360 Towers Over PS3 on Black Friday
This article was written by: Matthew Wingler(Echo307)Microsoft recently released some interesting news regarding the infamous “Black Friday,” and some of the results they saw this year. The biggest of that news was the claim that their X-Box 360 outsold Sony’s Playstation 3, 3 to 1. They also announced that the total sales of the X-Box 360 are up 25% over last year’s Black Friday results, and overall sales in Europe have grown by as much as 400% since the September price drop.
Below is a statement released by Microsoft regarding their console and it’s success:
“We entered into the Black Friday sales period with cautious optimism, knowing that dollar for dollar, Xbox 360 offers more social entertainment value than any other console on the market,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “Record Black Friday sales in the U.S., coupled with our existing global install base of 25 million and an online community of more than 14 million Xbox LIVE members, have laid the groundwork for continued global sales momentum in 2009.”
It’s not as though this is a surprise to anyone. Microsoft has arguably the best lineup of games out there, and unarguably has more consoles and active on-line users than it’s main competitor mentioned. With the 360 continually getting cheaper, and no price cuts in sight for the PS3, it looks like another big year for the box in 2009, especially if the economy stays in it’s current condition.
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You too make some excellent points. You own both systems so you can see the difference in the quality of hardware. The 360 while more impressive in specific hardware specifications cannot accurately handle some of the games the PS3 will run within the next few years.
The PS3 is future proof because of Sony's 10 year plan and it's firmware upgrades.
Just look at the controllers…Sony's BlueTooth controllers are clearly meant to be future proof whereas the Xbox 360 still relies on replaceable batteries and charge packs. This is a case of quality versus quantity. Have you seen the videos of the new PS3 controller called the Sixense?
Everybody in the industry thinks Microsoft is winning some war or race. For Sony, it's not a race. It's business. If they wanted to, they could drop the price to $199, take the loss, and obliterate the Xbox 360…but that wouldn't be smart. I highly doubt there's anyone except for fanboys that would not pick one up at that price.
But are they going to go bankrupt if they don't beat the 360 sales numbers? And more importantly, the PS3 has sold better over its lifespan already. The ONLY reason the Xbox 360 is in the lead is a 2 year head start. You just said this year's games were better on the PS3 and despite being two years younger, PSN users altogether outnumber Xbox Live users( a service that's 5 years old I think.) So both your games and online reasons for the Xbox 360's big year in 2009 become moot in this supposed war.
The PS3 is already above 15 million sales going into it's 2nd year is because it is a superior product. Gui J proves that people aren't going to buy something more expensive if they have something they value as good enough. So what's driving the sales since the PS3 is so high in price as many suggest?
Quality. That's why foreign cars sell better in the United States. That's why international commerce occurs. People want the best. No amount of Thanksgiving sales and promotional price cuts are going to change that fact. People buy cheap first…but they'll seek better quality after that brief education.
You too make some excellent points. You own both systems so you can see the difference in the quality of hardware. The 360 while more impressive in specific hardware specifications cannot accurately handle some of the games the PS3 will run within the next few years.
The PS3 is future proof because of Sony's 10 year plan and it's firmware upgrades.
Just look at the controllers…Sony's BlueTooth controllers are clearly meant to be future proof whereas the Xbox 360 still relies on replaceable batteries and charge packs. This is a case of quality versus quantity. Have you seen the videos of the new PS3 controller called the Sixense?
Everybody in the industry thinks Microsoft is winning some war or race. For Sony, it's not a race. It's business. If they wanted to, they could drop the price to $199, take the loss, and obliterate the Xbox 360…but that wouldn't be smart. I highly doubt there's anyone except for fanboys that would not pick one up at that price.
But are they going to go bankrupt if they don't beat the 360 sales numbers? And more importantly, the PS3 has sold better over its lifespan already. The ONLY reason the Xbox 360 is in the lead is a 2 year head start. You just said this year's games were better on the PS3 and despite being two years younger, PSN users altogether outnumber Xbox Live users( a service that's 5 years old I think.) So both your games and online reasons for the Xbox 360's big year in 2009 become moot in this supposed war.
The PS3 is already above 15 million sales going into it's 2nd year is because it is a superior product. Gui J proves that people aren't going to buy something more expensive if they have something they value as good enough temporarily. But people want the best. People buy cheap first…but they'll seek better quality after that brief education. Between the early adopters, the gamers buying a second console, and all the Sony loyalists buying the PS3 when it comes a lower pricepoint, I don't think the Xbox 360 stands a chance.
You too make some excellent points. You own both systems so you can see the difference in the quality of hardware. The 360 while more impressive in specific hardware specifications cannot accurately handle some of the games the PS3 will run within the next few years.
The PS3 is future proof because of Sony's 10 year plan and it's firmware upgrades.
Just look at the controllers…Sony's BlueTooth controllers are clearly meant to be future proof whereas the Xbox 360 still relies on replaceable batteries and charge packs. This is a case of quality versus quantity. Have you seen the videos of the new PS3 controller called the Sixense?
Everybody in the industry thinks Microsoft is winning some war or race. For Sony, it's not a race. It's business. If they wanted to, they could drop the price to $199, take the loss, and obliterate the Xbox 360…but that wouldn't be smart. I highly doubt there's anyone except for fanboys that would not pick one up at that price.
But are they going to go bankrupt if they don't beat the 360 sales numbers? And more importantly, the PS3 has sold better over its lifespan already. The ONLY reason the Xbox 360 is in the lead is a 2 year head start. You just said this year's games were better on the PS3 and despite being two years younger, PSN users altogether outnumber Xbox Live users( a service that's 5 years old I think.) So both your games and online reasons for the Xbox 360's big year in 2009 become moot in this supposed war.
The PS3 is already above 15 million sales going into it's 2nd year is because it is a superior product. Gui J proves that people aren't going to buy something more expensive if they have something they value as good enough temporarily. But people want the best. People buy cheap first…but they'll seek better quality after that brief education. Between the early adopters, the gamers buying a second console, and all the Sony loyalists buying the PS3 when it comes a lower pricepoint, this war will change abruptly and with a decisive blow.
I cant wait to get my PS3 next year, my only lingering worry is that Sony is looking long term and by the time the PS3 is getting ready to show its power under the hood and knock our socks off..will it have its legs cut under itself by the announcement of the NEW, More Powerful Nintendo, and Xbox? We know its coming and with the trend in recent years we can expect the bomb to drop late next year or early the following. I dont want Sony to sell itself short, the Playstation is what brought me back into gaming. If the economy is a continuing factor people will continue to buy cheap, and with the library the 360 has it makes it a bargain at that cheap price. I just hope the PS3 does succeed because if the economy finally gets better when the upcoming gen consoles come out its gonna be trouble.
I hear ya. I guess that's why I am so passionate about the red ringing Xbox 360. I don't want any company putting out a crappy product. There's a lot of consumers that just go by word of mouth and that's not always a good thing.
I'm all for Microsoft and the Xbox 360 succeeding but not at my expense. The same goes for Sony. There's been a huge problem with HOME beta testers getting into the actual beta. I had to jump through some hoops to get the problem rectified.
I just want the best products out there available. I still want a 360 so I can play Gears but I'll wait for another price cut or maybe I'll wait for another year to see if these Jasper systems work.
But as far as the PS3 goes, I think we're fine. They've created a console that grows and will be able to compete with whatever Microsoft puts out there. I honestly don't think the hardware will be the problem though. With the PSP compatibility and this new Sixense controller coming out, I think Sony has solid plans to keep the train moving slowly. In two years, the PS3 will be highly affordable and with an incredible library of titles.
I am just worried that Microsoft is running out of major first and second party exclusives to push. When their new console comes out, am I really going to want to play HALO 4 when I didn't enjoy the third one?
I don't know. I just really hope they can find something new to give me a reason to own multiple consoles and make paying for Xbox Live worth it again. I liked my Xbox Live experience…I just really love PSN one.
I hear ya. I guess that's why I am so passionate about the red ringing Xbox 360. I don't want any company putting out a crappy product. There's a lot of consumers that just go by word of mouth and that's not always a good thing.
I'm all for Microsoft and the Xbox 360 succeeding but not at my expense. The same goes for Sony. There's been a huge problem with HOME beta testers getting into the actual beta. I had to jump through some hoops to get the problem rectified.
I just want the best products out there available. I still want a 360 so I can play Gears but I'll wait for another price cut or maybe I'll wait for another year to see if these Jasper systems work.
But as far as the PS3 goes, I think we're fine. They've created a console that grows and will be able to compete with whatever Microsoft puts out there. I honestly don't think the hardware will be the problem though. With the PSP compatibility and this new Sixense controller coming out, I think Sony has solid plans to keep the train moving slowly. In two years, the PS3 will be highly affordable and with an incredible library of titles.
I am just worried that Microsoft is running out of major first and second party exclusives to push. When their new console comes out, am I really going to want to play HALO 4 when I didn't enjoy the third one?
I don't know. I just really hope they can find something new to give me a reason to own multiple consoles and make paying for Xbox Live worth it again. I liked my Xbox Live experience and I hope they find a way to expand it.
I hear ya. I guess that's why I am so passionate about the red ringing Xbox 360. I don't want any company putting out a crappy product. There's a lot of consumers that just go by word of mouth and that's not always a good thing.
I'm all for Microsoft and the Xbox 360 succeeding but not at my expense. The same goes for Sony. There's been a huge problem with HOME beta testers getting into the actual beta. I had to jump through some hoops to get the problem rectified.
I just want the best products out there available. I still want a 360 so I can play Gears but I'll wait for another price cut or maybe I'll wait for another year to see if these Jasper systems work.
But as far as the PS3 goes, I think we're fine. They've created a console that grows and will be able to compete with whatever Microsoft puts out there. I honestly don't think the hardware will be the problem though. With the PSP compatibility and this new Sixense controller coming out, I think Sony has solid plans to keep the train moving slowly. In two years, the PS3 will be highly affordable and with an incredible library of titles including some with Wii like gameplay and high definition graphics.
I am just worried that Microsoft is running out of major first and second party exclusives to push. When their new console comes out, am I really going to want to play HALO 4 when I didn't enjoy the third one?
I don't know. I just really hope they can find something new to give me a reason to own multiple consoles and make paying for Xbox Live worth it again. I liked my Xbox Live experience and I hope they find a way to expand it.
I hear ya. I guess that's why I am so passionate about the red ringing Xbox 360. I don't want any company putting out a crappy product. There's a lot of consumers that just go by word of mouth and that's not always a good thing.
I'm all for Microsoft and the Xbox 360 succeeding but not at my expense. The same goes for Sony. There's been a huge problem with HOME beta testers getting into the actual beta. I had to jump through some hoops to get the problem rectified.
I just want the best products out there available. I still want a 360 so I can play Gears but I'll wait for another price cut or maybe I'll wait for another year to see if these Jasper systems work.
But as far as the PS3 goes, I think we're fine. They've created a console that grows and will be able to compete with whatever Microsoft puts out there. I honestly don't think the hardware will be the problem though. With the PSP compatibility and this new Sixense controller coming out, I think Sony has solid plans to keep the train moving slowly. In two years, the PS3 will be highly affordable and with an incredible library of titles including some with Wii-like gameplay and high definition graphics.
I am just worried that Microsoft is running out of major first and second party exclusives to push. When their new console comes out, am I really going to want to play HALO 4 when I didn't enjoy the third one?
I don't know. I just really hope they can find something new to give me a reason to own multiple consoles and make paying for Xbox Live worth it again. I liked my Xbox Live experience and I hope they find a way to expand it.
I understand the importance of the successful Black Friday sales but to estimate that these surging numbers equals a big year for Microsoft is premature.
Sony clearly has the better lineup next year and in 2010. Despite the price difference, the PS3 is still way too close. Let's look at it this way…if the Xbox 360 and the PS3 were the same price, the 360 would be done. It's cheaper than the Wii and still not selling as well. I'm not saying the PS3 would sell better either but I think you'd see the numbers a little closer.
Yes the price difference mean a lot…maybe more than you realize. The simple fact that everybody fails to understand is Sony doesn't have to do anything with the PS3 price tag. They don't need to convert people. They have three gaming systems they're using to make money. Why cut your overall profits to compete in the next gen race against a console that is inferior to your top tier product?
Everybody can keep raving about games and online service, but based on hardware alone (which is what the customers are paying for when they buy a 360 or PS3,) you're getting a better deal with the PS3.
I just think people buy whatever is cheap and I think it's hilarious. You're going to see all these regular consumers get extremely pissed when their 360s break down, then they do some research and figure out that this was a problem since day 1.
Next year won't be a big year for Microsoft. It will be the descent of their glorious peak. Halo and GOW have been exploited. They have no new franchises to expand. All they can do is buyout third party games.
You're saying that 2009 will be a big year but Microsoft's got nothing left.
I understand the importance of the successful Black Friday sales but to state that these surging numbers equals a big year for Microsoft is naive.
Sony clearly has the better lineup next year and in 2010. Despite the price difference, the PS3 is still way too close. Let's look at it this way…if the Xbox 360 and the PS3 were the same price, the 360 would be done. It's cheaper than the Wii and still not selling as well. I'm not saying the PS3 would sell better either but I think you'd see the numbers a little closer.
Yes the price difference means a lot…maybe more than you realize. The simple fact that everybody fails to understand is Sony doesn't have to do anything with the PS3 price tag. They don't need to convert people. They have three gaming systems they're using to make money. Why cut your overall profits to compete in the next gen race against a console that is inferior to your top tier product?
It also has been confirmed that a bigger percentage of PS3 owners game online compared to the 360. I guess you missed that whole 14 million PSN users announcment. Everybody can keep raving about games and online service, but based on hardware alone (which is what the customers are paying for when they buy a 360 or PS3,) you're getting a better deal with the PS3.
I just think people buy whatever is cheap and I think it's hilarious. People will never learn that you get what you pay for. You're going to see all these regular consumers get extremely pissed when their 360s break down, then they do some research and figure out that this was a problem since day one.
Next year won't be a big year for Microsoft. It will be the descent of their glorious peak. Halo and GOW have been exploited. They have no new franchises to expand. All they can do is buyout third party games.
You're saying that 2009 will be a big year but Microsoft's got nothing left.
In my opinion, Sony had the better lineup this year as well. MGS4? LBP? R2? Those are top shelf exclusive titles, and it's still not even getting them close to beating the 360 in sales right now. Money rules everything, and that includes the video game market. So long as the 360 is cheaper, I'm fairly confident it will sell more. You're right, it is sad, because the PS3 has much to offer, but I have a hard time seeing Sony rebounding from being outsold 2 to 1 or worse almost all year, to turn around and overtake the box next year.
And no, I didn't miss the article where Sony claimed 14 million… I also didn't miss the article less than a week later when they said that the 14 million was both PS3 and PSP users combined. As of right now, the X-Box 360 has more active on-line users than the Playstation 3.
I have both, I play both, I personally prefer the PS3… but Microsoft will find a way to win. Be it another halo title, their new Netflix deal, or continuing to buy out 3rd party DLC, they're too stubborn to lose this race because it's the only system they have. You were right when you said that Sony has 3 systems to make money on, which probably explains why they're not as gung-ho to win this particular race as Microsoft is. I would imagine they're also looking at longevity. I'd put big money that says Microsoft needs a console upgrade before Sony does, meaning Sony can sit back and let things unfold a little slower, knowing that a slow start for them could mean a big finish.
With all that being said, you make very good points, but I still just can't see the PS3 finishing ahead of the 360.
In 2009, I mean.
First off, I must say how nice it is to debate with someone who actually knows how to "debate" without turning it in to an arguement. My hats off to you.
Second, I must correct what I assume was merely a typo by yourself, when you said that the 360 has a 2 year head start, and that the PS3 is going in to it's 2nd year. The Box had a 1 year head start, and the PS3 is currently heading in to it's 3rd year.
Actually, you and I agree on most things when it comes to comparing the two systems. I too think the PS3 hardware is better, and I too think the PS3 has some great first party games to offer, that are just as good if not better than the 360 titles… to top it off, I also think the PS3 will win this battle, overall. The only thing we disagree about is what happens in 09. I still say the 360 wins, and the best case scenario for Sony is to make a tight race. You're right, I think that decisive blow is coming, but I think it's coming later rather than sooner. The only thing that would put Sony over the top(IMO), would be some kind of deal where they offer a significant discount on PS3's for the trade of your PS2. But seeing as how backwards compatibility is gone, and the PS2 is still doing well, I highly doubt that will happen. A large price cut could also be big, but I would imagine that MS would simply counter with another for their console.
I do see the PS3 turning the tide before too long, but not in 09.
It's actually been quite fun having this debate with you. Please feel free to add me to your friends list(as any and all are welcome to do). Maybe we can play some LBP some time.
-Echo307