NPD Numbers Mean Nothing-Counterpoint 006-Topic #1

With the November 2009 NPD numbers being released just last week fanboys are running rampant trying to defend their systems. However Joel Taveras of DualShockers and Jay Michaels of Pixel Enemy explain how NPD numbers are worthless as they run right through Topic 1 of Episode 006 of Counterpoint dragging Mark Remo in the mud behind them the whole way.

[Saaking]

Yep, 360 may have won in NA, but it's still getting destroyed world wide. So in the big picture, the PS3 is doing much better.

[Cyrax_87]

lol funny sentence. funny thing is, before I followed a random link to this site, I never knew fanboys were this bad >_>

Anyways, can't wait till next year, us gamers are getting freaking spoiled with games >_>

[taz8080]

@ cyrax - fanboys are almost to the point where they are ruining online and gaming communities because it has gotten to the point where no one can comment without being labeled a fanboy or flamed by a fanboy. Pretty sad state of affairs.

[Cyrax_87]

...kinda makes me wish I was young again when I first started playing games on the NES and Sega Megadrive. God damn, THOSE were the days =)

I could literally play games like Kung Fu, Alex the Kidd, Altered Beast and Columns for days. The word "fanboy" would've been alien to me back then.

[JoelT]

Be careful with the "F" word in here, they're all watching you!

[sikbeta]

Now go explain this to people that think:

America = T3h VVør|d

[Marceles]

@Cyrax

yeah I hear you, I can only imagine what gaming would be like if we brought the fanboys to the 8-bit generation.

"I have to blow into my NES cartridge?? FLOP! Brb...playing my Sega Master System with Shinobi"
"I have a grey and black blinking screen of death, I think NES is DOOOOMMED!"
"haha have fun with your Power Glove you stupid NES fanboys, the Sega Activator is the TRUE next gen motion controller"

[StanLee]

I think everyone understands that markets such as Europe, Japan, Australia and parts of Asia represent culminatively, the largest video game market but let's not kid ourselves; North America is the single largest video game market and in terms of visibility, marketing and merchandizing, it's the one market in which you want to have the most success. Anyone who thinks differently is very naive or a fanboy. Success in North America can carry a product far beyond profitability but it's clear Microsoft understand that you have to be competitive in all markets and you've seen they try to push towards breaking into other global gaming markets.

[taz8080]

NPD numbers are purely an indicator for stock analysts. As for gamers no one should really care. NPD only feeds the flames of flame wars and name calling

[jayblings]

Well said

[JoelT]

Jay Michaels made an excellent point. NPD results does not include Amazon or Walmart. The two retailers who are arguably the biggest in the world. So how accurate can the NPD be anyway?

[DelbertGrady]

Didn't know that. Amazon and Walmart probably stand for like 50% of console and software sales. If not more.

[Sarcasm]

"Amazon or Walmart. The two retailers who are arguably the biggest in the world. So how accurate can the NPD be anyway? "

I forgot where the article is, but there was an article with NPD stating that Walmart and Amazon they make "estimations" and include that data with their reports.

It does prove that NPD is not as accurate as everyone thinks, but there really isn't any other sources that track data like they do. VGChartz doesn't count because there's no possible way a handful of folks running that site can calculate worldwide numbers from a huge number of different regions.

[sikbeta]

If NPD doesn't include Amazon and Walmart, who track this 2 retailers?

[jayblings]

Nobody tracks them. They don't release their numbers.

[MURKERR]

the media are using NPD as smoke and mirrors especially the 100k gap for november such is the sad state of journalism since this gen

[Sarcasm]

Sorta true. Any "lead" the 360 makes on the U.S. is automatically nullified from Japan alone. And that's not even including EU numbers.

[Ninferno]

haha good stuff.

[mjolliffe]

They say this can beat The Bonus Round with the legend that is Geoff 'Mr. Exclusive' Keighley?

No way.

[iiprotocolii]

Great video and good show. Overall, there was great points made about NPD.

[-chaz-]

Just an observation on consistency, but just a month or two ago the Slim had been released and the PS3 sales were surging. Lots of stories and users here quoting NPD as the start of the PS3's dominating in sales.

So now a few months later as things have settled down, now the NPD is suddenly not reliable?

[Oner]

Not when 2 of the largest retailers in the US (Walmart & Amazon) are not counted. That is why VGChartz is also not reliable...nothing but guesses & estimates NOT actual/factual hard numbers for proof.

[AzarVC]

Wait, wait, wait...someone is trying to fool the world? SAY IT AIN'T SO! Hahaha. Good points were made.

[xcox]

yet another xb!tch circle jerkoff debunked in broad day light

[markremo]

Seriously.