What Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo Don't Get

Don Reisinger:

"Each other. Too simple? After seeing yesterday's NPD numbers and hearing about them from all the companies, each has their own spin on what went down last month. Nintendo (rightfully so) chose to gloat about how well the Wii is selling. According to NPD, the Wii outsold the 360, PS3, PS2, and PSP during April. Even better for the company, it held the number two spot in hardware sales with its DS platform.

On the other hand, Microsoft chose to discuss how well its platform has done so far and explained to me that its 10.1 million units sold mark is a major milestone for the company because the first console in each generation to hit 10 million units sold in the US has won the console war. When asked if it should be worried about Nintendo, Microsoft said it doesn't see Nintendo as a competitor. When asked if it should be worried about Sony, the representative said it's not worried at all and the company believes it's in the best possible position right now.

Finally, we move to Sony. The company was barely beaten in hardware sales by Microsoft -- a mere 900 unit margin separated the two companies -- and it did relatively well in software sales. That said, it only captured 35 percent of GTA IV sales, which the company attributes to a smaller installed base. Of course, a more logical notion suggests the robust online component included in the Xbox 360 version was the main reason. Regardless, it contends that it's coming on strong and can win the console war.

And as I examined what each company had to say about the numbers, it became quite obvious that not one understands the other."