The recent launch of the 40GB PS3 system worldwide has supposedly caused quite a bit of a stir. The 40GB model loses a few key features, but comes at a significantly reduced price. "Although Sony's game business has not been performing strongly, the first indications of the new lower-priced model's sales look likely to alleviate overly negative impressions of the business," said Nomura Securities analyst Eiichi Katayama.In previous weeks, the system sold under 30k units on a regular basis. However, the first-week sales for the new PS3 are encouraging, beating forecasts with a surprising sell-through of 65k in Japan. Dynasty Warriors 6, a brand new PS3 exclusive, also performed surprisingly well with 180k units sold. Worldwide, however, sales reached a total of 100k in a single week.
"It's the breakthrough we've been anticipating," Sony CEO Howard Stringer said. "We've been holding our breath." This is a rare occasion where the one-week sales of the PS3 have surpassed Nintendo's tiny behemoth, the Wii. "Obviously, we've taken so much heat over the year on PS3 ... Finally, the turning point has been passed." Hopefully, the price cut will help continue Sony's slowly growing momentum.
[Via Digg, NeoGAF]
_thumbnail.jpg "Red Baron Arcade")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-14-2007 @ 10:11PM
EfrenPacquiao said...
Hopefully, once more people own the PS3 the negative press will dwindle.
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11-14-2007 @ 10:27PM
Kamall said...
Um, Andrew, DW6 is on 360 also, unfortunately. : )
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11-14-2007 @ 10:31PM
Zoesch said...
Ok Kamall, so DW6 on the PS3 sold only 165K copies ;)
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11-14-2007 @ 10:36PM
organic_shadow said...
Hopefully this will help push the little snowball effect we're so used to along. PS3 install base grows = more chance of developers making games for it = more games = more people buying PS3 = etc. etc.
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11-14-2007 @ 11:15PM
lildude56 said...
Optimistic people always need to be right, pessimistic people only need to be right once.
Thats why fanboys are always hard to deal with... But dont look too optimistic.
Though im leaning on ps3.
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11-14-2007 @ 11:17PM
gerg said...
psn: prometheus_5
i really hope the ps3 continues the upward slope and secures more console exclusives. i love my ps3, it's my most prized posession. cannot wait for next week and uncharted...then when i get some free time, i'm picking up COD4 and assassin's creed for ps3.
everyone complains that psn isn't as good as xbl...well psn does lack one certain thing that xbl has in abundance...annoying 12 year old kids that scream loudly in my headset during matches.
bring me downloadable content on par with xbl, and the ps3 trumps the competition. i actually talked two people into buying ps3's just tonight.
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11-14-2007 @ 11:17PM
Kenology said...
This is great news for Sony in Japan. A reduced price, new color, and mass marketing campaign pushed the PS3 over the top. Judging from Famitsu's game charts list though, I don't think this is going to be sustained. It's probably going to be more akin to the PSP Slim/Crisis Core boost where I expect the PS3 to outsell it's competitors for two or three weeks before settling at a nice plateau which will more than likely be beneath the Wii. It's hard to predict the Japanese market these days, but this is exactly the shot in the arm the PS3 needed. And kudos to Sony for finally figuring out that market somewhat.
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11-14-2007 @ 11:54PM
mccomber said...
The PS3 beating the Wii, dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria.
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11-15-2007 @ 12:15AM
BTitty said...
Ghostbusters?
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11-15-2007 @ 2:03AM
leiwei said...
People of Japan need Uncharted.
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11-15-2007 @ 5:45AM
ecclesisaliar said...
@9... yea think its peters speech to the mayor or something?
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11-15-2007 @ 5:56AM
Tony said...
I'm sure Sony have been wanting to be able to do this for ages, but weren't in any position to make a three pronged attack. Now with their usual good marketing, plentiful games, and cheaper SKU they've shown that demand was always there for PS3 in the right conditions. Hope they can keep it up.
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11-15-2007 @ 6:37AM
jacksealey said...
One weeks is ok, but I want to see this continue. Don't get me wrong i love sony but this "low monentum" is just too slow imo.
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11-15-2007 @ 8:36AM
XDragon said...
Great news for Sony and PS3 owners.
I think the bad start for the PS3 was the best thing for PS3 owners because, Sony seems to be more interested in making people happy by listening to what they want! For Sony, that's a big change and I'm happy about it.
We all know the PS3 will survive be it in 1st, 2nd or 3rd place overall but they are starting to look stronger and as this trend continues, things look better for Blu Ray movies as well!
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11-15-2007 @ 10:16AM
MadCowMartin said...
It's funny, add 2 games and a controller to the 40gb version and you end up paying more than the 60gb starter pack of 499 which has all that plus 20gb, BC and 2 usb slots.
People are stupid.
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11-15-2007 @ 10:17AM
ElLobo said...
@10 leiwei
Japan DOES need Uncharted. Not so much for Japanese people, but for me. I showed the demo to my Japanese friends and they enjoyed Virtual Tennis 3 demo (I know, you probably don't remember it, I almost erased it). They also LOVED the ImaBikisou demo. It's all just pictures, short clips, and writing. It's basically a horror novel where you can choose what happens a little. Uncharted, "Looks beautiful..."
Oh, they also thought the Ratchet demo was fab. One guy wanted it for his kid, meanwhile his 5 year old son's Wii sits around collecting dust. I can tell this guy wants a PS3 instead. He hates the damn Wii.
I feel the tides turning in Japan.
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11-15-2007 @ 10:24AM
MadCowMartin said...
It's funny really, as the 40gb version isnt even cheaper. Add 2 games and an extra controller and you go pass the 499 price for the ps3 60gb starterpack that has all that. Plus you still have 20gb, 2 usb slots and BC less too.
People are stupid
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11-15-2007 @ 12:07PM
Popfrogs said...
Oh the irony of someone saying "people are stupid" posting the same exact thing twice in a span of 7 minutes.
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11-15-2007 @ 12:14PM
tr4nce said...
Do you know HOW much they are paying for the 40GB? 37,981 yen=$344.56 tax included and free shipping. If you don't believe me google "amazon.co.jp ps3" and click on the second link provided. Some of you need to research before you spout nonsense.
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11-15-2007 @ 12:55PM
leiwei said...
@16
I really liked the Virtual Tennis demo and the Imabikisou demo too. I have a feeling the Japanese like/prefer a "variety" of games over FPSs otherwise it defeats the purpose of a game console & its controller. Might as well use a PC mouse/kb combo for FPS games. I rather like Japanese games and they're refreshing for a change. SRW series, Disgaea, Railfan... it's different from the usual games we play here in the States. The R&C and Uncharted games however, is what Japan needs to see and hear to understand what else 'their' PS3 is capable of.
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