Every company has to put some spin on the monthly NPD numbers. But this month, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg is taking a preemptive strike. NPD numbers will come out later this today, and already Microsoft is trash-talking the PS3. "Our expectation is that because of our shortages at retail during February, we will sell less than PS3," he told Next Gen. "That's not a surprise to us. I don't know what Sony's reaction will be to that, but it will definitely be a bit of a hollow victory. The competition sure didn't show up [in February]."However, it looks like MS is also conceding March figures as well, saying that their so-called supply issues will be rectified in April. "By April, we will be in a very healthy inventory situation," he told Reuters. This is a crucial month for both console manufacturers, as the release of Grand Theft Auto IV will certainly stir up the charts. Will Xbox 360's exclusive DLC make an impact on console sales?
Greenberg then further puts the PS3 in doubt, and its use of Blu-ray. "I can tell you that we're not currently in talks with Sony or the Blu-ray disc association regarding integrating Blu-ray to the Xbox 360 experience," Greenberg says. "And we don't know what will happen to Blu-ray. Is it the next DVD, or the next UMD? Your guess is as good as ours ... we don't expect [Blu-ray's win] to give a boost to PS3 sales, and we don't expect it to impact our sales. Frankly, we think it's the games that sell the consoles."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
3-13-2008 @ 3:40PM
Golds said...
Greenberg also adds "more and more xbox360s will come with the red ring of death feature, and due to price increases MS points will now cost .20 cents more per point. Also, we'll be removing DVD players from all of our units and installing VHS, because we think Blu-Ray will fail and Superman will fly around the world, making time go backwards and we need to be prepaired for a re-vamp of the VHS generation"
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 5:29PM
reyvehn said...
I think I pissed myself laughing at that! Totally true! Microsux has to keep coming up with excuses why the xbox is losing to the PS3. They make it seem like having a blu-ray player is no big deal, like nobody wants high definition or something, haha! That's right M$, keep thinking that...
3-13-2008 @ 3:40PM
Tranando said...
360 shortages? What shortages? Microsoft does not have the decency to admit they got beat fair and square, and have to resort to making up lame excuses.
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 3:58PM
Organic_Shadow said...
I still see them on shelves, in little pyramids at BestBuy, and still hear the same gamestop jerks trash-talking PS3 to parents in there asking what to buy their kid.
There are no shortages. Only shortages of hardcore gamers that don't already have 360's- ie: the same crowd that all bought Xbox's last gen.
3-13-2008 @ 3:40PM
bs6268d said...
I like both ps3 and 360 but I'm calling bs on this there atleats 30 360s at my best buy in Columbus
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 3:41PM
bigd7387 said...
Games do sell consoles. That's why I've been using the 360 until some games show up on the PS3. I've only had my PS3 since January and it's a nice piece of hardware but you need games, not delays or cancellations, I'm tired of just watching movies.
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 4:04PM
Phileoca said...
I've got 8 Blu Ray movies and 23 games (including 3 PSN games).
I don't know what you're talking about. PS3 has plenty of good games.
3-13-2008 @ 6:13PM
Kyrra said...
@Phileoca: The PS3 does have games, but not a lot of "big hit" games. The 360 got Halo3 out the door which was one of the few reasons I bought the console. The PS3 doesn't have any real blockbuster exclusives yet. When MGS4 and/or FF13 get out the door I, the PS3 will have it's exclusive titles to bring new people in.
3-13-2008 @ 11:10PM
linebeginstoblur said...
@Kyrra
I've always thought it was weird that people said that the PS3 doesn't really have much of any games, just because you hear almost every 360 owner talk about Halo 3 and almost every Wii owner talking about SSBB. I'm not saying that they're bad games or systems, but with the PS3, I have many games that satisfy me, and really, I can't choose just one. Also, personally, I don't always buy the games that have perfect sales. Sometimes, I just want good games.
3-13-2008 @ 3:41PM
nihillasohen said...
Oh no he didn't!!!! (head swirl)
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 3:42PM
P-dub said...
PSN: SamuraiBubba
wow MS. That's a whole lot of words for "we're screwed and we know it" lol
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 3:42PM
Tranando said...
If you guys haven't read the full interview you should. That dude is a tool. Doesn't think that the bluray win will boost ps3 sales. Thinks the optional hard drive is a good idea. It sounds like he was conceding march sales also. LOL...
MS should be getting nervous, Sony hasn't even pulled out the big guns of KZ2, MGS4, or FFXIII this year, the 360 shot its load early with a lackluster Halo3
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 4:02PM
Archmaester said...
PSN: Archmaester
How were sales for Halo 3 "lackluster" Dont get me wrong, I'm not even a fan of that style FPS, but Halo 3 has been huge for sales and on Live. But still... MGS4 FTW!!!! and FFXII FTW!!! and RFOM2 FTW!!!! i could go on...
3-13-2008 @ 4:07PM
Kspraydad said...
He didn't say sales were lackluster he said the game itself was lackluster (many calling it Halo 2.5 as I recall)
3-13-2008 @ 4:18PM
Archmaester said...
I agree, but with sales being the topic, MS$ may have blew their load with a lackluster game, but it did its job with sales
3-13-2008 @ 3:43PM
dahaka said...
what a dick!
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 3:43PM
Aaron said...
lol this is what happens when you are starting to get beat damage control lol. The 360 has reached its peak and its only a matter of time before the PS3 starts beating every month now.
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 3:44PM
wonway01 said...
THis guy can't be as dumb as he sounds... Can he?
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 5:08PM
mint400 said...
he could be as dumb as he looks. perhaps.
3-13-2008 @ 3:55PM
Kspraydad said...
Man is just doing his job.
Kinda reminds me of a Chotchkie's manager. He needs more flair.
Reply