Publishers depend on software sold not hardware sold. Those who already owned last-gen consoles are not going to suddenly stop buying games for no reason. Or do they suddenly throw away their last-gen console for no reason as well? No. They'll continue buying games on last-gen consoles and will upgrade to next-gen when they are ready. Besides, it's January. Financials are tight for most people post Christmas spending.
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NPD Sales Results for January 2014 [Up3: PS4/XB1 #1/#2 best selling; Poke/SM3DW/ALBW]
- Thread starter Nirolak
- Start date
Publishers depend on software sold not hardware sold. Those who already owned last-gen consoles are not going to suddenly stop buying games for no reason. Or do they suddenly throw away their last-gen console for no reason as well? No. They'll continue buying games on last-gen consoles and will upgrade to next-gen when they are ready. Besides, it's January. Financials are tight for most people post Christmas spending.
Eh Ghosts looked kind of dumb too. Black Ops and Modern Warfare were monsters.
ThoughtsOfSpeaking
Banned
The only people to be worried here are Nintendo. The rest? Meh.
Wait. Really?
Microsoft will have to pour their marketing budget into TitanFall big time and hope it's lackluster visual performance doesn't hold it back. And they better release that $400 no/kinect package soonish. No one but the already converted gives a hoot about Halo 2 Anniversary. Can't believe that's their big Christmas title.
Pristine_Condition
Member
TLoU GOTY talk? I wouldn't be surprised with all the Jan awards if we aren't looking at the same thing in Feb. As an older gamer, I know a number of other gamers in my age group that don't rush out and buy games during the year but have been known to collect the big award winners (and even the systems to play them) when the awards come out.
aspiegamer
Member
There are various forces in the video game industry that can't be quantified. Example-- Microsoft sees XBO sales and price disparity as something possibly holding it back, yet they spend the past 12 months continuous cutting the price of Surface to be below you typical iPad then marketed the shit out of it yet they're getting absolutely murdered on that front. Same with their Nokia phones.
Cynics and gaming/tech dorks can just say "duh, because those things are generally awful", but how do you explain that do a Board of Anythings or put it in words to shareholders? "We're making what on paper is a superior product in order to offer value but we're getting killed in almost every possible objective category"? (Oh, but could you make the Windows Mail app that comes with Win8 less awful? I have to log in via a web browser to even read my damn mail with confidence. That thing is both objectively AND subjectively awful)
Minimum of good news even if Microsoft pushes zero units the rest of the year? Microsoft has shown it will put in a year or two of massive effort on flailing products to see if they can stabilize the market. They're not going anywhere and even though a possible "desperate Microsoft" might not be a good thing it could surely give us some surprises and shake things up a bit. Regardless, I'm far more interested in what numbers look like after Second Sun and Titanfall are out but before E3 where you could get another huge swing in momentum like last year.... So April/May.
*Disclaimer: I know I'm going off numbers here on GAF same as anyone else but there seems to be a solid consensus after combining stats, charts and arrows and graphs and whatnot.
Cynics and gaming/tech dorks can just say "duh, because those things are generally awful", but how do you explain that do a Board of Anythings or put it in words to shareholders? "We're making what on paper is a superior product in order to offer value but we're getting killed in almost every possible objective category"? (Oh, but could you make the Windows Mail app that comes with Win8 less awful? I have to log in via a web browser to even read my damn mail with confidence. That thing is both objectively AND subjectively awful)
Minimum of good news even if Microsoft pushes zero units the rest of the year? Microsoft has shown it will put in a year or two of massive effort on flailing products to see if they can stabilize the market. They're not going anywhere and even though a possible "desperate Microsoft" might not be a good thing it could surely give us some surprises and shake things up a bit. Regardless, I'm far more interested in what numbers look like after Second Sun and Titanfall are out but before E3 where you could get another huge swing in momentum like last year.... So April/May.
*Disclaimer: I know I'm going off numbers here on GAF same as anyone else but there seems to be a solid consensus after combining stats, charts and arrows and graphs and whatnot.
I disagree. Yes, the selection on the Steam Machine is poorer than on Windows and it is a mid-range PC with a graphics card, but then, aren't the PS4 and XB1 exactly that? Both PS4 and XB1 are essentially mid-range PCs with a graphics card and a custom OS. Steam Machines would be more favorable to digital distribution in comparison to consoles. If you are playing games on PC, then you probably already use Steam and have no need for a dedicated one. The only worry I have is if it'll get the AAA titles.
I just spent $400 on a PS4 to play Octodad. In fact, I generally only play games that would be considered "mid tier" for the most part.
You have to admit that the group of people willing to buy a $400 console in order to play a $15 indie game that they could just grab on Steam instead is going to be pretty small.
Having said that, I salute you.
With all of the consoles having online stores and digital games being released day and date with physical; Walmart, Target, Gamestop, Best Buy, etc, are would love to know how many games sell there so they can get higher margins from MS/Sony/Nintendo or discontinue carrying their products.
If DD and PC is more lucrative than physical & console, EA/Valve/Acti-Blizz will become the new MS/Sony/Nintendo.
Duxxy3
Member
I don't think it's franchise fatigue.
Ghosts is simply a bad game. Of the four people I know (personally) that played it, all of them have gone back to black ops 2.
If sledgehammer's game sells less than ghosts, then the series is probably kaput.
I just spent $400 on a PS4 to play Octodad. In fact, I generally only play games that would be considered "mid tier" for the most part.
And which game did I get first for my new PS4? Resogun
I probably played into Sony's hand though, what with that $10 PS store voucher, they got me to buy it for "just $5" and at the same time, acclimated me to purchasing a downloadable game on their store.outunderthestars
Banned
How many copies has Minecraft sold on the 360/PS3?
Not everyone has and/or wants a gaming pc. Peopl are also attracted to gaming systems for different reasons. My ex bought a 360 to play Uno and poker. Call them indie/mid-tier/whatever, but content is content.
kinoki
Illness is the doctor to whom we pay most heed; to kindness, to knowledge, we make promise only; pain we obey.
One of three is doing great. That's great. Two of them haven't really deserved to be doing good and in the eyes of the consumers they haven't. Why should they be selling? To artificially keep "competition" up? Noone benefits from that.
The mass market's price range isn't an issue as long as it's sold out and it will be for months. Perhaps the entire year if the sales of WiiU and Xbone keep declining. The mass market also isn't the issue as they have chosen the PS4 by the looks of it.
Software sales are units sold. Doesn't matter what platform. As many others have stated it's entirely possible for EA to earn a profit from just one platform, like they did during the PS1 and PS2-era. Factor in PC and you have a healthy system for a publisher if they dedicate their resources accordingly.
I can't for the life of me see what all the doom and gloom is about. We're winning! The consumer is stronger than ever.
Officerrob
Banned
PS4 did slightly better than 360, PS2 and PS3 in its first January. Coming off the heels of setting records in US and UK. It proves the doom sayers wrong, who said sales would fall off a cliff for both consoles, they did not, at least for one of them.
Xbox One, not so much, a great start but this really takes the air out of the balloon, 146k isent abysmal like Wii U (like everyone has already said) but its not exactly good either.
Xbox One, not so much, a great start but this really takes the air out of the balloon, 146k isent abysmal like Wii U (like everyone has already said) but its not exactly good either.
theprodigy
Member
pieatorium
Member
since theres no clarification i guess we just have to take the ps3+ps4 > all comment to include 3ds and vita?
Deputy Moonman
Member
Honest question here. If 143k Xbox one units sold is awful for the month of january, then is ps4 selling less than 300k really that much better when compared to how many units both sold in nov and dec? Maybe I'm missing something.
Low compared to what exactly? The only console to have ever had a better first January than the PS4, is the wii with a bit over 400K (Jan 07 was a 5 week tracking period versus 4 for Jan 14).
Are we sure the 3ds is below 84K? Is that only based off the Playstation comment?
We know it's below 130K though I think, because of creamsugar.
Does it usually? It also seems a bit weird to make a point how bad sales on the other side of a comparison are....when one of your systems is on the other side. Why not say PS4+PS3+PSV? Unless that sounds less impressive...
We know it's below 130K though I think, because of creamsugar.
Does it usually? It also seems a bit weird to make a point how bad sales on the other side of a comparison are....when one of your systems is on the other side. Why not say PS4+PS3+PSV? Unless that sounds less impressive...
That's nuts, lol.
The mass market hasn't looked at the ps4 yet. Not at 400 bucks. It's a bit presumptuous to assume that it's going to be a ps2 as well. I don't think there will ever be another ps2. The money going into aaa games also means that you need much more to sell to than a single source. There is literally not a single positive thing about a massive industry-wide contraction
The industry is not the same as it was in the PS2 era.
I don't know if anyone is saying that the other two consoles should be selling; rather it's a problem if Sony has a de facto monopoly in the console market and there's no competition. It's also a problem if the hardware market massively contracts from last gen.
Catchpenny
Member
Tooting your horn based on one month is a little silly, especially when everything aside from the PS4 did terribly. I run fairly pessimistic in my current view of the industry but it's still hard to imagine four hardware failures and one success.
That said, I've mentioned before that the only real difference between Wii U and 3DS was Nintendo's traditional strength in handhelds, their aggressive moves early in its lifespan, and Sony's inability to put forth a mass market contender. Both systems have an unpopular focus and Nintendo failed badly in judging what would catch on with consumers.
I totally understand the appeal of comfy couch, and I'm glad indies have an increased presence on consoles. I still doubt the ability of indies to sell hardware by themselves.
I would love to be wrong, though!
We not sure.
PS4 sold slightly more than 360, PS3 and PS2 did in their first January. January is the biggest drop for electronics, across the board.
The reason why the Xbox number is bad, is because of how utterly crucial the NA market is to Xbox brand, its all or nothing. This is the one market they have to dominate to even be in second place.
Aquamarine
Member
pieatorium
Member
one was sold out the other wasnt, double really is that much better you are definitely missing something
People bought lots of Minecraft on PS3/360? Yes.
People bought PS3 and 360 for Minecraft? Doubtful. They already had big installed base when the game released, which allows big numbers.
I doubt people will flock to next gen with bundles including MC for 399/ 499
At 199 / 249? That's something I can see happening.
1st Course
Member
Absolutely insane drops for PS3/360, at this rate I don't see either of them selling even 1m in the US this year.
outunderthestars
Banned
Sony sold every PS4 they could make. The number of units allocated to the U.S. market dropped as they had to launch in additional regions. Sony could have easily sold alot more consoles. Microsoft had inventory available but was unable to sell it.
pieatorium
Member
my nephews got a 360 just for minecraft
Things can't grow year for year forever. It's the start of a new generation and software sales have slumped. But they're still higher than they were at this time last gen because software sales have continued to increase for years, right? So the sales have had a slight contraction. Big deal. Other healthy industries have a bit of ebb and flow during their cycles.
This idea that every company must continue to make gains in every single financial quarter or they're a complete failure and are in a dying industry is a bit extreme.
This idea that every company must continue to make gains in every single financial quarter or they're a complete failure and are in a dying industry is a bit extreme.
Catchpenny
Member
Couldn't agree more. Watch what happens with Plus in a year or two if Sony is in a dominant position.
Man-is-Obsolete
Member
LOL! Some crazy predictions in this thread.
Barack Lesnar
Banned
Don't forget Pokemon. The 3DS has a very appealing library with huge selling games that may have slowed down its decline a bit, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore because selling 60-70k this month after a disappointing December is a very bad sign.
I wonder if IMDB (the parent company) is aware of the professional manner in which their IMDB India employee is using a public facing company Twitter account.
Well, they're aware now (I couldn't resist pointing it out to them...)
1st Course
Member
Of course people that buy next gen consoles will buy mid tier and indie games. But most people wouldn't buy the console because of them. Most people bought those systems for GTA/MGS/COD etc.
2004 to 2011, January software sales have averaged $518 million
January 2014: Total software sales were just $232 million
Likewise, 2 out of 3 companies doing badly doesn't mean a poor market - it can simply mean 2 poor products which consumers are less interested in. The PS2 generation was very heavily skewed to one platform, but nobody says the overall market was weak then.
boredandlazy
Member
I wonder if IMDB (the parent company) is aware of the professional manner in which their IMDB India employee is using a public facing company Twitter account.
Well, they're aware now (I couldn't resist pointing it out to them...)
Excellent.
boredandlazy
Member
92% down on December 2013. Which is obviously one of the bigger months of the year. It was ~70% down on January last year, which is still hardly a flattering statistic.
Interesting numbers. Sony has been outplaying Microsoft from the get-go, and it shows statistically. Microsoft needs to be much more aggressive in other markets. The media hub / kinect strategy is dead cold in Europe and Asia where supply and demand is limited for such features. They absolutely need to release a kinectless SKU and slash the price down in order to maximize their chances to catch up. Sony are cruising past them, even with their weak software, and it's going to get nasty once the exclusives starts to ship.
Microsoft needs to start gearing up fast and start adjusting. With E3's on its way, they have failed to give fans a proper reason why they should go for the more expensive console, than the more powerful.
Microsoft needs to start gearing up fast and start adjusting. With E3's on its way, they have failed to give fans a proper reason why they should go for the more expensive console, than the more powerful.
Software sales are more than slumping they are really bad. 1 game had 100k sales on a platform. The best selling game sold 333000 on 4 combined platforms. If those numbers don't worry you at all I don't know what to say.
Saucycarpdog
Member
I just joined this thread so I don't really know what is going on, what exactly are people referring too when they say that the console industry is in decline?
78%.