PS3 vs Xbox 360 Install Base Chaos Rears Up
Install bases differ in calculation and region
It appears to be impossible to tell whether Microsoft or Sony is leading the console race in a place called 'Europe'. However, the Xbox 360 now has a one million unit advantage over the PS3 in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). This is according to Chris Lewis (Microsoft's vice president Interactive Entertainment Business for Europe, the Middle East and Africa).
He tells MCV, "We’re confident we are actually around a million units ahead (of PS3)."
This is all well and good. Xbox 360 has a one million lead over PS3 in EMEA. However, we thought that Sony had a one million lead over Xbox 360.
Back at GamesCom in Cologne, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's MD, Andrew House announced that the PS3 install base in SCEE territories has passed 10 million.
For the record, SCEE states: "SCEE is the owner and promoter of PlayStation products and services within the PAL region, with offices across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA)."
Earlier that month, Microsoft's Chris Lewis had stated that in his region (EMEA again) the Xbox 360 had surpassed 9 million for its install base. This followed a January announcement that the console had sold 8 million units life-to-date in EMEA.
So, why the differences in opinion? According to Lewis, "We count installed base differently to them. We count the number of units in the hands of consumers", before adding the non-sequitur, "We are committed to continuing that momentum – not only in places like the UK, France and Germany."
We like to know who is winning the console race because it enables us to place bets at the appropriate time. So, in the interests of (a) fairness (b) clarity (c) common sense, we asked SCEE, "How does SCEE calculate its PS3 install base?"
We'll report back as soon as we have the answer.
He tells MCV, "We’re confident we are actually around a million units ahead (of PS3)."
This is all well and good. Xbox 360 has a one million lead over PS3 in EMEA. However, we thought that Sony had a one million lead over Xbox 360.
Back at GamesCom in Cologne, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's MD, Andrew House announced that the PS3 install base in SCEE territories has passed 10 million.
For the record, SCEE states: "SCEE is the owner and promoter of PlayStation products and services within the PAL region, with offices across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA)."
Earlier that month, Microsoft's Chris Lewis had stated that in his region (EMEA again) the Xbox 360 had surpassed 9 million for its install base. This followed a January announcement that the console had sold 8 million units life-to-date in EMEA.
So, why the differences in opinion? According to Lewis, "We count installed base differently to them. We count the number of units in the hands of consumers", before adding the non-sequitur, "We are committed to continuing that momentum – not only in places like the UK, France and Germany."
We like to know who is winning the console race because it enables us to place bets at the appropriate time. So, in the interests of (a) fairness (b) clarity (c) common sense, we asked SCEE, "How does SCEE calculate its PS3 install base?"
We'll report back as soon as we have the answer.
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Comments
Ergo 3 Sep 2009 14:37
1/8
Stupid question: how does MS know how many units are actually in customer's hands?
VinTheDean 3 Sep 2009 15:58
2/8
The sad part is that Xbox had a one year lead over the PS3 and they only have 1 Million unit lead.
Not something to brag about.
Not something to brag about.
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jim 3 Sep 2009 21:35
3/8
9 million might have them but only 2 million work (rrod) lmao ;)
jim 3 Sep 2009 21:36
4/8
they might have sold 8 million but only half of them work (rrod) lmfao ;)
SensibleVoiceOfPain 3 Sep 2009 21:43
5/8
Ask Microsoft if they include Xboxes that have RRoD'd and had to be replaced in their install base, with a failure rate of 30-50% (according to recent polls) there could be alot of people who simply bought another Xbox and therefore the install base is smaller than their predictions say.
Also, I also heard that Sony started using the same method as Microsoft this year so this could get very interesting indeed.
Also, I also heard that Sony started using the same method as Microsoft this year so this could get very interesting indeed.
mr sarcasm 5 Sep 2009 09:52
6/8
when microsoft counts the units in the hands of consumers does it count the two dead units and the one working unit in their consumers hands. the xbox 360 is a great platform but due to poor hardware i believe people have only stuck with it because of their cash investment in games how many of these sales are based on resale of people buying the next hardware revision as apple do with their ipod line up.
Usual Microsoft lies and deciet 7 Sep 2009 12:24
7/8
Microsoft count their numbers as SHIPPED (left their warehouse). It's been known for Microsoft to stuff lorry full of consoles and drive them off the premises, so they can class them as shipped, just to make up quarterly numbers, those lorrys they sit around waiting for real customers.
Google for Microsoft inventory chain stuffing for the news...
Sony use consoles sold to consumers as their measurement, which is a much more realistic number.
Google for Microsoft inventory chain stuffing for the news...
Sony use consoles sold to consumers as their measurement, which is a much more realistic number.
dr krucifix 27 Oct 2009 09:33
8/8
1year lead, it was 16 month, and with a 1 million units lead, well how much own 2 or more xboxes, because they broke down or because they were banned or have one original and one modded one, I know there are alot of them. I don't know paople who owns 2 or more ps3, so in my opinion there are now as much ps3 users as xbox users, but the ps3 is winning this battle in europe