Sony has explained the impressively large figure it has been dishing up for PlayStation Network take-up. The 17 million figure Sony has been touting - the one that makes it look a lot like the PS3's online take-up has caught up with Xbox Live - is not as impressive as it looks at first glance. Eagle-eyed readers might start to get a sense of deja vu...
A Sony rep has told MTV Multiplayer, “The PSN numbers (17M and 2.1M) include people who have created accounts on PS3, the Web site and PSP. Note that since the implementation of single sign-on, PSN ID and PlayStation Underground IDs (which were often created at the same time when first making a PSN ID) were automatically merged and rolled over. Additionally, since PSN is a free online gaming service, some households create multiple IDs so that a father can keep a separate list of friends, trophies and stats from that of his daughter for example.”
So there you have it. There are not 17 million PS3 users with PlayStation Network accounts. Granted, Sony never explicitly said that the figure applied specifically to PS3 users but, let's face it, just throwing out that figure without qualifying it is liable to lead a casual observer to think there are as many unique PS3 users on PSN as there are Xbox Live members.
This will all be very familiar to close observers of the games industry. Back in November Sony proudly proclaimed that it had 14 million PSN users at a time when Microsoft 14 million Xbox Live accounts. It turned out that there was more to Sony's figure than just PS3 users then, too...
A Sony rep has told MTV Multiplayer, “The PSN numbers (17M and 2.1M) include people who have created accounts on PS3, the Web site and PSP. Note that since the implementation of single sign-on, PSN ID and PlayStation Underground IDs (which were often created at the same time when first making a PSN ID) were automatically merged and rolled over. Additionally, since PSN is a free online gaming service, some households create multiple IDs so that a father can keep a separate list of friends, trophies and stats from that of his daughter for example.”
So there you have it. There are not 17 million PS3 users with PlayStation Network accounts. Granted, Sony never explicitly said that the figure applied specifically to PS3 users but, let's face it, just throwing out that figure without qualifying it is liable to lead a casual observer to think there are as many unique PS3 users on PSN as there are Xbox Live members.
This will all be very familiar to close observers of the games industry. Back in November Sony proudly proclaimed that it had 14 million PSN users at a time when Microsoft 14 million Xbox Live accounts. It turned out that there was more to Sony's figure than just PS3 users then, too...
Read More Like This
Comments
PS3Owner 15 Jan 2009 12:11
1/13
The PSN includes PS3, PSP and the Web. It's a fair comment to include the total number. As for people having multiple accounts - that is perfectly valid, if more than one person in the household uses online then it's fair they count as a separate person playing online. It's the EU owners with Jap and US accounts you would have to think about, although it's probably the minority that do this.
Also I'm pretty sure it's possible to sign up for XboxLIVE via their website too...
Out of interest, is the Xbox 17 million Silver and Gold accounts or just Gold accounts, and what about WindowsLIVE? If it's not just the Gold accounts then it's entirely possible the Xbox has a much smaller pool of online-enabled gamers than the PS3 has...
Also I'm pretty sure it's possible to sign up for XboxLIVE via their website too...
Out of interest, is the Xbox 17 million Silver and Gold accounts or just Gold accounts, and what about WindowsLIVE? If it's not just the Gold accounts then it's entirely possible the Xbox has a much smaller pool of online-enabled gamers than the PS3 has...
config 15 Jan 2009 12:28
2/13
Can't see why anyone would create a PSN account if they don't have a PS3 or PSP, and Dad + daughter on the same console should certainly be counted as individual users.
However, lil' Johnny's 5 accounts for playing sex pest with "girls" in Home are the numbers that need discounting.
However, lil' Johnny's 5 accounts for playing sex pest with "girls" in Home are the numbers that need discounting.
more comments below our sponsor's message
tyrion 15 Jan 2009 13:57
3/13
config wrote:
Can't see why anyone would create a PSN account if they don't have a PS3 or PSP
I've heard of people creating PSN accounts so they have the same names as their Live! accounts for when/if they get a PS3 to go with their 360.
What we need from both Sony and Microsoft are figures regarding active users of their respective online services.
Crazylegs 15 Jan 2009 15:50
4/13
Wait, have Sony even sold 17 million PS3s?!
Spinface 15 Jan 2009 16:48
5/13
Crazylegs wrote:
Wait, have Sony even sold 17 million PS3s?!
16.84 million by the end of September, so by now - yes. But 17 million PSN sign-ups would still be a pretty incredible figure if it were just for PS3s. But, alas, it ain't.
tastygoosh 15 Jan 2009 17:30
6/13
PSN users. not ps3 users.
Nynja 15 Jan 2009 18:41
7/13
Very one sided article SPONG (surprising?)..
Based on the way you write your article, one would make the assumption that Microsoft has not done the same thing. XBL accounts can be created via basic Internet access. I know many people who have created multiple accounts to get the maximum 6 months free of XBL Gold services for free (1 account each time). I know many people who have created multiple XBL accounts because they got tired of their old one. IF 10% of the people on XBL did the 6 account / 6 months free gig that comes to 10 million accounts alone. So 7 million active users, that sounds more likely.
MS has, and NEVER WILL, provide the actual number of active XBL Gold accounts. It would provide to much information to publishers about how many people just plain refuse to pay for online gaming.
Based on the way you write your article, one would make the assumption that Microsoft has not done the same thing. XBL accounts can be created via basic Internet access. I know many people who have created multiple accounts to get the maximum 6 months free of XBL Gold services for free (1 account each time). I know many people who have created multiple XBL accounts because they got tired of their old one. IF 10% of the people on XBL did the 6 account / 6 months free gig that comes to 10 million accounts alone. So 7 million active users, that sounds more likely.
MS has, and NEVER WILL, provide the actual number of active XBL Gold accounts. It would provide to much information to publishers about how many people just plain refuse to pay for online gaming.
GUI 15 Jan 2009 19:19
8/13
BULLshitER YOU ARE DUDE!
Lucider 15 Jan 2009 23:17
9/13
"If it's not just the Gold accounts then it's entirely possible the Xbox has a much smaller pool of online-enabled gamers than the PS3 has.."
On the old XBOX there was 8 million Gold accounts and that number as gone up alot, you have to be a bit silly to be online without gold and nobody i know go online with just silver, siver dont let you do anything other than chat to friends. M$ as made over a $1 billion from the XBOX 360 online and sales of online content have gone up from 75% to 300% with some content in the last few month.
On the old XBOX there was 8 million Gold accounts and that number as gone up alot, you have to be a bit silly to be online without gold and nobody i know go online with just silver, siver dont let you do anything other than chat to friends. M$ as made over a $1 billion from the XBOX 360 online and sales of online content have gone up from 75% to 300% with some content in the last few month.
Daz 16 Jan 2009 14:24
10/13
Lucider wrote:
"If it's not just the Gold accounts then it's entirely possible the Xbox has a much smaller pool of online-enabled gamers than the PS3 has.."
On the old XBOX there was 8 million Gold accounts and that number as gone up alot, you have to be a bit silly to be online without gold and nobody i know go online with just silver, siver dont let you do anything other than chat to friends. M$ as made over a $1 billion from the XBOX 360 online and sales of online content have gone up from 75% to 300% with some content in the last few month.
On the old XBOX there was 8 million Gold accounts and that number as gone up alot, you have to be a bit silly to be online without gold and nobody i know go online with just silver, siver dont let you do anything other than chat to friends. M$ as made over a $1 billion from the XBOX 360 online and sales of online content have gone up from 75% to 300% with some content in the last few month.
I ain't gonna pay after my free month is up
MRXBOX n VAN BC 17 Jan 2009 08:52
11/13
SONY should get on board and realize Their DEAD ! EXCLUSIVE = LESS PROFIT , the gaming industry better tell these Fools that the games need cross Platform or Most game makers will be BANKRUPT by Years End ! Hell i'd play Socom on my 360 just like PS3'r probably would ( REMMEBER MS IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY ) like a shot at HALO as well ! SMARTEN UP SONY , GO LOOK AT YOUR STOCK PRICE ! YOUR PROFITS ARE DOWN 90 % , YA 90 % !!!!!
Daz 17 Jan 2009 15:51
12/13
MRXBOX n VAN BC wrote:
SONY should get on board and realize Their DEAD ! EXCLUSIVE = LESS PROFIT , the gaming industry better tell these Fools that the games need cross Platform or Most game makers will be BANKRUPT by Years End ! Hell i'd play Socom on my 360 just like PS3'r probably would ( REMMEBER MS IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY ) like a shot at HALO as well ! SMARTEN UP SONY , GO LOOK AT YOUR STOCK PRICE ! YOUR PROFITS ARE DOWN 90 % , YA 90 % !!!!!
The hell does that gotta with the article?
superman 7 Feb 2009 00:51
13/13
I can just see all the psn users just spamming everyone just to make more PSN ID so it looks like their are more people playing PS3 online.