According to this Sony isn't the only one hurting.

[SPM]

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2007/04/microsofts_console_sales_slowing_down.html

Microsoft had a lame quarter for console sales in the quarter ended March 31. The company reported earnings Thursday and said it sold another 500,000 consoles during the first quarter, down significantly from 1.7 million sold a year ago. The company reported a loss $315 million.....

Overall, it’s a disturbing trend to see a sales deceleration. The installed base of Xbox 360s is now at 11 million units, after 17 months on the market. The Wii has hit 5.8 million units after just five months. The good news is that Microsoft is shaving back its losses despite heavy startup costs for IPTV and the Zune music player, which is included in the results of the Entertainment and Devices group. There wasn’t much pop on the Games for Windows side despite the launch of Vista during the quarter.

 

[Cheezdoodles]

This blogger doesnt have a clue about what he is talking about, Microsoft SHIPPED 500k consoles in the first quarter. They sold more.

 

[SPM]

Whatever. Still aren't the numbers down?

Also the PS2 just seems to have gained immortality.

http://forums.gameinformer.com/gi/board/message?board.id=GeneralGaming&message.id=192976

March 2007 US sales

Console Sales


1. Nintendo DS- 508,000
2. PlayStation 2- 280,000
3. Wii- 259,000
4. XBOX 360- 199,000
5. PlayStation Portable-180,000
6. GameBoy Advance- 148,000
7. PlayStation 3- 130,000


Game Sales

1. God Of War 2-PS2- 833,000
2. Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2-XBOX 360- 394,000
3. Guitar Hero 2-XBOX 360- 291,000
4. Wii Play with Wii Remote-Wii- 273,000
5. MotorStorm-PS3- 199,000
6. Diddy Kong Racing- Nintendo DS- 189,000
7. Spectrobes-Nintendo DS- 165,000
8. MLB 2K7--Xbox 360--165,000
9. MLB '07: The Show--PS2--164,000
10. Def Jam Icon--Xbox 360--148,000

 

[infinity4]

i still feel we are the ones most wounded by next gen hype

- low volume games for 40/50GBP RRP
- a lot of buggies in unfinished games
- microtransaction ripoffs when you have to spend for what you already have
- such high unreliability of consoles

 

[Todd33]

i still feel we are the ones most wounded by next gen hype

- low volume games for 40/50GBP RRP
- a lot of buggies in unfinished games
- microtransaction ripoffs when you have to spend for what you already have
- such high unreliability of consoles

I wasn't aware of PS3 or Wii reliability problems.

 

[infinity4]

I wasn't aware of PS3 or Wii reliability problems.

doesn't ps3 have overheating issues, whilst wii had wiimote strap design problems

 

[NavNucST3]

i still feel we are the ones most wounded by next gen hype

- low volume games for 40/50GBP RRP
- a lot of buggies in unfinished games
- microtransaction ripoffs when you have to spend for what you already have
- such high unreliability of consoles

The only one of which I concur is the 360's death ratio. The rest, well I consider it bull.
Games have and always will have bugs, but now that they can be fixed on consoles, we have to hear the nonsensical backlash from gamers.
Microtransactions, whatever, you don't like them don't buy them...I will stipulate that gamers should not be charged for content that is currently in the "last gen" sku.
Wounded...please
We are still not at cartridge prices for games (excluding collectors editions and rhythm games) so relax. Considering how many posters here were throwing around the "inflation argument" when the PS3 prices were announced, you would think that no one would be averse to $60 for games.

I have a strong suspicion that MSFT is not hurting from the 360, the way Dean paints the picture, or was implied by the OP.

 

[Corwin_B]

This blogger doesnt have a clue about what he is talking about, Microsoft SHIPPED 500k consoles in the first quarter. They sold more.

Didn't they sell over 700K in NA only for this quarter ? They are shipping less for this quarter because of :
- overstuffing of the retail channel last holiday (to reach their self-imposed 10 millions milestone)
- preparation of the Elite launch
- desire to let the current stock go before a price drop

 

[Corwin_B]

I wasn't aware of PS3 or Wii reliability problems.

There are some problems with the Wii, some people (myself included) had strange artifacts appear on screen (red/green flickering pixels) after leaving the console idle in WiiConnect24 mode. This problem may be the embedded RAM in the GPU being damaged by extra heat not dissipated in WiiConnect24 mode (where the CPU runs, but the fan is shut off).

 

[Nesh]

Why on earth are they still comparing Wii's sales with 360's (or PS3's) to conclude weather 360 is doing fine is beyond me.

 

[BoardBonobo]

My PS3 has been on 24/7 folding since launch day and hasn't yet hit a problem. It still just feels warm to touch not hot and is still silent running. My 360 on the other hand died after being left on over night, and the replacement ate 3 DVD's and 99 nights!

 

[Cheezdoodles]

Whatever. Still aren't the numbers down?

X360 has sold more this quarter than it did the same time last year.

And "whatever?"

The whole blog is one big flamebait, and just because the numbers are down (depending on how you look at it) doesn't mean we should use information that is obviously wrong

 

[Acert93]

Whatever. Still aren't the numbers down?

Yes, numbers are down. MS stuffed the channels in Q4 CY2006, meaning they would have fewer units "sold" to retailers in Q1 CY2007. They also announced months ago that Q1 and Q2 CY2007 would be slower for a number of reasons. They are clearing inventory for their 65nm product as well as preparing for a price reduction. Comparing Q1 2006 to Q1 2007 isn't really relevant as in 2006 they were doing everything they could to sell to retailers as they were behind in production and in 2007 retailers were stocked. This is reflecting on MS-retailer sales more than MS-consumer sales (although those are down as well, namely due to a high price point).

Toss in some delays (which seem to be strategic with a load of activity come right before E3) as well as the notables in the blog (IPTV and Zune startup costs) and what did people expect?

Also the PS2 just seems to have gained immortality.

The topic title, comments like "whatever" to valid points and this quote don't make your post seem very genuine to discuss MS's fiscal issues with the Xbox brand. I am not sure this thread can achieve much as it seems destined towad the sort of tit-for-tat platform bickering that gets threads closed. Maybe you guys will prove me wrong.

 

[Rainbow Man]

IMO this topic is pretty uninteresting.

I mean.. Why should any of us care about rate of sales? If we'd been..I don't know..stockbrokers maybe. And this had been a stock bulletin board. THEN it would have been of interest.

But I'm not here to read about great investments. I care about games and gadgets.

So wether MS ships more or less than last quarter.. YAWN.

Please. Wake me up when this discussion is over because it's putting me to sleep!
Peace.

 

[Nesh]

IMO this topic is pretty uninteresting.

I mean.. Why should any of us care about rate of sales? If we'd been..I don't know..stockbrokers maybe. And this had been a stock bulletin board. THEN it would have been of interest.

But I'm not here to read about great investments. I care about games and gadgets.

So wether MS ships more or less than last quarter.. YAWN.

Please. Wake me up when this discussion is over because it's putting me to sleep!
Peace.

Actually such articles arent just uninteresting. Smetimes they are stupid too.
For example they are comparing Wii's sales to 360's. Its quite obvious that Wii does not affect 360's sales or atleast significantly. Its completely irrelevant. So even if you were an investor in MS's stock you dont give a damn. Yet in every similar article they are doing that idiotic comparison.

360 and PS3 compared? Well thats more normal. But PS3 or 360 compared to Wii?

 

[StefanS]

There's already a thread on MS Q3 numbers. Locked.