I have been waiting for numbers in hardware sales to be released so that I could substantiate my suspicions. Since the new year, I have been finding signs throughout Tokyo reading that PS3s are in stock. Tsutaya, Yodobashi Camera, Bic Camera, small ma and pa stores; it seems that the PS3 is available almost everywhere. The Wii on the other hand continues to sell-out and gamers have been hard pressed to find the system, even at small shops that most consumers often overlook.
Japanese publisher Enterbrain reports that Sony has only managed to sell 466,716 PS3 units during the period from launch to the end of the year, falling below the projected target. In contrast, The Nintendo Wii sold 989,118 units from its launch on 12/2 to the end of the year.
It comes as no surprise that the Xbox 360 is behind the pack with only 290,467 units sold in total (from launch to the end of the year). However, sales surged in December thanks to the release of Blue Dragon at the beginning of the month and Lost Planet toward the end. In that month alone we saw 99,798 Xbox 360 units moved from store shelves. That's over a third of total sales! While no one truly expects the 360 to surpass or even match its rivals' sales, Microsoft is at least taking a step in the right direction.
Is the availability of PS3s an indicator that Sony needs to work harder? Perhaps they need to rethink consumer motivations. Yes, the system is a value for what you get. The problem is that in a country where HDTVs are yet to be in every home and hardcore gamers don't make up the majority of the populace, they have narrowed their market. In fact, they have done the exact opposite of what Nintendo did to become the leader again. Even Microsoft is trying to reclaim some market share by studying what their consumers want. Maybe it's time for Sony to reel in their arrogance and stop relying on their name alone. Maybe they shouldn't have forced consumers into buying a hardware component they didn't necessarily want. They could be so much more successful that way.
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Japanese publisher Enterbrain reports that Sony has only managed to sell
It comes as no surprise that the Xbox 360 is behind the pack with only 290,467 units sold in total (from launch to the end of the year). However, sales surged in December thanks to the release of Blue Dragon at the beginning of the month and Lost Planet toward the end. In that month alone we saw 99,798 Xbox 360 units moved from store shelves. That's over a third of total sales! While no one truly expects the 360 to surpass or even match its rivals' sales, Microsoft is at least taking a step in the right direction.
Is the availability of PS3s an indicator that Sony needs to work harder? Perhaps they need to rethink consumer motivations. Yes, the system is a value for what you get. The problem is that in a country where HDTVs are yet to be in every home and hardcore gamers don't make up the majority of the populace, they have narrowed their market. In fact, they have done the exact opposite of what Nintendo did to become the leader again. Even Microsoft is trying to reclaim some market share by studying what their consumers want. Maybe it's time for Sony to reel in their arrogance and stop relying on their name alone. Maybe they shouldn't have forced consumers into buying a hardware component they didn't necessarily want. They could be so much more successful that way.
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3 comments:
Microsoft are about as likely to sell enough units to break even (in the Japanese market) as Sega was with the Dreamcast. Shame as it is a nice piece of hardware, much better value than the ps3. We know however though that that means nothing in a country where brand loyalty is everything.
I doubt microsoft will be burned three times and release the xbox3 in Asia. But really would it make a difference as 90% of the system's software is developed there for the locals anyway.
But really would it make a difference as 90% of the system's software is developed there (in the West)for the locals ('western gamers')anyway.
PS3/Sony can blow me. Sony sucks and I hope they go out of business. Remember their Betamax blunder? You think they would not rely on their brand name like they did in that case. They should study their own history.
All this being said I own none of the new systems. Ill probably get a Wii next year. I am in no rush.
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