For Quarter one of 2008, that is. It's a small victory for our sleek black box; however, it surely is an interesting victory considering that the PS3 is a very pricey machine down under. According to Sony managing director Michael Ephraim who spoke with PALGN, the PS3 outsold the 360 by 45% in Q1 2008. Ephraim believes that, "it's a matter of time before [the PS3] surpass the install base [of the Xbox 360 in Australia]." It looks like this far away PAL continent is starting to follow the footsteps of their European friends. Could Australia become the next Sony stronghold? Ephraim thinks so, "[Microsoft] were very weak in Continental Europe, so they have done fairly well here, but with the rate we're going we will definitely surpass the install base, we're just guessing somewhere around the end of the year, if not sooner if the trend keeps going the way it is."
[Via GamesIndustry.biz]
_thumbnail.jpg "Red Baron Arcade")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-19-2008 @ 4:59PM
Twinturbo120 said...
take over America already
Reply
5-20-2008 @ 10:53AM
Ysleiro said...
Who cares if Sony does surpass in sales in America (which will be very hard to do and take a long time)?
The more important thing is will PS3 surpass 360 on quality/quantity of content?
5-20-2008 @ 10:55AM
Ysleiro said...
Who cares if PS3 outsells 360 anywhere?
The more important question is: Will PS3 ever surpass 360 on quality/quantity of content?
5-20-2008 @ 11:15AM
Ysleiro said...
Who cares if PS3 sells more than 360 in America?
The better question is: "Will PS3 surpass 360 in quality/quantity of top notch games?".
Talk to me about games Sony, come on !
5-19-2008 @ 5:22PM
ItchyBarracuda said...
I think this is actually the test of longevity here. Sony is stronger than Microsoft in every market in the world except America. To still dismiss the PS3 as a failure is ridiculous.
It's a major blunder on Microsoft's part to overlook these territories so much and not capatilize. America makes just under 50% of the world market, and the rest of the world makes the rest. Which would mean Sony at this point has a much larger audience than Microsoft, which would explain it's ability to outsell the 360 internationally in sales totals and actually continue to close the gap between them.
Reply
5-20-2008 @ 10:51AM
Ysleiro said...
I don't think focusing on one continent and making sure you put up a good competition is a blunder.
My friend makes the same argument: "MS shouldn't have abandoned the original Xbox".
Considering who you are up against (PS brand) and how much of a beast the PS2 was at sales. Had MS focused on anything but 360 they would have punched themselves out by now.
I don't think anyone is shocked to hear that Sony is selling more here and there. I for one do not expect MS to outpace Sony after all lets be serious Sony isn't going from owning 80% of the market to 33%.
5-19-2008 @ 6:08PM
Popfrogs said...
I'm impressed. The PS3 is crazy expensive there and so are games. Not only that but their nanny state censors alot of games and some aren't even available for sale unless they get imported.
I kinda feel sorry for those blokes. It's amazing that despite high prices and censored games, they're still clamoring for the PS3. I guess they're sold on the future just like the rest of us, huge titles are dropping this year.
Reply
5-19-2008 @ 6:41PM
Da said...
Well it's either fork out for a PS3, or get an xbox... still an easy decission.
I'm 21, Male and Australian, so really i'm the price market for this gens game consoles. I know 5 people with PS3's, and zero with xbox's (although I did speak to a mates mate who was thinking of getting one).
I think American's are the only ones have forgotten about last gen and how rediculous the xbox was.
5-19-2008 @ 9:34PM
The_Doctor said...
ZOMG I'M 21, male, and Australian!
5-19-2008 @ 6:53PM
insane257 said...
Da said...
Well it's either fork out for a PS3, or get an xbox... still an easy decission.
I'm 21, Male and Australian, so really i'm the price market for this gens game consoles. I know 5 people with PS3's, and zero with xbox's (although I did speak to a mates mate who was thinking of getting one).
I think American's are the only ones have forgotten about last gen and how rediculous the xbox was.
^^^^^
that's the most truthful thing ive ever saw.
How did the 360 catch on after the original Xbox was such a weak attempt at entering the console market.
I think the price has something to do with it. You could buy 2 360's for the price of 1 PS3. And 3 Wii's for the price of 1 PS3.
Price has ALOT to do with sales this gen.
I know for a fact the PS3 would be #1 selling if it sold for the same price as the Wii.
(I own a PS3 & a Wii by the way)
Reply
5-19-2008 @ 8:48PM
never$$hort said...
Price has a lot to do with it but another reason is that some Americans have such a chip on their shoulder about Sony as a company that they will avoid the brand at all costs.. The opposite could be said about myself, I avoid all M$ products like a f***ing plague...
5-20-2008 @ 11:13AM
Ysleiro said...
I'll tell you what gamers have a chip on their shoulders.
Asian gamers.
"Oh no that console isn't Asian don't buy it"... "nevermind that for past two 1/2 years the best blockbusters have been on it"...
I would believe that they aren't biased when I see an American console do some decent sales.
5-20-2008 @ 3:21PM
never$$hort said...
That'll happen when they put out an American branded console that doesn't have a 33% chance of breaking. Asians are smart in that respect and so am I, I won't be buying that unreliable piece of s*** either, ever.
5-19-2008 @ 7:32PM
playcrackthesky said...
Seriously, the console here sells for over 700 AUD. I got mine over a year ago, however I imported it and only payed 650.
Its very annoying how Sony have massive prices here, all of my games are imported. Eb games retail most games over 100, I pay 70 to get it from play asia.
With all that said, we are still doing well. Give a price cut to 650 and watch it do even better.
Catch up america.
Reply
5-19-2008 @ 8:14PM
Consolcwby said...
Why are Americans buying the 360 instead of the PS3? Because, Americans are stoopid. Look at their president. And this IS an intelligent American talking, so think how lonely I am! :(
PS: ...i wanna be japanese. at least THEY have a democracy! :'(
Reply
5-19-2008 @ 8:43PM
Killer said...
Which they were forced to form after World War 2 under General McArthur. So you're telling me Japan has a real democracy even though it was formed and funded by the same country in which you say isn't a democracy? I don't like President Bush, but to say that the American government isnt a real democracy is just dumb, it's not the government that's the problem, that can be cleaned out with a majority vote. It's 1/3 of America voting is the problem. A democracy is only as strong as its voters and obviously majority of American's really don't care. I'm sure Japan has high turn out of election day, which shows their interest in their country. Which I respect that, extremely! I wish Americans had that willingness to show the same with our government.
The Japanese have a very large national pride in their society, which here in America it's only me, me, me.
That's just my 2 cents...
5-19-2008 @ 8:55PM
never$$hort said...
Amen to that... makes me actually want to go out and vote this time around, who in their right mind would want another monstrosity like Bush running around again, yikes!?!?
Its not that we don't care, and I hate saying this but... don't be fooled into thinking that your one vote counts for s***. Whoever 'they' want to run the country next will win. We all saw that come to reality in the Gore/bush election. We have no say :(
REVOLUTION is the ONLY way
5-19-2008 @ 9:46PM
Jove said...
@ killer, @ never$$hort
I think he was joking... you guys got too into it...
-----------------------------------------------
obama 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)
5-20-2008 @ 10:51AM
Ysleiro said...
I don't think he was joking.
And guess what?
360 sells here because some people actually just want to play games.
Just because I bought a PS3 doesn't mean there aren't others out there that wouldn't prefer a machine that has more and better games (at the moment).
5-20-2008 @ 3:26PM
never$$hort said...
Key phrase in your post is (at the moment) and that is a matter of opinion because I can't think of one single game that has made me feel like I'm missing out because I don't have a 360. Please don't say Halo 2.5 because no I do not like Halo and there is always Haze... haha
;)