Sony Replies to Doom and Gloom, Many Cards Left to Deal

Always quick to the doom and gloom train, the message boards of the interweb have been railing (pun!) on Sony's market performance for this past March 2009, as shown to us by the NPD Fungroup. The PlayStation 3 gained no momentum, despite Killzone 2 and MLB 09 being large sellers for the month - with MLB 09 even outselling Killzone 2 for the month.

The doom and gloom wasn't just hardware sales, but also for sales of Killzone 2, which a lot of people don't realize already charted the top 10 for February's NPD, despite only being on the market for two days before retail tracking ended for the month. Killzone 2's combined American sales of over 620k games in a five week span is nothing to scoff at, considering the game is already well above one million worldwide.

Kotaku contacted Sony's Senior Director of Corporate Communications, Patrick Seybold, and this is the response they were given:

“We've got a confident plan ahead and have many cards yet to deal, so consumers can rest assured there's a lot to look forward to from PlayStation this new fiscal year. The best part of what PlayStation has to offer this year is a relentless string of AAA games. We've lined up mass entertainment appeal from the hard core gamer who can't wait to get their hands on a game like MAG, the industry's first 256-player shooter, to the casual gamer who wants to take their RockBand skills on the road via the PSP," he stated.

"We're also seeing exciting preliminary numbers for PlayStation 2 with the recent price cut and we couldn't be more pleased with the continued entertainment value and gameplay the platform provides even in its ninth year."

There is no question that Sony has the best lineup of software planned for their brands this year, but we still feel as if the gamer needs a financial incentive to pick up a PlayStation 3, and by that we mean a price-drop.

Related Game(s): Killzone 2

4/20/2009 Arnold Katayev

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Comments (Beta)

cowboy828
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 3:23:35 PM
Reply

I hope they dont drop the ball!!!!!!!!!!!

2 up, 0 down

kevyd09
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 3:25:17 PM
Reply

when ur at the bottom of the pile things can only get better and in my opinion from the release of ps3 things have been getting better altho slowerly but i have faith!!!

1 up, 0 down

The_R0gue_Ninja
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 3:34:30 PM
Reply

Things will pick up for Sony. I agree with Kevyd09, the PS3 has been slowly gaining ground on the market since its launch, and by this time next year, I bet the PS3 will be neck-and-neck, if not ahead of the competition. It all depends on which system has the best games. I believe the X-Box 360 is still the gaming powerhouse, but the PS3 is hot on Microsoft's heals...

0 up, 0 down

isaya85
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 3:38:40 PM
Reply

They say the same thing over and over but all that won't mean a thing if the PS3 don't become more affordable things will stay like it is now

PSN ID Biggest_GMoney

2 up, 0 down

Nynja
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 4:04:41 PM

These overpaid journalists (sans PSX) probably don't make enough money to purchase one for themselves and are trying to scare Sony into an unneeded price drop so the DnG (doom-n-gloom) authors can finally get the console they've always wanted.

3 up, 2 down

Scarecrow
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 @ 3:03:08 AM

Nah, they probably want a price cut so they can go "see see the ps3 is a bad situation so they need a price cut"

0 up, 2 down

JohnnyGold
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 3:40:53 PM
Reply

im starting to think the ps3 cant win this generation. a tipping point has been reached. even though the playstation is better, the 360 is just the defacto gaming machine for this gen.

its like, a corolla compared to a lambo. im glad i have a ps3, but i dont care about sales. i mean, i already own like, 15 games, and with the others on the way, it cant get much better.

2 up, 4 down

SarahPalinMILF
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 3:46:00 PM

Without a price cut, the PS3 is going nowhere...once they slash the price, it will become the best and most affordable considering what you get with it...

4 up, 1 down

Bugzbunny109
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 3:48:07 PM

Considering the amount of exclusives the ps3 has and will have; there is a very bright future. You should not be so despondent :)

0 up, 1 down

TheHighlander
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 3:49:41 PM

It's the de-facto gaming machine where?

Is this more US centric thinking again?

Gaming is global folks, stop thinking as if the United States was the be all and end all. Simply put, it isn't.

6 up, 1 down

Nynja
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 3:58:42 PM

360 had about 20 mil units sold after it's first 2 years.

PS3 had about 20 mil units sold after it's first 2 years.

So exactly how is the 360 doing better in terms of sales globally?

5 up, 3 down

Troy Powers
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 4:03:14 PM

PS3 will most likely remain in 3rd place this gen, but who really cares? As long as they keep pumping out great games, I'll be perfectly happy with my 3rd place console.

4 up, 0 down

raztad
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 5:40:59 PM

People forget that MS was ALONE in the HD market for a full year, that means not competition at all in much better economic conditions. PS3 has been selling pretty good WW, even with strong competition coming from A LOT cheaper consoles in a difficult economic downturn. Quite a difference, dont you think?

Price is clearly PS3 principal roadblock this gen, but Sony strategy is clearly a long term one. Right now they are just focusing in profitability an pulling out a massive lineup that drives new costumers to the PS3. IMO next year, after GoW3 launch the mythic 100$ cut price will be here. Rest assure that PS3 will be kicking hard everybody a$$ when that happens.

1 up, 0 down

TheHighlander
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 3:41:54 PM
Reply

Considering the absolute load of nonsense being spewed by the American gaming/tech media right now, I am not entirely surprised that they felt the need to respond.

Stories with titles along the lines of "PS3 in Death Spiral" are simply irresponsible journalism. In a day and age when the opinions, yes - OPINIONS - of tech columnists are enough to swing the price of a global corporation's shares it's simply irresponsible of such 'journalists' to write such drivel as has recently been written. PC World in particular has indulged in what can charitably be described as uninformed reporting, and more adroitly as FUD-mongering.

Never mind the fact that there exists a gaming market beyond the 48 contiguous states. Never mind the fact that globally sales of blockbuster games such as Resident Evil 5 and Street Fighter show a more even split in gamers. No, never mind the fact that a hideously large number of Xbox360s are sitting idle because they are non-functional. Instead of looking at all that, let's concentrate on the United States and pretend that it's the entire gaming universe. Yes, that'll work, then we can draw all sorts of conclusions that are 100% applicable to the world. Not.

Let's dive into some data, game sales of major block buster titles are split very evenly between PS3 and 360, and yet according to Microsoft and the US gaming media, that's not possible because of the PS3 death spiral. According to MS they've sold at least 8 million more 360s compared to Sony PS3s. So, game publishers must ask themselves why it is that even with those 8 million extra consoles out there, 360 versions of multi-platform titles are not wiping the floor with the PS3 versions?

Oh, wait, that would mean paying attention to data gathered in places where they don't salute the Stars and Stripes each morning in school. Obviously that data is irrelevent, we'll just exclude it and put on our special US centric glasses. Ah, that's better our Windows (tm) on the world are right again....

</sarcasm>
</rant>
One word for the tech/gaming media in this. Pathetic.

Last edited by TheHighlander on 4/20/2009 3:43:34 PM

9 up, 1 down

Nynja
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 3:55:51 PM

PSX, you should print this post!

2 up, 2 down

coverton341
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 5:33:50 PM

You never cease to bring a smile to this American's face. That was the end all be all of a well thought out and thought provoking rant and I agree wholeheartedly. We Americans do tend to think that if it happens on our happy little hill then by default it is happening everywhere else on this little rock we all live on and that is the type of thinking that I wish would stop so that we can come together as a global community rather than individual flags looking out for our own interests before anyone else. But on the converse of that I think that other countries should understand not all American's are like this and I do believe that there is a mentality shift in the US towards a broader perspective.

Anyway, back to topic. I think it is great that Sony are standing up in the face of this adverse "journalism" instead of taking it on the chin. It shows that yes they do keep an eye on what is being said and that they have enough confidence in their product to just say "It's going to be alright" instead of saying "Well, their box is inefficient so what now".

I personally don't care what their sales do as long as they stay afloat in this economic climate. I love gaming and as long as they don't start to tank then more power to them. Gimme the games and I will give you the money.

1 up, 1 down

JohnnyGold
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 5:34:10 PM

agreed, that article is terrible irresponsible.

sony has a full year less on the market than the 360, and is catching up. i think the distance will widen once exclusives start hitting, but ben, im starting to agree with your stance that they NEED a price cut.

it seems like it could absolutely bury the 360 if it was 100$ cheaper. maybe at e3?

0 up, 0 down

007
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 10:36:42 PM

You are right about street fighter but not quite right for resident evil 5, well at least not according to the US sales anyway. I think RE 5 sold like a million copies on the 360 whereas it sold a little over half a million on the ps3...unfortuantely. But of course we cannot blame the ps3's lower sales because capcom have already partnered up with MS in making 360 bundles. I wonder why capcom cannot do the same for a ps3 RE 5 bundle...

Last edited by 007 on 4/20/2009 10:37:26 PM

0 up, 0 down

TheHighlander
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 @ 12:40:06 AM

@007

"...not quite right for resident evil 5, well at least not according to the US sales anyway..."

That's exactly my point. GLOBALLY sales of games such as RE5 and SF4 have been close, and yet there is a frequently touted 8 million unit lead for 360 in terms of consoles sold. Console for Console, games like RE5 and SF4 are selling more units per console installed on PS3 than on 360.

A US centric point of view neglects the fact that in Japan PS3 has 3 times the install base of the 360. It ignores the fact that outside the US there is near parity in terms of units sold/installed. It ignores a lot of things. That was the point of my post, the truly short sighted, parochial view that has the US market as the defining factor for Gaming in general.

And in reply you yourself accept that your argument is limited to the US only. That's fine, but what about the wider picture?

Sorry, but the kind of biased reporting I was ranting about has dogged Sony since the PSP was launched. We've heard the same BS complaining about lack of games, too high a price and no second analog stick. Even though the thing has a good game library, it's the only handheld on the market with any analogue stick and it sells for just a little more than the DS (the only competitor) despite doing so much more. DS does not have web browsing, picture viewing, MP3 playing, video watching, GPS, or a camera (until the recently launched DSi). Now we see the same crap from the press. They can't say it has no games anymore, since clearly it does, so instead it's time to criticise game sales - for example KZ2 which sold pretty well, but had a ton of it's sales counted in February, although 90% of the stories on the subject only mention the March NPD data which of course do NOT include pre-order sales. That's bias pure and simple, news reporting with an agenda. Then there are all the complaints about price. OK, At $100 more than the equivalent 360 the PS3 is more expensive, but then again it has wireless networking built in, free online play and BluRay, so in reality the value more than outweighs the $100 difference. However how many articiles do you see the mass tech media running that point this out? Instead they all run trite pieces about how PS3 is $200 more expensive than the 360, neglecting to mention that the 360 they refer to is the Arcade model which doesn't even come with an HDD. Bias - again. You've read the stories. It's all BS.

Oh, I'm sure that some 360 fans will want to cry foul and say that the Sony Defense Force is out or whatever, fine guys go ahead, but you know what? Nothing I've said cannot be backed up by citable facts - and you ALL know it.

0 up, 0 down

Fenrir
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 @ 7:15:31 AM

Wow, what a post. I agree from my heart and sense. I myself wrote to the boss of Sony Europe a couple of months ago. The implement of the letter was, that they should not only focus on US market sales but more on Europes developement. This was after the sales data from Europe were on and they showed unmisunderstoodable that Europe is making the PS3 number one and also making blu-ray the customers choise. I included the data and facts in the letter. I never expected any answer, but surprise, surprise - they answered and just a while later they released Killzone 2 before it was released in the US. A small sign but a sign. I guess the "Old Guard" over there in Tokio has a close look at this developement, because as I said in a post before - This time it´s not only a question of technic or price but of which philosophy men will follow.
It´s always a good thing to look over the edge of the plate. I still hope that the internet will bring the people closer together and I hope for US people that the open their eyes and recognize, that they are not alone ;-)

0 up, 0 down

SarahPalinMILF
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 3:43:38 PM
Reply

they just announced a new fallout game called Fallout: New Vegas...you guys should get on this...right away...

1 up, 0 down

JasperLoons
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 3:44:00 PM
Reply

They need to add Resistance 2, Killzone, or LBP to the Uncharted bundle. Even though I'm not interested, that new 360 bundle with Halo 3 and Fable 2 is a pretty impressive package.

2 up, 1 down

SarahPalinMILF
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 3:47:50 PM

Three Words: God Of War Bundle...and maybe if the time is right they can throw in GT5...now that would move some serious amounts of systems...

2 up, 1 down

Troy Powers
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 4:06:11 PM

*counting*
God
Of
War
Bundle

2 up, 0 down

HeXeN
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 4:56:51 PM

A God Of War bundle with a chrome red ps3 would destroy the human race.

0 up, 0 down

Troy Powers
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 4:08:06 PM
Reply

Spin it how you want. Make any excuses you can think of. I still think Killzone 2 sales were much lower than expected. Don't get me wrong, it's the greatest, most addictive game I've played in a long, long time. But, the sales don't reflect the game's quality. That's disappointing.

I wonder how it will do in Japan.

2 up, 0 down

TheHighlander
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 4:40:17 PM

Tell you what Troy, let's look at the sales numbers when the game's been around for a year, then we'll talk. Not everyone has the expectation of a return on investment inside the first 5 minutes of launch.

1 up, 1 down

HeXeN
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 4:57:55 PM

They play FPS in Japan?

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 5:06:16 PM

Japan doesn't like the shooters, it wont do well over there.

0 up, 0 down

Troy Powers
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 5:27:20 PM

I'm sure there will be a few more sales here and there, but I'm guessing the vast majority of a game's sales occur within the first month...maybe month and a half, unless there's something to cause another spike in sales (price drop, great DLC, etc). I don't know what the actual statistics are, but that's my guess.

But, who knows? They say LBP was a slow burner.

0 up, 0 down

Lord Alucard
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 4:23:46 PM
Reply

'Sighs' Well it's great being able to save cash with the Playstation 3 people just don't realise this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkeeK0Npi2g&feature=channel

0 up, 2 down

Canuck Pride
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 @ 5:04:47 PM

why even bring that trey station fanboy???

not only does he make an ass of himself, he makes a mockery of the church... something that many people see as more respectable than gaming

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 5:07:37 PM
Reply

While sometimes Sony wears their rose colored glasses too much the level of confidence they have shown has me sold. For everyone here with a PS3 we can all just rise above the stupid fanboy ranting and let the sweet sweet games flow :)

0 up, 0 down

DVE SIXBURGH
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 6:20:36 PM
Reply

lmaol prozac i cant stop laughing XD XD XD XD!

1 up, 0 down

sunspider13
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 6:53:03 PM
Reply

@TheHighlander
Wow one of the most wickedly awesome posts I've read in awhile.

Anywho, I never cared what the press has said about Sony, I just laughed and put a game in. And was content with knowing that I have the system that I want with the games that I want to play. Snooch to the Booch.

0 up, 0 down

crawdaddy
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 7:14:25 PM
Reply

Sony can put out the greatest games ever made, but until the ps3 is seen a affordable to the masses, and not just the hardcore gamers, things will never change, and the ps3 will never take the lead. The main thing keeping the ps3 from being #1 is the price. It must, and soon, drop the price to at least 299.00. Also the games will not sell well until they can sell more ps3's.

6 up, 1 down

JofaMang
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 9:33:11 PM

Either you are REALLY bitter about your PS3, or you are full of crap and are a bitter 360 fanboy parading as a former PS3 owner for some sort of free pass to be a dick.

I have yet to read a post of yours that isn't full of anti-sony vitriol. You realize you are on a Playstation specific site, right? Fanboys like you rarely slip through the cracks, and I wouldn't be surprised if your tirade/charade get you whacked by the ban stick.

1 up, 8 down

convergecrew
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 10:05:59 PM

Chill out there man, theres nothing wrong with what crawdaddy is saying (in that particular post).

6 up, 0 down

GuernicaReborn
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 10:22:22 PM

I agree, Sony needs to drop the price if they really want to give their competitors some competition.

5 up, 0 down

Lord Alucard
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 @ 10:08:09 AM

PS3 doesn't need a price cut we're lucky that we're not paying over $800 for a Playstation 3

0 up, 4 down

Tim
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 9:39:29 PM
Reply

PLEASE never compare Sony to Obama again, lest I be forced to throw my PS3 out the window in disgust.

3 up, 3 down

Troy Powers
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 10:23:26 PM

I would never compare Sony to Barack Obama.
But I WOULD compare my PS3 to Obama.

They're both black.
They're both very powerful.
Both underdogs.
Both kick major ass!
Both don't give a s*** about you throwing your PS3 out the window. :D

4 up, 1 down

007
Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 10:27:41 PM

lol on that one!

0 up, 0 down

TheHighlander
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 @ 12:41:15 AM

Need some cheese for that whine?

I hadn't noticed PSXExtreme being extremely big on politics.

Last edited by TheHighlander on 4/21/2009 12:41:37 AM

0 up, 0 down

convergecrew
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 @ 2:34:19 AM

haha rep for you troy!

0 up, 0 down

Jordanboi123
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 @ 1:38:21 AM
Reply

3 words thats are going to get ps3's flying out the shops GOD OF WAR 3.mark my words that game is going to make alot of xbots jump over to the dark side.GT5 will shift alot of consoles in the uk.i know for a fact that the uk love GT games.Just everyone wait and see don't count sony out just yet.killzone 2 didnt sell that well so what.just wait and see.

0 up, 1 down

TheHighlander
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 @ 10:08:05 AM

Considering your avatar picture, you need to consider the longer term sales of KZ2. Uncharted has continued to sell well deep into it's shelf life. KZ2 need be no different.

0 up, 0 down

crawdaddy
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 @ 8:31:33 AM
Reply

@JofaMang: My comments on this website are objective. Most of them pertain to Sony needing to lower the price on ps3 ect..., or coming out with new versions of psp's too often ect... The only game systems I own are Sony!!!! However Sony drops the ball on a lot of issues, and I just point that out when it is true, in hopes that Sony will fix it when they do, because I want Sony to do well, and if fanboys like you don't like it, then that is just too bad. There are also comments all over this site just like the ones I make, made by lots of different people. So get over it fanboy!!!!!!

Last edited by crawdaddy on 4/21/2009 8:43:16 AM

5 up, 0 down

Jordahn
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 @ 9:14:05 AM
Reply

The biggest curse here is that just because SONY's console (PS3) isn't in first place like their past two were, doesn't mean it's doing horrible which it isn't. What's sad in this world is that money talks. And if there were bigger and greater PS3 sales, that would certainly make it look better the eyes of the public. Given SONY's current scenario, the PS3 is doing well, not great but well. But in the eyes of the uninformed masses, the PS3 looks RELATIVELY bad while giving ammo for the anti-PS3/SONY camps which I equate as non-gamers. It really is sad where the gaming community is heading and the extreme means needed to combat that stigma. The PS3 need a price drop for image sake.

Last edited by Jordahn on 4/21/2009 9:15:05 AM

1 up, 0 down

TheHighlander
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 @ 10:06:14 AM

Great points.

I think it boils down to this. America needs winners and losers. In the American mindset if you're not a winner you're a loser, and everyone knows that only one contender can win, so everyone else must be losers.

Now, here's the thing, by that definition Nintendo are the Winners and MS and Sony lose. If you limit the argument to HD gaming there is no clear winner yet, and if you limit the argument to HD gaming within the 48 contiguous states MS is the winner.

So the trouble comes from having a very narrow, parochial view limited to the uS, and requiring that there only be one winner and everyone else be losers.

The truth is that in the commercial world, everyone can be a winner. If Sony, Nintendo and MS all make a profit on their consoles so that their respective business plans are fulfilled, then they 'win', each of them.

There really is no 'winner' or 'loser'. Sony is not losing and Microsoft is not winning. In reality, Sony is currently in third place for sales of console units this generation, Microsoft is in second and Nintendo is in first. Microsoft's placing at second is not a surprise considering they had a head start. But since a) the 'race' isn;t over yet, and b) all three can win without coming first, it's pretty crazy for anyone - especially tech columnists and analysts who know better - to say otherwise.

However America needs winners and losers, and fanboys need sides to take and console wars to fight...Hype it up to the max folks, hype it like never before. America needs an American winner, so redefine the 'contest' such that Microsoft wins.

Easy huh?

Last edited by TheHighlander on 4/21/2009 10:07:03 AM

1 up, 0 down

cadpig
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 @ 10:55:52 PM
Reply

I don't care about a price cut anymore....All i want is top of the line first party games!!!
I am really hyped about the games coming out this year.

0 up, 1 down

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