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[DCharlie]

You don't have to get defensive, I was actually making fun of everyone else beating a dead horse.

hehe, sorry - tone didn't come over right on that

So you finally picked it up? I remember that you didn't think you'd start it because you had already invested so much time into MHP3.

i was waiting to finish off completely MH3rdP , kill all the ancients, solo everything possible, get the last armour set and then play with wife/Jonnyram. But both of those made it absolutely clear that they had no interest in replaying through similar content, so i thought i'd just start it in my spare time (plus had a conversation with someone completely new to the series and i was somewhat jealous of his absolute joy at discovering all the aspects of the game from scratch). Next time the team will get together (outside of MH3rdP) will likely be MH4/MH4th or whatever the next big installment is.

 

[mclem]

It's not really bizarre when you see the ad campaigns. Or the family software lineup, which even if it's not to your taste, is of a very high quality.

I'm not really referring to the fact that it's so big at Christmas as the fact that it's not a huge player these days the rest of the year; that is, the disparity between the Christmas sales and the general week-on-week ones are quite *so* huge.

The idea that Christmas is a natural time for family gaming fits the bill perfectly, and there's nothing conceptually *wrong* with there being games popular at certain times of the year - indeed, most other entertainment industries have titles with similar seasonal appeal - it's just not something that I can recall happening elsewhere in *this* industry.

 

[BladeoftheImmortal]

Fixed

Why waste money on a 3ds when i can get this on ps2?

 

[charlequin]

So Mr. Serious Business brought up a decent point, what do you guys think Sony's going to do with PS3 in 2012? Sales were down ever so slightly year-over-year in 2011 despite the price cut. I'd like to see Sony drop the price below 20,000 yen - maybe have another case revision and launch that with Move bundled in every unit, though they may be selling at a loss with that scenario.

If I were calling the shots on it, I would basically back away from Move (I don't think the software is there to make it a compelling pack-in) but drop the entry price, aggressively push their Greatest Hits releases, and focus on keeping up the flow of HD Remasters, iterative RPGs (like the Gust/N1 stuff), etc.

Like, at this point, PS3 is really down to good stewardship. I don't think there's much they can do to move into a new category of performance, really, but they should be able to keep their current performance going.

 

[Jonnyram]

So Mr. Serious Business brought up a decent point, what do you guys think Sony's going to do with PS3 in 2012? Sales were down ever so slightly year-over-year in 2011 despite the price cut. I'd like to see Sony drop the price below 20,000 yen - maybe have another case revision and launch that with Move bundled in every unit, though they may be selling at a loss with that scenario. I think now's the year SCEJ should stress the PS3 as a family console, especially with The Last Guardian likely to see release.

Price drop and solid games lineup. Maybe a new small model too? I don't think the PS3 slim is gonna be the end of hardware modifications for that beast.

P.S. Where's your sexy avatar?

 

[donny2112]

Top 100 Stats (Famitsu)

Total Software/# of games

PSP - 7,959,421 - 31
PS3 - 6,674,346 - 24
WII - 6,386,085 - 21
3DS - 5,206,558 - 11
NDS - 3,183,597 - 13


Total 3rd-party software/# of games

PSP - 7,689,160 - 29
PS3 - 6,510,080 - 23
3DS - 1,895,218 - 6
NDS - 1,517,658 - 6
WII - 1,198,197 - 6


Total 1st-party software/# of games

WII - 5,187,888 - 15
3DS - 3,311,340 - 5
NDS - 1,665,939 - 7
PSP - 270,261 - 2
PS3 - 164,266 - 1


Publisher Breakdown

1. Nintendo - 9,031,126 - 23
2. Namco Bandai Games - 4,264,346 - 16
3. Square Enix - 3,358,444 - 8
4. Capcom - 3,287,315 - 9
5. Level 5 - 1,653,550 - 7
6. SEGA - 1,507,957 - 6
7. Konami - 1,463,271 - 7
8. Koei-Tecmo - 1,292,169 - 5
9. Nintendo/Pokemon Co. - 1,134,041 - 4
10. SCEI - 434,527 - 3

Others - 1,983,261 - 12

 

[Jonnyram]

Holy hell, Sony could really do with some first party hits in Japan right now.

 

[Admiral Bone to Pick]

If I were calling the shots on it, I would basically back away from Move (I don't think the software is there to make it a compelling pack-in) but drop the entry price, aggressively push their Greatest Hits releases, and focus on keeping up the flow of HD Remasters, iterative RPGs (like the Gust/N1 stuff), etc.

Like, at this point, PS3 is really down to good stewardship. I don't think there's much they can do to move into a new category of performance, really, but they should be able to keep their current performance going.

I'm not sure Sony should be so quick to drop the price. There's not a whole lot they can do to energize the system this late into its lifespan, but a price cut would severely impact the PS3's profitability. With the TV division hurting as bad as it is, and the Vita struggling, Sony needs something in the black.

 

[AceBandage]

So, essentially, Nintendo sold over 10,000,000 games last year by themselves.
Damn...

 

[jman2050]

Top 100 Stats (Famitsu)

Total Software/# of games
PSP - 7,959,421 - 31


Total 1st-party software/# of games
PSP - 270,261 - 2

This is where the misgivings people have about the Vita's sales prospects come from.

 

[donny2112]

So, essentially, Nintendo sold over 10,000,000 games last year by themselves.

Again, this is just the Top 100.

 

[AceBandage]

Again, this is just the Top 100.

Right, it was obviously more (though probably by an insignificant amount).
Though that doesn't make my post untrue.

 

[NateDrake]

Why waste money on a 3ds when i can get this on ps2?

Because you can't get KH3D on Ps2?

 

[donny2112]

Though that doesn't make my post untrue.

Wasn't trying to imply anything like that. Just wanted to stress that this isn't the full market. It should be most of it, like you said, though. Looking at the full year in my database (Famitsu, not complete), Nintendo+Pokemon is ~11.2m, so this is probalby 80-90% of the full market for the year.

 

[creamsugar]

Famitsu 2011 top 100 software
http://ameblo.jp/gameryou/entry-11133540434.html

 

[watershed]

Out of all the info from this week's chart the one that makes me happiest is Nintendogs placing at 13th and its LTD numbers. Even though its short on content and too expensive I was really happy with it as a launch game. Its got great 3d that really shows how 3d can make a game funner and more engaging.

 

[Kazerei]

Famitsu 2011 top 100 software
http://ameblo.jp/gameryou/entry-11133540434.html

So basically Mario > Monster Hunter > Final Fantasy

 

[Takao]

Price drop and solid games lineup. Maybe a new small model too? I don't think the PS3 slim is gonna be the end of hardware modifications for that beast.

P.S. Where's your sexy avatar?

I think a smaller PS3 is in the cards. Call the current iteration the PSP-2000 compared to the eventual PSPgo (though I PS3 small obviously isn't going DD-only).

As for my avatar, I had planned a change, and after the outburst I had in this thread it's probably for the best.

Holy hell, Sony could really do with some first party hits in Japan right now.

They could've used a first party hit for the last 7 years.

 

[Road]

Nintendo has been selling more than 10 million games every year since 2002 (including Pokemon), the peak being 2006 with over 32 million. It also did it in 1999 and 2000.

In actuality, it has probably been every year since 1998, but I can't be sure with the limited data I have.

 

[specialguy]

I think a smaller PS3 is in the cards.

Interestingly, I am pretty sure based on some rumors that a 28nm 360 on a SOC is in the cards for 2013. I am guessing that will be the final iteration MS would bother with and could see them all the way down to the end of life point of $99.

So yeah, it should happen.

 

[LOCK]

Great week for everything except the Vita.

You have to realize that those 40k units of Vita sold this week includes many holiday sales units. Next week will be really telling for the system, but I don't think Sony is too worried.

 

[Kazerei]

Top 100 Stats (Famitsu)

.

I made a stacked bar graph with these numbers. (Note: blue = third party, red = first party)

So I can see why third parties might not like developing for Nintendo systems. Nintendo is a goddamn beast. Just can't compete lol! Nintendo+Pokemon sell almost as much software as Bamco+Squeenix+Capcom combined.

 

[Dr. Feel Good]

Nintendo has been selling more than 10 million games every year since 2002 (including Pokemon), the peak being 2006 with over 32 million. It also did it in 1999 and 2000.

In actuality, it has probably been every year since 1998, but I can't be sure with the limited data I have.

Considering the years of 1996 and 1997 had the launch of Nintedno 64 and Pokemon, I would think you're right in assuming it goes back even further.

 

[Penguin]

Top 100 Stats (Famitsu)

Total Software/# of games

PSP - 7,959,421 - 31
PS3 - 6,674,346 - 24
WII - 6,386,085 - 21
3DS - 5,206,558 - 11
NDS - 3,183,597 - 13


Total 3rd-party software/# of games

PSP - 7,689,160 - 29
PS3 - 6,510,080 - 23
3DS - 1,895,218 - 6
NDS - 1,517,658 - 6
WII - 1,198,197 - 6


Total 1st-party software/# of games

WII - 5,187,888 - 15
3DS - 3,311,340 - 5
NDS - 1,665,939 - 7
PSP - 270,261 - 2
PS3 - 164,266 - 1


Publisher Breakdown

1. Nintendo - 9,031,126 - 23
2. Namco Bandai Games - 4,264,346 - 16
3. Square Enix - 3,358,444 - 8
4. Capcom - 3,287,315 - 9
5. Level 5 - 1,653,550 - 7
6. SEGA - 1,507,957 - 6
7. Konami - 1,463,271 - 7
8. Koei-Tecmo - 1,292,169 - 5
9. Nintendo/Pokemon Co. - 1,134,041 - 4
10. SCEI - 434,527 - 3

Others - 1,983,261 - 12

I'm curious, how did Sony do in previous years? Is this one of their down years?

 

[AceBandage]

I made a stacked bar graph with these numbers.

So I can see why third parties might not like developing for Nintendo systems. Nintendo is a goddamn beast. Just can't compete lol! Nintendo+Pokemon sell almost as much software as Bamco+Squeenix+Capcom combined.

On the other hand, those Nintendo games create the userbase for third party games and keep the system selling during droughts which make the userbase larger.

 

[donny2112]

I'm curious, how did Sony do in previous years? Is this one of their down years?

Limiting it to the Top 100 each year for SCEI ...

1996 - 2.30m (bunch of games; highest is Arc the Lad II @ 672K)
1997 - 5.49m (GT + Minna no Golf - 1.67m)
1998 - 5.49m (GT + Minna no Golf - 2.21m)
1999 - 5.46m (GT2 + Minna no Golf 2 - 1.99m)
2000 - 1.56m (bunch of games; highest is GT2 @ 315K)
2001 - 2.99m (GT3 + Minna no Golf 3 - 2.23m)
2002 - 2.04m (bunch of games; highest is My Summer Vacation 2 @ 380K)
2003 - 2.25m (Minna no Golf 4 + GT4rologue - 1.36m)
2004 - 955K
2005 - 2.54m (GT4 - 1.07m)
2006 - 844K
2007 - 373K
2008 - 574K
2009 - 682K
2010 - 794K
2011 - 435K


Edit:
Nintendo's lowest Top 100 total in this span seems to be 1996 @ 6.36m.

 

[Dalthien]

Limiting it to the Top 100 each year for SCEI ...

1996 - 2.30m (bunch of games; highest is Arc the Lad II @ 672K)
1997 - 5.49m (GT + Minna no Golf - 1.67m)
1998 - 5.49m (GT + Minna no Golf - 2.21m)
1999 - 5.46m (GT2 + Minna no Golf 2 - 1.99m)
2000 - 1.56m (bunch of games; highest is GT2 @ 315K)
2001 - 2.99m (GT3 + Minna no Golf 3 - 2.23m)
2002 - 2.04m (bunch of games; highest is My Summer Vacation 2 @ 380K)
2003 - 2.25m (Minna no Golf 4 + GT4rologue - 1.36m)
2004 - 955K
2005 - 2.54m (GT4 - 1.07m)
2006 - 844K
2007 - 373K
2008 - 574K
2009 - 682K
2010 - 794K
2011 - 435K


Edit:
Nintendo's lowest Top 100 total in this span seems to be 1996 @ 6.36m.

Sony's first party never matched Nintendo, but they were at least respectable through PS1 and PS2.

This chart basically shows the dropoff to irrelevance pretty much coincided with the launch of PSP. It looks (although maybe looks are deceiving?) as though their 1st-party teams never figured out how to support two platforms simultaneously, and now they've gone the better part of a decade being unable to support either platform successfully.

 

[Jonnyram]

This chart basically shows the dropoff to irrelevance pretty much coincided with the launch of PSP. It looks (although maybe looks are deceiving?) as though their 1st-party teams never figured out how to support two platforms simultaneously, and now they've gone the better part of a decade being unable to support either platform successfully.

I think it would be much fairer to say that GT and MinGol have been (rightfully) slowed down, with longer development cycles, while other developers (which were always external anyway) have been closing or going elsewhere. Sony doesn't fund many first party titles like they did in the PS1/PS2 era, because they've been restructuring heavily for most of the past decade. The company as a whole has a much stronger Western influence now, and this is particularly evident in their game output. I do think they need to bolster their Japan output, but they need this decision to come from the top of the company.

 

[Dalthien]

I think it would be much fairer to say that GT and MinGol have been (rightfully) slowed down, with longer development cycles, while other developers (which were always external anyway) have been closing or going elsewhere. Sony doesn't fund many first party titles like they did in the PS1/PS2 era, because they've been restructuring heavily for most of the past decade. The company as a whole has a much stronger Western influence now, and this is particularly evident in their game output. I do think they need to bolster their Japan output, but they need this decision to come from the top of the company.

Yeah, GT and MinGol do make up a sizable percentage of those sales. It's disconcerting though that they haven't been able to find any replacements at all (in terms of picking up the slack for the diminishing returns) for those two series in a decade now.

 

[Takao]

Yeah, GT and MinGol do make up a sizable percentage of those sales. It's disconcerting though that they haven't been able to find any replacements at all (in terms of picking up the slack for the diminishing returns) for those two series in a decade now.

If you look at SCEJ's history, they've always found random successes like their NetYaroze games, or Parappa on PS1. It seems the attempt with things like LocoRoco and Patapon is to try to emulate that, but the Japanese public aren't buying.

 

[Jonnyram]

I think they're bound to have more success with those kind of games when the price of the hardware is lower. That's why PS1 and PS2 had those successes. It's hard to sell niche software when the hardware is already a niche platform. But I would be happy to see them making more effort in this area, certainly.

Also, let's not forget, since the PS3 went on sale, they've been moving more of the niche releases to download only sales. They have a lot of first party titles developed in Japan that are PSN only.

 

[AdventureRacing]

I would like to see a comparison of how their first party sales have went worldwide during that same period. I know joonyram already mentioned it but they have a pretty big western focus now. So i'm not sure if their first party has shrunk or just taken its focus elsewhere.

 

[Kenka]

creamsugar is back ?


The sales gap between first-party and third-party software is staggering on Nintendo platforms. And I guess 50% of those are made by Bamco. Konami among others and Koei really should pull their thumbs out of their asses and try to get at least where S-E were this year.

I don't wanna say "Konami suck ass and only have the Magician franchise to does well on the Nintendo consoles" but I am really tempted to do so when I see what they did to MGS3. They just don't give a damn.

Famitsu:

2005 [NDS] Mario Kart DS (Nintendo) {2005-12-08} - 669,575 / 669,575
2006 [NDS] Mario Kart DS (Nintendo) {2005-12-08} - 1,115,082 / 1,784,657
2007 [NDS] Mario Kart DS (Nintendo) {2005-12-08} - 910,771 / 2,695,428
2008 [NDS] Mario Kart DS (Nintendo) {2005-12-08} - 621,890 / 3,317,318
2009 [NDS] Mario Kart DS (Nintendo) {2005-12-08} - 246,192 / 3,563,510
2010 [NDS] Mario Kart DS (Nintendo) {2005-12-08} - 145,761 / 3,709,271
2011 [NDS] Mario Kart DS (Nintendo) {2005-12-08} - 185,452 / 3,894,723

There are just no words. I sweat when I see things like these.

Famitsu 2011 NSMB 254.452 / 6.269.677

I don't think it'll reach the original SMB game. But I am impressed by its growth this year. Any possibility it keeps its legs up to 2015 ?

Excellent thread by the way.

 

[Kenka]

double post. sorry.

 

[Terrell]

Nintendo truly is a beast when it comes to pushing its own software because when 3rd-parties abandoned Nintendo platforms, they HAD TO BE or there wouldn't be content to sell.
A good chunk of the problem with 3rd-party titles on Nintendo platforms is that there's no real push for them in comparison to other titles on other platforms, because they NEED to market heavily on other platforms due to 3rd-parties saturating those platforms, by and large because they simply don't want to compete with Nintendo on their own turf if they don't have to and choose the supposed easy way out.
I think with things like Monster Hunter (a series that practically sells itself in the portable realm) now being on 3DS, you're going to see the numbers shift more and more in coming years, but it's going to have to be a wake-up call for 3rd parties that you CAN get stellar numbers on a Nintendo platform if you don't make crap and/or send it to die like they have for god knows how many years.

 

[Cosmonaut X]

MH3G - there's something i've been thinking about that might see sales increase over the year, so i think it'll potentially go on and on and on.

Bear in mind MH3G went down to 4480 for a short while, and now it's been back up at 4980-5200 yen new so not only is it holding sales numbers it's still at a pretty good price brand new.

Obviously they've not migrated that PSP userbase yet - but it'll all depend on the next 6-8 months i guess. A Vita "Portable" game (NOT HD Portable) may have a knock on effect but i can still see it selling.

Hadn't realised that the price was stable at around the 5000 yen mark. That is a positive sign - especially after the rapid discounting of Tri - and bodes well for the title.

 

[Cygnus X-1]

Just saw the numbers. Holy crap. Explosive beginning for 3DS software.

 

[test_account]

The 1st VS 3rd party stuff is pretty crazy. For Sony, there are little first party stuff that is sold (or even made) while 3rd party is big, but for Nintendo it is the opposite.

 

[Sammy Samusu]

PS3 - Street Fighter IV - 157,704
PS3 - Super Street Fighter IV - 153,924
3DS - Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition - 137,883
PS3 - Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition - 82,179

Nice 3DS sales.

 

[mclem]

The 1st VS 3rd party stuff is pretty crazy. For Sony, there are little first party stuff that is sold (or even made) while 3rd party is big, but for Nintendo it is the opposite.

I'm wondering what proportion of the PSP bar is Capcom alone.

In fact, that'd be in interesting variant, if the stats are available; rather than splitting between first and third party, split between "most successful publisher" and "other publishers".

On which note, who *is* the most successful publisher on PS3?

 

[Road]

Famitsu:

PS3 Bandai Namco 5.7
PS3 SCE 4.9
PS3 Konami 4.6
PS3 Square Enix 4.3
PS3 Capcom 3.7

In millions.

I thought Konami would be no.1 with all the sports games, but then again, Konami...

 

[test_account]

I'm wondering what proportion of the PSP bar is Capcom alone.

In fact, that'd be in interesting variant, if the stats are available; rather than splitting between first and third party, split between "most successful publisher" and "other publishers".

On which note, who *is* the most successful publisher on PS3?

MHP3rd sold ~1 million in 2011, i dont know if they have any other big PSP sellers in 2011.

EDIT: I forgot about Poka Poka Village G, that sold about 211k.

 

[Gianni Merryman]

PS3 - Street Fighter IV - 157,704
PS3 - Super Street Fighter IV - 153,924
3DS - Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition - 137,883
PS3 - Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition - 82,179

Nice 3DS sales.

Being a launch title with not many good games around was actually of big help me thinks, on the other hand Dead or alive: dimensions did not perform equally well, maybe there was some kind of cannibalization between 3DS' BEUs being released whithin a few months.

 

[Sammy Samusu]

Famitsu Top 30 is out, Monster Hunter 3G at 914,321 now!

Final Fantasy pretty much the same from Media Create, 744,297.

 

[Garcia]

That, and the fact that 3DS opened much larger, and had a much better hold in its second week before confronting one of the worst natural disasters Japan has had in recent history.

Thanks for contextualizing. I'm pretty alienated from the entire Sales-Age threads and had totally forgotten how the 3DS got launched weeks before Japan's eartquake.

 

[Mpl90]

...I'm sorry Orgen, but there are changes today that NEED an Amazon Watch

First of all: the first position. Pokemon + Nobunaga's Ambition is first! :lol
...And the fact preorders already started, with even the boxart, makes me think that, maybe, the Coro Coro surprise could be something else, after all!
Then, Kid Icarus Uprising. Preorders started, already 12th.
Code of Princess is 58th, what the hell.
And Shinrei Camera is at 600 yen more than its retail price. Sold out on Amazon, at least.

SRT OG Saga: Masou Kishin II, in the bundle edition, is sold out as well.

 

[Kenka]

Poké+Nobu is already catching the interest of internet buyers ? When is it due to launch, by the way ?

 

[Mpl90]

Poké+Nobu is already catching the interest of internet buyers ? When is it due to launch, by the way ?

17th March.

 

[electroplankton]

...I'm sorry Orgen, but there are changes today that NEED an Amazon Watch

First of all: the first position. Pokemon + Nobunaga's Ambition is first! :lol
...And the fact preorders already started, with even the boxart, makes me think that, maybe, the Coro Coro surprise could be something else, after all!
Then, Kid Icarus Uprising. Preorders started, already 12th.
Code of Princess is 58th, what the hell.
And Shinrei Camera is at 600 yen more than its retail price. Sold out on Amazon, at least.

SRT OG Saga: Masou Kishin II, in the bundle edition, is sold out as well.

26 copies, then.

 

[Cosmonaut X]

26 copies, then.

Heh