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Circana September 2024: #1 EA FC 25 #2 Astro Bot #4 Zelda Echoes of Wisdom #7 NBA ; PS5 #1 Units + Rev

XXL

Member
97o70w.gif
 
Gen Z and Gen Alpha don't care about consoles so fewer and fewer people will be entering the console space as time goes on. Their favorite streamers are using PCs so that's what they want.

Prime example here:


More and more enthusiasts are building PCs because that's where they can get the best performance and play all the games. You'd think with Xbox going the way of the dodo that they would pick up PlayStation's, but that's not happening. They're moving to PC.


The PS5 Pro appeals to mega PS fans like you who are already invested in the ecosystem and run damage control for PlayStation on enthusiast forums. It's not going to bring in a significant number of new users.


A lot of this stuff is cyclical. There is definitely validity to the twitch/youtube streamers using PC and that influencing a lot of people to buy PC but there is also a cost element to that which can hit a ceiling. The parents here bought a PS5, they're not buying this brat a 2K dollar PC.

When GTA6 comes out, no one is going to be talking about PC for 2 years and every streamer is going to be playing on PS5 or PS5 Pro...

PC gaming revenue is in decline, because these kids don't buy games. They play F2P games like Fortnite. That doesn't mean when they get older they aren't looking to play GTA6 or similar games.

TMNT was the biggest thing when I was a kid... it's basically dead today. Shit changes, and it can happen quickly.
 
Gen Z and Gen Alpha don't care about consoles so fewer and fewer people will be entering the console space as time goes on. Their favorite streamers are using PCs so that's what they want.

Prime example here:


More and more enthusiasts are building PCs because that's where they can get the best performance and play all the games. You'd think with Xbox going the way of the dodo that they would pick up PlayStation's, but that's not happening. They're moving to PC.


The PS5 Pro appeals to mega PS fans like you who are already invested in the ecosystem and run damage control for PlayStation on enthusiast forums. It's not going to bring in a significant number of new users.

uKxZlAu.png
 

Ozriel

M$FT
Christmas will sell it, but it will still have a YoY decline

Sony doesn’t care, next year will see a big spike thanks to GTA6

Of course they care that sales are declining.
Gonna be a while until GTA 6.
Higher lift for the PS over Xbox, for sure, but just like College Football 25, both flagships will be getting a boost

Not really, last year Spider-Man 2 launched and sold hardware

Spiderman 2 was released in October 2023.
 

Felessan

Member
Console needs a price drop. I know a lot of folks have been feeling the pinch of rising costs, which makes their current asking prices hard to swallow.

Hell, I just got the notification my homeowners insurance is spiking up by damn near 300 a year, with no claims or anything. It's absurd.
Why would Sony drop price when other prices go up? It ain't become cheaper for Sony too.

It has to do with Sony's inability to cut the price by 100$ permanently as they should after 4 years on the market.
The earlier people adjust that electronics will not become cheaper any longer, the better it will be for industry
 
Of course they care that sales are declining.
Gonna be a while until GTA 6.
Higher lift for the PS over Xbox, for sure, but just like College Football 25, both flagships will be getting a boost



Spiderman 2 was released in October 2023.

They already revised forecasts, they know it’s a light year, they can’t suddenly speed up AAA development

Light years happened in the PS4 Gen too

Sales buildup occurs in months leading to launch of a big ip
 

Ozriel

M$FT
They already revised forecasts, they know it’s a light year, they can’t suddenly speed up AAA development

Light years happened in the PS4 Gen too

Sales buildup occurs in months leading to launch of a big ip

None of this addresses your claim that they don’t care. I don’t believe I said anything about games either. There’s a lot of games to play already. We’re just seeing the usual mid to late life decline, just without the usual price cut to boost sales.

GTA 6 will help, but the key stimulus will likely be a price cut. Which is why sales spike during Black Friday and Christmas deals.
 
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None of this addresses your claim that they don’t care. I don’t believe I said anything about games either. There’s a lot of games to play already. We’re just seeing the usual mid to late life decline, just without the usual price cut to boost sales.

GTA 6 will help, but the key stimulus will likely be a price cut.

“They don’t care” was just my way of saying “they already know”, this isn’t exactly a surprise result
 
I'm not. I'm using easily obtained data on MAUs and revenue to draw pretty easy analysis of where the market actually is right now.

PC is seeing a decline in revenue. Mobile might be growing slightly, but console is pretty strong given the position of the XBS and Switch ahead of the Switch 2.

We're just in an in between point in the market where there is a reduction in people who want to buy full priced consoles. We'll see how that holds up next year with GTA6 and several major franchises going next-gen only, not to mention a strong slate from Sony. EA FC, Madden, and CoD are probably next gen only next year.

Again, I would love an explanation from people who think there is doom and gloom to explain why MAUs are remaining high if the console market is ACTUALLY in decline.

I mean it's not like already sold consoles disappear, this said MAU has been pretty much the same since 5 years ago, i suspect it'll raise now even if HW sales are lower but that's due to some typical tricks, MS already did it in the past and Sony is doing it now.

Revenue is higher now than last gen with DLC, addons, suscriptions etc that's true, also thanks to HW and SW being more expensive.

About the PC decline not sure what you are talking about, Mobile seems like it did a bit better yep, consoles being very strong, well, maybe they will after Switch 2 etc, but right now they seem low as fk.
 

Jaybe

Member
Wonder where Space Marine 2 would’ve landed if their digital sales were counted? It was only #18 this month based on physical but seemed to be a big Steam seller coming in at #3 on the Steam engagement charts.
 
Gen Z and Gen Alpha don't care about consoles so fewer and fewer people will be entering the console space as time goes on. Their favorite streamers are using PCs so that's what they want.

Prime example here:


More and more enthusiasts are building PCs because that's where they can get the best performance and play all the games. You'd think with Xbox going the way of the dodo that they would pick up PlayStation's, but that's not happening. They're moving to PC.


The PS5 Pro appeals to mega PS fans like you who are already invested in the ecosystem and run damage control for PlayStation on enthusiast forums. It's not going to bring in a significant number of new users.

Using a video to prove what an entire generation wants lmao.

Also, that kid is an asshole and deserves nothing. Not a PS5 not a PC.

If a son of mine spoke like that you can bet your ass i wouldn't give him shit.

Moving on...now that Xbox is gone no one wants consoles? Switch is Nintendo's best selling console ever by the end of its gen. PS4 was Sony's 2nd biggest console ever and PS5 is following close behind without a price cut so far. This idea that somehow there's a generation coming that doesn't care about consoles is really not making much sense.

In fact, what you say makes no sense. Earlier last year Sony revealed that 30% (!!!) of PS5 users were new to the eco system so saying they aren't acquiring new users makes no sense whatsoever. The market is moving and changing. 30% is a huge ass quantity of new users. It's not like only old farts that always bought PS consoles for decades are buying them.

People are taking longer to move on from PS4 because not everyone is going to spend 550 euros on new consoles. Here in Europe every time a price cut happens for a few weeks sales simply increase a lot because the market for these consoles exist...just not for its initial price. (or should i say, for consoles more expensive than at release 4 years go)
 

Kacho

Gold Member
Also, that kid is an asshole and deserves nothing. Not a PS5 not a PC.
I bet he is not excited for Horizon remastered or the lego game.

This idea that somehow there's a generation coming that doesn't care about consoles is really not making much sense.
Until I see some consistent results that shows the console market hasn't stagnated or started shrinking, I'm going to judge the available data for what it is. I'm very curious to see how the Switch 2 will do.
 
I mean it's not like already sold consoles disappear, this said MAU has been pretty much the same since 5 years ago, i suspect it'll raise now even if HW sales are lower but that's due to some typical tricks, MS already did it in the past and Sony is doing it now.

You fundamentally misunderstand MAUs... As people move from PS4 to PS5 that isn't going to generate additional MAUs, so of course you're not going to see significant growth there. Where you might see growth is around a release like GTA6.

You're actively looking at way to reduce the importance of MAUs because it isn't in line with your way of thinking, which is inherently broken.

Revenue is higher now than last gen with DLC, addons, suscriptions etc that's true, also thanks to HW and SW being more expensive.

About the PC decline not sure what you are talking about, Mobile seems like it did a bit better yep, consoles being very strong, well, maybe they will after Switch 2 etc, but right now they seem low as fk.

Revenue isn't the only thing that is up, so is operating income...

WSJ reported a decline in PC revenue... at least try and know what you're talking about.
 
That chart is a flawed estimate and not reliable. I understand why specific people keep posting it though.

PC is crushing it right now. Games are selling better and better as more people enter the space. PlayStation has even started porting their games because they see which way the wind is blowing.

I understand these are uncomfortable truths, but it is what it is.
I guess graphics really DO matter then if PC sales are indeed increasing. :pie_invert:
 
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You fundamentally misunderstand MAUs... As people move from PS4 to PS5 that isn't going to generate additional MAUs, so of course you're not going to see significant growth there. Where you might see growth is around a release like GTA6.

You're actively looking at way to reduce the importance of MAUs because it isn't in line with your way of thinking, which is inherently broken.



Revenue isn't the only thing that is up, so is operating income...

WSJ reported a decline in PC revenue... at least try and know what you're talking about.
I mean it's been growing in the past, just not on the last 5 years, not saying it's a bad thing to stay as it is, but i don't see the huge win there.

Revenue and income is growing that's true, as i said, prices are higher and MTX are on fire so yep.

About the report, is that image on this page? the Aldora thing? i can't see any report to back that image up, do you have any source? if i go to aldora i see this:


This is what you mean? ugh
 
I bet he is not excited for Horizon remastered or the lego game.


Until I see some consistent results that shows the console market hasn't stagnated or started shrinking, I'm going to judge the available data for what it is. I'm very curious to see how the Switch 2 will do.
The data that we have is right there:

Launch aligned PS5 is Sony's 2nd best selling console and by far the biggest revenue they ever got in any generation.
Switch is Nintendo's biggest console ever and they have been doing this since the 80's.

The market is "shrinking" because one of the market console makers is basically gone or will be (MS). Nintendo also stopped releasing 2 consoles (a portable and a home console). All this influences numbers. Doesn't mean we have less people playing in consoles. People simply buy less consoles overall because...there aren't that many on sale to begin with.

In the mid to late 00's, when consoles were selling the most you had Xbox 360 (MS's biggest console ever), you had Sony with the PS2 and PS3 (their biggest console ever and their lowest selling one), they also had PSP which sold around the same as the PS3 (80M), Nintendo had the Wii that sold more than 100M and DS. Both seling over 100M. DS literally sold over 150M actually.

It is "shrinking" in pure console sales numbers (hardware) because you have 2 or 3 consoles on the market with one of them flopping as opposed to like 5 or 6 consoles between portables and home consoles with MS doing good back then.
 
In the mid to late 00's, when consoles were selling the most you had Xbox 360 (MS's biggest console ever), you had Sony with the PS2 and PS3 (their biggest console ever and their lowest selling one), they also had PSP which sold around the same as the PS3 (80M), Nintendo had the Wii that sold more than 100M and DS. Both seling over 100M. DS literally sold over 150M actually.

Yeah basically. Nintendo went from 2 pillar to 1 pillar. They had Wii/DS last gen and now it's just Switch. They went from selling 250 mil units of hardware (fixed box/portable) down to 141 mil (hybrid). They lost their monopoly in the handheld space to smart phones and tablets. Of course no one wants to highlight that "little" problem so I'm just going to point it out. So yes, the market is shrinking thanks to them.
 
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zedinen

Member
Sony Group profits, buybacks and cross subsidization have been bolstered by PlayStation's higher prices and record profits.


mZdiBwu.jpeg


THn96zR.jpeg



The downside is that increased prices have resulted in declining unit sales by a whopping 35% ...


PS5 (July - September) 2024

US+EU+JP ~1.80 m (-35% YoY)


US ~882K (-23% YoY)

EU ~624K (-41% YoY)

JP ~301K (-50% YoY)



Sony Group is borrowing profits from future periods (PS6) to make current results look better. Major shareholders need to wake up before it's too late.
 

Klosshufvud

Member
"September video game hardware spending fell 44% when compared to a year ago, to $251 million. This is the lowest monthly hardware spend total for a September month since 2019 ($242 million). Xbox Series hardware spending dropped 54% year-on-year, with PS5 (-45%) and Switch (-23%) also showing sharp declines. YTD hardware spending is now 30% lower than a year ago, at $2.5 billion."

45% drop in what should be its peak years. This gen is a joke. Someone will defend these outrageous prices with rising component prices but that's no reason to make everything else surrounding the consoles also overpriced and gatekept as fuck. The PS3 was expensive but Sony made up for it by giving players other features they would normally pay for on other platforms. This gen is just an endless charade of ripping people off until the market is over exploited and there is nothing left in the well.
 
InstallBase estimates September 2024

PS5: 280k
NSW: 165k
XBS: 150k

September 2023 for comparison

PS5: 480k
XBS: 300k
NSW: 210k


Estimations for 2024

MonthPS5XBSNSW
January425,000210,000250,000
February410,000195,000220,000
March525,000205,000235,000
April240,000105,000140,000
May220,000110,000130,000
June330,000165,000180,000
July370,000250,000145,000
August230,000135,000115,000
September280,000150,000165,000
Total3,030,0001,525,0001,580,000
Lifetime21,690,00015,075,00045,760,000

Full Estimations for 2023

MonthPS5XBSNSW
January430,000200,000280,000
February560,000240,000290,000
March660,000280,000340,000
April340,000170,000420,000
May260,000160,000450,000
June430,000240,000350,000
July270,000160,000240,000
August390,000210,000200,000
September480,000300,000200,000
October360,000200,000210,000
November1,050,000580,000560,000
December1,520,0001,110,0001,230,000
Total6,760,0003,850,0004,770,000
Lifetime18,660,00013,550,00044,180,000

Oc7Wcxh.png


* Estimations, The Consumer Electronics Suppliers Association (CESA) white paper will be out in December so hopefully we get official U.S sales for 2023.

Note: For Year 1 most consoles released in November but the Switch, 3DS and PSP released in March and the GBA in June.
 
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EN250

Member
AstroGOD doing lords work 🙏

PS5 going down a la Xbone Series is OOF!

Guess the future is Steam + Nintendo after all, if only their HW wasn't so underpowered 🤦‍♂️
 
Sony Group profits, buybacks and cross subsidization have been bolstered by PlayStation's higher prices and record profits.


mZdiBwu.jpeg


THn96zR.jpeg



The downside is that increased prices have resulted in declining unit sales by a whopping 35% ...


PS5 (July - September) 2024

US+EU+JP ~1.80 m (-35% YoY)


US ~882K (-23% YoY)

EU ~624K (-41% YoY)

JP ~301K (-50% YoY)



Sony Group is borrowing profits from future periods (PS6) to make current results look better. Major shareholders need to wake up before it's too late.

You only think this because you think unit sales are a sign of health. The reality is that MAUs are a greater sign of health. Whether someone with a PS4 buys a PS5, a PS6, or sticks with a PS4, it makes no difference to Sony. In fact they profit more from people not buying newer hardware since they take a loss on it.
 
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Ozriel

M$FT
InstallBase estimates September 2024

PS5: 280k
NSW: 165k
XBS: 150k

September 2023 for comparison

PS5: 480k
XBS: 300k
NSW: 210k


Estimations for 2024

MonthPS5XBSNSW
January425,000210,000250,000
February410,000195,000220,000
March525,000205,000235,000
April240,000105,000140,000
May220,000110,000130,000
June330,000165,000180,000
July370,000250,000145,000
August230,000135,000115,000
September280,000150,000165,000
Total3,030,0001,525,0001,580,000
Lifetime21,690,00015,075,00045,760,000

Full Estimations for 2023

MonthPS5XBSNSW
January430,000200,000280,000
February560,000240,000290,000
March660,000280,000340,000
April340,000170,000420,000
May260,000160,000450,000
June430,000240,000350,000
July270,000160,000240,000
August390,000210,000200,000
September480,000300,000200,000
October360,000200,000210,000
November1,050,000580,000560,000
December1,520,0001,110,0001,230,000
Total6,760,0003,850,0004,770,000
Lifetime18,660,00013,550,00044,180,000

At the 3% metric, This seems to suggest slightly over half a million units of the PlayStation Portal sold in the U.S. since launch.
 
Despite there being no big Starfield level release content spending is only down 3% YOY. That's a very strong result. How is it possible with hardware sales down so much? It's because MAUs deliver sales regardless of what hardware it sells on. Someone subscribing to PS+ or GamePass on PS4 or X1 is paying just as much as someone on PS5 or XBS.
Yup. I've mentioned this in another post here in gaf not too long ago, but part of me is dumbfounded on how every time I log onto my PS5, half my friends are on PS4. I mean, I do get it in a way, as most of these people play CoD, fortnite, and 2k so there really isn't a need. I just couldn't imagine be stuck on those last gen consoles still but I guess if the games you need are still there, why not.

Also pretty telling that Sony just refuses to drop the price, if the hardware was doing as bad as so people make it out to be on here, it wouldn't still be at launch prices. And hell, some countries actually got a price increase since 2020.
 

onQ123

Member
I think that this is the first time that we got a confirmation of lifetime Series S/X split? 51% now probably means that the Series S is selling less this year. Curious to see the split this holiday season. Hardware is down but Sony and Nintendo have excuses for it, or don't care that much. I hope that next year is better for them.
The fact that they did it once Series X got to 51% means they didn't want to show Series S as the leading model lol.


Series S is almost non-existent on the market nowadays but it boosted the Series sales for the 1st few years.
 

onQ123

Member
Wait I thought people were dancing on Star Wars: Outlaws grave? How did it hold up to number 6 in it's 2nd month above a lot of new releases?
 
Why would Sony drop price when other prices go up? It ain't become cheaper for Sony too.


The earlier people adjust that electronics will not become cheaper any longer, the better it will be for industry


They adjust by simply not buying them.

See the fast food industry reeling from this same problem, or name brand chips also backtracking because there IS a threshold where people will balk at it, especially if they don't need it.
 
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