570°

Confusion over 360 sales numbers

MCV: Question marks are being asked about Microsoft's claim that Xbox 360 console sold over 10m units in North America in 2009.

That number comes from a Microsoft statement released in the wake of NPD's December and 2009 report which reads: "In 2009 US Xbox 360 console sales topped 10m units, with more than 1.3m sold in December, contributing to a worldwide Xbox 360 install base of 39m."

However, eagle-eyed MCV readers have pointed out that this number seems very much at odds with NPDs own numbers.

ThatCanadianGuy5234d ago

So Microsoft just flat out lied? *Gasp* I'm shocked!

RadientFlux5234d ago

^^ saying something negative about Microsoft... completely shocked

Back on topic it just seems that a PR person misspoke or confused the WW numbers with US numbers.

Mr_Bun5234d ago

MS like to round up (or down depending which sounds better) regarding their numbers, until they get called out...."The defective rate for the 360 is well within industry standards"....'member that line?

StanLee5234d ago

How the fcuk do you go from 4.7 to 10?! O_o That's not even creative math that's fiction!

Christopher5234d ago (Edited 5234d ago )

It's highly unlikely that Microsoft even sold 10m worldwide. North America has so far always sold more in North America each month than the other regions combined. I do think Microsoft was talking worldwide, but even then what they are claiming is that for the last two months of the year they sold just as many Xbox 360s worldwide as the Wii. There's no way that happened

marinelife95234d ago

Are we even sure they sold 10 million worldwide? They've sold squat in Japan and less in Europe lifetime to date than in the US.

Anon19745234d ago

The only ones who really know exactly how many 360's have gone out are Microsoft. That being said, could NPD group be wrong by almost half? Not bloody likely. So something's up, we just don't know what it is.

10 million worldwide for the year would probably be more likely.

hay5234d ago (Edited 5234d ago )

2009 NPD numbers:
Jan 309000
Feb 391000
Mar 330000
Apr 175000
May 175000
Jun 240600
Jul 202900
Aug 215400
Sep 352600
Oct 249700
Nov 819500
Dec 1310000

Total: 4770700

It's more like a mistake IMO. Every company bends the truth, more or less, but this lie would be just dumb.

AliTheBrit195234d ago

Yeah they lied! :O

Just like Sony! and Nintendo! and every other Company ever created! :O

rezenu5234d ago

...Uh-oh.

*puts on flamesuit quickly*

mint royale5234d ago

Th 10 million is worldwide 360 sales cos there is no way they sold that many in America. Vgchartz has their estimate at 10.2 million for worldwide sales which is about right.

This is a curious thing to say by MS, its either a mistake or a deliberate attempt to twist the truth. It reminds me of when sony stated the ps2 was outselling the wii in 2007. A proposterous claim and it later turned out they meant overall sales. Well duh! Every company does it.

Udidntlistenpunk5234d ago (Edited 5234d ago )

Many gamers have stated this long time ago, even way back in 2006.

What lies like these have in common with other aggressive revenue practises is that they always come to light in the future. Because if you take sales away from the future, when that future comes, there will be a gap.

And that gap is the red flag.

That is why many people have stated that 360s true install base is not 39 million but closer to 35 million in reality.

Anon19745234d ago (Edited 5234d ago )

Microsoft is a publicly traded company and when it comes down to things like sales numbers they can't lie. They're subject to audit and have a responsibility to accurately report sales numbers to their shareholders.

An exec slipping up is one thing, it's bound to happen. At the end of the day their numbers will have to stand up to auditing. I'm sure this is just a slip-up and they meant worldwide numbers for calendar 2009. Looks like 360 sales may have fallen a bit year over year.

Edit Below: Oh, I'm not saying investors care. You're 100% correct, the Xbox is tiny compared to Microsoft's larger operations. But they're still subject to audit. Legally, they can't fudge these numbers because if the bean counters find discrepancies there are serious repercussions. These are all things that go on behind the scenes that attempt to keep publicly traded companies honest. However, we all know examples were the companies did lie and didn't get caught right away... ie: Enron. You'll also right about investors caring about the bottom line. Microsoft isn't running a charity for gamers. At some point they need to start making some of those losses back. I've heard analysts in the past suggest Microsoft needs to dump the entire Xbox division and just focus on software - where they've been historically stronger.

Udidntlistenpunk5234d ago (Edited 5234d ago )

What you dont understand is that investors dont give a crap about MSs gaming business because the entire business is immaterial compared to MSs Windows division.

THATS where MS makes over 98% of its earnings and thats their main business. MSs gaming division can barely get a profit for a full year.

Think about that for a moment. Who the fk cares how many XBOXses gets shipped or sold. Its immaterial to MSs financials.

The only ones it will hurt, are gamers. It doesnt hurt anyone else. Thats why MS is getting away with it.

The only thing that investors DO care about MSs gaming business, is their 9 billion loss in the gaming business. If they whine about that long enough, Balmer will drop the XBOX division like a brick. And than, that will be the end of the XBOX console.

KingME5234d ago (Edited 5234d ago )

NeverMind, who know...

mint royale5234d ago

Gotta love some random sticking his head in the sand and saying they have actually only sold 35 million with no proof whatsoever and actually thinking he is right. MS have stated they had sold 39 million to retailers. To consumers more like 37-37.5 million - like what vgchartz has it at.

SixZeroFour5234d ago

i think they were talking about total (since release) sales in us going past 10mil...since the total 360s shipped is about 40 mil, that would make sense that 1/4 of the total sales were coming from US

Cueil5234d ago

if you want to understand how microsoft reports numbers goto vgcharz

ReservoirDog3165234d ago

Well, I thought npd doesn't count walmart. With mw2 being advertised so heavily at walmart, I'd imagine a lot of those missing sales were from walmart.

Just cause we don't see it on npd doesn't mean MS didn't get the money for it. So yeah.

If I'm wrong about any of that, sorry.

Saaking5234d ago

Like I said a while back, MS likes making stuff up. That's why they're probably the worst company around and certainly the worst of the Big three.

MS is stuck between Sony and Nintendo. At the start of this gen, MS was trying hard to be like the PS brand (which of course is laughable and failed). Now, MS is gravitating more towards Nintendo. They need to form an identity by themselves, not steal one from the others.

Traveler5234d ago

I think it is fairly obvious that it was just a slip up. The rep probably had the worldwide number stuck in their head and they just misspoke. It happens to all of us. Let's not make more out of this than it is.

Dutch Boogie5234d ago

lol quick fanboys, put on the corporate cape with the big "M" on the front. Time to aid M$ for the millionth time.

SaberEdge5233d ago (Edited 5233d ago )

Yeah, Dutch Boogie, just like you and the rest of the hoards of PS3 fanboys that flood into every article to attack Microsoft.

Look at Saaking up there. All he ever does is lie and make crap up about Microsoft and the 360.

Hey Saaking, the 360 does have its own identity. The Xbox brand has always been about the online experience. It is a very well rounded platform, with a huge game library and many nice media features, but the online has always been its strength. Half the online stuff we just take for granted today on consoles was actually introduced by Microsoft and later copied by Sony.

What specifically was Sony's identity that Microsoft "stole"? ...other than just being a game console with lots of good games?

The truth is, Microsoft have forged their own identity for the Xbox platform within the gaming industry, and you just don't want to give credit where credit is due.

+ Show (22) more repliesLast reply 5233d ago
Omega45234d ago

I dont think its legal for MS to lie about their numbers so they have obviously sold 39ml WW.

That 10ml they were talking about must obviously mean WW not just the US.

5234d ago
mrv3215234d ago (Edited 5234d ago )

'I dont think its legal for MS to lie about their numbers so they have obviously sold 39ml WW.'

Because Microsoft have never ever broken the law and not in a current legla battle in terms of patent breach.

That 10ml they were talking about must obviously mean WW not just the US.'

So your telling me that Microsoft sold 9 million in 7 months?

'On May 28, 2009, Microsoft announced that sales have surpassed the 30-million unit-mark'

Also

'The NPD for the month of December 2009 showed the console sold 1.3 million units in around the Holiday season, with the company confirming the console has sold over 10 million units throughout the year in the US.'

http://www.vg247.com/2010/0...

While I agree it could be a Mistake, I am not 100% that it's a mistake, unlike you.

I also believe Microsoft have not been completely legal issue free.. Domiance lawsuit anyone?

EDIT: I'm sorry in future I'll remove logic from my comments and have complete faith in a company who cares more for money than customer satisfaction. I didn't take your reply as a serious dig, BTW. Just incase you would thin I'm angry at you.

mint royale5234d ago (Edited 5234d ago )

@mrv

Do you actually have a link from MS saying they passed 30 million in May? There point hating on the basis of misinformation.

Lazarus695234d ago (Edited 5234d ago )

@mint

Actually i think they said they shipped 30.2millions by the end of March 2009

mrv3215234d ago

http://www.gamasutra.com/ph...

There you go, mind you I'm not 100% sure on the information.

mint royale5234d ago

Thats a weird article seeing as the above posted is correct and they had stated they had sold 30.2 million consoles by the end of March in their financial reports.

Cueil5234d ago

I don't know whether to inform you people of the truth or just cry... it's impossible to instruct all the ignorant

SaberEdge5233d ago

Madden10, you are another one of those people that is willing to lie to try and attack the 360. The failure rate WAS NEVER 60% even at its worst. That is a blatant lie.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 5233d ago
iron_sheik5234d ago

x360 sold 2.2m in US and lets say another 200k in canada
MS sold 2.5 in NA . MS sold around 100k in Japan .There is no way MS would sell another 3m in Europe since europeans dont buy x360(except British)

so definitely that 5.5m is a fake number. more like 4m -4.5m
ofcourse around 8m is likely for PS3 since SONY sold 1m more PS3 in japan and around 2m more in europe)ps3's strongest region

also if you include q4 then ps3 outsold x360 by 20k

**we will wait for SONY's numbers when they announce their fiscal results . i expect around 8m shipment (out of that 7.5m could be the SOLD numbers). I expect SONY to ship 4m ps3s in europe for q4

champ215234d ago

its sooooo exciting waiting for sold numbers on consoles amirite?

ps3 outselling the 360 will ensure i sleep well at night :P

4point7BillionLoss5234d ago

lame article and the same droids jumping on it like the idiots who believed the fake article in may last year saying S3 sold over 30 million units ...

droids ... get your teeth whitened !!!

Sir Ken_Kutaragi5234d ago

...just LIE and LIE. It's sad really...oh well...at least the ChatBots&ModBots got 'Project Wii Natal' coming in 2010!!! ;-D

TheTeam065234d ago

The Wii sold 9.6mil worldwide in 09.

You mean to tell me that you think the 360 outsold the Wii this year? Not to forget they clearly said "in the US".

Traveler5234d ago

That person either misspoke or were misquoted. It isn't the issue some of you are trying to make it out to be.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5234d ago
Immortal3215234d ago

I would be mad knowing that 360's console good games are multiplat for this year. I also would be glad if a multiplat imitates a very good game as a alternative.

you just beat an Halo game now another one coming your way. you just have to appreciate that a good exclusive coming your way with such a low standard not caring if the game looks bad or not.

Terry Tate5234d ago (Edited 5234d ago )

Why exactly would an Xbox gamer be mad? Just because a game was multiplatform doesn't mean its a crappy game or shouldn't be played. In fact, the multiplatform games tend to look better on my xbox than they do on my Playstation. For me, I like my multiplats on my Xbox mostly because I hate the playstation controller. Either way, every console has its slow year of exclusives. 2010 looks to be better for the Xbox than 2009 was in this regard.

Now, that being said, in order for me to enjoy the games on my Xbox it needs to stay working. I wonder if the sales numbers count warranty claimes? Does an Xbox repaired and shipped count as a unit "sold"? I would hope not, because that would definitely skew the numbers.

Immortal3215234d ago

like the ssx series, burnout series, and the bioshock series. If a multiplat does not contain the quality of any of those games
(very addictive gameplay) listed they're pretty much shovel ware.

mesh15234d ago

sure sure sony fans are funny

bujasem_895234d ago

what does that have to do with anything ??? lol ... is this what desperation leads to just mindless blabber?? wow not pretty , i feel kinda sorry for'em poor bots

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40°

XCOM's Jake Solomon Q&A - Building a Narrative-Driven Life Sim Game at Midsummer Studios

XCOM and Marvel's Midnight Suns director Jake Solomon has founded a new studio to make a life sim game. Here's a new interview with him.

Read Full Story >>
wccftech.com
320°

Microsoft's quest for short-term $$$ is doing long-term damage to Windows, Surface, Xbox, and beyond

Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation, and it all revolves around Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood's plans to increase every department's margins.

Read Full Story >>
windowscentral.com
Brazz9h ago

"The plan to move Xbox games to other platforms is codenamed "Latitude" internally, and I know there's debate and unease at Microsoft about whether or not this is a good idea. More upcoming Microsoft-owned games slated for PlayStation are already being developed. At least for now, they're potentially obvious games you'd most likely expect. And yes, while it's true Microsoft is a prolific publisher on PlayStation already, it has typically revolved around specific franchises like Minecraft. From what I've heard, Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation, and it all revolves around Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood's mandate to increase every department's margins. "

Yeah, they are going to kill Xbox hardware.

Xeofate7h ago

"Yeah, they are going to kill Xbox hardware."

It's for the best.

Quit stringing along xbox fans and screwing over PlayStation owners.

crazyCoconuts2h ago

Take good care of those Xboxes if you have 'em ...

outsider16242h ago

An Xbox game on a Playstation. Never in my years of gaming did i ever thought this was gonna happen.

gold_drake8h ago

i think it will kill off the xbox brand. windows will be fine.

but there is and would be a chance that xbox might be killed off in the future. if they fail to make the money they put in. imo.

S2Killinit6h ago

They wont kill it, but they will go fully PC while keeping xbox as a brand, and go multiplatform for the most part. They will also work tirelessly to diminish console gaming’s importance.

PRIMORDUS3h ago

It would be best if Xbox goes the way of Sega, just make and publish games. I know I myself will not support them at all with buying games from them, you all can. 🙃

ChasterMies1h ago

The Xbox brand will live for the games. I don’t expect Microsoft to entirely drop out of gaming hardware. They make Surface tablets and laptops. They’ll make Xbox branded hardware for those that want it.

shadowT8h ago

"Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation"

Forza and Starfield next?

Skuletor6h ago

Starfield would be no surprise and there's the rumor that it will come to Playstation after the Shattered Space DLC, Forza (along with Halo and Gears of War) I find less likely but I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually end up on PlayStation too, especially if Xbox give up on hardware and go the Sega route.

shinoff21836h ago

Not to worried about forza. I'd rather see others like what inxile and obsidian are working on. Starfield sounds like it needs more time in the oven so let it cook first imo. If starfield and it's a small if does release on ps it'll be in the fall around the time for dlc or right at the dlc and come packaged with it.

-Foxtrot7h ago

In the words of Phil Spencer when he was talking about Nintendo last year

“It's just taking a long time for Microsoft to see that their future exists off of their own hardware"

S2Killinit6h ago

Yup. MS are a cancer to console gaming.

Aloymetal5h ago

100%!!
I wonder what happened to that dude that was always here posting those court articles with cartoons about MS spending all those billions in studios. He suddenly disappeared, I guess he doesn't like bad news when the green brand is in trouble. No new articles from him as of late...

PRIMORDUS3h ago

Yup, and it's only going to keep spreading.

Outside_ofthe_Box3h ago

Phil Spencer's words always comes back to bite him lol

7h agoReplies(7)
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200°

Price Reductions Available Now on the Digital Xbox 360 Store - Closing July 29, 2024

Xbox 360 launched 18 years ago and was a generation-defining console that invited many people to jump into gaming for the first time and connect with friends around the world. We’re thrilled people continue playing their favorite Xbox 360 games on Xbox 360, or on newer consoles via Backward Compatibility for supported titles.

Read Full Story >>
news.xbox.com
Einhander19729h ago

"we believe in game preservation"

Remember the media reaction when PlayStation wanted to shut down the PS3 store (but then kept it open)... where is that reaction here?

CrimsonWing698h ago

What are you asking? Like, if people got pissed at Sony for that? Because they did. We also got pissed at Nintendo when they did it.

You’re getting a chance to buy what you want before they close it. Moving forward digital stores should work like Steam. It’s just in this beginning they made it platform specific and closed off. A hindsight in their part and it sucks, but what is the percentage of people buying anything off these stores and what is the cost to keep the servers up?

I get it and yes making strives so this isn’t the case every gen we go into is absolutely a must. I mean PSN on PS3 is so convoluted to buy anything since you can’t use a credit card. Vita store is gone. It’s going to go away eventually.

Einhander19728h ago

"What are you asking? Like, if people got pissed at Sony for that? Because they did. We also got pissed at Nintendo when they did it."

My point is when PlayStation did this every website under the sun was writing articles talking about how "anti-consumer" it was yet I haven't seen anything like that happening when it's xbox doing it, in fact mostly what I see is praise from media when xbox makes obviously false claims about game preservation while they close down their store and xblig and push for digital only consoles streaming and subscriptions.

What I am asking is for everyone to be criticized or praised equally.

I mean look at the way the PS5 Slim's detachable disk drive was reported, it was super critical. Even though in reality they made it easier for people who initially buy a digital only console to move to physical, it was actually a step away from digital only. But did it get reported like that at all... no.

And you can still buy stuff on PlayStation you just need to add money to your account on the website or a PS4/5.

Tacoboto8h ago

That reaction isn't here because you can still play Xbox 360 discs of supported BC titles on Series and Xbox One, and you can still buy BC titles on the current Xbox Store.

It still sucks losing access to non-BC titles but don't act like it's the same situation. Let me know when PS5 actually supports my PS3 library.

Einhander19727h ago(Edited 7h ago)

How are you going to play those discs on your Series S (which 75% of xbox owners have) or your adorably all digital Series X?

And keep in mind that BC on xbox is an extremely limited selection of games, it's less than 25% of retail releases, and way less than the entire catalogue.

It's not a solution for the future, this isn't how "game preservation" looks, it's the fake PR that makes it that much worse.

Tacoboto7h ago

I'm not getting an all digital Series X so bark up someone else's tree, creep. I have my Series X for that disc support and functioning old hardware I still buy discs for (Bought Sudeki, Super Paper Mario, and 3D Dot Game Heroes a few months back - one for each old platform).

Fact is there's a mechanism that exists for Xbox OG and 360 BC physically and digitally. PS has none for PS1 or 2 or 3. If you're gonna bring PS into an Xbox article, at least know what you're talking about.

Einhander19726h ago

"Fact is there's a mechanism that exists for Xbox OG and 360 BC physically and digitally. PS has none for PS1 or 2 or 3. If you're gonna bring PS into an Xbox article, at least know what you're talking about."

I understand that, I'm making commentary on the fact that xbox is moving to digital only (and that the vast majority of current gen xbox owners do not have a disc based option) and not towards preservation as they claim.

And obviously people can play games on the original hardware for as long as that lasts, I have hundreds of games from "retro" consoles, I own nearly 200 PS3 discs alone.

Is there some reason, you feel the need to make personal insults in every comment, I reply to what you say without insulting you. But you know whatever, it says more about you than me...

And for the record "you" was being used colloquially I wasn't speaking you directly.

shinoff21834h ago

It won't as far as emulation. The os3 was built different.

I am in agreement though. I wish Sony would sell like an ultimate console. Have it where you have to order off their site and make it have real bc. Like the og ps3 had ps2 inside so to say.

Tacoboto3h ago

@Ein You're a creep because of your obsessive comment history making everything revolve around Sony or how awful Xbox is to a point that you're now just throwing irrelevant things in any way you can.

And don't try to make "you" colloquially now just because you're wrong about me and your feelings got hurt.

Einhander197229m ago

Whatever, keep insulting me, if you think that is going to make me change my opinions or what I say you couldn't be more far from the truth.

How you choose to treat other people only reflects poorly on you. (and this time it's not colloquially)

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 29m ago
darthv727h ago

The PS3 situation may have something to do with no forward way to play those games on newer hardware. Not to mention the PS3 store has been around far less than the 360 store. 360 store closing was expected and they did a pretty good job making many of its digital games forward compatible with XBO and subsequently the Series as well. Ones they could not come to an agreement with are going to be left behind, but here is your chance for last minute deals for you to continue playing on your 360.

Just because the 360 store closes doesnt make all of those games you have (digital/physical) stop working on real 360 hardware. If people have physical 360 games, chances are they also have the means to play them. Just like People with PS3 games having a PS3. It would be nice if all older games worked on newer hardware... but that is not for us to decide, that is for MS, Sony and Nintendo.

Asplundh6h ago

Difference being the 360 games will still be sold on series consoles, while the PS5 only preserved a selection of Ps3 games for premium subs. If the Xbox 360 store closes the games will still be available, if the Ps3 store closes then those games are gone.

How does this contradict what they said about game preservation?

Einhander19726h ago

As far as what I have read that is not accurate, except for a small selection of games that are available through BC.

And even when the PS3 and Vita stores were going to be shut down they still were still going to be available to download if you purchased them already.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 29m ago
1Victor9h ago(Edited 9h ago)

RIP Xbox 360 digital store and all its games.
It really grinds my gears that they are waiting till 10 days before closing to give the best discounts and the list as of now is 100 or less titles from the massive 360 library

Phoenix769h ago(Edited 9h ago)

I should have enough points by the weekend to get £25 credit off MS, (hardly ever spend money on xb1), might look at a few of these.

DivineHand1258h ago

The Xbox 360 store was one of the only advantages the Xbox Series consoles had over the PS5. When I got my series X, I spent more playing Xbox 360 games vs current-gen Xbox games since that was the golden era for Xbox and several titles had enhancements such as 4k resolution and fps boost.

Closing this store will now only benefit the competition.

VersusDMC8h ago

The xbox360 store is closing on the xbox 360.

Xbox 360 games are unaffected on the xbox one and series consoles.

Einhander19727h ago

"Xbox will stop supporting the ability to purchase new games, DLC, and other entertainment content from the Xbox 360 Store on the console ->and the Xbox 360 Marketplace (marketplace.xbox.com).<-&q uot;

You will not be able to purchase any 360 games. You will only be able to play xbox discs if you have a console that support discs which doesn't look great for the future of xbox, if it has one.

VersusDMC7h ago

@Ein

Why are you repeating what i said?

You will not be able to buy digital 360 games to play on your 360.

You will still be able to buy 360 games on Xbone and Series consoles. Go to marketplace.xbox.com, that's the old browser store and not the new one.

Knightofelemia4h ago

Won't be long before Sony pulls the plug on the PS3.

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