NPD's figures for March video games sales in the USA are out and they make unpleasant reading compared to last year. This is not, however, the end of the industry.
Anita Frazier of NPD has already pointed out that, "While it might be tempting to jump to the conclusion that the sky is starting to fall on the video games industry given this month's results, it's important to remember that two very big things are different this year than last.
"First, Easter fell in March last year whereas it fell in April this year, and last March included the release of Super Small Bros.: Brawl, which went on to become the fourth best-selling game in 2008."
That said, Sony Computer Entertainment America has responded to the figures with much talk of software - Killzone 2 sold more than 1 million copies since its February 27th US launch. On the hardware side, however, the PS3 sold 21% fewer units than in February.
So, what does SCEA do to spin this? It communicates about the PS2 price cuts. Well, we say 'communicates', it does this: "SCEA is also seeing positive internal sales momentum for PlayStation 2".
"Internal sales momentum"? We've Tweeted the world, asked each other, gone to talk with the corporate guru we keep in the cellar and none of us can come up with a meaning to this desperate slice of spin. Not, of course, unless it means "We're selling lots of PS2s to each other".
We wonder if any SPOnG readers can help with giving meaning to this hogwash? To the Forum please.
Anita Frazier of NPD has already pointed out that, "While it might be tempting to jump to the conclusion that the sky is starting to fall on the video games industry given this month's results, it's important to remember that two very big things are different this year than last.
"First, Easter fell in March last year whereas it fell in April this year, and last March included the release of Super Small Bros.: Brawl, which went on to become the fourth best-selling game in 2008."
That said, Sony Computer Entertainment America has responded to the figures with much talk of software - Killzone 2 sold more than 1 million copies since its February 27th US launch. On the hardware side, however, the PS3 sold 21% fewer units than in February.
So, what does SCEA do to spin this? It communicates about the PS2 price cuts. Well, we say 'communicates', it does this: "SCEA is also seeing positive internal sales momentum for PlayStation 2".
"Internal sales momentum"? We've Tweeted the world, asked each other, gone to talk with the corporate guru we keep in the cellar and none of us can come up with a meaning to this desperate slice of spin. Not, of course, unless it means "We're selling lots of PS2s to each other".
We wonder if any SPOnG readers can help with giving meaning to this hogwash? To the Forum please.
Companies:
SCEA
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Comments
Mornelithe 17 Apr 2009 14:15
1/4
To be honest, I'll let you flounder and figure it out for yourselves, if there news release is hogwash....what does that have to say about someone who reports on it?
Morne
Morne
TimSpong 17 Apr 2009 14:43
2/4
Mornelithe wrote:
To be honest, I'll let you flounder and figure it out for yourselves, if there news release is hogwash....what does that have to say about someone who reports on it?
Morne
Morne
Of course, using your own logic... what does it say about someone who comments on someone who reports on it?
The point of reporting it is that if this kind of meaningless nonsense masquerading as corporate communications is allowed to go uncriticised, then people start to believe it has some meaning. Hence the phrase, "going forward" has become common parlance but means nothing.
Cheers
Tim
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Joe 17 Apr 2009 15:55
3/4
Abso-fooking-lutely spot on Tim.
I can't stad the phrase 'going forward' or for that matter all corporate crap like that. I worked for Coca-Cola in the past and they were full of this b******s. I hate to say it but it's teh yanks fault...
I can't stad the phrase 'going forward' or for that matter all corporate crap like that. I worked for Coca-Cola in the past and they were full of this b******s. I hate to say it but it's teh yanks fault...
Roblc 17 Apr 2009 21:26
4/4
I could care less what Sony says at this point, because the only real thing that will make any difference to both them and us a sconsumers is a $100 dollar PS3 price cut. But don't hold your breath, because you'll be 100 shades of blue by the time it does drop. And yes, it would seem since KZ2's launch sales dropped , there was a 21% PS3 sales decline. Meaning that someone had to return KZ2 back to Gamestop,because console sales are on the negative side.