The VGChartz Gap Charts - June 2009 Edition - News
by VGChartz Staff , posted on 24 July 2009 / 11,877 Views
Xbox 360 v Playstation 3
Here we have three charts representative of the three main regions recorded by VGChartz, and a global chart which brings all of the data together. The line on each graph represents the gap in install base, sales through to consumers, and the title indicates which console is in the lead in the particular region covered.
Americas
The 360 has long dominated the HD battle Stateside, and this shows no signs of changing anytime soon; with the gap marching towards 9 million. Incredibly, considering the PS2 dominance in America, 360 sales are now double the rival PS3. This region seems to have made its choice, but perhaps the rumoured PS3 price cut could shake things up a little. The effect of the Xbox360 price cut at the back end of 2008 can be clearly seen; the sales gap had flattened during most of 2008 at around 6.5 million units (indicating that weekly Xbox360 and Playstation 3 sales were about the same) but the lead has extended to nearly 9 million since Microsoft cut the price; most of the extra advantage coming during the 2008 holiday season.
Japan
In Japan the situation is similar, but obviously, the roles are reversed. Neither of the consoles have managed to really take off yet in the shadow of the Wii. That said, upcoming titles from massive Japanese franchises, such as Gran Turismo 5 and Final Fantasy XIII, may change this trend, and the PS3 could finally find some real love in its home territory and this gap will only widen further.
Others (Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia)
The real battleground seems to be Europe and the rest of the world. Here the gap is much closer and has proved volatile over the last 2 years. Microsofts price cut last year really helped turn the tide in favour of the 360, and the recent trend is now very similar to the US. The UK is the biggest market by far in this region, and it seems that the 360 is as popular in the UK as it is in US homes. However, its will be interesting to see how the rest of the year, and particularly the holiday, plays out following any price movement by Sony and Microsoft. Again, a clear turning point can be seen in October 2008 following the Xbox 360 price cuts.
Global
So finally the global chart which melds the data from the other charts. The effect of the price cut from microsoft is dramatic in favour of the 360. The upcoming Holiday '09 could be a massively important one, and the pricing strategy of both Sony and Microsoft will play a huge part.
HD Consoles (Xbox 360 + Playsation 3) vs Wii
Whilst the 360 and PS3 have been involved in their own battle the Wii has been setting records. But will the Wii ever get above 50% market share? For that to happen the line in the graph above needs to drop below zero.
The Wii has been flirting with this milestone for some time, and in late 2008 it seemed like it was just a matter of time. Recent slowing sales in Japan and some other markets have suggested that this may not be a formality after all. Does the Wii need a price cut? Has the 360 started to eat into the Wii market share and demographic? We shall see.
Article submitted by Brent Williams
More Articles
[url="http://www.ghdhairsales.co.uk/MK4/"]GHD MK4[/url] , GHD IV MK4 Hair Straighteners On Sale Here at [url="http://www.ukghdstore.co.uk/"]GHD Styler[/url] we are devoted to those who desire flawless hair and want to always look their best.We stock all of the latest [url="http://www.ghdhairsales.co.uk/"]ghd hair straighteners[/url] and accessories at competitive prices and offer a service that is second to none. It is legit. It is one of the best ones I've used. I have very curly hair and it ends up soft and smooth with the [url="http://www.ukghdstore.co.uk/"]GHD[/url] . [url="http://www.ghdhairsales.co.uk/"]GHD Hair[/url] Straighteners Sale, Cheap GHD Straightners Store in UK. When 2009 Christmas day comes, [url="http://www.uschristmasgifts.com" title="christmas gift"]Christmas Gifts[/url] store provide variety christmas gifts for different recipient.
Yep 360 is killing PS3 in holidays every year. It's when America buying like crazy.
As long as the PS3 is priced above the 360, the 360 will keep increasing the lead during the October-December period. The US sales are too humongous in favor of the 360 during the holidays.
Excellent work with these charts.
why is everyone so worried about ps3 taking the lead over 360? You all know the ps3 will prevail just be patient.
To Conduit:
the wii is natively backwardly compatible with gamecube games.
I agree, with the upcoming lineup of games, and if ps3 chokes again with the price, the wii will have nothing to worry about for the next couple years. releasing more than ONE game per week on Virtual console would help a lot also.
So for the PS3 to take over the lead spot again overall it needs to have a 4 or 5:1 ratio over the next 18-27 months. Obviously this is crude math, but with Forza, Halo Franchise, and other hits coming the Xbox's way, do you honestly see that as feasible? Fanboy ism aside, unless Sony plans on breaking the 199$ barrier, the price cut is not going to affect consumers the way everyone thinks. The bottom line for middle class parents is "what system can I get the cheapest, and have the most games for at bargain prices"
Game, Set, Match.
Nintendo will get that 50% with wiisports resorts, everything signs that.
nice charts..........microsoft did what they needed to do......to get themselves firmly in the conslole war......they've certainly beaten up the PS3
Great as always. I salute you kowenicki !
Good work Brett!
nice graphs... the global 360PS3 graph really does say OUCH in fall of last year...it's that price cut that turned the battle's tide.
Similarly, it's also this price cut that hurts the Wii's domination.
MS has really played their cards well this gen. (I for one went from never never to 360 owner :x)
If Sony announce price cut at the same time Microsoft did last year PS3 might lead.
Interesting to say the least, never even realized the PS360 actually gained on the Wii last year, it seems to come in waves the PS360 will gain for a few months and then Wii gets it's steam back.
This one might be longer then the last though since no software like Brawl, Mario Kart and Wii Fit released before summer to keep sales booming for a bit.
The Wii sees a signifigantly higher rise in sales in the christmas period than the HD twins
guess people see it as more of a christmas present than the others
And unlike the HD twins the Wii (the only console to make money per unit sold on launch) has not had a price cut
Not to mention the Wii seriously lacks hardcore games and despite huge demman no hard drive
If the Wii droped price to $199, offer a hard drive model for $249 and as a stand alone attachment, added Gamecube,Dreamcast and Saturn games to the virtual console and offer different colour model Wii the sales would soar past the HD twins
I don't see a chart.
I did find myself looking who the author expecting to see Kowenicki but then Brett might be Kowenicki's alter ego.
hmm interesting.
sales are really interesting this gen
That article has 'Kowenicki' written all over and, and someone should post this on n4g.com, it could get it a few hits.
