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Sony Struggles as Nintendo Soars

October 25, 2007 in Industry News comments 23

In Japan, Sony flew past profit expectations as it gained at least 2% more than expected because of flat screen TVs and digital cameras. Their videogames however were such a drag that they lost 848 miilion in that department. The reason is they continue selling thier own PS3 models over less expensive and profitable rival models.

Nintendo however, has tripled their profit since last year. They are also shipping more Wiis than ever at this point. It is even predicted that they will have a record breaking Christmas again.

Sony is still trying hard by putting approximately 11 millino PS3s in stores this fiscal year. They also need consumers to buy the casual games like Guitar Hero III.

Sony's money-losing video game business was a drag on first-half earnings, while Nintendo's profits in the period nearly tripled from the previous year
Salocin via businessweek.com »
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Most recently commented on by on Oct 27, 2007

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  • 0
    Sereph Oct 25, 07
    So? This means nothing, especially because Wii's software sales are in the crapper.
    • 1
      Gogetenks Oct 25, 07
      In the crapper? Ubisoft, Capcom and a number of other companies that develop more than just "Tamagotchi" game or something have all gotten strong software sales. Ubisoft, for example, developed both Far Cry Vengeace and Rayman Raving Rabbids. The first sucked, the second was critically praised. Far Cry sold poorly and Rayman passed a million just a few months after the Wii launched. Games like RE4 greatly exceeded Capcom's sales expectations.

      Nearly every good Wii game has sold extremely well so far, and should piss-poor games get good sales?
      • -2
        iLLmatic Oct 25, 07
        The difference is the "good" Wii games are far and few between. The console is littered with so many little simple, basic games that overall software sales are poor. Its a fact, look it up.
        • -2
          The Deathwind Oct 25, 07
          This, I'm gonna have to agree with. Outside of the Nintendo-exclusive franchises, there are very few Wii games I even want.
        • 4
          Gogetenks Oct 25, 07
          Of course, that's true. There aren't too many good Wii games, especially compared to all the terrible ones. However, overall, it still pulls in some pretty good software sales. They aren't as high as the 360 software sales, but they are much higher than the PS3 software sales. I would hardly call being in the higher-end of the spectrum a poor performance. Not an amazing one, but not poor.

          Speaking of which, low-budget games still seem to be making a profit, considering how little they pay for them. It seems all the higher-budget games seem to be selling many more units, however.
    • 4
      Akira_EX Oct 26, 07
      Wii software sales are around 65.81m to date, compared to the PS3's 28.4m to date. Don't have the numbers for the 360, but they should be around the Wii's, if not higher. Both the Wii and PS3 have software-to-console tie-ratios of around 5. This does mean something.
      • -4
        Sereph Oct 26, 07
        Ridiculous. That number includes sales of the minigame collections like WiiSports and WiiPlay. What you didn't mention from that Wikipedia article is that the numbers of software sales drops off shockingly fast. Both Rayman and Red Steel only sold a million units, which shows just how badly other games are doing (considering that there are ~15 million Wiis already sold, yet only 6 games have breached the 1 million mark).
        • 3
          Akira_EX Oct 26, 07
          Wikipedia article?

          Going by VGChartz, the 360 has 25 million sellers, Wii 8 (incl. Wii Sports, which wasn't bundled with system in Japan, and Wii Play), PS3 2. Disregarding the 360, which undisputedly has good sales numbers, the Wii's is decent, but not that terrible. We're still missing some top tier games in various regions, for both systems. All I've said that the numbers mean something, but it isn't definitive. If Wii Sports and Wii Play are a combined 17.53m, then without that, there's a tie-ratio of 3.666, using Nintendo's 13.17m Wii console count. Software sales are fine. They're not where people hope they would be, but they're not "ZOMG death." Let's wait for more data.

          Your estimation is a bit high, we have to assume around 14 million Wiis or less floating around right now, especially if Nintendo only gave 13.17 through September.
  • 2
    Solid Snake 4Life Oct 25, 07
    Oh yeah Sony's software sales are flying through the roof >_> Resistence 2 million TP 3 million. However MGS4 should sell well hopefully like MGS2 (7 million) unlike Snake eaters sales (around 2 mil)
  • 1
    Unity Oct 25, 07
    This is just because Nintendo's got a string of classic series that everyone wants, not to mention a brand-new controller.


    Sony has expensive, yet worthwhile equipment, so it's not going to be a host to the family down the street, it's the college dorm system, which is going to make it sell a lot less, since it serves a much smaller window of people.
  • 2
    xegaldis Oct 26, 07
    Yaaay. Go Nintendo.

    .___. k, *quits fanboy rubbish* This doesn't really mean anything. Sony will catch up, as they're a pretty big company on their own.
  • 1
    Jaw Knee Oct 26, 07
    Everyone's eating the dust that the Gamecube failed to produce. Both systems are great, imo, the Wii is just a bit better.
  • -4
    Final Blade Oct 26, 07
    Well their sales at this point and the rest means shit. Its way to early, for all we know it could be way different in a few months. I take this as nothing more than to shove it in PS3 fans faces.

    Its great that Wii is doing good but seriously i can't find a reason for this to be even news.
    • 3
      BANDITO ATTACK Oct 26, 07
      It's been almost a year now. I'd say that it's not still 'too early' to report anything. you'll be defending the ps3 with "just wait a little longer, it'll start selling good" until the ps3 shrivels up and dies

      i agree that this isn't news though. we all know nintendo is selling good and sony isn't. why do we need an article about it every 3 hours?
      • -1
        Final Blade Oct 27, 07
        Wow thats not my point. Yes it already close to a year but its still too early. Unless it was two years i say its too early. You don't know anything in a year. Like i stated above which people seem to miss Its way to early, for all we know it could be way different in a few months. Yes its good for Nintendo but all this does it shoved the good Sony has done this year away like its nothing. And proves that people are hypocritical. They're making this into a PS3 VS Wii war when we all know Wii isn't in competition with either systems.

        Its not about defending, news like this just rub's it in PS3 fans faces.
  • -3
    Deadman Rules Oct 26, 07
    Holy shit dude, you're pathetic.
  • 2
    Dai Oct 26, 07
    Sereph... Hmm. Oh yes, that 'sarcastic' fool that loves to slander the Wii and its owners. I've gotten truly tired of hearing about your silly little games, Sereph. It really is pathetic... Why do you have such a hard time acknowledging the potential of one of the most risk-taking and successful system in the last decade? Is it some fear that your favorite console is inferior to it? Obviously so. I can't help but laugh at how blatantly ignorant you are... And trust me, working at gamestop doesn't make you some gaming genius. Far from it, indeed.

    As for the Nintendo Wii's software sales, I don't see your logic- I see your disdain, but no logic. Weren't you the one that said something to the effect of 'so many freakin' people come to my store and buy sucky Wii games like Ice Age 2'- and whatever other kiddie movies you've seen bought. Kind of eating your own words aren't you? But on a grander scale, Wii games are being snatched up by consumers. I'm not saying they're all selling out, but there's a serious demand for Wii titles- even if there are some pretty bad games.

    Perhaps what you fail to realize is that every system has bad games. The PS2 had a mountain of awful titles that were released on it because it was the lead console and would most likely sell well. Forget that? Weren't paying attention?

    The way I see it, you're just some sad individual that probably got used to seeing Nintendo behind. A.K.A the Gamecube. Now your tiny, delicate world has shattered. You can't comprehend the idea of the 'least powerful' console- owned by Nintendo, being on top. Scary, isn't it? I'd have to assume the same analysis can be applied to anyone that harbors unexplainable contempt for a small, white, inexpensive, and yes... fun, very fun piece of gaming hardware.

    I guess you're just the type that's afraid of games like Wii Play, Wii Sports, and every other game created solely for the Wii. You must hate the simple graphics, simple gameplay, and usually simple fun to be had... How often do you think to yourself- 'Old people and little kids shouldn't be involved in gaming! Who the Hell said they can enjoy a system with the 'hardcore' gamers?'

    You know what? I'm glad for the Wii. I know it isn't perfect, but I'm very pleased with it and what it offers. The better the sales, the more publishers will invest their work into it. Yeah, there are gonna be plenty of awful games cashing in... But then there'll be plenty of truly awe-inspiring ones. I have nothing against the PS3 and the 360- they're perfectly fine. I'll probably end up getting all three systems- like so many others.

    And Sereph, I have one last thing to say. Get with the times. Stop living in the past. Motion sensing is the next logical step in gaming. Sony realizes that- they just haven't got the hang of it yet. I'm sure Microsoft will be getting into to. Rumors are popping up that they already are preparing for it. But console-haters rarely step out of their basements and evaluate themselves and their actions. I'm not just defending the Wii, I'm defending all gaming consoles from ignorant people. Now here's where you can either remain in your dark ignorant state, or give in to the truth. Heh...
    • -2
      Deadman Rules Oct 26, 07
      LOL @ your obvious fanboyism if you get that upset over somebody not liking the Wii.

      My last comment was towards finalblade too I just didn't reply directly to his post.
      • 1
        Dai Oct 26, 07
        Obviously you fail to understand my point. It isn't the idea of not liking a gaming system- its the concept of insulting and bad-mouthing its fans. I don't care if someone dislikes the Wii, why would that effect me? What I'm bothered by are the ill-bred people that have this unexplainable desire to take every opportunity to put a system down. Are you part of that unintelligent crowd?

        Its not out of 'fanboyism' that I speak. Don't you get tired of people spewing out radical negative comments about systems? Even if some things are true, they're being said without a cause- just to insult its fans.
        Just an off example- How would any of you react if some fool posted something like this in a thread/comment-window about a game?
        "So what if Halo/Twilight Princess/Resistance got a perfect score? The PS3/Wii/360 sucks. Its -too expensive/a rip-off/gonna break in two months/or anything of that nature."

        You'd get mad, wouldn't you? A person who has no reasonable cause to pop up and incite trouble- does so. Not provoked, not invited... Simply comes and does that when people are praising a console. Exactly. Its not simply Sereph I'm talking about, I'm actually speaking out against all those that like doing that. Its a terrible habit.

        I'll put it this way. Feel free to disagree with me. However, by doing so... A person forfeits their right to get angry when a console-basher pops up in their forum. So can any of you honestly say I'm wrong to be fed up with it? Heh...
        • 1
          black doom* Oct 27, 07
          I prefer them to say it out loud though, its better than creating a 'I hate >Console<' thread in >Rival Console< forum. In my opinion.
  • 1
    Dai Oct 27, 07
    I can see why someone would prefer that, but I I believe that's a bit of a different situation. I have less of a problem when people like that talk about it in their own forums- its like making fun of an enemy in your own house, so to speak.

    It can be summed up this way. Unless you want someone to get mad, don't bad mouth them or the consoles they enjoy in their 'house'. If a console-hater feels the need to run over to the 360 forum and start hurling insults, its done for the sole purpose of angering its fans. Otherwise that person could have stayed in the PS3/Wii forum where people would be less likely to be irritated.

    I personally live by these words-
    "Do to others as you would have them do to you." Console-haters invite people to reprimand them. Isn't that logical? Heh...
  • 3
    Moogo Monkey Masta Oct 27, 07
    I'll just make my post with two facts:

    Fact 1 - The Wii lacks power.

    Fact 2 - The Wii is selling extremely well.


    Going from these facts, I agree with Dai. Simple minds, simple pleasures.

    Yes, the Wii will sell. It will sell to those who either cannot afford the other two consoles, have been with Nintendo forever, believe the controller is an ultra cool gimmick, or simply wanna play something.

    Indeed, the Wii will sell. It's the simple truth. No one can deny this.

    However, there is another truth to be seen. The Wii fails where Sony and Microsoft succeed. It is meaningless if you disagree with this, because it is true. The Wii will always lack power, because Nintendo sacrificed it for the sake of being available to the general public, and fun for the simple-minded.

    I have a Wii. I have a PS3. I had a 360 (it burned out )

    I've seen all sides of this triple-ended spectrum, and I can wholeheartedly tell you that the Wii will succeed in sales.

    But that amounts to nothing, when you look at these charts, make all this research, and ask yourself:

    "Nintendo is making money. But at the end of the day, who suffers? Not the PS3 and 360 gamers, that's for sure."

    Sorry, but it is a simple, hard fact. The 360 and PS3 completely dominate the Wii when it comes to quality.

    And when it comes down to it, the Wii only has sales. And Mario. Yes, we love that plumber.
  • 1
    Deadman Rules Oct 27, 07
    Dai, Sereph didn't bad mouth or insult anybody here so I don't see why you keep writing essays about it.

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