A good number of my gaming industry colleagues believe that it’s only a matter of time before the global installed based of the Sony PlayStation 3 overtakes that of the Microsoft Xbox 360. I lean that way myself, but don’t want to make any predictions (I’ll leave that to Pachter). With that in mind, I was surprised by the number crunching and gathering done by Industry Gamers. The race is way closer than I thought it was. Check it out:
The respective global installed bases for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are showing 41.7 million units sold for Microsoft and 38.1 million for Sony. That’s a difference of just 3.6 million units on a worldwide basis, and considering that Microsoft got a full 1-year head start with the Xbox 360, it shows how strong Sony has come on of late.
It shows that Sony is doing something very right, or that Microsoft is doing something wrong and failed to really capitalize on its early jump on the next-gen market. Numerous analysts have said that PS3 could pass Xbox 360 in the years ahead, and if this PS3 sales pace keeps up, and if Microsoft doesn’t jump start its business with Kinect this holiday, then we could easily see it happening. Over the last fiscal year, 10.3 million Xbox 360 consoles were sold, but Sony shifted 14.3 million PS3 units.
Q4 2010 will be extremely interesting. Will Microsoft be able to snag new customers with Kinect? Will Sony be able to do the same with Move? Will Sony be able to maintain its momentum? Under optimum conditions, there’s a chance that Sony will be able to close the gap by the end of the year — something I didn’t think was possible until 2011.
Most importantly, I want to know what you think of these numbers. How do you think things will play out in 2010? Leave your predictions in the comments section (please)! You can even give yourself a two-million unit margin of error like Michael Pachter.
I really don't think that Kinnect will be a system seller, but then again, I don't get paid for my insightful and totally random, not-based-on-any-facts predictions.
I am also patiently waiting for RROD's comment on this story.
…
-M
I don't think either Move or Kinect will be "system sellers" so to speak. I think that in order for a family to get the full value out of either will be too expensive. I think it's more likely that families that already have one system or the other will be more likely to pick the motion controllers up.
I think MS should stop applying their version of the Apple tax on Kinect and sell it for $75. That will give them the needed bump. Especially considering the compelling (sarcasm) games they have talked about for Kinect.
To be honest bluray is about the only thing that separates these machines to me now. Here's why. They are both an investment of at least $300. Both have online communities, and both sell games for $60. Now they will both have motion controls. They are also both black. Neither comes HD ready out of the box either.
Really what I'm getting at is that MS or Sony should lower the price on their games now that this generation is probably halfway or over halfway cycled. Differentiate themselves by making something cheaper that the consumer actually wants.
@Smartguy;
Apple tax?
-M
@Iceman You never heard of the Apple tax? Ha!
Is that, like, when there is a shortage of Granny Smiths or Red Delicious(es) and the orchid farmers can't meet demand?
-M
@Iceman
Apple has a 42% markup on nearly everything they sell. Nearly because some things are quite higher than 42%. Ever notice how expensive even the most mundane things are on their website? Example: $30 bumper.
lagniappe: Granny Smiths are the best.
Most people I know who play games have both consoles. Over time I believe most gamers will eventually own both so the numbers are bound to even out. Especially given the amount of good exclusive titles each system has.
Peeps, please give a warm welcome to irontoes!!! We used to work together at PC Magazine Labs. We terrorized the place with jokes like Jane "Tam" Poon, not having "little baggies" because we're men, and blasting Mingus Ah Um on all the test PCs before taking off for lunch. Good times….
@Topic
This was bound to happen. The Playstation has too much history.
@Smartguy
Fugi apples are the best.
@Iceman
Was that good enough for you?
I don't think MS is doing anything wrong. Sony is jut doin everything right. Globally I think Sony will pass MS, but I'm not too sure on North America right now. Its been a long day and I could have missed those numbers just now, but I think MS will do well in North America and stay above Sony there.
If pachter had anything to say about this, judging from his last prediction he might say it could take Sony anywhere from 1-100 months to overtake MS. HA. Probably a bad joke on my part but it's what my mind thought of first. Good night all! Gotta be up in 3 hours for work again.
@RROD;
Eh. I was expecting more pizazz and emoting, but I guess it'll have to do. I set myself up for these things, you know.
@irontoes;
Since everyone here is shy (or working like a slave), let me be the first… er, second to welcome you to the site. Leave your inhibitions at the door and make sure you pay your tribute at the Reona Rewis shrine Mr. Padilla has erected for her (pun intended). It's nice to see another "industry" person here. I'm still waiting for the juicy tidbits in a tell-all book about the business of gaming/tech journalism. You guys should work on that.
@Bsukenyan;
Have fun at work tomorrow.
@Smartguy;
"lagniappe"?
-M
@iceman
lagniappe = a little something extra. it's a NOLA thing. pronounced lan-yap.
@irontoes
welcome, please provide links to your favorite GHM posts. thankyou.
Now that Sony's shortage is supposed to be over I don't think they will have a problem surpassing MS. As far a Kinect and Move selling system. I highly doubt it. The initial cost to get into both of them is too high if you don't already own the respective console.
@irontoes
WELCOME!!! Ray keeps the fridge stocked with beer, just take your shoes off before walking on the carpet.
@Smartguy & Ray & Tokz
I bought the Captivate yesterday and it is way better than I expected. The main buttons being unresponsive is a small gripe, but I was able to use it fine last night (did the drunk test in the first 2 hours of owning it).
Now I just have to figure out Android and what to do with 7 Homescreens
@slicky
awesome dude. gratz. it will be rooted eventually lol. yeah, i don't know what i'd do with the 7 screens honestly.
the 7 screens are awesome…you need all of them
@irontoes
welcome dude
The 7 screens are like condoms and guns–better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
@SlickyFats I'll post some recommended Android apps later today.
@Smartguy;
Bonus points for a GHM reference upon welcoming a new person to the site.
@Mr. Padilla;
First time in my life I've ever heard a comparison made between a smart phone's multiple home screens and guns/condoms. I tip my hat to you, sir.
-M
@Ray
Thanks I'd appreciate it. I could use all of the guidance I can get. I haven't even been to the App Market yet. I have just trying to find all of the settings and stuff. I was a little distraught that I couldn't sync my Outlook contacts with my phone. Luckily before I rid of my BB Bold I had synced it with my Outlook and I just happened to check the box in my e-mail client on the phone to sync with my gmail. As soon aas I logged into my gmail from my new phone I had every name and number I had ever called or emailed.
I didnt realize it but I miss having a dedicated call and hang-up button. Sometimes the screen locks during a call and I can't immediately just hang-up. I have to unlock the phone and wait a second for it to figure out whats going on then I can hit "End Call"
@SlickyFats Ah, what you should have done was use Google Sync on your BB. You could have set "My Contacts" as the only group that synced. Then your BB contacts would have synced with your empty Gmail "My Contacts". As soon as you logged in on your Captivate, they all would have been there.
@Ray
I looked at google Sync but it only mentioned syncing with my calender and not contacts. I still have the phone so I can try it anyway. Because none of the Picture IDs copied over.
Also I just found out I can delete unused Home screens and add them whenever I want. So now I just have 3.
@SlickyFats It definitely syncs contacts. I was using it on my BB 8900 to do that. Here's a list of recommended apps I recently sent to a friend:
Google Voice
foursquare
AIM
Yelp
Pandora
Google Goggles
EasyTether
Amazon.com
Barcode Scanner
3banana (SUPER useful)
IMDb
GameFly Game Center
NYTimes
Engadget
Amazon Kindle
Qik
Onion News Network
Huffington Post
Ookla Speed Test
@ Slicky
I think you will come to love Android as I have. Ringdroid was the first app I got for my phone, it lets you make ring tones from the music stored on your phone. I would also highly recommend a task killer to keep your memory high and to also help with battery life. You should go with either Advanced Task Killer (ATK) or TasKiller Free, I personally prefer TasKiller Free.
@irontoes
Welcome to the club!
@Big Blak Task killers actually don't due much of anything. In some cases they can lower battery life. Android is Linux based and manages memory fairly well. The best way to extend battery life is turn off auto-updates for things you don't need and to make sure Google Talk doesn't automatically log in.
@Rpad
Really, now im going to try a day with out it. This is why I love your site, I learn something every day. It is also cool to see the apps you have suggested and it reflects the line of work your in because about 3 quarters of those apps are useless for me. If I listed my most used apps it would be so different.
@ Rpad
I just read an article on Linux based OS and I feel like a totally fool for just listening to my friends and not looking into it myself.
@ Slicky
Don't get a task killer its pointless, I'm uninstalling it right now.
@BB
yeah I saw Rays post and started looking into it more. It was actually the first App I got and it was the first I uninstalled.
@Ray
Barcode scanner is fun (don't know when I'd use it though)
Easy Tether isn't available on the App Market so I can't use it. Luckily on this phone all I have to do to USB tether is check the PC Modem box (similar to WinMo)
Google Voice? I don't know why I would ever need something like that.
@Big Blak I'm just sharing what I learned. Knowing is half the battle and all that good stuff.
@SlickyFats Barcode scanner is good if you see an item you like and want to get comparison prices quickly. EasyTether (one word) is definitely in Android Market. I just looked at it.
Google Voice is awesome and powerful. Transcribed voicemail is brilliant — much faster than listening to a message and a great way to screen. If I'm at my PC, it's way faster to send a text message from a computer than a phone. If you have multiple numbers, GV can ring all of them. Great stuff.
@ Rpad
I saw a pie graph on a shirt once and it was titled The Battle, 50% Knowing 25% Red Lasers 25% Blue Lasers.
@Ray
EasyTether – "There is no matches in Android Market for the search: easytether"
@Ray
I just googled it and it EasyTether (and all other tether apps) Blocked by AT&T from the store. Lovely. I wonder what else I am not allowed to get.
@Ray (again)
Got it. I had to turn off the ATT radio (airplane mode) and the turn on my wifi and go to the App Market and what do you know I get a free and a paid version to show up.
@SlickyFats Ha! That's pretty interesting. I'd love to see a list of apps blocked by AT&T or any of the other carriers. It's funny how just using WiFi goes around it all.
@BB 2nd Greatest website ever (next to rpad.tv) http://www.80stees.com/products/The-Battle-G-I-Jo…
Random subject- I was looking for a good emulator for my PSP, I know some of you guys have psps, and I was wondering if anybody had any recommendations. I've been trying to find something to play on my PSP and the only things I have tried recently that I want is that new gladiator game.
@arguello
gotta try final burn alpha…neo geo and capcom emulator
http://www.emulator-zone.com/doc.php/arcade/final…
if you need roms….
http://www.emuasylum.com/
@ray
quick question…if i had 4g in my area, is quicktether fast enough to play ps3 or xbox games online with?
@thundercracker Generally speaking, WiMax's ping rates aren't the best for competitive online gaming. I think it's fine for playing with friends, but if you're in a competitive setting with strangers then it might not be the best.
im just seeing quicktether as a way to bypass the 50 bucks i send to comcast for hi speed every month….but im not even getting 1 mb per sec on 3g
@thundercracker
a friend of mine plays his 360 with a verizon aircard. he bridges the connection on his pc and plays like nothing is going on. Of course he is subject to the cap, which you won't hit playing games, and the elements. He did have some noticeable lag in MW2 though.
That is so messed up that ATT will block apps on the Android Market.
Anyone know any free DVD burning software that will get around Windows' stupidity? I have a 4.38GB file that's supposed to fit onto a DVD, but because of the way Windows reads the data, it's only giving 4.37 to work with on the blank disc.
@Ray
Handbrake
@ Ray
http://www.thefreecountry.com/utilities/dvdcdburn…
@ Ray
You could also compress the file first too.
I shouldn't have to reconvert or compress. It should fit on a DVD, but because of the way Windows is calculating bytes it doesn't. It's frickin stupid.
@ Ray
I'm not sure what to tell ya. When I run into problems like that, I use Toast Titanium… but I don't think they make a Windows version nor is it "free".
@N8R I will use the frustration to justify saving for an iMac.
@ Arguello
Thats the shirt right there! Thanks.
@Arguello
yes that is a great site.
@Big Blak
that's the shirt right there! ha!
@rpad
i notice one of your tweets mention of a failed quest for the new batman animated film? was that to purchase or rent?
@Ray
I use DvdShrink, AnyDVD and Nero 7 for ALL of my DVD needs. But I thionk DVDshrink and Nero Recode both put DVD files at 4.35 so I don't know about going over.
Also today is my first time to see your mobile site. For some reason my Blackberry would only view the full site (which wasn't a problem)
And I tried out EasyTether. It was way more involved than the "PC Internet" button that was included with my phone. I just plug in the USB and hit that and there is no software to install on either the phone or PC and it shows as a Local area connection (my BB showed as a dial-up modem)
@tokz_21 Yes, I was trying to pick it up at Best Buy yesterday but they were sold out. I ordered it from Amazon and shall watch it on Wednesday instead. I watched a bit of it through interwebz means and loved it so far…though I miss Kevin Conroy.
@rpad
haha. i had it in mp4 format. i would’ve been happy to share via dropbox or still will be if you can’t wait. I saw it on Amazon for Blu-ray for 13.99 but i’m waiting for my amazon gc to get here. it’s on the list for my shopping spree.