Sony's 2009 Results, Complete With Statistical Analysis
See Full ImageIt's time for companies and analysts to view the year that was 2009, and the good news for Sony continues to flow.
Yesterday, we heard that December 2009 was the single biggest month in the PlayStation 3's history in the US and now, Sony has delivered more stats and EEDAR analyst Jesse Divnich has also weighed in with his thoughts on 2009. But first, let's go over the highlights, courtesy of SCEA:
- The PlayStation brand generated more than $5.1 billion in revenue in the US for 2009, a 26% share of the total video game industry revenue for 2009.
- PS3 sold 1.35 million hardware units in December 2009 in the US, which represents an 87% increase when compared to December 2008.
- PS3 hardware was the only home console to see double digit growth of 22% for the calendar year of 2009 (4.3 million total) when compared to the calendar year of 2008 (3.5 million total).
- PSP hardware also saw an increase of more than 122% from November to December 2009, making it a popular holiday gift item.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 topped PS3 software for the calendar year of 2009 with a total of 2.8 million units sold to date, followed by Madden NFL 10 and Assassin’s Creed II for PS3.
- UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves has surpassed 1 million units in North America with more than 950k units reported by NPD in the U.S. since launch.
For a final, year-ending statement, SCEA Senior Director of Corporate Communications, Patrick Seybold, had this to say:
"It’s no surprise we’ve seen PS3 units sold every month nearly double since October. We knew 2009 would be a turning point for the platform due to the new price and a content line up that is fueling unprecedented consumer and industry interest with games like UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves. The consumer response has simply been overwhelming and we anticipate the high demand for PS3 to continue into the coming months as we work closely with retail to meet the demand. The best part of PS3’s story today is that 2010 will offer entirely new gaming experiences to consumers as we launch MAG, God of War III, 3D gaming, and the new motion controller this year. It’s never been a better time to be a PS3 owner."
Now, on to Divnich's analysis. We find that industry software sales were down a total of 10% in a year-over-year comparison, but that doesn't mean that all categories saw a decline. EEDAR's review contains some interesting notes, such as the increasing popularity of Mature-rated games. As some of you know, breaking even was the new "increase" in 2009, and sales for M-rated titles remained flat last year, which outperformed all other ESRB categories. Furthermore, Divnich adds that over the past five years, "mature games have had one of the most stable economies and reinforces a theory that whether a recession or economic boom, the core of our industry has and will continue to remain healthy." In PSXE's eyes, this result can also be attributed to the ever-rising average age of a gamer, which supposedly sits at around 35 years old at this time.
Another part of the analysis noted the sharp decline of music-based games. Worldwide sales for titles in this genre plunged 40% last year, which shows that not all types of games were hit with the same decline. The most profitable games in a tough year? The shooters, with the likes of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Borderlands, Halo 3: ODST, Resident Evil 5, Killzone 2, and Left 4 Dead 2 leading the pack. And lastly, we leave you with one final EEDAR observation:
"All too often the economy is blamed for the recent industry contraction. In reality, decreased sales in 2009 had more to do with a lack of innovation than economic recession. The growth of our industry now rests more on innovation than it ever has before, especially since non-traditional and casual markets consist of a larger share than in previous years. No longer can developers update a few maps, design some new weapons, add a few new characters, then throw a roman numeral at the end of the box and call it a “sequel”. That may work for core targeted games (Action, Shooters, and RPGs), but this strategy is not ideal for non-traditional and casual gamers."
EEDAR believes Nintendo "understands the mindset of its consumers the best," primarily because they "rarely release sequels within the same generation and, if they do, they are years apart." However, we will add that with the majority of the gaming population holding the title of "casual gamers," it's no surprise that the Wii continues to remain strong. And that's that. Was it the year of the PS3, as hyped at the start of last year? You decide...certainly seems to be.
1/14/2010 9:01:44 PM Ben Dutka
Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter
Comments (75 posts)
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 12:09:43 AM
10 up, 0 down
ShadowRunner
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 3:16:56 AM
7 up, 0 down
godsman
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 10:20:08 AM
2 up, 7 down
NoSmokingBandit
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 10:25:24 AM
2 up, 0 down
Feregrin
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 12:11:56 PM
0 up, 0 down
carl0975
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 7:55:16 PM
3 up, 1 down
ryandon69
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 10:04:36 PM
Reply
4 up, 0 down
Snaaaake
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 10:05:33 PM
Reply
1 up, 1 down
I_defenestrate
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 1:57:15 AM
5 up, 0 down
Feregrin
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 8:07:03 AM
3 up, 0 down
Cholo Gamer
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 9:39:20 AM
0 up, 0 down
Milonakis
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 10:14:42 PM
Reply
6 up, 0 down
ryandon69
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 10:32:16 PM
1 up, 0 down
Jed
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 10:22:21 PM
Reply
"Worldwide sales for titles in this genre (music-based) plunged 40% last year"
That is some of the best news I've heard in years.
3 up, 0 down
Highlander
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 10:48:49 PM
YAY!!
4 up, 2 down
godsman
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 10:28:07 AM
2 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 10:24:44 PM
Reply
What is this Wii you speak of?
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 1/14/2010 10:25:24 PM
0 up, 0 down
Jed
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 10:50:27 PM
-Wii: 3.81M2.11M (+202%)
-DS: 3.31M2.05M (+95%)
-PS3: 1.36M650K (+92%)
-360: 1.31M490K (+60%)
-PSP: 655K361K (+123%)
-PS2: 333K130K (+64%)
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 1:01:21 AM
Is it my eyes or did the PS2 show a higher % increase month on month than the 360?
:D
8 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 10:29:19 PM
Reply
Instead of picking up real innovative games like Demon's Souls and Infamous
Anyway, was a great year
The best games come out on ps3. That's all one needs to know.
Heavy Rain, I'm staring at you!
Wonder what Nintendo and Microsoft fans are staring at...?
6 up, 1 down
Jed
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 10:52:35 PM
I'm sure the Wii fans have another Mario or Zelda in the works. I'm not sure where they are in their rotation of re-makes.
Last edited by Jed on 1/14/2010 11:00:11 PM
0 up, 0 down
Feregrin
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 8:10:30 AM
0 up, 0 down
djrilla11241980
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 10:36:46 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Qubex
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 10:45:13 PM
Q!
"i am home"
Last edited by Qubex on 1/14/2010 10:45:22 PM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 10:48:13 PM
4 up, 0 down
Qubex
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 12:55:33 AM
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where did you hear all this djrilla? I better change my hearing aid soon!
Q!
"i am home"
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 10:47:00 PM
Reply
4 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 11:05:24 PM
Though, games + a babe is better than movies + a babe...
So games win :D
4 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 1:00:17 AM
Movie + babe > game alone
Game + babe > Movie + babe
Playing with babe > everything else...
Had to be said...
Last edited by Highlander on 1/15/2010 1:02:12 AM
10 up, 1 down
Alienange
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 11:39:49 PM
Reply
Devs can't "update a few maps, design some new weapons, add a few new characters" for sequels for "non-traditional and casual gamers."
No kidding! Casual games don't feature those things in the first place. You can't add maps to friggin WiiFit! Bunch of analysts blinded by the casual market...
3 up, 0 down
Dridion
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 12:35:57 AM
3 up, 0 down
dragonx_HD
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 11:48:09 PM
Reply
3 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 11:53:53 PM
2 up, 0 down
WolfCrimson
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 1:03:20 AM
3 up, 0 down
dragonx_HD
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 11:58:19 PM
Reply
0 up, 1 down
___________
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 12:36:24 AM
Reply
well thats if they overcome their tradition of announcing games than giving them a date a year or so later than delaying them 15 million times between then.
and hopefully they can learn to be less secretive about their games.
i mean GOW 3 is due out in less than 2 months and we have seen 2 trailers for it.
2!
i have seen more info on RAGE, deadspace 2, MAFIA 2, just cause 2 than most of sonys IPs and all of those are not due out till Q4 2010 at the earliest.
how more information can be available about a title not due out till december this year, IF its released this year, than a title thats due out in 2 months is beyond me.
2 up, 0 down
djrilla11241980
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 2:44:52 AM
Reply
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/news/show/3D/PlayStation_3/Panasonic/Samsung/McIntosh/Sony/LG/CES_2010/CES_2010_Wrap-up:_The_Top_Five_Blu-ray_Players/4062
scroll to the bottom of the page
and the PSN thing i was talking about was the paid service but not confirmed... rumored
did anyone see the new screenshot for God Of War 3
http://www.andriasang.com/e/galleries/2010/01/15/god_of_war_iii/
Last edited by djrilla11241980 on 1/15/2010 2:45:55 AM
2 up, 0 down
Gamer Girl Gemo
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 3:35:09 AM
Reply
Sony Shoots... Sony Scores!
5 up, 0 down
___________
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 6:44:28 AM
and i can never see that happening.
1 up, 5 down
MyWorstNightmar
Saturday, January 16, 2010 @ 6:39:00 PM
1 up, 0 down
Gamer Girl Gemo
Sunday, January 17, 2010 @ 2:07:04 AM
I will admit, the Wii is at the top... But of what EXACTLY the top of? Are we talking "Family gaming system" top of the list, or "Kick ass gaming system" top of the list...?
When you put things like this, PS3 and Wii can equally dominate in their own categories. Oh look, everyone wins! Now, for the 360... Let's give the list it dominates at the name of... "Exclusives-Gone-Multiplatform-Failure gaming systems" (Cough) FFXIII (Cough)
0 up, 0 down
Gamer Girl Gemo
Sunday, January 17, 2010 @ 2:09:51 AM
I'm not looking for any flames, just stating opinion on that last part!
0 up, 0 down
Roach721
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 6:37:07 AM
Reply
7 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 11:01:25 AM
Sometimes I venture and check other sites (rarely, only when linked to Street Fighter sites or the like lol), and it's amazing how no site is like this one. Here people actually act like civilized/mature people, even if they disagree.
Anyway, ps doesn't back down from anyone. It will win the marathon like it always does. The other consoles are STUCK, I can't really see Microsoft's console doing anything much beyond Gears of War
3 up, 0 down
Feregrin
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 11:50:07 AM
1 up, 0 down
Roach721
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 6:41:25 AM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
Feregrin
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 11:43:02 AM
0 up, 2 down
kevyd09
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 2:50:02 PM
1 up, 0 down
Reccaman18
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 8:30:20 PM
3 up, 0 down
geovanwitdakick
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 6:59:08 AM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
Milonakis
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 7:33:19 AM
Reply
2 up, 4 down
isaya85
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 9:13:58 AM
Reply
anyway good to see Sony back on top where they belong, I said it a long time ago it was only a matter of time I never once doubted them
2 up, 2 down
Highlander
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 10:14:07 AM
Many of those Wii (and PS2) owners will grow up in the next couple of years looking for something a little more sophisticated, and the PS3 is right there waiting for them.
5 up, 0 down
Feregrin
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 11:38:33 AM
And really, Wii has it's good points. Playing Metroid with the wiimote feels awesome and I can only imagine how good the next Zelda will be. Then there are the party games you can pop in when you've got people over. Ah well...I sold the Wii to get myself a PS3 some time back and I definitely prefer the latter. ;)
3 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Saturday, January 16, 2010 @ 1:51:18 AM
Well, I'm buying a Wii,
(but I'm getting it used(plus 6 games) off of a co-worker for a $100(I wanted it a very-few exclusives).
Also picked up a couple of GameBoy Colors(an Aqua & Purple), hand-helds(plus 2 games & 2 carrying cases) last week for only $12. I also needed them to add into my gaming collections too.
0 up, 0 down
Snorge
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 10:57:47 AM
Reply
(In my opinion) The PS3 is the clear winner....I play that everyday while I leave my wife to play to 360 and let my Wii collect dust.
The PS3 is my ultimate dream system. I can do just about everything (except xchat and in-game music)The games are truely something amazing....I keep Killzone, Uncharted 2, Resistance (still), and Batman in my system in a nice rotation.
I absolutely adore my PS3, and its even better when you utilize the PSP with it...grab a PSeye and you have a mobile security system. Where ya at M$?
Oh yeah, I love how Ben not only writes excellent editorials, but he respoonds to comments. I respect that. You gentlemen/ladies have very intelligent conversations (with many funny comments as well) Keep it going!
5 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Saturday, January 16, 2010 @ 1:56:10 AM
Welcome to the funny farm(it's not quite Arkham Asylum yet, but we're trying) LOL
0 up, 0 down
Reccaman18
Saturday, January 16, 2010 @ 3:45:48 PM
2 up, 0 down
Deleted User
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 5:06:58 PM
Reply
End of Line.
3 up, 0 down
Reccaman18
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 8:32:02 PM
3 up, 0 down
FullmetalX10
Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 6:16:29 PM
Reply
Playstation will dominate 2010, cyaz all on my next comment, goodnight to everyone, even though it's not near night for some of you.
Peace *double taps chest with fist*
1 up, 0 down
geovanwitdakick
Reply
Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 9:58:45 PM
Yet the thing I look forward to the most isn't even on that list: Heavy Rain.