European Console Sales (2009 Edition)

[Arwin]

Very hard to argue these things. I do think that the 360 is more of an FPS platform than Sony, even if FPS games are popular on both platforms. But you could just as well argue that there are simply more games on the 360 to choose from and therefore SFIV on 360 simply has more competition from other games.

 

[obonicus]

Also, and I'm not sure how much this really matters, but the console fighting game tournaments will be using the PS3 version of SF4. That, plus the fact that it's easier to get decent third party controllers on the PS3 (PS2 adapters, any HID device) might have had some influence.

 

[Brad Grenz]

Nothing that suggests this, as FPS games are the most popular genre on both consoles.

I don't really think that's true, and even if it were, to say that FPS games are the most popular on each console is not to say they are equally popular, per capita.

 

[liolio]

Also, and I'm not sure how much this really matters, but the console fighting game tournaments will be using the PS3 version of SF4. That, plus the fact that it's easier to get decent third party controllers on the PS3 (PS2 adapters, any HID device) might have had some influence.

Could live gold subscription fee also play its part in this?
I mean a third of the 360 owners have a gold membership but SF4 is a game you want to play at home with friends or online as playing against Ai can quickly be boroing especially when you know that you play online with human encounters.
I don't care that much for online as I'm not an FPS enthousiast I consider SF4 but clearly without a gold membership I know that the experience will be somehow spoiled.
And I don't consider paying the gold fee for one game, may change my mind but I must not be alone in this situation.

 

[Cheezdoodles]

I don't really think that's true, and even if it were, to say that FPS games are the most popular on each console is not to say they are equally popular, per capita.

It is true.

What you said in your previous post is flat out wrong aswell. PS3 sales are not relatively weak for FPS games at all. FPS games sells relatively just as good on the PS3 as they do on the X360.

Look at the million selling titles on the PS3 compared to the X360 from a site like vgchartz or something. Amount of FPS games is roughly the same for the top 50 titles, and the differences is largely created only due to the fact that the PS3 has not had certain big hitting FPS titles due to its later release.

While we cannot say that they are equally popular per capita based on this,saying that X360 owners like FPS games more than PS3 owners is based on nothing but thin air and a mindset from the PS2 era.

2 years ago, there was a similar discussion surround how there where only FPS games for the X360. I created a list back then, and the % of fps titles was pretty much the same on both platforms. The topic should still be here if you search a little
Feel free to do this math by yourself, but i doubt you will find anything that implies statistically that FPS games are more popular on the X360.

 

[Rangers]

It is true.

What you said in your previous post is flat out wrong aswell. PS3 sales are not relatively weak for FPS games at all. FPS games sells relatively just as good on the PS3 as they do on the X360.

Look at the million selling titles on the PS3 compared to the X360 from a site like vgchartz or something. Amount of FPS games is roughly the same for the top 50 titles, and the differences is largely created only due to the fact that the PS3 has not had certain big hitting FPS titles due to its later release.

While we cannot say that they are equally popular per capita based on this,saying that X360 owners like FPS games more than PS3 owners is based on nothing but thin air and a mindset from the PS2 era.

2 years ago, there was a similar discussion surround how there where only FPS games for the X360. I created a list back then, and the % of fps titles was pretty much the same on both platforms. The topic should still be here if you search a little
Feel free to do this math by yourself, but i doubt you will find anything that implies statistically that FPS games are more popular on the X360.

360's biggest titles though are FPS..mainly Halo, and Gears which I guess technically isnt a FPS but might as well be.

Sony's big exclusive titles are less FPS..GT5, GoW3, Uncharted series, Ratchet, Heavenly Sword, Motorstorm. Resistance series is of course their FPS attempt.

Also, if you think "COD4" I think its fair to think it a more 360 centric title.. there is a hardcore base of FPS players on Live seemingly.

I dont think this is good for Sony, FPS are simply the most popular games nowdays. I think Sony is shifting focus to FPS inevitably too (huge push for Killzone).

Ironically though this spring 360 has 3 exclusive non-FPS (SO4, Halo Wars, and Ninja Blade) while PS3's big exclusive (Killzone 2) is an FPS..

 

[DrJay24]

360's biggest titles though are FPS..mainly Halo, and Gears which I guess technically isnt a FPS but might as well be.

Sony's big exclusive titles are less FPS..GT5, GoW3, Uncharted series, Ratchet, Heavenly Sword, Motorstorm. Resistance series is of course their FPS attempt.

Where are Forza, PGR, Viva Piniata? Resistance is "their FPS attempt", of course they being Insomniac, not Sony.

Also, if you think "COD4" I think its fair to think it a more 360 centric title.. there is a hardcore base of FPS players on Live seemingly.

I think it sold equally well on both systems considering the install base.

Ironically though this spring 360 has 3 exclusive non-FPS (SO4, Halo Wars, and Ninja Blade) while PS3's big exclusive (Killzone 2) is an FPS..

Both systems have plenty of shooters, most of which are 3rd party. It's a popular genre, don't read too much into it. Sony has KZ2 this year, MS has Halo QCVTHS later.

 

[Cheezdoodles]

360's biggest titles though are FPS..mainly Halo, and Gears which I guess technically isnt a FPS but might as well be.

Sony's big exclusive titles are less FPS..GT5, GoW3, Uncharted series, Ratchet, Heavenly Sword, Motorstorm. Resistance series is of course their FPS attempt.

Huh?

Gears is not a FPS. If your going to classify that as a FPS game, then certainly Uncharted is just as much of an FPS game (same camera placement and cover mechanics, and both are shooters).

I also dunno why you are mentioning some Sony random Sony exclusives. What does this has to do with anything? Your selection turns Gears into a FPS, but uncharted is not, and KZ2 is not even on the list of "big" Sony exclusives?

I dunno why you even bother to talk about exclusive games. The only real 360 exclusive FPS title that i know of is Halo 3. Sony has Resistance and KZ2.

Also, if you think "COD4" I think its fair to think it a more 360 centric title.. there is a hardcore base of FPS players on Live seemingly.

CoD4 is the 2nd best selling title on the PS3, not only that the PS3 and X360 version are identical. And you are trying to convince me that this is somehow a 360 centric title? Why?


Top 50 X360 Titles. Bolded are FPS.

1 Halo 3 Microsoft 568,257 8.8 9.10m 17th Nov 08
2 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Activision 81,136 N/A 7.04m 03rd Nov 08
3 Grand Theft Auto IV Rockstar Games 81,522 N/A 6.80m 08th Oct 08
4 Gears of War Microsoft 42,603 N/A 5.86m 07th Nov 08
5 Call of Duty: World at War Activision Blizzard 6,103 8.8 4.84m 03rd Sep 08 6 Gears of War 2 Microsoft 59,778 9.0 4.58m 18th Jul 08
7 Assassin's Creed Ubisoft 29,640 N/A 4.44m 19th Jan 09
8 Forza Motorsport 2 Microsoft 26,711 N/A 4.37m 05th Jan 09
9 Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock RedOctane 14,663 N/A 3.97m 05th Feb 09
10 Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures LucasArts 2,477 N/A 2.99m 11th May 08
11 Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion 2K Games 13,367 N/A 2.64m 29th Nov 08
12 Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Activision 9,407 N/A 2.57m 26th Oct 08
13 Kung Fu Panda Activision 947 N/A 2.57m 10th Jun 08
14 Fable II Microsoft 9,979 8.5 2.56m 23rd Dec 08
15 Madden NFL 08 Electronic Arts 8,066 N/A 2.43m 27th Aug 07
16 Guitar Hero II RedOctane 5,925 N/A 2.42m 05th Feb 09
17 Call of Duty 2 Activision 4,265 N/A 2.33m 11th Apr 08 18 Mass Effect Microsoft 41,130 N/A 2.32m 16th Feb 08
19 Bioshock 2K Games 33,931 9.3 2.31m 15th Nov 08 20 Rock Band MTV Games 12,229 N/A 2.26m 26th Oct 08
21 Call of Duty 3 Activision 4,849 N/A 2.25m 12th Apr 08 22 Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter Ubisoft 4,075 N/A 2.24m 03rd Nov 08
23 Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas Ubisoft 5,979 N/A 2.21m 31st Oct 08 24 Madden NFL 09 Electronic Arts 4,913 N/A 2.19m 27th Aug 08
25 Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 Ubisoft 9,122 N/A 2.11m 05th Jun 08 26 Saints Row THQ 4,990 N/A 2.07m 09th Aug 07
27 Fallout 3 Bethesda Softworks 3,337 8.2 2.06m 03rd Nov 08
28 Fight Night Round 3 EA Sports 3,281 N/A 1.92m 24th Jan 09
29 Need for Speed: ProStreet Electronic Arts 5,578 N/A 1.91m 05th Apr 08
30 Madden NFL 07 Electronic Arts 2,984 N/A 1.89m 29th Apr 08
31 Sega Superstars Tennis Sega 1,441 N/A 1.85m 23rd Feb 09
32 Viva Pinata Microsoft 8,687 N/A 1.85m 11th Apr 08
33 Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Capcom 9,145 N/A 1.84m 27th Oct 08
34 Dead Rising Capcom 8,601 N/A 1.83m 11th Apr 08
35 Project Gotham Racing 4 Microsoft 5,624 N/A 1.75m 31st Oct 08
36 Army of Two Electronic Arts 8,994 N/A 1.71m 05th Apr 08
37 Guitar Hero: World Tour Activision 670 N/A 1.67m 28th Jan 09
38 Left 4 Dead Electronic Arts 3,115 N/A 1.67m 23rd Jan 09
39 FIFA Soccer 09 Electronic Arts 841 N/A 1.64m 07th Nov 08
40 Star Wars: The Force Unleashed LucasArts 4,493 N/A 1.61m 23rd Oct 08
41 FIFA 08 Electronic Arts 4,292 N/A 1.59m 16th Oct 07
42 Need for Speed: Most Wanted Electronic Arts 1,890 N/A 1.56m 05th Sep 08
43 Crackdown Microsoft 5,665 N/A 1.53m 13th Jun 08
44 Project Gotham Racing 3 Microsoft 3,291 N/A 1.52m 29th Mar 08
45 Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 Ubisoft 3,445 N/A 1.52m 07th Oct 08
46 Perfect Dark Zero Microsoft 5,221 N/A 1.47m 08th Jan 09
47 Rock Band 2 MTV Games 2,898 N/A 1.46m 05th Jul 08
48 Need for Speed: Carbon Electronic Arts 2,463 N/A 1.45m 05th Sep 08
49 WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008 THQ 3,740 N/A 1.42m 13th Aug 08
50 Saints Row 2

PS3:

Grand Theft Auto IV Rockstar Games 254,187 N/A 5.41m 08th Oct 08
2 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Activision 124,187 N/A 4.02m 13th Apr 08 3 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Konami 706,933 9.5 3.88m 16th Feb 09
4 MotorStorm Sony Computer Entertainment 28,188 N/A 3.83m 21st Oct 08
5 Resistance: Fall of Man Sony Computer Entertainment 148,424 N/A 3.53m 26th Jan 08 6 Assassin's Creed Ubisoft 37,725 N/A 3.32m 19th Jan 09
7 Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Sony Computer Entertainment 71,650 N/A 2.93m 02nd Apr 08
8 Call of Duty: World at War Activision Blizzard 2,381 N/A 2.86m 03rd Sep 08 9 Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Sony Computer Entertainment 273,148 8.7 2.58m 05th Nov 08
10 LittleBigPlanet Sony Computer Entertainment 65,731 9.2 2.01m 15th Oct 08
11 FIFA Soccer 09 Electronic Arts 2,534 N/A 1.92m 07th Nov 08
12 Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock RedOctane 10,941 N/A 1.87m 05th Feb 09
13 PES 2009: Pro Evolution Soccer Konami 2,742 N/A 1.81m 07th Nov 08
14 Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 Konami 19,191 N/A 1.72m 08th Mar 08
15 FIFA 08 Electronic Arts 8,602 N/A 1.66m 04th Apr 08
16 Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction Sony Computer Entertainment 94,234 8.8 1.59m 07th Nov 08
17 Need for Speed: ProStreet Electronic Arts 9,743 N/A 1.55m 10th Apr 08
18 Madden NFL 09 Electronic Arts 4,168 N/A 1.49m 27th Aug 08
19 Resistance 2 Sony Computer Entertainment 36,797 N/A 1.41m 19th Nov 08 20 Heavenly Sword Sony Computer Entertainment 41,387 N/A 1.40m 26th Jan 08
21 Devil May Cry 4 Capcom 150,070 N/A 1.31m 10th Feb 09
22 Fallout 3 Bethesda Softworks 1,724 N/A 1.25m 23rd Jan 09
23 WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008 THQ 5,911 N/A 1.16m 13th Aug 08
24 Need for Speed: Undercover Electronic Arts 615 N/A 1.14m 05th Nov 08
25 Star Wars: The Force Unleashed LucasArts 3,723 N/A 1.10m 23rd Oct 08
26 Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 Ubisoft 8,102 N/A 1.03m 05th Jun 08 27 Guitar Hero: World Tour Activision 430 N/A 1.00m 28th Jan 09
28 Soul Calibur IV Namco Bandai 15,063 N/A 0.96m 03rd Sep 08
29 Rock Band MTV Games 6,035 N/A 0.92m 31st Oct 08
30 Madden NFL 08 Electronic Arts 5,331 N/A 0.92m 04th May 08
31 Burnout Paradise Electronic Arts 14,579 N/A 0.89m 28th Aug 08
32 Far Cry 2 Ubisoft 609 N/A 0.84m 03rd Jan 09 33 Army of Two Electronic Arts 6,023 N/A 0.84m 05th Apr 08
34 SingStar Sony Computer Entertainment 5,406 N/A 0.80m 03rd Feb 09
35 Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Bethesda Softworks 10,146 N/A 0.78m 29th Nov 08
36 MotorStorm: Pacific Rift Sony Computer Entertainment 4,259 N/A 0.77m 18th Jan 09
37 Kane & Lynch: Dead Men Eidos Interactive 4,528 N/A 0.77m 03rd Nov 08 38 Tomb Raider: Underworld Eidos Interactive 1,221 N/A 0.76m 27th Jan 09
39 Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit Atari 7,832 N/A 0.76m 13th Feb 09
40 Midnight Club: Los Angeles Rockstar Games 694 N/A 0.74m 13th Feb 09
41 Prince of Persia Ubisoft 752 N/A 0.72m 23rd Jan 09
42 Fight Night Round 3 EA Sports 2,011 N/A 0.71m 24th Jan 09
43 Battlefield: Bad Company Electronic Arts 5,738 N/A 0.70m 09th Jul 08 44 Saints Row 2 THQ 467 N/A 0.69m 07th Nov 08
45 Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds Sony Computer Entertainment 3,968 N/A 0.69m 05th Apr 08
46 Haze Ubisoft 29,393 N/A 0.67m 06th Nov 08
47 Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga LucasArts 1,737 N/A 0.67m 14th Nov 07
48 Time Crisis 4 Namco Bandai 4,472 N/A 0.66m 05th Apr 08
49 The Simpsons Game Electronic Arts 1,766 N/A 0.66m 07th Nov 07
50 Ridge Racer 7 Namco Bandai 3,736 N/A 0.65m 13th Apr 08

There is absolutely NOTHING that implies that X360 gamers like FPS games more than the PS3 gamers, the only differences in the titles on this list is that many games where either not released on the PS3 (due to later launch) or got a port way after (bioshock).

Now somebody please explain to me why FPS are more popular on the X360 than the PS3, based on something else than your opinion that CoD4 is a 360-centric title and other nonsense. Somebody make an argument based on facts.. Show me that X360 owners buy relatively more FPS games than PS3 owners

 

[Rangers]

Well you guys spent a lot of time arguing but the fact of Halo being the face of the system alone ( and the biggest title in hardcore video games) makes Xbox more of an FPS box than Playstation.

PS2 had little in the way of FPS at all. PS3 is coming along moreso.

The only pre-Killzone exclusive 2 FPS Sony had were Resistance.

Comparing Uncharted to Gears, they're not anything alike. Not even in the same galaxy having played both. Uncharted is an adventure game with platforming. Gears is an FPS from a third person view.

Where are Forza, PGR, Viva Piniata? Resistance is "their FPS attempt", of course they being Insomniac, not Sony.

I said Sony's big exclusives..Resistance is exclusive. Perhaps it's worded awkwardly but I was not referring to Sony first party alone.

I think it sold equally well on both systems considering the install base.

It didn't. It sold better on 360, according to that one chart from gamasutra, about 3m versus about 1.2m. The install base is about 2-1.

Both systems have plenty of shooters, most of which are 3rd party. It's a popular genre, don't read too much into it. Sony has KZ2 this year, MS has Halo QCVTHS later.

Sure, the fact remains 360 is more of an FPS centric box than PS3.

Now somebody please explain to me why FPS are more popular on the X360 than the PS3, based on something else than your opinion that CoD4 is a 360-centric title and other nonsense. Somebody make an argument based on facts.. Show me that X360 owners buy relatively more FPS games than PS3 owners

Show me they dont.

The fact is we dont have all sales numbers and everybody here knows that.

But I'd guess, Halo selling 8 million alone means a lot more FPS sell on 360.

I dunno why you even bother to talk about exclusive games. The only real 360 exclusive FPS title that i know of is Halo 3.

Perfect Dark Zero is also Xbox 360 exclusive. Isn't left 4 dead also an FPS?

And I dont know where you got your top 50 games list..it's not from NPD so..it's not accurate.

The other reason besides "Halo" I think 360 is FPS centric is Live. There is a strong core of FPS Live players on Xbox, that may not be on other consoles.

 

[Squilliam]

Ostepop you left your #6 out on the Xbox 360.

If you just used the category "Shooter" you will see a vast difference.

It will show that the Xbox 360 can support multiple 5M+ series (Call of Duty, Halo) or (Call of Duty, Gears) in the same holiday season. It will also showed quite simply how stacked the top of the sales chart is with shooter games.

In not too long at all when both COD and GoW reach the top of the list there will be as many shooters on the Xbox 360 which sold 5M+ as shooters on the PS3 which sold 1M+ which is quite a significant statistical difference. You will also see that the PS3 cannot support at this time multiple top tier shooters at the same time.

 

[Cheezdoodles]

In not too long at all when both COD and GoW reach the top of the list there will be as many shooters on the Xbox 360 which sold 5M+ as shooters on the PS3 which sold 1M+ which is quite a significant statistical difference.

Sales have to be measured relative to the platforms software sales, not directly against eachother. You get no meaningful information by comparing directly.

PS3 software sales are lower, thus any game sales will usually be lower on the PS3. That does not mean that they like the game any less. For example.

If CoD4 sold 5 million on the PS3 and 6 million the X360, this does not mean that X360 gamers liked CoD4 more. Not before you either compare the sales number to amount of consoles sold or to total amount of software sales do you get any meaningful number.

If PS3 install base is 20million and X360 is 28million, then actually, PS3 owners liked CoD4 more than x360 owners.. As 25% of PS3 owners bought CoD4, wheras 21% of the X360 owners bought cod4.. Im sure you can follow the logic from here.

You will also see that the PS3 cannot support at this time multiple top tier shooters at the same time.

Resistance 2 + CoD:WoW seemed to both sell well...

But I'd guess, Halo selling 8 million alone means a lot more FPS sell on 360.

Amazing logic

 

[zed]

It could be as simple as the PS3 having an older userbase and therefore more interest in classic games and franchises.

there was a recent study from nielson IIRC (see gamasutra)

xbox360 - most popular with males 12-16
ps3 - most popular with males 17-24

 

[DrJay24]

there was a recent study from nielson IIRC (see gamasutra)

xbox360 - most popular with males 12-16
ps3 - most popular with males 17-24

That explains my experience online

 

[DrJay24]

The other reason besides "Halo" I think 360 is FPS centric is Live. There is a strong core of FPS Live players on Xbox, that may not be on other consoles.

Well PSN has online gaming too and it's free to use. The most popular games are most likely R1/R2, COD4, COD:WW and Warhawk. SOCOM has a strong base too, but I don't know how large.

Killzone 2 will probably dominate 2009 for MP, got to love these >16 player dedicated server based games

 

[neliz]

Just chiming in with some numbers from the netherlands.

total sales for "home" consoles in 2007 was 170.000 (wii, ps3, 360) and 200.000 handhelds (ds, psp) according to gfk (page 103) http://www.gfk.com/imperia/md/content/ps_benelux/jaargidsen/tvc_gfk_jaargids_2008.pdf

no reports in their 2009 guide yet.

 

[liolio]

Microsoft claims to have sold more than 8 millions 360 in Europe:
http://www.edge-online.com/news/microsoft-360-sells-over-8-million-europe

 

[Crossbar]

Microsoft claims to have sold more than 8 millions 360 in Europe:
http://www.edge-online.com/news/microsoft-360-sells-over-8-million-europe

This puts SCEEs Reeves comment from January in some perspective.

Our installed base now is very close to 8.5 million units [edit: PS3s] in PAL territories. Our numbers show we are absolutely neck-and-neck.

It fits pretty well IMO.

 

[Mortimer]

"PAL territories" is much more than just Europe.

 

[Crossbar]

"PAL territories" is much more than just Europe.

Yeah, question is how much more in number of units?

"Installed base" and "unit sales" can mean different things as well if we want to add more uncertainty to the figures. And it is possibly 2 months between the two numbers.

Funny fact: Sweden and a number of other countries are no longer part of PAL, we´ve switched to DVB-T. Not that I think Reeves cares.

 

[neliz]

Funny fact: Sweden and a number of other countries are no longer part of PAL, we´ve switched to DVB-T. Not that I think Reeves cares.

Wow, what has DVB to do with the output frequency of a console?