 'make a cup of tea' while the game loads, more 'go to the shops, get tea, stand in queue, buy tea and then get home and make a cup of tea', or in GT5's case, 'go to China, pick tea leaves...'
4. MS are also right in shouting about their sales figures, why shouldn't they? Kinect is doing well, despite only having 3 good games (and one of those only counts if you have a child, are a child or bought it by mistake thinking it was a tiger cub culling game) and they're slowly getting the RROD gang back on side as the Slim seems to be doing a John Travolta (staying alive, that is).
The only ones who don't seem to be shouting are Nintendo, despite selling more than their rivals. Why? Because they're confident they don't need to (or they didn't pay their PR people enough, which explains Jedward)
User Comments
Gurlgamer
RecoN
Stegosaurus-Guy-II
guyderman@ Mr_Ninjutsu
Why do the updates on the 360 only take seconds yet these take so long?
Mr_Ninjutsu@ CheekyLee
CheekyLee@ Mr_Ninjutsu
Maybe if Sony made a firmware update that disallowed "Background downloading of this content is not available" then the complaints would stop. Or, do the XBox Live thing and title update only, with optional downloads for ALL additional content, rather than forcing new maps and skins into games that some people might not even bother playing online. (Uncharted 2, I'm looking at you!)
Mr_Ninjutsu
But i completely agree with PB on every other point. TU.
clangod
And by the way well written pb. As per usual.
pblive
1.This article isn't suggesting someone asked Sony 'what about the fact that you're in last place?' and then Sony replied saying their console was more valuable. It was a seperate PR stunt to take people's minds off the fact that they were in third place.
2. The sales figures are impressive anyway, I know people like to say 'oh this console is in first place' all the time, but really the main focus is on making money and selling enough consoles to make a tidy profit and also get a decent user-base. Sure, Sony would love to have the same units out there as MS, or, even better, Nintendo, but I'm sure they're not disheartened by the sales.
3. The console IS growing in what it can do and the updates are impressive. It's just a pity that the firmware updates seem to happen every other day and game updates are even worse. It's not so much 'make a cup of tea' while the game loads, more 'go to the shops, get tea, stand in queue, buy tea and then get home and make a cup of tea', or in GT5's case, 'go to China, pick tea leaves...'
4. MS are also right in shouting about their sales figures, why shouldn't they? Kinect is doing well, despite only having 3 good games (and one of those only counts if you have a child, are a child or bought it by mistake thinking it was a tiger cub culling game) and they're slowly getting the RROD gang back on side as the Slim seems to be doing a John Travolta (staying alive, that is).
The only ones who don't seem to be shouting are Nintendo, despite selling more than their rivals. Why? Because they're confident they don't need to (or they didn't pay their PR people enough, which explains Jedward)
Stegosaurus-Guy-II
Hahaha.
actionmantwiggy
One has to realize Microsoft released a new console this year, and has gained growth in the same way Sony did in 2009. The kinect has offered growth in that Microsoft is now feeding from the dregs of the casual gamer market, and that was also released this year. Based on this it doesn't surprise me that Microsoft have been able to increase their figures for this year in their home country, it doesn't ensure their continued momentum since they haven't done anything to make their core product progress past appealing to casual gamers.
RecoN
Not having a dig or dissing, but the 360 has slowed down with its game releases when it comes to exclusive titles. This year i have only seen GOW3 announced.
PS3 has a good line up again this year so its nothing Sony should worry about. What i think is good, is the fact PS3 is always low sales every year, yet it still remains a competitor in the next gen market.
Trip-l
If I every get Cancer I want a SONY PR dude to be the one to tell me. "Your lucky, have I told you just how lucky you are? You get to an exclusive chance to crossover to the other side! To experience early what everyone will be doing sooner or later, doesn't that sound great, you'll die but it'll be great!"