Sales Of PS3 Underworld Lead 360, Turning Point In Console War?

Although the controversy remains on whether or not Eidos hinted that reviewers should hold bad reviews until after the game launched, Tomb Raider: Underworld is responsible for making another kind of splash.

Early on, the discrepancy between the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 user bases was so large, multiplatform releases always sold much better for the 360. That's only logical. But as Sony has closed the gap, things are starting to change, and that is most evident when one looks at the first-week sales for Underworld. According to GamesIndustry.biz, the PS3 version comprised 51% of the total sales, while the 360 version only accounted for 34%. The last bit was split between the Wii, DS and PC, but the real story is the fact that a multiplatform title - one that is almost identical on the PS3 and 360, by the way - is selling better on Sony's machine. This even happened in the face of Eidos announcing two digital episodes being exclusive to the 360 version; these episodes supposedly add 6 hours of play, but that wasn't enough to draw more gamers away from the PS3 version. If this isn't an indication of the PS3's rise in 2008, absolutely nothing is, although Underworld sales haven't been impressive. In fact, they only topped Tomb Raider: Anniversary sales by 6,700 units in the first week.

If this is the start of a new trend, the console war has officially hit full stride. This is even more significant because developers and publishers will take notice...what's the point of exclusivity or even timed exclusivity on the 360 now?

Related Game(s): Tomb Raider: Underworld

11/25/2008 Ben Dutka

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coverton341
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 12:53:14 PM
Reply

"what's the point of exclusivity or even timed exclusivity on the 360 now?"

Hot damn and hallelujah to that. Now maybe developers will brush off that buy off money 360 is trying to throw around, or maybe Microsoft will have to start handing out more than $50 million to get exclusive stuff *cough* GTAIV *cough*

3 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 @ 5:27:52 PM

Microsoft are working hard to boost their console. almost evry game ad has "XBOX360, now from £159.99" nothing ever for ps3. anyways, just wanna know shud i get this or prince of persia. and are they similar?

1 up, 0 down

PilarVIRUS
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 12:53:56 PM
Reply

I don't think that this game is a strong turning point in the console war because it's not all that great but it's a start.

1 up, 0 down

Phoelix
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 1:00:04 PM

I agree. We shouldn't get too excited just yet; it could be a fluke.

If this continues for a highly anticipated multiplat with a great review, then I'd say Ben might be onto something.

1 up, 0 down

CH1N00K
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 1:30:18 PM

I was thinking the same thing. What were the total sales figures on the game? I think the real test will come when a top rated game comes out on both platforms. From most of the reviews that I've seen Underworld isn't that spectacular to begin with. But the fact that the 360 version sold less even though it supposedly had "more content" does make me wonder how the Final Fantasy will do with the different consoles when it launches.

0 up, 0 down

Qubex
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 6:08:02 PM

I agree! Too soon!

Q!

"I aM HomE"

0 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 1:13:24 PM
Reply

sony has the more powerful system and that attracts devs to make good games, and besides, underworld is from a well known series. and great. like uncharted. any news on uncharted2?

2 up, 0 down

killzone100
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 1:22:28 PM

so far no apart from that we know its being made.

0 up, 0 down

sabitrulz
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 1:51:19 PM
Reply

Ben i kno da reason,most of da 360's r in repairing status @ redmond,sooo da boys have to buy da PS3 version.After all in dis gen one console needs to go to doctor every month cuz he has some RROD disease.

2 up, 4 down

coverton341
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 2:56:28 PM

I am sorry but I need to say this. Most of your comments are poorly spelled and don't care too much logic to them. Just a lot of rhetoric and biased snubbing of the 360. Don't get me wrong I am not going to wave the "RRoD is fixed, shut up" flag as I have dealt with it quite a few times myself but at least I can still come to the table with informed opinion about the pro's and con's of each system. The information here is most likely tied to a larger original fan base on the Sony side. Maybe or maybe not. This could very well be due to tons of 360's breaking at once and sitting in Redmond awaiting a fix but you could at least try to spell the work know correctly when presenting your opinion couldn't you?

3 up, 1 down

CH1N00K
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 5:38:30 PM

I'm so glad someone else said something about these posts. I usually skip the ones that don't make any sense as soon as I see them...

2 up, 0 down

Tim Speed24
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 @ 7:55:29 AM

Texter.

Stay in school, Learn my friend.

3 up, 0 down

TheRaPtuRe
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 1:53:19 PM
Reply

its not about whether or not theres a point in xbox have the exclusives, the companies dont care if MS are waving the cash!

1 up, 0 down

Ultimadream
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 1:58:22 PM
Reply

Its understandable as every tomb raider game has been on the playsation consoles.

2 up, 0 down

AntDC
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 @ 3:41:15 AM

That's what I was thinking, I hope FFXIII fares simularily.

1 up, 0 down

BigBoss4ever
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 2:09:31 PM
Reply

i love this game, just about to buy it on my PS3, I have just bought the last remnant on 360. My rule of thumb: if a game releases on both consoles, I will get the PS3 version. I wanted to get the ps3 version of last remnant, but it does not have release day yet so I guess once its released, i will trade in the 360 copy and get ps3, 360 for me is just to collect absolute exclusive JRPGs, thats the SOLE purpose, I am essentially a PS fan in every bit (altho I do hv a 360).

1 up, 0 down

coverton341
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 2:48:41 PM

Have you been having the framerate issues so many people are suffering on the last remnant?

0 up, 0 down

BigBoss4ever
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 3:23:54 PM

yes, the last remnant does have the frame-rate and loading lag time frequently, especially if you are in a battle with large group of people. thats the biggest let down, cuz it is choppy in terms of the graphical flow. The point I love is : a) the story is deep and the game is epic scale and the music is grand. b) the visual is still top notch if you get over with the choppy graphic flow. c) you can save anywhere and any time other than in battle, no save point needed, and your HP recover after every battle. d) character design is better than lost odyssey. e) there are many epic JRPGs out there so far still, this one is good for a while before WKC, FF13 v13, and Star Ocean 4 are released. for all the reason above, I still bought the game. I hope they fix the choppy graphic flow in the PS3 version then this game is great!

so, if you can stand and get over with the most dominant problem I stated above, this game is no doubt still an epic and it is much better than the Infinite Undiscovery. hope this helps.

0 up, 0 down

coverton341
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 3:48:02 PM

It does very much thank you. I might pick this up on my 360 considering the PS3 version doesn't have a date yet and the fact that I need a GOOD jrpg instead of the crap (imo) that is out there right now.

1 up, 2 down

Arvis
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 @ 1:01:09 PM

You haven't played Valkyria Chronicles yet, have you Coverton?

-Arvis

0 up, 0 down

coverton341
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 @ 1:09:18 PM

I played the demo it was kinda cool more turn based RTS than a RPG in the demo but it could be good

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 2:33:30 PM
Reply

I'm with Ultimadream, but I'll take it a bit further: games that spent their lives on Playstation should take notice now because althought Tomb Raider isn't the flag ship we should hang our hats on (nice metaphor mix huh) it means that games which belong on PS should stay there. Now I know that those 360 sales are nothing to sneeze at, BUT people get very excited when you announce your title is PS3 exclusive.

I haven't played the game but I'll hazard a guess at what happened: just like with Force Unleashed they spread it too thin. Rather than making a full next gen game on a full fledged next gen powerhouse they made a last gen game with shinies so it would work on Wii and DS. Obviously the game was always going to function on 360 cuz it isn't a hardware pusher, but still imagine what it could have been had it been PS3 exclusive.

I predict games will start to sway this way, especially ones that began life on a Sony console. It IS a start anyhow.

0 up, 0 down

xtreme
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 2:43:44 PM
Reply

@BigBoss: I'm a sony kid at heart, I grew up with the ps1 and ps2. But I've got a Xbox360 and Wii, I just can't afford a ps3. But as you can see that doesn't stop me from reading PSXE hell I love to keep up to date with any PS3 news. I will get one (stares at empty wallet) one day......

2 up, 0 down

BigBoss4ever
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 3:10:23 PM

good luck to you and I hope you will get the PS3 160G once your wallet is not empty. Hail gaming still ;)

2 up, 0 down

djjake
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 3:18:03 PM
Reply

even with the gta dlc i went for the ps3

hope that dlc comes to ps3 eventually tho :P

but not to long after...

3 up, 0 down

Arvis
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 3:42:42 PM
Reply

There are 360 fans on other sites claiming that the PS3 version sold the most only because PS3 gamers don't have much to choose from. How does a real-life human being become so deluded?

Check the comments if you have time to waste:

http://gamer.blorge.com/2008/11/24/tomb-raider-underworld-on-ps3-xbox-360-in-review-scandal/

-Arvis

Last edited by Arvis on 11/25/2008 3:43:06 PM

1 up, 0 down

Tim Speed24
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 @ 7:58:12 AM

Isn't that the other way around? Some people wear rose-colored glasses don't they.

0 up, 0 down

chicko1983
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 4:04:04 PM
Reply

Are these worldwide sales?
Tomb Raider is traditionally big in Europe, where ps3 is king. So not really surprising if this is worldwide sales.
A similar statistic would be found for Fifa09 methinks...Ben, do you know that info?

1 up, 0 down

MetalHead09
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 4:47:31 PM
Reply

cheat code central said it was a pretty solid game and better than the later entries where problems were more prominent. it sounds really good and i just may put that on my "to get list" i aint played a tomb raider game since the ps1.

0 up, 0 down

tramp
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 5:23:30 PM
Reply

i lose faith in dev,s and publishers very easily.in the last few days THQ and Eidos went on that list.

1 up, 0 down

Joe_III
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 6:38:30 PM
Reply

All this goes to show is that PS3 gamers are still hard up for games to play... j/k.

I wouldn't call that necessarily a turning point only because it's an Eidos game. With the whole Gamespot thing and with the whole holding reviews back issues, Eidos' numbers (not to mention review scores) are very suspect.

I know that my friends and I are not planning to buy another Eidos game unless they show some serious change. However, most of my friends are like me and buy about 85% of our multiplats for the 360.

I think you'd really find out with a big decent multiplat coming out in Feb/March after the holiday rush/post holiday sales...

1 up, 2 down

ec0li
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 7:01:19 PM
Reply

Games that have been traditionally on a Sony console tend to do very well on future Sony consoles. Another example of this is Devil May Cry. Even with a larger install base, the 360 version is at 1.17 mil as opposed to 1.27 mil sold on the PS3.(Vgchartz.com)

1 up, 0 down

firehahahahaha
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 7:03:00 PM
Reply

That's interesting to see that the game sold more on the PS3, but I bet if we give it some more time, it might turn around... And now that Edios is done working on Tomb Raider, they should get started on the next Legacy of Kain :D.

1 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 7:23:24 PM
Reply

I wouldnt say this quite yet. The 360 had a recent game *cough* *left 4 dead* that was recently released and is selling very good. Also Gears of War 2. Now you can say the PS3 had Resistance 2 but recently thats about it seeeing as lbp isnt selling very well. I think those releases contribute to 360 owners not getting underworld right now.

Last edited by n/a on 11/25/2008 7:24:28 PM

0 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 7:31:57 PM

Oh and i think another thing to take note to is Fallout 3 dlc will be 360 exclusive also.

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 8:31:23 PM

...what does this have to do with the article and the question posed? Left 4 Dead and Gears of War 2 are exclusives; how would one compare multiplatform sales of those?

Btw, you've got one last chance to curb the 360 enthusiasm in topics that don't call for it.

Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 11/25/2008 8:37:10 PM

1 up, 2 down

Deleted User [Administrator]
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 8:53:28 PM

Ob ben well I was saying thats why underworld isnt really selling on the 360 maybe. Because of those recently released games.

1 up, 0 down

AntDC
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 @ 3:43:55 AM

bleck, believe it or not but the Xbox 360 isn't the only console that has had a lot of exclusive releases lately...

1 up, 0 down

sabitrulz
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 8:07:03 PM
Reply

This whole comment sections are getting full of 360 fanboys.

1 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 8:32:02 PM

No, they're not...calm down.

0 up, 1 down

AntDC
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 @ 3:46:03 AM

Yes they are Ben! YES THEY ARE! They're everywhere... I bet you're one Ben... and Arnold... and the guy who posted above me...

Lol j/k Sora chill.

0 up, 0 down

LightShow
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 @ 10:21:49 PM
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i really think it's a bit too soon, although i would have to say that Karma has a way of sneaking up on people (or corporations)

0 up, 0 down

isaya85
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 @ 12:38:49 AM
Reply

I said it before and I'll say it again it was only a matter of time before PS3 start to out pace the competition

2 up, 0 down

SplendidBlended
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 @ 2:37:24 AM
Reply

I think more and more people are starting to see the advantages of owning a PS3, and this is just a
one of those things that will say "hey, there is this little system called the PS3, and it's pretty damn nice" [:

Still, if you go on just about any message board and even mention the word PS3, you'll get attacked by posts of Xbox!, and 360! Which makes it pretty clear that the PS3 still has some catching up to do.

Kind of considering buying Underworld, but it will have to wait (lots of Christmas shopping to be done, and not Christmas shopping for myself...)

2 up, 0 down

creepypete
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 @ 12:02:29 PM
Reply

Oh for GODS SAKE, don't you people get it? LOL..... The 360 just launched a couple great exclusives in Gears and Left 4 Dead and Banjo Kazooie, not to mention Call of Duty, Fallout 3, Dead Space....... Just how many games do you expect 360 owners to buy in a month? It's still stupid lopsided in favoe of the 360, no comparison

Add the NUMBER OF GAMES bought on each console, step back and then DELETE this stupid article....... which is just more spin, spin, spin, LMAO

ONE game selling a "BIT' better means nothing, ... you guys are funny. Desperate, but funny.

2 up, 2 down

Zorigo
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 @ 5:29:41 PM

fanboy...

1 up, 1 down

Xplicit
Thursday, November 27, 2008 @ 11:30:15 AM

The PS3 was not just designed as a games console, say the PS3 didn't have Blu-Ray and was the same price as the 360, which do you think would sell more, no offence but i think more people go for the 360 because there either strapped for cash or they just like it. I am no PS3 fanboy as i own both consoles and enjoy both consoles, but i feel that Sony know much more then Microsoft when it comes to game consoles, and if they where both equal prices then the PS3 would be winning the battle. As soon as we start to see some PS3 price drops then the PS3 will take its rightful place above the 360.

0 up, 0 down

SplendidBlended
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 @ 2:15:41 PM
Reply

There are a hell of a lot of good games out for the PS3 this month, but I'm guessing you decided to ignore that little bit of information.
I don't see anyone here being desperate. In fact, the only one being desperate is you. [: Desperately trying to prove that all of us are desperate.

...Why are you even on this site?

1 up, 0 down

Arvis
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 @ 3:11:11 PM

He's living up to his name...

Actually, that would be more true if his name were "AnnoyingPete" or maybe "DouchebagPete."

-Arvis

1 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 @ 5:30:39 PM

douchebag is better. man i haven't used that wrd in a long time. douchebag! douchebag! HEH HEH

1 up, 0 down

Orvisman
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 @ 2:21:41 PM
Reply

There have been numerous reports stating the PS3 version looks better, too, albeit slightly.

2 up, 0 down

NetheRealm
Thursday, November 27, 2008 @ 5:40:52 PM
Reply

I think it's just because Tomb Raider has always been a Playstation title so Xboxers aren't as interested in it, kinda like PS3 gamers aren't going crazy over BioShock and Overlord: Raising Hell but partially that's because PS3 gamers don't wanna buy last year's Xbox games that don't get any advertisement when they are finally ported to PS3.

Last edited by NetheRealm on 11/27/2008 5:48:06 PM

0 up, 0 down

xXxSeTTriPxXx
Friday, November 28, 2008 @ 9:17:12 AM
Reply

if you never played bioshock,just because it came to 360,1st,then being a fanboy is limiting your ability,to play one of this generation,best games hands down.you see i'm not a fandoy just a fan of games,where ever the good games are,that's where I'm at.be it 360 or ps3.bleck,made a valid point!when he said that,tomb rider not doing better on 360,because the 360 has gears2 and lift 4 dead.i mean would tomb raider be on your must buy list if you had enough coin to buy two games,at the launch of kz2 and gow3.i understood what he was saying,it was not fanboyish,it was a open minded and well thought out comment.it made sense.and it was on topic because that could very well be the reason for it not selling well on 360.tomb raider is nowhere on my to buy list,becasuse I've brought,gears2,fallout3,dead space ps3,lbp and resistance2.and there is good games i can back track to,like valkyira profiles,and fable 2.

0 up, 1 down

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