Analyst: PlayStation Will Beat Xbox 360

But they'll both die

Posted by Staff
Analyst: PlayStation Will Beat Xbox 360
Quick, get down to your local turf accountants and put every single credit-crunched penny you have on yet another analyst's prediction.* This one comes from David Cole, president of FDC Intelligence. Coley claims that the finishing order for this hardware gen will be:

1) Nintendo Wiii
2) Sony PlayStation 3
3) Microsoft Xbox 360

"For its recently ended fiscal year, Sony Corp reported that hardware unit sales of the PS2 were down by 7%", Cole told Home Media Magazine. “From our perspective we would say they were only down by 7%. This is amazing for a system that launched in 2000. The PS2 managed to outsell both the PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2007."

He then proceed to get the word 'ironic' wrong in an almost Alanis Morissette way **, “Ironically, a slowing economy can actually help the game industry,” Cole said. “Video games provide a high rate of entertainment return and high gas prices actually encourage people to stay home and play games. The latest DFC Intelligence forecasts predict that all three systems (360, Wii and PS3) will have a solid installed base."

No way! Three consoles that currently have a few million owners will have a solid install base. But Coley's not fence sitting, "Nevertheless, it looks like the Nintendo Wii will be the overall installed base leader. The Wii has enormous momentum and appeals to the broadest audience."

He then continues to outline why he's placing his faith in that running order.

"The sales performance of the PS3 has been less than stellar, but Sony has survived.

"The Xbox 360 was unable to take advantage of Sony’s struggles to build the type of large lead needed to maintain a long-term advantage. The PS3 survived the onslaught of AAA Xbox 360 titles that hit the market from late 2006 through 2007.

" Halo 3 had great sales, but it did very little to enhance the Xbox 360’s overall position in the marketplace. The Xbox 360 is the system of choice for fans of high-action first-person shooter (FPS) games.

"However, for the 80 percent-plus of game consumers that do not play FPS games, the Xbox 360 is not the system of choice."

So, 20% of FPS playing gamers should choose the Xbox? What does that even mean? Prizes for the first person who can explain that to us in the Forum.


* Don't do that. Send it all to us.
** He meant counter-intuitively.
Source: Home Media Magazine

Comments

Showing the 20 most recent comments. Read all 31.
deleted 3 Jun 2008 19:26
12/31
analysts know better wrote:
What analysts don't (or refuse to) see is that if PS3 sales start gaining momentum MS can drop their price. The PS3 price is pretty firm considering the bath (was it 247$ per PS3 sold?) Sony is taking on each unit they sell. MS has a profitable games division and the deepest pockets in the industry. They could afford to sell the 360 for less than a Wii because of the massive profits they are making off the games and xbox live. Sony can't afford that kind of a price war currently and without some mind blowing exclusive content, it will be difficult to pick up ground. The current cost to develop for the cell and the small install base of the PS3 make this scenario look more unlikely every day.


The 360 is cheaper than Wii (Arcade), I think your missing thepoint though, Sony lose money to make money, games are coming and production costs are reduced weekly, once sony have 40-50 million units out there they will be making money on the console (at least breaking even) and 40-50 million user base to sell to and make the money on game sand licnce required, its exactly the same as the PS2 story.

Its a numbers game the the comany with the most sold units at the end of the game will be making the most profit, and you may say well wii made money from day one on each and every game sold, well sony is still making more money than MS based on its PS2 and PSP sales and as such can fund the PS3 until it makes it own money,

360 is great and as i have said many a time before i hope all 3 sell exactly the same amount as so i can get equal use for each console but that wont happen, so i just concentrate on the games and enjoy Gears, MGS and Mario and who a cares how many have sold?
Jackson 3 Jun 2008 19:42
13/31
Why does everyone keep saying the 360 is a FPS console when it has FAR more RPGs JRPGs and just all around game variety than the PS3 ???

The mere fact that these anal-lyst think 360 is a shooter only console proves they have no idea what they are talking about. When Sony gets too close MS will drop the 360 price in the USA and 360 will take off. 360 is far closer to the 250-200 dollar sweetspot for sales, and it always will be.

I think Sony is exagerating sales success in the EU by including sales from regions outside of the EU, I don't think the PS3 will catch the 360 this gen, not until the xbox 720 is released.
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OptimusP 3 Jun 2008 19:52
14/31
Jackson wrote:
Why does everyone keep saying the 360 is a FPS console when it has FAR more RPGs JRPGs and just all around game variety than the PS3 ???

Same reason as people are calling the Wii the bane of hardcore gaming, or were calling the PSP the bane of Nintendo's handheld supremacy. Not being able to look further then their own noses.

I suggest we all just buy the stuff we think is the most fun and be done with it.
Xbot 3 Jun 2008 19:58
15/31
Well duh, sony always wins.
nirtsbro 3 Jun 2008 23:56
16/31
look
it all comes down to 2 things and 2 things only
1) the games. the system with a lot of good games and the best games
and
2) support/service. the company that cares about its consumer knows what the people want and what they will buy. if ur crap to ur consumer then ur digging urself a hole.

ultimatily the company with the best support, services, and games will win no matter how out numbered or down in the dirt or doing poorly, in the end they will win
ex. dreamcast vs ps1, everyone said ps1 sucked and was crap. which one died out?
OptimusP 4 Jun 2008 08:06
17/31
nirtsbro wrote:
look
it all comes down to 2 things and 2 things only
1) the games. the system with a lot of good games and the best games
and
2) support/service. the company that cares about its consumer knows what the people want and what they will buy. if ur crap to ur consumer then ur digging urself a hole.

ultimatily the company with the best support, services, and games will win no matter how out numbered or down in the dirt or doing poorly, in the end they will win
ex. dreamcast vs ps1, everyone said ps1 sucked and was crap. which one died out?

This sounded all reasonably well, untill you brought up as example Dreamcast vs. PS1...huh? That makes no sense at all. Both launched 5 years apart, belonged to a different generation and so on.

My angle is the image consolidation theory. Every console consolidates a certain image and (sales)trend in its first one and half- two years and gets stuck with the rest of the running gen. When dealing with a competitive situation, the consolidated images and trends of your competitors can prove to be disadventageous or advantegeous to your own.

Apply this to the current gen and you will see that the consolidated images and trends of the Xbox360 and PS3 actually played a huge rule of why the Wii is now the market leader. A nuance though, only the Xbox360 has a complete consolidated image and trend, the PS3 and Wii have an almost complete consolidated image and trend (if you take the two year route). Both consoles have digged them self in inside the hardcore niche and both are having a difficult time of getting out.

A consolidated image has many components
1) history of it's predecessor, while this only plays a secondary function.
2) the Primary games, which i mean the games that people by the console for...but also why. It is getting clear that the so-called "system-sellers" or "killer-apps" for both the Xbox360 and PS3 are not wat they used to be. I designate them into a lower tier and call them "fan-pleasers".
Games that (hugely) attract an allready existing segment of the game-market...but do not expand the gaming market (what kiler-apps used to do). These are games designed to pull in the former install base from its predecessor or pull away from the install base of a competitors predecessor. Also you have to combine this with the anticipation purchases of consoles by the intalled base of the predecessor. Gamers expect certain games to come out for the a certain console and so buy the console beforehand.

These two aspects explain why former killer-apps actually only spike console sales for a month or maybe two and then settle down again (back to the consolidated trend). The designation of fan-pleaser is then just in this light.

It are these Primary Games and the extent of marketing push behind them that are the main cause of the consolidated image and trend of a console. Third parties almost always copy what the first party pushes himself on its console.

Offcourse, it's only a theory...so very debatable.
Captain Chaos 4 Jun 2008 08:07
18/31
dont believe a word these so called experts say. Two years ago they were all saying that PS3 would win this generation with about 60% market share. Nintendo was seen as a non-runner.

Its all a load of s**te!!

How much do these w****rs get paid
schnide 4 Jun 2008 09:47
19/31
haritori wrote:
"It's like 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife, isn't it ironic, don't ya think?" (No it's f**king annoying, not ironic!)


In an interview, when it was pointed out to Alanis that all the things in her song weren't actually ironic at all, she claimed that THAT was the intended irony of the song.

My arse.
TimSpong 4 Jun 2008 10:17
20/31
slowis wrote:
Sorry if it's against the rules to post links - feel free to remove.


I don't have a problem with people posting relevant and informative links in the Forum at all. Linking-back would really put the icing on the cake though.

:-)

Cheers

Tim
slowis 4 Jun 2008 12:02
21/31
"I don't have a problem with people posting relevant and informative links in the Forum at all. Linking-back would really put the icing on the cake though."

Consider the cake iced.

Regards,

Steve
Daz 4 Jun 2008 12:20
22/31
OptimusP wrote:
nirtsbro wrote:
look
it all comes down to 2 things and 2 things only
1) the games. the system with a lot of good games and the best games
and
2) support/service. the company that cares about its consumer knows what the people want and what they will buy. if ur crap to ur consumer then ur digging urself a hole.

ultimatily the company with the best support, services, and games will win no matter how out numbered or down in the dirt or doing poorly, in the end they will win
ex. dreamcast vs ps1, everyone said ps1 sucked and was crap. which one died out?

This sounded all reasonably well, untill you brought up as example Dreamcast vs. PS1...huh? That makes no sense at all. Both launched 5 years apart, belonged to a different generation and so on.


so you just assume he did mean ps1 in stead of asking if he meant ps2?
OptimusP 4 Jun 2008 12:36
23/31
Daz wrote:
OptimusP wrote:
nirtsbro wrote:
look
it all comes down to 2 things and 2 things only
1) the games. the system with a lot of good games and the best games
and
2) support/service. the company that cares about its consumer knows what the people want and what they will buy. if ur crap to ur consumer then ur digging urself a hole.

ultimatily the company with the best support, services, and games will win no matter how out numbered or down in the dirt or doing poorly, in the end they will win
ex. dreamcast vs ps1, everyone said ps1 sucked and was crap. which one died out?

This sounded all reasonably well, untill you brought up as example Dreamcast vs. PS1...huh? That makes no sense at all. Both launched 5 years apart, belonged to a different generation and so on.


so you just assume he did mean ps1 in stead of asking if he meant ps2?


Yes, but then again, i don't remember anyone saying the PS2 was crap and sucked when it launched, well except the fanboys of opposites sides. More believeable with the PS1 since Sony was the new entry and Nintendo still enjoyed a perceived hegemonic position.

But alas, still very much jumping on conclusions on my part. My excuses.

Also i like to add to my theory of consolidated image and trend that the creation (in time and power of effect on market performance) of these images can change between generations depending on the then dominant culture among gamers in a very broad sense(refereing to both concepts of culture and gamer). Also it is possible to break your consolidated image with a series of innovative, high-quality, ground-breaking, market disruptive games. Note i said series of games, not one or two.
Joji 4 Jun 2008 12:56
24/31
Optimus, you make some good points. I almost saw a glint to the Matrix come from you.

This is funny. Being an analyst must be a pretty sweet job, if you get to wear nice suits and predict bs all day (perrhaps its not all like that). I do agree, paying much attention to them is only worth it, if they are in the company of hot chicks. Much of what analysts say is all several rounds shot in the dark, barely hitting the intended target.

What's even funnier is that I predicted Nintendo would clean house with DS and Wii, back when the PS3 was the hot sh*t talk of the town. Just look at how many developers were backing the same PS3 horse. Guess the analysts got their first.

How did I know Nintendo would clean house? It wasn't a matter of numbers or stats, but basic thinking of the possibilties of what they were trying to do and applying that thinking to games that could be made, as well as their determination, not to have to leave the console market for good.

When I saw Trauma Center on DS (while not a Nintendo game), it sealed the deal for me as to why Nintendo would lead, because a game like Trauma Center is unique to DS or Wii, you can't play them anywhere else. If many well done games followed this formula of using what's available well while being fun, they stand a higher chance of success (though not always the result). Wii Fit is another good example of this train of thought.

Enough about Wii and DS. Here's my reasons why PS3 will always be last.

1: The masses are used to DVD/DVD recorders now. It took long enough for the masses to embrace DVD over VHS, so despite what Sony think, the masses will be reluctant to embrace Blu Ray, unless they are gamers or tech junkies. This is a prime factor that analysts always miss. Add to that equation the fact Blu Ray can't record and its a no go.

2: The Wii is the mass market console choice of the masses, be you in denial or not. Its got that X Factor that PS3 doesn't have, and IMO will sell in demand til Nintendo replace it. It might be old tech, but the general masses care less about such things. Its about the fun factor.

3: Sony are confusing themselves and more so us. They want to do DLTV/films and such, but still want us to invest in expensive Blu Ray media. They've got to decide, which one is it.

4: This last fact may seal PS3s fate. I heard Toshiba have gone back to HQ and put their heads together, about a new tech which upscales standard DVD, while also catering for HD-DVD too. If Toshiba can achieve this with good quality, possibly recordability and mass produce it to a cheap price, Blu Ray is gonna sink even deeper in trouble. Toshiba know PS3 is already struggling, so aiding MS and Nintendo is certainly in their favour, they''ll be considering to get back at Sony (remember, Blu Ray can't play normal dvds either, big mistake, Sony).

Imagine consoles based on such Toshiba tech. You'd have the cheap option of normal DVD for smaller developers and HD-DVD for larger ones. 360 is already half way there, but if both were built into the same console, no that would be something.

PS3 is gonna be last.

Hey, go over to thesimexchange.com and place your predictions. I reckon MGS4 still won't sell enough to save PS3.
schnide 4 Jun 2008 13:04
25/31
OptimusP wrote:
Also i like to add to my theory of consolidated image and trend that the creation (in time and power of effect on market performance) of these images can change between generations depending..


I think you just put the 'anal' in analyst.

:D
OptimusP 4 Jun 2008 13:11
26/31
schnide wrote:
OptimusP wrote:
Also i like to add to my theory of consolidated image and trend that the creation (in time and power of effect on market performance) of these images can change between generations depending..


I think you just put the 'anal' in analyst.

:D

Blame the exam period and studying history...after a while, you're seeing theories and structures in everything while also thinking in wording everything in very "anal" nuances and stuff.

My next exam is on the 9th and the next one on the 24th...i got a lot of time on my hands ^^.
tyrion 4 Jun 2008 18:44
27/31
Joji wrote:
1: The masses are used to DVD/DVD recorders now. It took long enough for the masses to embrace DVD over VHS, so despite what Sony think, the masses will be reluctant to embrace Blu Ray, unless they are gamers or tech junkies.

Except that Blu-ray is apparently taking off faster than DVD did. Casino Royale hit 100,000 copies sold much faster than the first DVD to do so (Air Force One) - two weeks compared to about 11 months.

Joji wrote:
Add to that equation the fact Blu Ray can't record and its a no go.

Except that Blu-ray burners for PCs were available before stand-alone players and consumer Blu-ray recordable devices are already available so obviously Blu-ray can record.

Joji wrote:
remember, Blu Ray can't play normal dvds either, big mistake, Sony).

Except that all Blu-ray players including the PS3 can play DVDs as well. Just because it's not a mandatory part of the spec doesn't mean it's not supported.

Seriously where do you get this s**te?
OptimusP 5 Jun 2008 08:40
28/31
Uncanny valley land...where everything looks so realistic, it isn't anymore.

Also the birth place of Oblivion.
tyrion 5 Jun 2008 18:29
29/31
OptimusP wrote:
Uncanny valley land...where everything looks so realistic, it isn't anymore.

Also the birth place of Oblivion.

You've just watched a Zero Punctuation and I claim my five pounds!
OptimusP 5 Jun 2008 19:28
30/31
tyrion wrote:
OptimusP wrote:
Uncanny valley land...where everything looks so realistic, it isn't anymore.

Also the birth place of Oblivion.

You've just watched a Zero Punctuation and I claim my five pounds!

I did watch one, but i founded Oblivion to be in Uncanny Valley land far before mister Yathzee came with his criticism.

Actually i believe this whole HD-realism these days all originates from Uncanny Valley Land, as i have posted here many times :).

So you can have 2 quid and 50 cents...buy yourself a guinness ^^
Ben 6 Jun 2008 10:00
31/31
"However, for the 80 percent-plus of game consumers that do not play FPS games, the Xbox 360 is not the system of choice."

So, 20% of FPS playing gamers should choose the Xbox?

I think hes talking about as a non fps as a whole, in other words you have two pies, one dedicated to the fps lovers
the second pie to the non fps lovers

fps lovers pie big portion goes to the 360, (must be about 60-70% i would guess)
the non fps pie, hes thinking that a huge 80% of them would ignore the 360 and jump to the ps3, the other 20% of the pie wouldnt care about the so called fps console and may choose to join.

gotto consider, there is a huge audience who dont liek fps, and prefer other genre types, rpg, racing, arcades, mmorpg etc.

Its sad to think people still claim the 360 as the fps console, ok yeah tehre are still loads, but the 360 has such a broader market this time around on games, lots more rpgs, lots of racing, lots and lots of arcades. Maybe the potential clients dont relise this on the 360, Microsoft needs to sort its advertisement i think.

TBH ive also seen a massive selection of ps3 games being a fps so they cant complain.

And the sales at the end of this generation, Sony "maybe" ahead of 360, but actually the overall winenrs will both be Microsoft and Nintendo with sony loosing out. Sony ps2 had over 70% of the market share and they are predicted to get roughtly 25-35% this time aorund and both 360 and nintendo market share will have increased to there last gen consoles.

So in the end sony may win, but they will also will loose they wont be seeing the 100 million ps3 sells thats guaranteed.

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