Study: PlayStation 3 Is The "Most Connected" Console

Online multiplayer and online stores have become staples of this generation, and there's an ongoing battle between the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live.

At the latest count, Sony claimed there were around 39 million active PSN accounts, which of course translates to multiple accounts per console as there are only around 34 million PS3s worldwide. However, perhaps what's most important is the connection ratio; i.e., what percentage of owned consoles are hooked up to the Internet? Well, according to a new study by The Diffusion Group and as cited by Gamasutra, the PS3 wins that ratio war. The results show that 78% of PS3 users in the US have their system connected to the Internet, while the Xbox 360 is a close second at 73% and the Wii trails behind at 54%. Said Diffusion Group director of research Michael Greeson:

"Today's game consoles are increasingly connected to the internet, not just to enhance their gaming experience but to access the growing variety of online media-video."

As of now, the group says that video game consoles are "best positioned to become the first mainstream over-the-top (OTT) video delivery platform." It certainly helps that the PSN and Live lets users buy or rent movies and TV shows (all three consoles support Netflix now) and of course, there are a growing number of digital games and downloadable pieces of content, too. But considering Microsoft's continual claim that they're the king of online, it's interesting that a higher percentage of PS3 owners have their consoles connected...

4/12/2010 8:52:51 PM John Shepard

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Comments (59 posts)

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hadouken
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 9:35:43 PM
Reply

I guess because it's free

12 up, 2 down

VicTheMighty
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 9:38:48 PM

They said *connected* you can still be connected on your xbox 360 without paying and not play games online. You still have access to a few services dood :P

So that reason does'nt work.

But the fact that you have to pay 80$ for a 360 wireless adapter might be one hahaha :P

Last edited by VicTheMighty on 4/12/2010 9:40:48 PM

8 up, 3 down

Jed
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 12:46:59 AM

@VIC

I dont use my 360 that much, but it seems like every time I do, more stuff has been taken away from silver subscribers and made exclusive to gold. I almost flipped out when I saw that you had to have gold just to play the demo for the new Forza.

5 up, 0 down

VicTheMighty
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 8:57:16 PM

@ JED

Yeah you are right but it doesn't change the fact that you don't have to pay to initially connect your xbox to the internet. And the average buyer doesn't know that microsoft is slowly forcing them to actually buy the subscription as time go on. (that is how it sounds by the way you describe it)
(I know that as a fact because I'm a salesman)

And by the way the main feature microsoft wants us to transmit about their console is their all mighty online. A 360 is never sold without talking about online capabilities. Unless you buy it on your own at EBgames and such.

And anyway just for the likes of streaming, system/game updates and achievements your 360 should always be connected.

So the only reason left would be that lots of people have wireless at home and never knew that they needed an adapter because they were not informed. And I get lots of that. Or they just plainly don't have internet lol.

But thx for the info lol with that I got another good arguement to sell ps3s :D

Last edited by VicTheMighty on 4/13/2010 9:00:51 PM

1 up, 0 down

CaptRon
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 9:36:24 PM
Reply

Yeah take that. PS3 kicks too much ass not to have it connected to the internet.

17 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 9:36:27 PM
Reply

Makes sense since its FREEEEEE!

6 up, 1 down

LimitedVertigo
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 9:39:34 PM

Well I wonder how many of those 360 users pay for Live...I'm sure there is quite a few that use the service but aren't gold members.

11 up, 0 down

VicTheMighty
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 9:46:49 PM

Limited is right. Many users use live for updates and store. Also add those who use it as a media server. Anyway seems some people didn't really read the whole article before commenting since it was pretty clear they were checking the number of consoles connected to the internet. Not the number of people playing games.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 9:58:43 PM

I'm just saying more people will use the online if it's free.

4 up, 1 down

VicTheMighty
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 9:38:02 PM
Reply

Hahaha thats another good example I can use to sell more Ps3's at my job XD lol. I am happy to hear that. Now if we can just get that cross game chat... There won't be anything left to envy to live. :D

Last edited by VicTheMighty on 4/12/2010 9:39:41 PM

3 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 9:53:27 PM

And echo

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 9:38:49 PM
Reply

I love the PSN, especially since it's in its 1st generation. Live is in its 2nd and I really don't see a difference between the two. Sony once again keeps improving when it comes to gaming features.

14 up, 0 down

Highlander
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 9:53:40 PM

PSN is like Home, it's constantly in a state of flux.

One of the more interesting things is that you can buy games inside Home, so in a way the PSN can integrate directly into Home extending PSN even further.

Considering that all of Sony's network stuff is generation 1, one has to wonder how much better they will get with their 2nd generation effort?

10 up, 1 down

Kowhoho
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 10:00:04 PM

I'm just hoping that Home will be out of Beta by the time the second generation starts. I'm looking out for more portable-to-console online interaction in the future as well. That could be awesome!

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 10:00:21 PM

Exactly Highlander, the PSN has plenty of room to grow and expand. It caught up to Live rather quickly.

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 10:09:36 PM

Home will always be in "beta" IMO. They may strip the term "beta" from it eventually but it still will function as a beta I believe.

9 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 10:53:13 PM

LV is right. Home continues to get updates and expand. It will always be in testing to make sure its going smooth. The day it isnt a beta is the day it will quit getting new content.

4 up, 0 down

Kowhoho
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 11:20:17 PM

I still think they'll remove the label at some point. But yes, it will always be evolving!

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 9:51:24 PM
Reply

Interesting, the PS3 is the most connected and has 39 million active accounts, what's that about XBL being so superior?

My question is about the XBL numbers. How many active XBL accounts are there? Minus that million or so Xboxes and accounts that got the banhammer back in October...

It's interesting how certain things are talked about less as Sony catches, matches and eclipses the numbers touted by others.

11 up, 1 down

Kowhoho
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 9:58:22 PM
Reply

Not connecting your PS3 to the internet is like having a bathroom without aroma-therapy candles. I mean it still gets the job done, but come on!

14 up, 1 down

Scarecrow
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 10:09:51 PM

c'mon!

6 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 10:10:41 PM

lol

5 up, 1 down

frylock25
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 10:27:11 PM

the only way ur comment could have been better would be if you had made a kevin butler account to say it. otherwise very funny ;)

8 up, 1 down

Kowhoho
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 11:17:19 PM

We already have a KB account floating around on this site, but he wasn't fast enough. ;0

6 up, 1 down

Gone
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 8:54:36 AM

Sorry I was too busy playing GoWIII.

10 up, 0 down

Banky A
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 9:59:57 AM

Hahaha @ the Kevin's reply!
You guys made my morning.

Last edited by Banky A on 4/13/2010 10:00:17 AM

3 up, 0 down

pillz81
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 2:56:59 PM

"Thanks for coming."

0 up, 0 down

Gone
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 10:02:25 PM
Reply

It's because the PS3 has built-in WiFi.

13 up, 1 down

Douchebaguette
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 8:26:47 PM

Once upon a time I thought that feature wasn't that much of a deal until my friend told me he can only connect via his laptop & PS3 within his room; this room also features an extra computer & an Xbox 360.

0 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 10:11:00 PM
Reply

That other console looks like a "mid-generation" console.

I always feel like the 360 is just in between what the ps2 was and what the ps3 is.

Not a real next-gen console (no future)

Connecting on the PSN for me is automatic. I don't even think about it lol

Last edited by Scarecrow on 4/12/2010 10:11:33 PM

4 up, 0 down

Milonakis
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 10:22:46 PM
Reply

It's the wifi built in. Not some 100 dollar add on to do something it should have done in the first place. Interesting that the Wii has built in Wi-Fi but the 360 doesn't. XD.

7 up, 0 down

frylock25
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 11:03:52 PM

manbearpig brings a good point! xbox is supposed to be next gen, but half of its next gen features required add-ons to the system. wii isnt even next gen but has wifi. what the hell are you paying for in your xbox?

dont let Al Gore keep you down, manbearpig

6 up, 0 down

Alienange
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 10:30:18 PM
Reply

Considering that some of those 360 owners have blue Cat5 cables running across their living rooms and down the hallway to get to their 360, not only is PS3 more connected, but it's connected more attractively as well.

15 up, 1 down

Deleted User
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 10:39:58 PM
Reply

my Xbox owning friend just about died when I first told him PS3's come with wireless built in.

I have so much fun telling them things, I'm just glad the "only on PS3" logo comes at the end of game trailers, its delicious payoff.

7 up, 0 down

hadouken
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 11:04:23 PM
Reply

@ Vic

I did'nt know that. I don't have a 360.

0 up, 1 down

LimitedVertigo
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 11:07:58 PM

I'm not gay but I know it involves penis and butt.

...shut up World.

7 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 11:49:06 PM

haha

1 up, 0 down

AStiffyIffy
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 11:17:42 PM
Reply

It's interesting to know that it's the most connected console. I guess one of the reasons is because of the WiFi. I hate having to connect anything online through an ethernet cord. Not to mention, the WiFi Adapter for the 360 doesn't work. The 360 is good, but PS3 is great. Microsoft needs to stop being cheap and update the hardware.

4 up, 0 down

StangMan80
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 11:51:47 PM
Reply

PS3 on top again, like always.
maybe sony should learn from this by keeping it free. Wow only 54% for the Wii Ihad one then sold it... to buy a PS3 for $600 it was worth every penny.

Hey how do you get an avatar?

Last edited by StangMan80 on 4/12/2010 11:52:15 PM

4 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Monday, April 12, 2010 @ 11:55:16 PM

You know where you log in, it should say "User CP"

Once you're there, go to "Update account information"

4 up, 0 down

orangpelupa
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 12:18:12 AM
Reply

PSN is free. so its best if it is used.

Xbox live is not free. so many users maybe just unplug their xbox from internet.

i myself do that. Only use xbox 360 LAN for streaming videos.

Very rarely to be used to connect to live.

1 up, 1 down

BikerSaint
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 12:38:09 AM
Reply

On my 360, I had a gold account, but once the 30 day trial was over, I saw no need in having it, so now I'm a silver account.

But that's OK with me cause I don't do MP, and I can still DL the trailers & demo's I want. And that's all I want from it anyway. And I also refused to buy their extra B.S. $100 wifi adapter too.

BTW, I just grabbed a used Pelican WIFi router bridge off a guy trying to sell it to my local GS.

Since GS refused to take it in, I offered him $10 for it. So I got it home, went on-line for the manual, & then DL'ed all the coding into it for my 360, & it's now sitting up on my wall, 4 pretty green lights all blinking away & working perfectly.
So take that M$, you money whore$!!!!

Last edited by BikerSaint on 4/13/2010 12:39:10 AM

5 up, 0 down

Jed
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 12:47:56 AM

Stick it to 'em

6 up, 0 down

kraygen
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 1:47:47 AM
Reply

America is waking up and it's a beautiful day. I've known since I first looked over the specs that the ps3 was the better system and its nice to see other people realize it as well.

6 up, 0 down

___________
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 2:54:34 AM
Reply

and thats surprising?
i still have my ps2 and PSP plugged into my TV even though the last time i used them was like 4 months ago.
maybe its because TVs have multiple inputs now, just because the things plugged in does not mean it gets used.
i mean god i still have my record player plugged in!

0 up, 6 down

coverton341
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 10:41:53 AM

*facepalm*

Connected to the internet not the TV...

5 up, 0 down

slimey
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 3:01:56 AM
Reply

for me, it's not just the built in WiFi.
PS3 has a really decent web browser, which I use a lot. Even the Wii has one, so why not the Xbox360?

1 up, 0 down

SvenMD
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 7:18:31 AM
Reply

I still know some people who HAVEN'T connected yet. It really doesn't make much sense. I'm glad there are some others that are picking up the slack.

0 up, 0 down

gumbi
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 9:47:28 AM

I bet they hate candles too... What's wrong with them!!

2 up, 1 down

JackC8
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 7:21:51 AM
Reply

There are actually 22% of PS3 owners who DON'T have them connected to the internet? Thank god, I thought I was the only one :) I just connect it when I start a new game and want to check for game updates. Or when I want to download some demo's.

0 up, 0 down

FullmetalX10
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 7:40:12 AM
Reply

I always have it connected automatically, hooray for built in wifi and free intaweb connection!
PS3 FTW!!!

3 up, 0 down

gumbi
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 8:28:10 AM
Reply

This is great news. Although, it doesn't necessarily mean multiple accounts per console. PSP owners who don't have a PS3 likely still have a PSN account as well. So PS3 owners aren't the only ones contributing to these numbers.

Either way, go PSN!... and stay FREEEEEEEEE!

5 up, 0 down

Orvisman
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 9:09:05 AM

You beat me to it. I was going to post the same thing.

Then, again, it is "John" who wrote this article; so I've come to expect at least one error or erroneous assumption in every one of "John's" articles.

If I were "John's" editor, I'd have a talk with him.

2 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 10:38:18 AM

The assumption is sound. Sony has made it clear in their press releases that they can't be sure if they're counting multiple accounts...which of course means that they are.

Hardly surprising considering it's free.

Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 4/13/2010 10:38:56 AM

4 up, 0 down

Orvisman
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 2:28:46 PM

@ Ben,

The problem with the assumption is assuming the 39 million accounts are for the 34 million PS3s when that figure includes PSN accounts for the PSP. Anyway, I digress.

0 up, 0 down

Orvisman
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 2:30:19 PM

Just to clarify, I'm sure that number also includes multiple PSN accounts.

0 up, 0 down

gumbi
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 @ 8:11:49 AM

Agreed Ben. There are undoubtedly PS3's out there with multiple PSN accounts. I just wanted to clarify that there aren't necessarily 5 million of them. There's lots of PSP owners out there contributing to PSN connectivity too.

BTW, I think John's doing a fine job. Keep it up guys.

0 up, 0 down

coverton341
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 10:40:25 AM
Reply

I don't think it has anything to do with the PSN being free. While that is a fantastic thing you don't have to pay money to plug an Ethernet cord into the back of a 360. I haven't paid for Live in over a year now because I have no use for it but I still do buy a game here or there or buy an add-on to games I own on 360.

I think a higher contributor to the percentage gap is the fact that there are probably a lot lower percentage of functioning 360 consoles out there. I mean it only makes good sense to deduce that if a console has about a 25% higher fail rate than the other the percentage of usable consoles is going to be lower.

2 up, 0 down

DeathOfChaos
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 7:40:54 PM
Reply

It's a PS3, of course it's going to have more people connected. All you have to have is a wireless internet connection in your house and you've limitless connection to anything on the PSN, except for additional charges for things you have to buy, common sense. But there's so many free things on the PSN that having all those free items is good enough reason to get connected online. I never play online games, I hate online games. People are jerks online and it just doesn't appeal, but being able to get online and get free demos and buy games without an extra charge is awesome, let alone having the Wifi card built inside as well as having an internet browser. I can go online and download videos, music, pictures, AND themes for my PS3 strait from the internet.

0 up, 0 down

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