Christmas Belongs To Microsoft

Preliminary figures made available from US-based researchers, NPD, via CNBC report would indicate the bloody obvious: getting units into shops helps sell more units. Microsoft has learnt this from its initial Xbox 360 roll-out. Neither Sony – and to a lesser extent Nintendo - was apparently at that lesson.

The figures, which relate to sales from the start of November until Christmas Eve 2006, are still very flabby and their firmness is not helped by a definition of ‘sold’ but they will make startling reading for Sony.

Xbox 360: approximately 2-million

Wii: approximately 1.8-million

Sony PlayStation 3: approximately 750,000

One reason for this is that Microsoft ensured that it had units of its more mature platform, supported by TV, print and retail advertising in place during the crucial buying period. While its competitors fought it out over media coverage, hitting key areas and generating hype, Microsoft concentrated on its ability to get 360s into the shops where people could actually buy them.

Neither Sony nor Nintendo made this fairly basic achievement.

The Wii has done well, due mainly to its low-cost, the fact that its approach of inclusive gaming as attracted families rather than hardcore gamers and this in turn has provided good word of mouth.

The PS3 has suffered. However, PS2 has not, and this appears to be a fact which is getting lost in the general Next-Gen clamour. There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that Sony is still making big money (with figures such as 664,000 sold in November) from PS2.

What does look bad for Sony, however, is that NPD’s PS3 figures add fuel to the rumours that the console is being left on shelves, sold at a loss on auction sites or even returned to the point of sale, despite promises of more stock emanating from HQ.

Whether the Wii can maintain its cutesy, fun-family force once the launch titles have been exhausted and no killer-game comes to the fore (and Nintendo has already gone hell for leather with Twilight Princess) only time will tell.

What is becoming apparent, however, is that Sony not only has an uphill fight on its hands. Whether the PS2’s dominance (and the health of the PSP in its fight with the DS) will be enough to cover the costs of the PS3 financially – and as importantly in terms of good will – well, that’s what the next three months will tell us.

Right now, with Microsoft holding steady, the Wii still making inroads and creating positive buzz (we still need to see that ‘great game’ though) and Sony living on past (solid) glories, as far as SPOnG can see, field is still open.

Oh, and from a UK perspective, here's an interesting set of Microsoft-related figures: the 360 and Xbox are near-as-dammit neck'n'neck in terms of UK average software sales:

Xbox: 84,392 titles over 94 weeks
360: 84,347 over 56 weeks

Quick comparison:

PS2 418,563 over 94 weeks
PSP 110,158 over 70 weeks
DS 73,905 over 94 weeks