August NPD: Sales Slide, But PS3 Growth Highest Yet

The game industry was mostly flat in July but in a month where only the new Madden installment could be considered a big title, numbers fell again.

According to the August NPD, overall non-PC retail game sales fell 10% in the US (down to $818.9 million), and hardware sales slipped 5% (down to $282.9 million). Software dropped even further, falling 14% to $403.5 million and accessories dipped 6% to $132.4 million. Due to the recent release of the Xbox 360 Slim, Microsoft's console had another easy hardware win in August, selling 356,000 units and with Halo: Reach due out this month, it's expected to rule September as well. The DS sold 342,700 units, the Wii came in at 244,300, and the PS3 sold 226,800. It should be noted that the PS3 has now had 13 straight months of sales growth after the PS3 Slim hit the market last year.

Madden NFL 11 unsurprisingly topped the software charts with 920,800 units sold on the 360 and 893,600 on the PS3 (an almost even split). Take-Two's Mafia II was expected to do better than its 121,600 unit showing for the month. As for Sony's statements concerning these results- the PS3 saw the highest year-over-year growth rate in August with 40% sales growth, there are currently 13 million systems in the US to date, and this is what SCEA Senior Director of Corporate Communications, Patrick Seybold, had to say:

"When PlayStation first emerged on the gaming scene 15 years ago, it garnered immediate attention for breaking the standard model of cartridge-based video gaming with a disc-based model and robust three-dimensional game play, helping to drive the transformation of a $2B dollar a year industry into a more than $20B industry, annually. Fast forward fifteen years and PlayStation continues to push the envelope of innovation with the industry's biggest franchises and new technologies like PlayStation Move and 3D stereoscopic gaming. August marks our 13th consecutive month of year-over-year growth for the PS3, supporting our ongoing momentum and further preparing us to officially kick off the key selling season next week with PlayStation Move."

Tags: npd sales, august npd, ps3 sales, sony npd

9/9/2010 8:54:11 PM John Shepard

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Comments (50 posts)

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godsman
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 10:00:30 PM
Reply

Sadly, the PS3 growth will end this month, because last year, this month was the launch of PS3 Slim.

2 up, 3 down

maxpontiac
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 9:16:12 AM

The Move should continue the growth trend the PS3 is currently having.

1 up, 0 down

SvenMD
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 3:13:43 PM

Max - Do you think the PSMove is a system seller? It seems like it's more geared for people who already have the system. Otherwise you're looking at people investing close to $500 for a new PS3 and the move additions.

I don't think we'll see too much of a push for sales just due to the PSmove. I would think that Gran Turismo will help it out later this year though.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 10:00:50 PM
Reply

Am I senile or did you just use that quote in an article?

Anway, superlol at Mehfia II, I knew that was a dud. It still befuddles me that people keep buying 360's when the PS3 is in the market, but I guess those systems won't replace themselves will they?

A pox on the DS, it's getting a DOA game and PS3 isn't.

4 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 11:13:02 PM

No...where else did you think you saw that quote?

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 2:36:55 AM

The 15 year birthday article?

2 up, 0 down

frylock25
Saturday, September 11, 2010 @ 5:51:19 PM

Ben just liked the quote that much, he used it twice this week

0 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 10:04:45 PM
Reply

I keep hearing how PS3 is going to surpass 360, but I keep seeing NPD reports that show the 360 clearly ahead, month after month.

It just doesn't make sense, and I don't think I really care anymore either.

4 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 10:12:50 PM

PS3=Units sold

360=That giant unsold pyramid of consoles at your local wal-mart.

6 up, 0 down

Kowhoho
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 10:28:18 PM

Don't forget that NPD only reports on U.S. sales. Worldwide the PS3 was outselling the 360 consistently up until the 360S came out. The slim effect for the 360 is wearing out now,too. We'll see it round off soon. A big factor in the recent sales boost for the 360 is also due to the fact that the non-slim models are well discounted. They're flying.

8 up, 0 down

Bugzbunny109
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 10:30:40 PM

Well said Temjin001.....

0 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 10:34:01 PM

I see a lot of both consoles now at my local shops.

I hear how MS reports units shipped(but this isn't MS this is NPD), but even then, think about it: Stores like Best Buy and Wal Mart wont replenish more units until they sell their on-hand units--Christmas time increases on-hand quantities, I know. So really, I'm just going to make a generous assumption here: Hypothetically, if there's about 25,000 retail outlets for 360 nationwide(i don't know the real number), and on average each store stocks about 15 consoles. Multiplying that out comes to about 375,000 units. Don't people realize that's the most potentially unsold 360 units MS can report for total lifetime sell through numbers in America?(assuming my made up numbers are anywhere near ballpark)

Anyway, I'm tired of making comments about this topic, because sometimes I get the notion that some PS3 owners want their system to "win" so badly that in topics such as these they're willing to get all grumpy and argumentative over it (that's not directed towards you World). I also think it's important to realize that's it's not even a fair playing field. 360's can now be bought new starting at $150(while those supplies last).
Multi-plats are often selling on PS3 as well as 360s versions, and devs are taking PS3 development seriously, these days. So whoever edges out who in hardware sales doesn't really amount to much on the gamer end of things.

'nuff said

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 11:06:44 PM

I assumed MS reported their numbers to NPD in that fashion, anyway I don't care who "wins" because I win either way.

I could, though, suppose that if there is any stake in wanting to twist the numbers so PS3 is winning, it would be to shut the mouths of the god awful fanturds who can't talk about anything else.

1 up, 0 down

LegendaryWolfeh
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 11:41:33 PM

Also, most 360 users are forced to buy multiple 360s at some point =)

9 up, 0 down

DeusExMachina
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 3:03:35 AM

Im also with ya Temjin. I really think its a testiment that mankind's stupidity or laziness (in researching) is drastically inclining.

It DOESNT make sense. The 360 is less reliable, has tone less features, lesser quality games, you hav to pay for online multiplayer, no blu-ray so its busy dieing. Not to mention all the new PS3 exclusives outnumbering the 360s and overpowering the 360 and Move and Kinect; Move: for EVERYONE. Kinect: Casual Gamers. Even M$ and Sony's business practices. M$ throws money at any problem (including covering one up) jus so they can give the gamers an immpression they on top or to prevent an uproar (in the case of a farce). The xbox community is like the new third Reich, they dont hav any concrete reason why they are sticking with M$, all they know is that they love the almighty M$ and everyone else are blasphemer's. Sony uses their money to put it into new game companies and tech to give us the best games, thus winning us over.

However it seems like its fashionable to hate sony like ever since the PSP came out. I think its a great deal to the Xbot community, Ive seen how M$ builds up their excitement and directs their fanboyism at the Sony fans. I think thats their goal, push out the competition via indirect slandery and mudslinging to cause mindless conformity between the masses

4 up, 0 down

JackC8
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 7:43:32 AM

On the one side you've got people who are being optimistic about PS3 sales numbers.

On the other side you've got people spending hundreds of dollars on purchasing yet another Xbox 360 replacement console to play the tiny number of remaining exclusives and continue paying for online and still not have a Blu ray player.

4 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 12:40:40 PM

Don't be such a downer. The 360 outsells the PS3 in the US. World wide the PS3 outsells the Xbox.

1 up, 0 down

Alienange
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 10:37:54 PM
Reply

Mafia II? You want to see a real sales number joke? Look up the new Metroid.

Boooooombs awaaaaaaay

0 up, 0 down

Kangasfwa
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 11:44:17 PM

30k in its first week? Ouch. I wonder if those sales are enough to pay for the marketing.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 11:57:45 PM

I like the ad campaign. Can't get into cartoony shooters though.

0 up, 0 down

___________
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 3:16:06 AM

thats because it SUCKS!
team ninja have taken such a famous beloved series and completely destroyed it!
metroid other M is the worst, most frustrating game i have EVER played!
every single boss battle consists of you finding time to enter FP mode spent 10 minutes finding your reticule and firing off a missile all while you have the boss shooting 10000 rounds a second at ya!
than if your low on health you have to concentrate sitting still to replenish your health, if you get hit which you will because theres nowhere you can go where they cant attack you than your back to square one.
most frustrating cheap game ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 up, 0 down

Alienange
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 12:45:02 PM

It's an unfortunate turn of events for such a great franchise. I grew up in the bowels of Zebes. To see the franchise reduced to rubbish is heartbreaking.

To think they showed it off at E3 as a gift to hard core gamers.

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 12:47:03 PM

The fact that you hate it cowpatty gives me encouragement.

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 12:58:59 PM

Have you played it Alienage?

I'm actually enjoying it quite a bit. Maybe they should have made it a FPS again with a 4 hour campaign and glitched out multiplayer?

Cowpatty, get over it. Every game you don't like is the "worst, most frustrating game evah!"

You gonna wetuwrn it like LBP because it's too hard fowr da wittle baby?

Last edited by Jawknee on 9/10/2010 1:06:27 PM

0 up, 2 down

Alienange
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 1:45:29 PM

I watched someone else playing it at Best Buy. It was enough for me to know I don't want it. From the sales numbers it looks like I wasn't the only one.

They should have stuck to the FPS style they had going in all three Prime games. Add a little multiplayer maybe? How fun would that be?

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 1:47:34 PM

HA! with Nintendo's crap network, not much fun at all.

So far i can agree with you that the Prime games are much better. I'm having fun with this one though and i only paid 30 bucks for it from Amazon so i'm happy.

0 up, 0 down

___________
Saturday, September 11, 2010 @ 8:10:37 AM

ok, then so maybe you could explain to me how going into FPS mode, finding your reticule and lining up a shot to defeat every single boss while there shooting 500 rounds at ya is fun?
they put you into a situation where you have to fire off rounds quickly so you dont loose too much health, than make you complete a list of 600 chores just to do one simple task!
gah!

0 up, 0 down

THE-GAMER
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 11:06:34 PM
Reply

GT5 will take over the sales charts when november comes

8 up, 1 down

maxpontiac
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 9:17:43 AM

Indeed.

1 up, 0 down

___________
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 3:12:59 AM
Reply

i was surprised to see the 360 take out last months title, looks like its going to do it this month too with reach releasing.
does not happen very often though, wii coming 2nd what has the world come to!?

0 up, 0 down

A2K78
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 7:20:58 AM
Reply

"I keep hearing how PS3 is going to surpass 360, but I keep seeing NPD reports that show the 360 clearly ahead, month after month."

Its called PR with a dose of bad analytical sensibilities. This why whenever the talking heads at both Sony and MSFT speak I don't listen.

Aside from that the continued month over month flat sales tell me one thing...we're in a for a very long video game recession and this ain't no slump.

0 up, 1 down

Qubex
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 8:03:11 AM
Reply

The new 360S is an order of magnitude better than the previous model.

It looks much nicer, runs cooler and is less noisy. This may motivate many 360 owners to upgrade their existing machines... therefore, for 360 specifically in the US, the numbers may be a mix of current owners buying another one, or upgrading...

In some cases 360 users may sell their old 360 models at half the price or less - and then go off and purchase a new 360S... added to this, new users who are coming into the fray.

These maybe gamers who had never owned a console, or Wii owners coming in and choosing a 360 over a PS3... not to mention some owners having to re-buy because of the dreaded RROD...

I guess a mix of the above possibly... therefore, in the face of it... I think the PS3 is holding out pretty well considering...

Q!

"play.experience.enjoy"

Last edited by Qubex on 9/10/2010 8:05:16 AM

0 up, 0 down

Simcoe
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 10:52:52 AM

New Xbox 360S: everything about it is better than the old one.

Existing 360 owners have many reasons to replace their older 360's.

New PS3 Slim: some things are better than previous model, somethings worse.

I and many others have no reason to replace our 60GB model.

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 12:55:50 PM

Somethings are worse? Like what? I own a 60gb model and a Slim. Besides no card readers or b/c, there's nothing wrong or worse about the slim when compared to the other non 60gb models.

0 up, 0 down

Simcoe
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 2:49:27 PM

I was simply trying to point out that the new 360S hardware is better, in every way, compared to the old 360 hardware. One simply cannot make the same claim with the PS3 slim. You pointed out two hardware differences, I'd also include the reduction from 4 USB ports to 2.

"Worse" may have been a poor choice of word on my part, but I was trying to keep that post short and to the point.

3 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 3:02:15 PM

I see your point though i the lack of b/c, card readers and two extra USB ports was taken away way before the Slim launched. I think its more appropriate to compare the Slim to the models released after the 60gb model.

The 60gb model is a beast of its own.

0 up, 0 down

Simcoe
Saturday, September 11, 2010 @ 8:59:54 AM

I know, you're right, I'm comparing the slim to a model that knows no other equals. The fat 40 and 80 GB models allowed Sony to drastically lower prices making the PS3 more affordable, and therefore available, to many more people.

0 up, 0 down

CharlesD
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 8:12:49 AM
Reply

I have a feeling move isn't going to fly off the shelves but then again according to the poles a lot of people are undecided. So, I guess if Sony came out with something that had enough back up to make move worthwhile (like plus) then I suppose PS3 might have a chance. I still think Kinect is the most overrated thing ever. Like Kevin Butler said, "not good for anything that's not catching a big red ball. I mean, what is this third grade?"

1 up, 0 down

Amazingskillz
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 8:51:44 AM
Reply

Microsoft is an American company with well established goodwill in its products. Windows has dominated the operating system market for many years. Lets face it, the company has technological clout. This is PART of the reason why the 360 has sold well overall despite it being a lesser system than the PS3. Some people will buy a Chrysler over a Toyota no matter what. Even if the Toyota is the superior vehicle. Brand loyalty is one of the toughest things to break. Even with the infamous RROD the 360 still sells. I honestly don't see Sony ever passing the 360 in US sales in any month. That shouldn't be the goal anyway. The goal should be to put out the best machine period and that is what they have done.

1 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 12:42:55 PM

They already have. It's only been that last few months the sales have slumped in the US when compared the to Junkbox.

0 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Saturday, September 11, 2010 @ 4:23:27 PM

"Microsoft is an American company with well established goodwill in its products."

Say what?

Microsoft products are almost uniformly crappy. The only reason people buy them is THEY DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER OPTION.

Microsoft created a monopoly by making back-room deals to get their OS placed on every computer sold at retail. Sure, you can strip it out (remember to scour thoroughly), but you already paid for it and good luck finding software that doesn't require some form of Windows.

Also, as Jawknee said, the PS3 HAS outsold the 360 in NA on many occasions.

Last edited by Fane1024 on 9/11/2010 4:25:55 PM

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Monday, September 13, 2010 @ 8:37:12 PM

<<<<Microsoft is an American company with well established goodwill in its products.>>>>

What?????
When has M$ ever established any "goodwill" to anyone what-so-ever, other than to just establish goodwill onto itself at all times????????????

0 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 9:16:37 AM
Reply

Expect total domination this month and next month by the 360, with Reach this month and CoD next month, I can see it happenning.

But November is gonna be PS3's month, GT5 and LBP2?
There's gonna be more shortage.

0 up, 0 down

Simcoe
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 10:55:20 AM

CoD is November, same as GT5. MoH is October.

0 up, 0 down

Amazingskillz
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 9:21:28 AM
Reply

@Snaaake - thats true, I was in Gamestop a couple of days ago and some guy was preordering Halo Reach. He was frantic like a crackhead needing a hit.

0 up, 0 down

Simcoe
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 10:57:34 AM

Halo Reach commercials are saturating tv so far this month. M$ is pouring a lot of money on marketing this game.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 1:49:35 PM

The Halo Reach commercials are disturbing.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 12:53:28 PM
Reply

Who cares if the Xbox sold more in the US again. The PS3 is doing fine and with close to 40 million units sold, it's a success. The Xbox is not out selling the PS3 worldwide.

The point of this article was to point out the overall growth. The PS3 has seen growth while the others haven't.

Stop being such debbie downers. The PS3 is doing fine. Let those retards who waste their money continue to waste their money.

3 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Saturday, September 11, 2010 @ 4:29:11 PM

Yesterday, I passed a guy coming out of FutureShop with a 360 and said "Big mistake." I don't know if he heard me.

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Sunday, September 12, 2010 @ 1:10:44 PM

Lol, slip of the tongue?

0 up, 0 down

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