@RobTheBuilder:
Umm... I think "Sony" didn't hear what you said, could you please repeat it?

Garo

@ssjmichael: I think the 360 is doing much better than the PS3, as it is only really available in 2 of the 3 major markets. The Japanese will never accept a foreign console.

Grave of the Fireflies

Bold statements suddenly seem less relevant today eh Sony?

RobTheBuilder

Loving the "Opposites Attract" reference.
I'm showing my age :(.

sauvage

We're chiding Sony for their more humble, honest approach these days eh? How dare they publicly downsize their estimate to something reasonable! Really, that seems a bit desperate for bad news.

Bergerac

@cheeses: ur joking right? or am i just old?

Raziel3333

@cheeses:
Where does it say Pauline? I see Paula.

PSN ID: Kadaj24

Who's Pauline Abdul?

cheeses

Wow, I know the PS3 is outselling the 360 globally right now but it's nice to have solid numbers from the last quarter (Oct-Dec):

Xbox 360: 4.3 million consoles sold
PS3: 4.9 million consoles sold

That's pretty damn impressive, considering the price difference between the two consoles, the popularity of the 360, and the amount of AAA exclusive games that they had compared to the PS3 (Bioshock, Halo 3, and Mass Effect).

ssjmichael

Sucks for them they keep missing sales goals on PS3 but overall these are good news, especially because theyre still making profit.

PSN ID: Kadaj24

@Playstation: ShoyuRamen (PSN), Shoyu Ramen (XBL):

Me neither, I love PSP a lot more. Besides a couple games, PSP I like way better, and with Crisis Core and God of War, OMG.

PSN ID: Kadaj24

Great news for Sony. I don't think anybody expected the games division to be profitable this soon after the PS3 launch.

Getting manufacturing costs down on the PS3 helped but I think a lot of credit should go to the PSP and PS2 for covering the losses on the PS3.

Keep up the good work Kaz!

rawg

@ssjmichael: DS will never dominated me :)

Playstation: ShoyuRamen (PSN), Shoyu Ramen (XBL)

It's still an overall increase. 3 million more PSPs and 1.5 million less PS3s means 1.5 more systems expected to sell. And remember, these are all just projections anyway. Better to play it safe and beat the expected numbers to play it bold and fail to reach them.

bangbangblah

@rawg:

Yeah that's what I figured. Don't know why Stormbringer made that comment about the DS's sales to date then as I was basically saying the same thing but for Nintendo.

(also again, it wasn't meant to be analyzed, I just picked a random number)

ssjmichael

@ssjmichael: It's 9.5M for this fiscal year which ends Mar 08

rawg

Oops, I meant 11M not 13M.

photoboy

I can't find my old post now, but Sony's new target is exactly the sales figure I predicted back when Sony first announced their insane prediction to sell 13M by March.

photoboy

@Stormrider (XBL: Lilarcor):

I'm talking about a year. I thought that was what Sony was talking about? Is it 9.5 million in this fiscal year, or to date?

(also you missed the point of my post :{)

ssjmichael

Hey as long as they are in the black now quicker than alot expected thats a good sign moves you right in a good spot for the games they got coming out this year.

Raziel3333

Impossible!

Are Kotaku commenters actually capable of sarcasm?

Melting_snowman

@Saint Anima (PSN = PoeticMassacre): I totally agree. Seems more reasonable. Good for them. I think They really aren't even gonna sell 9 million ... I mean, I'm totally buying the White PS3 when it comes out but I don't know about you guys.

And Congrats to Sony for Selling more PSP's. There are officially a million more PSP's out there than 360's which I feel is really impressive.

ffmusicdj

@aelfin: Adblocker+.

KirbySS

@ssjmichael: The DS broke 25 million like a year ago, man. It's pushing 60 mil at this point.

Stormrider (XBL: Lilarcor)

they posted a profit. all three posted a profit. is this the first time the industry is healthy enough to support six systems? seems so. cheers to the industry! lets hope next year beats this one.

soccerdrew17

Just wanted to say, Luke, that whomever told Sprite to not automatically play their ad on every Kotaku page is my hero. Next, can we NOT have this new Sprite ad with the two scrawny shirtless Corey Delaney/Worthington wannabes (hello, the sunnies, oh please)? :P I can't tell if the lack of tan or the odd patch of hair on the right one's stomach is less appealing to see.

Can't you just find a better sponsor? :P

aelfin

Go Sony "Your Drill Will Pierce Through The Heavens!"

Garo

Smaller, achievable goal is always better. Besides, this way, when they do surpass it, they can be like, oh look, we beat our target! Suck it Microshaft.

Chris3000

Hmm. Cool.

EvoAnubis

Being an ever-so-lazy 15 year old, I'll have to defend their approach. Aiming low on, say, an AP Euro final, only to discover that I did slightly better than expected always gives a boost to the good ol' self esteem.
Or something.

daibondo

Pretty good news. Sure, they lowered their sales target, but it's more reachable than 11 Million. Could be cool if they actually do reach 11, though.

Saint Anima (PSN = PoeticMassacre)

In other news, Nintendo has changed their DS target from 25 million to WORLD DOMINATION!!!

ssjmichael

Mostly good news is mostly good.

silkylove

good for them

cravy

@Frank: I'm not sure of anything. But I doubt they're getting ready to throw in the towel. I mean, it could be a lot worse. They couldn't have made money last quarter, but they did. If they get ready to give up now, then they're not even trying.

But anyway, I'm not one to discuss a company's decisions and path they're taking. So how's it been Forelli? Been a small while.

Saint Anima (PSN = PoeticMassacre)

@Saint Anima (PSN = PoeticMassacre): And you're sure that it's not because they're getting ready to throw in the towel?

I know that sounds fanboyish, but a decrease in sales expectations from one of the world's biggest electronics companies isn't exactly an optimistic sign.

Frank

@Garo: Boom boom!
Actually, I know a guy who knows a guy...

RobTheBuilder

@kneehighspy: That's the right view, looking at it from the outside perspective and observing hypocrisy is right. Better than listening to fanboy drivel, lower sales is not a good thing, things don't magically work in reverse for Sony so Sony fanboys can't spin this unless they are seriously backwards in the head then they have no excuse for such idiocy.

They'll say it's good now but when the PS3 passes the 360 (which I reckon it will) they will be claiming more sales are good (which it obviously is) because Sony fanboys are privy to more flipping and flopping than the flip flop shoes of a beach jogger.

-Sigil-

@kneehighspy: It's no secret the PS3 had a slow start. Hence the reason for the downward revision. (Let's not forget that MS revised downward also, and they did *not* have a slow start.)

4.9 million consoles in the 4th quarter is nothing to sneeze at, though, from a console a lot of people assumed was DOA.

badasscat

i have all now current gen consoles, so it's fun to watch the different sides react. the ps3 fans are showing positive thoughts about this news and how great it is.

but if this exact same news came from microsoft, and i mean word for word, then the ps3 fans would be screaming "ha ha, suck it microshaft, you dropped your estimates, your console isn't selling, you're so screwed".

but i guess that's just one view on things.

kneehighspy

@Quark: So the division is making profit or it's just becoming more profitable than last year? But as I said MS made more total revenue from games etc. and the amount of money Sony loses from selling PS3's I wouldn't think they could make it back so quick especially when they've just announced they have sold less consoles (implied it by lowering there estimate) than they expected.

-Sigil-

@-Sigil-: They don't say the PS3 is profitable ... Sony Games is profitable, which includes the PS3. Cutting costs to make the PS3 makes the division as a whole profitable.

Also, not rushing your design can help you in the cost perspective.

Quark

What I don't understand is how the PS3 can be profitable at all, the blue ray drive itself costs more to make than they sell it for I'd imagine or do they just seriously overcharge on standalone BR players? The games are selling but peripheral and game wise MS has them beat since they've got more titles that sell over 1 million, titles generally sell better on 360 and they had the success of Halo 3. How the hell does PS3 ever become profitable, it has the Cell chip, blue ray and RSX which are all brand new tech and being sold at a loss, the games they are selling generally cost the same as 360 titles (on launch) and they don't sell hard drives for ridiculous prices to make cash. Can someone tell me how this works out?

-Sigil-

@quen: Something that the PS3's detractors will definitely try to suppress, that's for sure.

@enewtabie: They made money last quarter, but have they "broke even" from their initial losses yet? Maybe that's what they're waiting for.

Frank

So this is 9.5 million sales expected before when?

-Sigil-

@Bergerac: Oh, come on. The bad news for Sony isn't that they are reducing their estimate. It's that they have sold fewer consoles than expected (and as a consequence have to reduce their estimate).

Anyway, the good news (that they're in profit now) is pretty significant. Which means they achieved it rather faster than 360, yes?

quen

I know for my place, six month back, Xbox360 forum have more active user browsing then the PS3 forum. Nowadays, the PS3 active users are more then Xbox...pretty telling I guess on the future trend. A lot of queries on PS3 pricing too.

ahmeng

@Saint Anima (PSN = PoeticMassacre): Eh, you know. College et. al. Got my "column" back up and running on 1UP. But mostly being all bitter and cynical about everything a la Yahtzee.

Frank

@Frank:
Sony made money last quarter and I doubt that will be the end of it.That is impressive considering it can take years to make money.I think MS did this for the first time recently in years also.I guess that reduction in production costs has paid off.I didnt expect them to hit that 11 million either which is good they are revising downwards I gues.

enewtabie

So if they sell 9.5 million consoles for the fiscal year and last fiscal year they sold some 4.5 that puts at end march the total amount of PS3 out there at 14 million right ?

Iberianpower

@ssjmichael

Where did you get the worldwide numbers for the 360?

roystik

@mpalm.: Actually I just spent a long post admitting I like the PS3 but whatever I'm a fanboy. RTS are good on consoles just not as good, you don't abandon all games rated lower than an 9 on a console though anyway and it's a new genre that is getting worked on so atleast the option is there. Laughing that all you have to complain about is Halo 3 being overrated, when they sort out RROD and you realise there's more on the 360 than just FPS PC conversions then there's alot on offer. I was saying unless you pay for a quite powerful PC most titles will be better on the 360, if your happy spending 800 dollars or whatever (not sure of American prices) for a PC that can play games I can play for much less then thats cool.

I did say Halo wars was on PC, Fable 2 probably will but I'm hoping not, atleast it'll be another 1 year down the line thing where I don't care much. You don't play every game for years, only the better ones and if they are only exclusive for a point then it doesn't really matter. It's like me saying PS2 DMC3 sucked cos PC got it.

-Sigil-

@mpalm.: My mistake I'm a defensive person even when trying to not get into argument. I'll agree the fanboys should all stop talking biased crap, I love the 360 and it's my favourite console at the moment but I will admit PS3 has more value, PS3 is updated more (firmware) to have increased features at a faster rate than MS does, PS3 has a real (and it will be the winner) next gen format) PS3 has more potential, PS3 has more varied games and PS3 has a free online so it's by no means a bad console I just don't want fanboy BS. I do need a job yeah but I wouldn't get one anyway since I would rather just wait till my GF and I move in together and then I'll use hers. Well Halo 3 if you look at it from a single player perspective, yeah it's a bit poor, but looking at the whole game (which you have to do in a review) it deserves it. Thanks to vehicles, tools, grenades (4 kind), varied set of weapons, Forge, and more it's got on hell of a varied, fun and frantic multiplayer game. It's the best FPS so far in my opinion due to the great diversity of weapons and how they are all balanced unlike most FPS. I agree it might be slightly overrated but it's definitely a top title like any other of the 9.0 or higher games.
Yeah I though Splinter cell might but not sure, They do but 2 years later when no one cares, if MGS4 was PS3 exclusive for 2 years I wouldn't say, see hahahah PS3 had nothing cos by then it's got new titles that are exclusive to play but I do hate the PC - 360 exclusitivity thing. Trust me NG2 won't come on PS3, it only came on PS3 cos they needed experience in that department for future projects, why would he waste time making a slight improvement a few years down the line? With NGS it was different, it was to pawn Heavenly sword as they claimed that it had a better fighting system than NG. It might happen but it's my opinion that it won't.

-Sigil-

Oh, fable gets put on PC as well. As well as halo wars (most likely) and command and conquer. What game were you talking about that plays faster on xbox, madden? haha.

mpalm.

@-Sigil-:

Laughing about what, that you have a 300 or so dollar console? Are you kidding me kid? First of all, RTS games on consoles suck. Second of all, if you haven't checked, most games during play look identical right now. Games like Uncharted and Ratchet look absolutely fantastic. Do you sleep with your xbox at night or something? Lol, what a fanboy you are.

mpalm.

@-Sigil-:

Whose bitching at you? I'm pointing out that all fanboys say the same shit about every system. Xbox fanboys are taking hits at PS3 in every article. Don't think you're special because ps3 took a hit here. I really could care less about what system sells most, they each cost from 250-400 dollars and if you cant afford every system you need a job.

Halo 3 did NOT deserve it's score, in my opinion, it hasn't since the original halo. I wanted to play it more, really, but i just didn't see the point. It's gone downhill since the original, which was truly a great game. Instead my friends and i played COD4.

In case you didn't know, splinter cell games do come out on PC, halo games do come out on PC, it's a matter of time before mass effect comes out on PC, ninja gaiden will come out on PS3 as Ninja Gaiden 2 Upsilon, and the rest are shitty games.

mpalm.

@mpalm.: Plus then we get top titles like Bioshock and Gears (please tell me all the others that or on PC cos I can't really think of many), we get titles like Alan wake,RTS like Command and conquer and Halo wars so unless PS3 fans also have a powerful PC they won't enjoy in the same speed and graphical quality as we get to so that doesn't really bother me much. it's there choice if they want to pay 2 or 3X as much to play a game I can play or 3 to 4X as much if they want to play it at a slightly better graphical detail. And when RROD ends and there's nothing to complain about except Halo 3 being overrated I'll just be laughing.

-Sigil-

@mpalm.: So you've come to bitch at me for telling the truth? In this article there will be tons of people saying it's not too bad and mostly good news, it is hypocritical since they always say crap like we're catching up and PS3 will be on top soon etc. So some cheap pot shots are in order for me saying 'yes look at it from the outside perspective'. You know it only hit a sore spot cos it's true.

They do break alot I'll admit but mine is running just fine so doesn't bother me much and it's getting fixed anyway. All top games are overrated but Halo 3 deserved it's score. Well when you tell me when DOA4, Blue dragon, Fable 2, Ninja gaiden 2, Forza 2, PGR 4, Kingdom under fire, Lost odyssey, Halo 3, Too human, DOAX2, Perfect dark, Kameo, Naruto rise of a ninja, Splinter cell, Mass effect and the others are coming to the PC I'll tell you how it feels to have all my titles on the PC. Till then you can wait till you've got a valid point before insulting me but I guess I'll take that RROD problem as a real one since it is true.

-Sigil-

@-Sigil-:

And what are xbox fanboys like? "Oh, man, my system does fail 50% of the time. Halo 3 really IS overrated. Xbox does only have FPS games and all of these come out on PC anyway where you can get multiplayer for free!" Is that what they say?

@kneehighspy:
Yeah because Sony doesn't get bashed in every post here, right? It doesn't have to even be a ps3 article. "New Mama's Cooking to feature 5 types of sausage" . . . (comment) Ps3 sucks.

mpalm.

9.5million by March is pretty good though. Can someone make a chart as to when the 360 made it to that number?

Sollus

@Sollus: If they're not on target with there sales then they won't be passing MS as quick as they hope, won't get as much good publicity, game and hardware sales, fewer people to spread the word and have a resulting lessened confidence. It's a big thing to be 1.5 million consoles down when your behind the competition and success is judged on how quick you can beat them. Nintendo managed to do it a while back.

-Sigil-

@Frank:

Yes, after selling around 9 million consoles worldwide, Sony is just going to give up. Clearly they stand no chance at selling the ps3. Instead, they will ask for all the ps3 units to be returned, and build a giant robot that will attack Tokyo. They will feel the power of the cell... for the last time.

mpalm.

OMG they are going to possibly sell 1.5million less consoles. They are obviously going to go bankrupt and quit the games business. 9.5million is obviously less than the 4 million they sold last year, they are so screwed.

Sollus

@ssjmichael: You are probably right, so it looks like MS made the right decision to rush to market to make the traction they did. Even though I've been very happy with my 360 I am constantly worried about it red ringing, so I think they made that choice at the cost of quality and I would have really preferred that trade off was not made, but the question is will the ground they made up this generation help me as a consumer in the future or not.

@Mpalm.: I would agree with Darth_Tigris. I don't think the PS3 is a disappointment as a piece of hardware or platform, but in comparison to expectations which have not been met, it is disappointing. The fact that the PS2 is still selling ridiculous amounts is part of that as well.

mouroutaru

@-Sigil-:

It's ok, no need to tear out my throat or anything. My original statement was only intended to point out that fanboys are around here for all systems, so no need to bash the ps3 because of the sony fanboys.

Don't get me wrong, i like all consoles, but i think ps3 is so much better than people make it out to be. Every console has its problems.

@Darth_Tigris:

You can't consider the ps3 a disappointment unless you consider ps2 a disappointment as well. Ps2 started out just as slow, and ps3 sales have really improved. Lets see what happens this year and next with the exclusives.

Mpalm.

@robinandtami:
EXCELLENT points.

Its unfortunate that people can't just talk REALITY because they're emotionally caught up in their purchase/company of choice. PS3 is honestly the only disappointment this gen, because it hasn't sold as expected. You mentioned the 360, but I'll add that the Wii, DS and PSP have all sold better than expected. But that doesn't mean the PS3 is doing HORRIBLE, just not as good as people expected.

I'm surprised that the industry IS supporting this many systems as well as it is. Its a fine statement on the health of the industry.

Darth_Tigris

@koztah: Exclusive "implies" nothing. It STATES that it is exclusive to a single CONSOLE. PC is not factored into the equation.

Mr. SiThNiNjA

Funny how certain peeps kept screaming from the rooftops that the PS3 and it's holier than thou built in BluRay player had the system on an ass kicking tear.Wellit seems that while the PS3 was on that "tear", it forgot to compete in the next gen console war.

SUGARAY

@ssjmichael:

Bioshock isn't an exclusive though. Exclusive implies it appears on a single platform, whereas Bioshock is available on PC.

koztah

@robinandtami:

I feel the only reason it has the lead right now is because it had a year head-start on the other consoles. If the PS3 was released the same time, I'd imagine they'd be head to head right now. I mean think about it, would people go for the brand they likely have at home, or one that didn't do so well the previous generation? The Playstation brand would have propelled the PS3 ahead I imagine despite its higher price. That's why it's already surpassing the 360 in Europe despite the 16 month difference in releases.

ssjmichael

C'mon people. Let's think back to two years ago, before either console was released. All we could do back then was speculate about whether the 360 would be able to gain any ground on the dominant Playstation brand in this generation. Pretty much everyone agreed that MS would not become the number one seller in this gen. Then fast forward 18 months beyond that, and MS is doing very well despite early release hardware issues, and Sony's marketing strategies are abyssmal. Everyone starts to think that "hey, maybe MS CAN overtake Sony this gen."

Things are right on track for both consoles now. MS has made up ALOT of ground on Sony this gen. Perhaps more than most people ever expected. But let's not forget that none of us ever expected they would have the outright lead at the end of this console cycle.

robinandtami

@ssjmichael: I know the PS3 will overtake the 360 in Europe and Japan. I was just expressing my disapointment that it has nothing to do with games.

Grave of the Fireflies

@roystik:

The worldwide numbers were gotten here: [www.tomshardware.com]

It was officially stated by Microsoft though. Just google : "4.3 million 360" and you'll find a bunch of news sources covering it.

@Grave of the Fireflies: You can think what you'd like, but the numbers show the PS3 is outselling the 360 right now. Obviously overall the 460 has the lead since its been out a year+ longer, but the latest figures actually show the PS3 catching up. Nothing happens overnight, but the fact that Sony beats the 360 in Japan and Europe month by month and comes closer every quarter in the US should give you a good indication that they will meet the 360 and likely surpass them by 2009-2010.

I mean look at it this way. It outsold the 360 during the holiday season without major titles like what the 360 had. IF Microsoft couldn't beat the PS3 with Halo 3, Bioshock, and Mass Effect, how will they fare this year when Sony has tons of games that people want? Not to mention the Blu-ray factor which should help move PS3's as well.

ssjmichael

@zoesch: Exactly! nail on the head there mate.

ColdCuts

I hate to break it to everyone, but if the failure rates figures are right for the Xbox 360 I'm sure that PS3 will beat the real 360 figures alot quicker than anyone will ever truly know. Even if 30% of the consoles were crapping out, that's a large chunk of the total sales of 360s world wide. Fact of the matter, Total units world wide is never correct, and always an exaggerated figure from both Microsoft and Sony. Anything to please the share holders!

ColdCuts

Not getting into the fanboy debate, well done for all 3 companies.

As for why they lowered their guidance? With the US entering a mild recession it'd be logical to lower sales projections.

zoesch

@tamago007: They both had a positive and a dark side to there position. PS3 has competition but it's seen price cuts, deals and new SKU's galore so it has had a competitive advantage. MS was the only next gen title out so had no physical competition but that doesn't mean no one considered Sony or Nintendo. Alot of people would have been waiting to see which is the best or the best 2 so they can get which they think will be best for them. Now that all 3 are out people are buying more.

-Sigil-

This isn't so strange. It's the same thing MS did in 2007 right? They're just being more conservative with their projections (though 9.5 million is still a bit high if you ask me).

okenny :)

@ffmusicdj: Expecting to sell less consoles is good for them???

L_K_M

So Sony is going to overtake MS in sales and become the dominant console?
While the PS3 undersells even Sony's expectations?

That was fanboy bait and many of you are still gnawing on that bone.

Now, the actual sales forecast shows that Sony won't be selling as well as they had hoped and, with that fanbone to chew on, you won't see any incongruity there.
-
Bravo to Sony for making some cake!

They have suffered plenty recently but they brought it all on themselves by treating gamers as stupid addicts rather than as customers.

kNZA

Not bad, considering that "no one buys the console".

seriously, how many 360 sold microsoft in the same period of time without any contest? I think sony is been doing good.

tamago007

With Prologue coming out in April, I'm sure there will be a lot of people taking the plunge. If Dell plans a Deal of the day that week, I'll be picking up a PS3. At xmas it the 40GB was 370 Canadian! Too bad no good games were out then.

Tuxy79

Now HD-DVD is almost dead Sony need to concentrate on the games. Because their games catalogue is full of ports and crap, with exceptionally few buy worthy games. Warhawk, Uncharted, R&C... um, MotorStorm. Honestly, I'm starving here what the hell's going on?

Brickd

@mpalm.:

Actually, Microshaft is now asking you to subscribe to LIVE in order to play some games online, so yeah, even PC games will become subscriber only if MS has their way.

Then again, not that I don't appreciate the effort to do cross platform gaming, despite console gamers having a disctinct disadvantage.

Chris3000

@ColdCuts: Depends. A sold unit is a sold unit. Also the companies can not lie on these reports... it kinda is illegal.

Kyle81

@Darth_Tigris:

After ps1 success, ps2 was expected to sell strongly early on... it didn't. So... refer to my last comment once again.

Mpalm.

listen everyone for the last time all the consoles are good. so get em all and enjoy em. they are great fun. whether its a 360, wii or ps3 they are all good. so quit whining. biznatches

bobbus-maximus

@Mpalm.:
The PS3 hasn't sold as well and people expected it to up to this point, so it can be considered a disappointment SO FAR. None of us can predict what will happen this year, so I was only commenting on what has happened up to now.

We'll see what the PS3 does (as well as all of the other platforms) in the future. Its fate is not sealed, but I personally would be VERY surprised if it ended up leading this gen. And, since that is what was expected, anything less would be considered a disappointment.

Darth_Tigris