PS3 News: Sony's Game Business Drops 14.5% - PS3 News

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Sony's Game Business Drops 14.5%

As we always see from the NPD, gaming sales are just down, down, down in 2012.

Sony is experiencing that first-hand, as their first-quarter results saw an operating loss of ¥3.5 billion ($45 million). Revenue was down 14.5% due to lower hardware and software sales for the PlayStation 3 and PSP, as well as "the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange rates." Those pesky rates.

Combined sales of the PS3 and PS2 came in at 2.8 million, which is down from the 3.2 million posted during the same period last year. Combined portable sales (PSP and Vita) hit 1.4 million, down from 1.8 million in 2011. Software sales for PS2/PS3 was only at 20.1 million, which is a significant drop from the 27.6 million last year. Handheld software fell from 6.6 million to 5.8 million. And unfortunately, Sony doesn't expect an immediate turnaround.

They're now projecting "significantly lower" portable sales than expected, and operating income should fall, too. So maybe they do need a new generation to get people excited in the PlayStation brand again. Of course, a lack of huge exclusives doesn't really help; all the biggest ones on the horizon don't hit until 2013.

Tags: sony, playstation, playstation sales, playstation games

8/2/2012 10:07:00 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (26 posts)

Beamboom
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 10:23:34 AM
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An interesting detail this time around is that they no longer specify the Vita sales, only the combined sales of Vita + PSP. One can only guess.

Last edited by Beamboom on 8/2/2012 10:23:49 AM

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playstation usa
Friday, August 03, 2012 @ 12:25:57 AM

you can check out the vita sales on vgcharts.com

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Qubex
Friday, August 03, 2012 @ 1:38:00 AM

I don't think VGCharts are that reliable...

Q!

"play.experience.enjoy"

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bebestorm
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 10:39:10 AM
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Bummer.. I still cant believe their planning a family focused holiday its just weird. Though Vitas games so far aren't very appealing to me I thought it would sell better.

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Ultimadream
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 10:44:05 AM
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I'm really not surprised, I have only bought 1 new game this year, Final Fantasy XIII-2. everything has just been held back for 2013, but what a year that will be Tomb Raider, Bioshock: Infitine, No Ni Kuni, GTAV dare I even say Beyond - I've got big hopes for gaming next year.

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gumbi
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 10:48:22 AM
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It's a shame the Vita isn't getting better sales figures. I love my Vita, I spend much more time on it than my PS3 these days. Vita is a great console. Just need some more games is all.

I just platinum'd Gravity Rush, which is a great game by the way. If you own a Vita, you should get Gravity Rush.

If the new "Super Slim" is for real, and gets announced soon with a $50 price cut then I think Sony can expect at least a small surge in sales with that. I'll buy one. I think the Vita would also benefit greatly from a price cut now that all the early adopters have adopted. PS3 and Vita should both be at the $199 mark before the holidays.
Last edited by gumbi on 8/2/2012 10:50:04 AM

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Axe99
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 5:14:57 PM

Aye, the Vita is _exceptional_ - I still get excited about how damn brilliant it is. It's a right shame (both to the rock-headed handheld gamers who are ignoring it, as they are most definitely missing out, and poor 'ole Sony of course) that it's not getting more attention. Not a problem for my Vita though, it gets plenty of lovin' :).

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Temjin001
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 10:51:06 AM
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I remember seeing a line graph a few months back showing the traditional rise and fall of a console's like span. It was actually an article showing how 360 was making history by actually having a second apex in a standard life cycle, thanks to Kinect. But anyway, I did notice how the PS3 was on it's downward decent. I suppose Sony was hoping Vita would help make up the waning PS3 sales, but that doesn't look to be the case.

I have little doubt the next-gen will be fast upon us.

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TheAgingHipster
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 11:27:20 AM
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*sigh* This really worries me. The Vita is suffering a serious, potentially system killing software drought, and the PS3 is declining in sales. If Sony doesn't turn it around...

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slugga_status
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 11:44:20 AM
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I think it all comes down to the games. There just wasn't any games in the 1st quarter that really made consumers feel the need for them. The only releases I purchased was SF x Tekken and DMC HD collection..and that was only b/c I'm a fan on those franchises..

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AcHiLLiA
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 12:20:55 PM
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Bummer. As long as I will support Sony will their great products, it worries me that something bad will end up happening but hope they build up their ground from this. I just don't see an interest in the Vita anytime soon, one that worries me is the lack of No UMD, Sony could of just increased the battery life, and no MS cards, only their Vita size cards and they pretty expensive now considering u can get other size Memory cards for better prices. What no memory sticks anymore, What was Sony thinking, but I understand the pricey thing when it comes to the Vita games.

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Underdog15
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 12:38:23 PM
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Begin "The Sky Is Falling" mantras.

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cool Vic
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 1:10:16 PM
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I may be beating an already beaten drum by saying this; but, I am inclined to believe that the reason for this drop of Sony's is due to Karma returning a slap in the face that Sony has sent to many of its loyal consumers. Let me explain! I happen to love many of the Ps2 titles and some Ps1 titles. Sadly for me...I can't play my favorites anymore because of: 1. My 60gb YLOD!!! 2. No more BC on the PS3 Slim!! 3. How the heck did Microsoft beat Sony in getting an interactive STAR WARS GAME? I suggest that Sony lend an attentive ear and take good care of your loyal FANS NOT JUST CONSUMERS and give us what we are expecting from you...great games, interactive fun (i.e. using the MOVE, and SIXAXIS), and not preserving our favorites.

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Qubex
Friday, August 03, 2012 @ 1:41:01 AM

I have to admit, Sony have made some puzzling mistakes... in some ways their hand was forced hard by the consumer (the ill fated PSP Go comes to mind), in other ways hackers took them to the cleaners for creating a walled garden and removing critical features that people had based their purchasing decision on.

Anyhow, we will see if a new console can really turn things around when so much is being done on mobile and PC.

Sony exclusives are the only hope...

I don't believe its all that bad, they will come back with the big AAA titles when they drop toward the fall and Christmas.

Q!

"play.experience.enjoy"
Last edited by Qubex on 8/3/2012 1:47:36 AM

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cool Vic
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 1:14:13 PM
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...about that last line...Sony should preserve our favorite games.

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telly
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 1:49:29 PM
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I REALLY hope Sony knocks it out of the park with Vita at Gamescon later this month. If they don't, that magnificent little handheld is going to have one foot in the grave...

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Drake_RB3
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 3:17:14 PM
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I plan to buy a Vita with the AC3 bundle in October. I'll back tread to Uncharted:GA and some other games from there.

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Gamer46
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 5:32:39 PM
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I blame the mostly clueless consumers here in North America. And I'm from the U.S. so it's not hating just for the sake of hating. I will say though as far as Vita Sony didn't help itself at all by spending a mere 5 minutes tops dedicated to it. Hopefully Gamescom and TGS will have some major announcements for games, and maybe even pricing, that will pertain to all regions so Sony can get this turned around.

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shadowpal2
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 6:40:48 PM

I believe they had a great launch...but perhaps they just put too much into the launch and not really think too much about what's next for the system in 2 months...or after or so.

It's a fantastic system obviously. But they really need the software to simply back it up and show what's possible on it.

They need a Metal Gear game (AND NO I DON'T MEAN MGS2 or 3), a Final Fantasy game, a Grand Theft Auto game, a Kingdom Hearts game, and more importantly a game which truly defines the system for what it is - Gravity Rush almost did just that but was just a few marks off.

...another game I'm itching to see on the VITA for some reason is a Mirror's Edge game on that. ...I really think that'd be sweet.

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Looking Glass
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 5:52:08 PM
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Sony's been in tight spots before and managed to get out of them. And sure enough they've still got a number of good cards to play. Although the problem is many of said cards will not be played until later this year or sometime next year. Although Sony does have a good opportunity with Gamescom. Both Nintendo and Microsoft won't be at Gamescom. There's a good chance for Sony to make an impression without much of a chance of being overshadowed.
Last edited by Looking Glass on 8/2/2012 5:54:59 PM

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shadowpal2
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 6:36:50 PM
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Sony has all the tools and resources. They have great hardware out. There wasn't too much software this year for PS3...or at least...nothing that really grabbed my attention and made me think "CAN'T WAIT, CAN'T WAIT, CAN'T- IT'S HERE!!!!"

And most of all...

WHERE THE HELL IS KEVIN BUTLER?! Did they seriously just end his contract right there? I'm guessing I'm really behind the news with this topic if they really did. But if they did...w-hy?!

Get him back...make those clever commercials again...and it'll sell for goodness sake.

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SmokeyPSD
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 6:44:50 PM
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Looking at this number is a bit misleading in terms of a doom and gloom story, revenue is down, but it's still there, in a time of economic upheaval as well and at a slowtime of year with a transitional period of games.

There's a lack of nuance if your thinking in terms of Sony not making enough money in THIS context in my opinion of this time of year and the current calendar of games. with a new system that has already made it's splash of initial owners, waiting for more games.

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Neo_Aeon666
Thursday, August 02, 2012 @ 6:46:47 PM
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Why do you think?

They are coming with a new model.

All of the Future Shop brand barely got any PS3s left. And it has been like that for a few months.

Let's compare: I had 6 PS3s in my store.... Over 40 Xboxs...

Now for sure you can see the sales are much more limited on Sony's side.

I would sell out on my PS3 models... And only get 2-3 more during the NEXT week. Whereas I kept selling Xboxs and never ran out of stock.

Sony is getting rid of it's old stuff to make room for newer PS3 hardware. That is the only reason. (Even DS3 remotes... I had 5 Pinks and no black remotes for over 2 months.... )

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playstation usa
Friday, August 03, 2012 @ 12:44:39 AM
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I think it will get better for sony when the newer games come out........

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___________
Friday, August 03, 2012 @ 7:04:20 AM
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not exactly surprising when they have not released a single blockbuster hit this year!
hell ninty and M$ have more big blockbusters releasing this year than what $ony does!
i really wish $ony would pull the curtain back on something at gamescom or even TGS and say surprise look what were releasing this fall!
they REALLY need something for this year!
yea they have the super smash brothers wannabe, sly 4, the mario kart wannabe, and sly 4 but there not going to bring in the big numbers they need!
there bleeding money as it is, they just took another massive sales hit for the first quater of the financial year!
and the way their going they dont have a hope in hell of changing that till GOW ascension comes out in march!
and thats exactly the problem, 1 game cant save them from the financial disaster their in!
no matter how big, popular and awesome it is!
hopefully the last of us and beyond 2 souls will be available by march next year, but yea dont hold your breath!
beyond maybe, i seriously doubt it but its possible.
but no way in hell the last of us will be out by march 2013!
IF they could secure GTAV as a ps3 exclusive releasing march 2013 then they would be fine.
otherwise, well, all ill say is their stock is only going one way from here.
to davy jonses locker and beyond!

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playstation usa
Friday, August 03, 2012 @ 9:04:36 AM

ya you could be right .... but i hope they have some kind of plan ... bc its 3 or 4 years now they have been losing alot of cash...!!! I want them to bounce back ... I realy like sony i just wish they had more support here in the u.s.a. you get alot more for less then xbox ..!!!!!

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