Analyst slashes PS3 sales 2K9 expectations

Cygnus

Analyst slashes PS3 sales expectations following disappointing 2008

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ppointing-2008

Analyst firm Cowen and Company has reduced its sales expectations for the PlayStation 3 after disappointing sales of the console in 2008.

The company now expects Sony will sell 4 million units in the US during 2009, down 2.25 million from previous estimates of 6.25 million units.

Cowen does expect sales will pick up marginally in 2010, with 4.5 million units sold in the region. According to data from NPD, the PlayStation 3 sold 3.6 million units in the US during 2008.

"Following another year in which PS3 unit sales lagged behind the Wii and Xbox 360, it is now clear that Sony has failed to establish the PS3 as the console of choice among hardcore gamers this cycle," wrote Doug Creutz in a note to investors.

"Although there appears to be a reasonably robust slate of games for the PlayStation 3 this year, Sony continues to lack a clear 'must-own' title that will drive sales, while its platform continues to be the most expensive in the market in the midst of a consumer slowdown.

"Meanwhile, highly publicised platform initiatives such as Home have failed to get off the ground," he added.

In contrast, Cowen has upped its sales expectations for Nintendo's Wii, expecting the console to sell another two million units in 2009 and 2010, to 8 million and 6 million units, respectively.

"Nintendo's software line-up for the platform continues to provide gamers with a more compelling value proposition with new first party hits such as Wii Fit and Wii Music and older titles such as Wii Play continuing to sell extremely well.

"Nintendo also seems to have ironed out supply constraint kinks that held back sales in previous years," noted Creutz.

Cowan also expects Microsoft's Xbox 360 will widen its lead over the PlayStation 3 this year, with 4.25 million units sold, although expectations for 2010 remain the same at 4 million units.

"Microsoft's Xbox 360 seems to have entrenched itself as the best value proposition for hardcore gamers," said Creutz.

"Additionally, with exclusive episodic content for Take-Two's massive hit game GTA IV coming in 2009, as well as additional Halo franchise releases this year, we believe that the Xbox 360 is likely to widen its sales lead over the PS3 in 2009."

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Joe Las Vegas

Perhaps the PS3's would sell better if they were still backward compatible.

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EddieDZ

its hard to predict what the sales in US are going to be. its clear that most of the gamers in US are 360er's thats for sure. however this year there are some really good PS3 titles coming out so that should help sales...... however on top of that, titles like MGS4, R2 and LBP which all released in 2008 only lead to the PS3 selling 3.6mill in the whole year in US.. its clear that PS3 has not won the US(yet perhaps who knows).. but in the end it only matters if you win the world

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hdf2009

backward compatibility is overrated. Just hook up your PS2 to play your ps2 games. Why pay another $400 to play your ps2 games? They would not sell better in my opinion.

gwl

I think the whole video games business will suffer because the economy is in the dumps.

Pinoy

Every business suffers when the economy as a whole is in the dumps

Mase

Except for the Strip Club thats by my house, I swear its more packed now and at all times of the day than ever before..

Perhaps its people trying to forget about the state of the economy by looking at hot naked chicks.. Yea the place by me is filled with hot ASU chicks

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Pinoy

Damn... guess I need to start stripping then

Bigloww

Are you a hot ASU chick??

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Pfft. I wish... I'd never leave the house