5 Things We Learned From November 2014 NPD Including Call of Duty’s Decline and Nintendo’s Woes

CraveOnline: "Many gamers have been waiting anxiously for NPD Group to release its sales data for November 2014, and yesterday they finally made their way online. In many ways, the results were unpredictable, leading to widespread discussion within the gaming community for a variety of reasons."

[Foehammer]

Yes, those were some great sales indeed, and X1 is "alive and well", showed that price makes difference, and X1 was at a disadvantage for 7 months... no more

#6, don't listen to bitter ppl trying to downplay the great sales by falsely reporting a lead of 7-10k when it's actually 400k.

[darthv72]

"The Wii U isn’t headed to Gamecube numbers (20 million~ lifetime), it’s headed to Dreamcast numbers (10.6 million~ lifetime). That’s sad when you consider how great the system’s games are, but it’s a sign that Nintendo is behind the times when it comes to execution."

Man...gamers today are so polarized by the effect of the wii that they wont even give the wii-u a fighting chance. Granted the majority of wii buyers werent gamers in the same sense but those who are the core (the first to give up on wii) should at least raise an eyebrow of curiosity towards the wii-u.

It is 10 times better than the wii and it deserves way more support from the gamers than its getting. the 'hip thing' is the battle between MS and Sony but for the sake of all that is fun and enjoyable in gaming... give wii-u a chance.

[Mega24]

Kids these days all care about the consoles more then the games, and the few games they would care about is the emotionless countless of shooters publishers are pumping out because of sales.

I think is time for me to go back to pc, Generation 8th is all about sales and not actual gameplay.

[SmielmaN]

I have a wii u and it's pretty awesome. Ppl really should consider it. MK8 is great.

[Gamer777]

The Wii U is being hurt by its name. If the console had a different name it would be selling better. The name causes confusion among non gamers buying consoles for others.

[jayzablade]

@Gamer777
Yeah it's a terrible name....ought to have called it the WiiOne...worked for Microsoft, didn't?!

[BenqMagician]

Look all Nintendo needs is too lower the price of the console or take out the gamepad make it a option and include a pro controller or release a open world mmo like pokemon game that uses pokemon amibo figures that would sell like hotcakes.

[benji101]

The wii U already sold close to 10 million so what you are saying is it is going to stop sales now that they have the best games out or coming. That is some high class stupid you are drinking.

[RedDevils]

@Gamer777 should they change their name to something like i-Wii :P

[Knushwood Butt]

I gave up on Nintendo after the Gamecube.

Sorry, but I'm tired of their games, their mentality, and the way the media always gives them a free ride.

[GameNameFame]

Foe hammer damage control in full effect eh?

It was same or better price for long time.

Still got out sold 2 to 1

[AngelicIceDiamond]

COD's on the decline.

While I bought this AW I skipped out on Ghost played it over a friends house and hated it.

AW had a great story but the MP is just more twitchy and and annoying, spawns, disconnects etc. the same old stuff over and over.

Its just another COD and Im not buying the next one just like I didn't buy Ghost.

Spacey is cool, graphics are good, but Exo suits and everything else blah, blah I don't care about COD anymore.

I'm done with it. My shooter will be Star Wars next year forget COD.

[donthate]

I skipped AW due to lack of dedicated server and just stuck by Titanfall for my itch.

[Thatguy-310]

All those gift cards, free games, etc. Buddy. Microsoft had amazing deals and they still do. Sony isn't even trying though because the PS4 is selling themselves.

[Sitdown]

And perhaps maybe they can't afford to do much?

[Kingthrash360]

Lol no they had no need to lower the price its priced just right.
They could have lowered it 50$ and had a single game bundle and sold more, but why?? All that momentum...why sell at a loss. ms sold at a huge loss...every kinectless x1 sold is a loss for them. Its great for us gamers and thats all that counts.. But Sony had no reason at all to go as far as ms did.
Its business

[kazumakiriyu]

What about the months that they were equal price?

[ABizzel1]

5 good points and topics brought up by here.

1. COD was bound to fall sooner or later once fatigue set in. It's nothing against it, but eventually people are worn out from playing the same game with slight evolutions for years. The campaigns in COD are temporary highs / lows (depending on the game), and the multiplayer is the main stay, but it's been 7 years since COD4: MW and a good portion of those people are starting to look for something new. 2015 is the time for a new game (possibly shooter) to come in and try to take over.

2. XBO was never on it's dead bed. The real problem was letting PS4 dominate this gen unchallenged, which would have destroyed all momentum the 360 made for XBO, and put their successor to the XBO in a tight spot with PS4 giving all the momentum to PS5. This November NPD was a much needed boost in sales for the XBO, because it proves that their Xbox fanbase is still there and waiting for the right time to upgrade, and the US market is still a region they can do well in and potentially win as long as they have a sizable price advantage, games, and content. However, on the financial side this is a bittersweet win, because it gives them more marketshare at the cost of taking big losses early on which is something no one wants to have to do.

3. The Wii U is going to be a poor selling console in comparison to the last few generations if it continues the way it's going. I don't see the effort from Nintendo to sell the console outside of making great games, but it's proof here the great first party games alone aren't enough to win over the core gamer. It takes a combination of first party games, 3rd party games, established online networks, acceptable hardware evolution, and SFS (software, features, and services), and Nintendo is a generation behind in those last 4 areas. Based on it's current sales the Wii U will end up being another GC, but I still think they have a remote chance for improvement, but I don't see Nintendo pushing for it. Until they change their business mindset and try to reach today's gamer instead of 2005's gamer, then they're going to suffer until they become a developer only.

4. It's sad but true, good games don't always sell into the millions, but that's where word of mouth plays a valuable role. If you have Dragon Age on PS4, let some people you know who might like Share Play it. Otherwise spread the word, and let people know it's good, and to pick it up when a sale comes around. A game doesn't have to sell amazing Day 1 / Week 1 / Month 1. A steady stream of sales over many weeks is still a good seller in the end.

5. Remasters are remasters, they don't need to sell well. They don't usually have a huge budget or team working on them. They're there to fill gaps, and provide the game to people who might have missed it. If they sell in the millions $$$$, if they sell modestly that's all the developer was really expecting to begin with.

[benji101]

1. CoD suffered from competition from Destiny.
2. Xbo lost so much money this holiday. They have essentially been paying people to buy their console.
3. The wii U sells at a profit, profit is all that matters in business. The wii u does not need to sell 100 million consoles.
Nintendo will never go third party. They have an incredible handheld division that could keep the company a float. Strange how the 3ds is the same 2005 software.. but has sold 50million units. wake up.
5. Remasters do cost a lot of money.

[ABizzel1]

1. COD had no competition from Destiny they're completely different games, and with that logic every game has competition, because they all compete against each other.

3. Just because you sell a console for a profit doesn't mean you're not taking a loss, on R&D to make the console, production loss for not selling enough of the consoles, and other areas outside of the narrow-minded n4g gamer.

5. Remasters are as simple as a port. It's a $2m - $5m invest in most cases , and selling a few hundred thousand copies is more than enough to cover development and make a profit.

[Death]

@Abizzel,

Wait for Microsofts financials if you want to know if it cost them money to make these sales. Last quarter the division posted close to a billion dollar profit yet people on n4g were convinced they lost 200+ million. My guess is the division still made a profit, but at a decreased margin. Microsoft packs in a couple games every Holiday. Gift card deals are made by retailers, not manufacturers. $50 price reduction is probably covered by cost reductions.

I'm sure the PS4 production costs have come down also. The big difference being Sony needs to make as much profit as possible to help the parent companies bottom line. It's business.

[S2Killinit]

@Foehammer
well, to be fair, a price cut is not the same thing as a price difference, as it portrays the image that you are getting a bargain, as opposed to a price difference which means you are getting something less THAN, which you pay less FOR. Besides, weren't the two consoles at the same price point for a good amount of time? the PS4 was selling much faster as I recall. Not to mention, the xbox price cut was portrayed as a "black friday" deal giving the image that after black friday the deal was not longer going to be available, this has proven to be not the case, as xbone is currently selling at the lower price point.

So lets not assume things here.

[Death]

With both consoles at $399 the PS4 was still outselling the Xbox One in North America. The difference in sales was much less during this time though.

[Sitdown]

Given that the Xbox one was selling cheaper before Black Friday, it is more of a holiday price than exclusive Black Friday deal.

[Menkyo]

You realize the price cut goes away after christmas right?

[Muzikguy]

January 3rd, but I'd bet they won't raise the price back up.

[Grilla]

The price cut is not going away. They said that to motivate ppl to buy it now. It would be silly to raise the price. I do see them selling the system at 350$ minus the bundled game.

[Menkyo]

The only reason its selling is its 350$ with three games and two controllers they're not going to keep taking a lost just move units when the stock holders are already screaming for them to leave the gaming industry.

[pivotplease]

I don't think they will raise it again. Maybe just unbundle the games/controllers/gift cards/hot plates. If it went back to 400 MS would have less momentum than they had before November. That and everyone knows the system shouldn't be priced the same as the PS4. Significantly better GPU and ram have to have some value. We also live in an age where people pay more for sleeker and more condensed electronics so there's that approach as well though it usually isn't applicable to consoles.

[Sitdown]

@pivotplease
"That and everyone knows the system shouldn't be priced the same as the PS4. Significantly better GPU and ram have to have some value."

You must have never heard of a company called Apple and their iproducts. For some perceived value is in hardware, some in software and service, and for others a combination. Remember Microsoft's angle was entertainment system.

[Muzikguy]

Everyone is coming in here talking about the consoles. What I liked about this article was the 2 million drop off in sales for COD! That's something I've been waiting to see for a long time. Well, it's finally happening and I love it! Merry Christmas!!

It was a bad idea to annualize the series. It was a bad idea to have 3 different teams making the game just to make deadlines and release every year. It was a bad idea to sell half the game as DLC, every time. Just too many poor decisions IMO

Edit: I say half the game because of all the packs and extra DLC every game had. After a game sells 20+ million I don't see any reason that sh!t can't be free, or at least cheaper than they were doing. All it does is shrink the userbase IMO. I'm glad gamers are getting their fill of the wallet raping series that is COD.

[Magicite]

and it matters...not

[SilentNegotiator]

" Yes, those were some great sales indeed, and X1 is "alive and well", showed that price makes difference, and X1 was at a disadvantage for 7 months... no more "

Except the price cuts didn't start on black friday. You could get an Xbone for $350 WAY before black friday, but not with up to THREE free games AND a gift card.

[MadMenX]

MS is going to be king in America & UK again, where, all I care for.

WiiU is dead.

PS4 will own the other territories.

[xHeavYx]

Lol, whatever helps you sleep at night.

[MadMenX]

You sound sad why?

[xHeavYx]

Sad? How do I sound sad? Your comment actually made me smile.

[Pogmathoin]

We know what makes you sleep easy heavy.... ps4! .... Let others have there moment, lil victories.... Both are selling great equal more emphasis on getting games to us!

[xHeavYx]

I agree, but making assumptions like the Wii being dead, MS already dominating US and UK is a bit silly in my opinion.

[BenqMagician]

I own both a X1 & a PS4 so yes it helps me sleep at night.

[SoapShoes]

They have a lot of catching up to do still.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Wii U is not dead.
Get your eyes checked.

[ABizzel1]

lol, what on earth does MS having a remote chance of winning NA and UK do for you?

The only good news is that it gives them parity with western developers on most games, and allows them to keep some of their current content exclusives like COD.

[MadMenX]

Do for me? Becuase I live in the US, why would I care about the other territories?

[ABizzel1]

Then why do you care about UK?

[Death]

It's because they speak American. Granted it's with a funny accent, but we still care.

[DanteVFenris666]

@death are you retarded? Speak americain? The language is English and did not come from america. It came from these people with those "funny accent". And you should care about other territories because let's be honest America doesn't have have all the good made games a lot are from Canada with bioware and ubisoft, Europe, and Japan.

[Death]

Take a deep breath Dante, it was a joke. I also like to think of myself as special. Retarded sounds very demeaning.

[Rimeskeem]

Wii U is dead

*trues not to laugh*

I guess they would be making a new star fox, and Zelda game if it was dead

[CernaML]

Except no, Microsoft wont be king there.

[shysun]

Now sales matter right? I'll book mark this. ;)

[Spotie]

Some of you guys are all over the place.

You only care about the USA cuz you live there... but you care about the UK, too.

MS isn't showing signs of leading in either of those territories, only signs of not getting demolished utterly. What remains to be seen is whether or not the XB1 can keep sales at that point, and whether the PS4 will have no answer. Odds are, however, this won't be the case.

Just odd...

Edit @Andrew: Don't be stupid. If you're gonna count anywhere, you might as well count EVERYWHERE. The only people saying "I only care about X territory" are being ignorant fanboys that don't wanna face the reality that their console of choice is losing everywhere else.

I don't know about where you went to school, but we have Economics in high school around here. Regardless, there were no economic reasons behind what MadMen said, and you know it. He didn't care about Australia or any of the other English-speaking regions that make up the majority you pulled out of your ass(it's true, but irrelevant). He chose those two regions solely because they're the areas that Microsoft won in November.

What makes you think you're fooling anybody but yourselves around here?

[AndrewLB]

^^^ If you can't figure out why Americans also care about UK sales (and Australian) then I think it's time to step away from the computer and file a formal complaint against whatever high school you graduated from for actually giving you a diploma.

The English speaking world is by far the largest consumer of video games and most game development targets that market specifically. Perhaps you missed it, but there was sound reasoning behind why Sony released the PS4 in the United States before Japan. I'd explain some Econ 101 to you but you gotta earn that high school diploma first.

[Muzikguy]

You might be the fastest to 100 disagrees I've ever seen

[souga_houjou_jin]

So u mean that the ps4 will still own the dumbox WORLDWIDE

Good to know thx

[masterfox]

and chipmunks and goats will rule universe this monday lol

[Hellsvacancy]

So the XB1 has one good month and all of a sudden it's the king in America & UK?

The more I use N4G the more I hate it

[frezhblunts]

Lol someone doesnt like nintendo since when is selling 800k copies of a game in less than a month bad?

[C_Ali88]

Or the fact it sold 700,000 in the last week of November? Lol

He then goes on to say Dreamcast numbers? Which isn't accurate in the LEAST.. If we estimate Wii U global sales at 8+ mil it would theoretically be surpassed in less than half a year, with it being close to 10 mil by the end of December.

So he apparently didn't learn much from NPD. Not that amiibo in the US alone brought in close to a billion dollars, or that Nintendo should be profitable. No he chooses to be negative which is fine, 245,000 isn't very good so i concede that, but it isn't all doom and gloom.

[JimmyDM90]

To be honest, crave online is rubbish. They don't know what they're talking about. For example their 800k for PS4 is just a guess they made up yesterday based on a nondescript pie graph leaked by an "insider".

[krouse93]

I still don't like the fact that they pretend to accurately display the sales of software... I mean I haven't purchased a physical disc for my PS4 since I got it. I've bought dozens of games over PSN, and I think many other gamers have begun to do the same.

[Outthink_The_Room]

I agree. NPD is cool for hardware numbers, but game sales? That doesn't work this generation.

Especially when you got bundles that have digital code pack ins.

The XB1 AC:Bundle alone had two codes. And that thing apparently sold a ton. So suddenly AC:U bombed?

These sales metrics need a revamping or more transparency, because FUD like this is ridiculous.

[krouse93]

Especially when they're making inferences about sales & how the franchise is doing much worse than last year... Which sounds horrible but then one begins to realize that bundled sales and digital sales aren't included in those figures.

I agree with you on the hardware front, all other data seems to be irrelevant from NPD.

[strangeaeon]

I only care enough about console sales to post this response. And that isn't much.

[OB1Biker]

'Many gamers have been waiting anxiously for NPD... '
the 'anxiously' bit made me lol

[yarbie1000]

We learned not to trust VGChartz.....Again

[gdguide]

I think we know that Microsoft slashed price and increased value by a fair margin more than the PS4 during this time period. $50 gift card, a load of games, and priced at what? $330? Can they offer this for December and can they even afford to? Did they even make a profit doing this? The PS4 was selling for $399, added a few games, and that was it. Microsoft basically (cash value) was selling their console at $280 and Sony their PS4 at $400.I even wonder despite the difference of NPD if Sony made more with the PS4 than the Xbox One during that time.

[OldDude]

Its interesting to me that you guys act like all X1 sales included a $50 gift card, they didn't. At the same time PS4 had 2 free games and at least in my area had gift cards, free controllers and other various incentives as well. Also to be clear (not you, but a lot of other Sony posters) the X1 has had 1 price cut, not 2. By removing the Kinect they offered a new SKU at a lower price, that system still sells for $499 today.

[ABizzel1]

@OldDude

Yes they did include a $50. MS themselves have been giving away that $50 gift card for their September promotion, and their November promotion, plus many other stores were giving them away as well.

When it comes to the MS store, that's $50 worth of their product that they have to cover eventually down the line, so it's still a loss on their part regardless.

I'd say MS is losing around $100+ on each console they sold directly to consumers excluding the PS360 trade-in, and around $60+ per console from other retailers.

$400 SKU -> $330 plus a maximum of $310 in savings
($70 price cut + $90 games retail + $50 gift card + $100 PS360)

That's a huge plus for the consumer which is why it sold so well, because no one can deny it was it a good deal. But at the end of the day MS someone has to pay for all those savings the customer gained, and that someone is MS.

They're not paying $310 that's consumer savings and MS isn't paying consumer prices for any of this. So once again I'd say MS is losing around $100+ on each console they sold directly to consumers and around $60+ per console from other retailers excluding the PS360 trade-in. So realistically MS basically loss/paid over $100,000,000 (yes one hundred million dollars) to win the month of November. It's a bitter-sweet moment for them, but they didn't really have any other choice.

[OldDude]

The fact is you have no idea how much money they made or lost and your numbers a simply speculation. The Fry's in my area had the PS4 + TLoU and GTAV + a 2nd controller and a years PS+ for $419.00. That's 2 $60 games, a $50 controller and $50 for PS+, a $220 value for $19.99 over the price of the base console. Many stores offered incentives on the bundles, it isn't MS's fault that Sony's weren't quite as aggressive. Then again MS can afford to be while Sony cannot.

[Bhai]

Haha you really are OldDude ;)
MS can't afford to be aggressive, they NEED to be, the whole year's slamming has had their investors pulling out money and a threat of the whole xbox division sell out is at hand... they need to get back in the game to get market share. They've let the profits go to get it and to what extent? still 9 million gap between to the 2... Sony can sit in comfort and enjoy the 1st three months of 2015, winning back these 400,000 and thrice as much heh heh!

[Death]

@Abizzel,

Using your numbers, how much of a hit did Microsoft take if the division posted $890 million in profit last quarter?

The $50 gift cards are not paid by the manufacturer, they are retail promotions paid by the retailer. If Microsoft paid for them, all retailers would have them or Microsoft would risk alienating many of their retail partners. We seen retailers offering these gift cards for the purchase of an Xbox One or PS4 too. That should have been a pretty big clue.

[Illusive_Man]

Some thoughts and points
___________________________
The King has returned from his long slumber
Xbox One still continues to show better software attach rates
Microsoft will win December.
$350 with 2 games is incredible value
Sales probably exceed 400K just because NPD is still estimating
Global Xbox One sales were good
MS will stay at $350 for sure
Don't trust VG Chartz
There is no 7-8 million lead on Xbox, its made up

[C_Ali88]

Which king sir? The one thats hemorrhaging money in order to gain market share? Well thats a fine king sir, a very fine king indeed!

[SoapShoes]

Whatever helps you sleep at night. ROFL!

[S2Killinit]

"the King" lol the king is still getting outsold, just to reiterate. The U.S. is not the world. Playstation hasn't used up its price cut card yet, and they are at roughly twice the instal base, with more games, and more coming. yeah king indeed.

[CernaML]

When was the Xbox brand ever king?

[souga_houjou_jin]

I could called nintendo,sega and sony KING since they were

As for the dumbox never was and never will be and you better #dealwithit

[Revengeance]

How is being behind the PS4 in total sales "the king returning from his slumber"? They only took one month out of the 12. Calm down. The Xbone isn't taking ANY territory.

Wow you Xboners get out of hand because you win one month LOL.

[Convas]

We learned that CBUTT is a filthy liar, who loves obfuscation?

[ALLWRONG]

The fact that you still have fans clinging to every word from CBOAT shows the true nature of this site.

[MilkMan]

We learned that in the argument of fidelity, price is king.

[MasterCornholio]

Wii U?

There's a lot more to it then just price.

[C_Ali88]

FIDELITY!!!!!!! RESOLUTION!!!!! NATIVE 1080p vs anything below!!! PS4 and XBONE!!! PARITY (or lack of)!!!

Wii U had nothing to do with Resogate...

I think you misunderstood! lol

[ABizzel1]

For NA and UK price is King, everywhere else PS is King for this gen at least (well besides JP where 3DS is King).

8th gen Kings: PS4, 3DS
8th gen Price: XBO
Extended Family: Wii U, Vita

[gangsta_red]

Advanced Warfare came out so close to Ghosts that it is understandable that Advanced would sell less. Why this was done is mind boggling, if anything Activision should have held off and never released Ghosts and just spent their time building anticipation for Advanced Warfare.

I know, this is Activision we are talking about and even though 4.1 mill is great it's not great by CoD standards. Time to give this series a break for a good three to four years and let the franchise take a breather then drop it when the time is right for a new competitive FPS.

As for Smash, I think close to 800,000 is a good thing. It's a fighting game and a niche fighting game at that. As much as it has a following it's still a niche game with exclusive characters that only appear on Nintendo systems. The WiiU just needs to start pumping out games that are getting praised universally and hopefully the sales will start to look like GC in it's lifetime.

Dragon: Age Inquisition not being received well is baffling...you think the stink of part 2 left many people put off and not wanting part 3?

Next-Gen Remasters Aren’t As Big As Anticipated...I think people want NEW GAMES for their NEW SYSTEMS and don't want to play old games with a shiny new coat of paint. Just my opinion.

[ABizzel1]

OMG, us agreeing is becoming too much of a habit lately and I don't know how I feel about it. It shows you're not in 100% fanboy mode 24/7, and it's a much better look for you.

I agree Ghost should have been skipped or at least stayed on PS360, and anticipation would have been much better for COD, and it would have impressed so much more since it would have truly shown a generation leap with the new console versions.

Smash isn't a niche fighter per say, but I get what you're saying. Anyway considering the sales of the Wii U, it's a good number, but they need a $299 Smash and Kart bundle ASAP to help hardware sales in 2015.

I think DA2 did some damage, but I also think people are more reserved when buying games this generation, because nothing thus far has been truly amazing, there have been a good group of good -> great games, but nothing that really wows, and so people are buying safer bets and sequels, and DA2 wasn't the best boost for DA:I

Completely agree about remasters, they're not for everyone.

[blackblades]

Cod is on decline well like I said before I haven't bought a cod game since black ops, it'll probably continue to decline.

[gerbwmu]

Handhelds are dead because 3DS sold less this November......that wouldn't have anything to do with a New 3DS coming out early 2015?

[kazumakiriyu]

This article kind of sucks. To prove the point of remasters not doing well the article says last of us didn't chart lol. The game came out in July lol.

[C_Ali88]

it sucks for sure in every aspect!

[MultiConsoleGamer]

"Nintendo woes"

This is what's wrong with sales number nerds. They only see a number. They completely ignore things like profitability and common sense. "Gee, a console with a small user base didn't sell a lot of software? Golly! You don't say!"

Open letter to sales nerds everywhere. You represent everything that is wrong with gaming. You hold back the entire industry and keep it mired in the playground console wars mentality. Websites that ramble on about sales topics are parasites that harm the industry. Sales nerds themselves spend more time talking about sales than they do playing video games.

[kwandar]

I think they saw something else, something I saw. Nintendo did virtually NOTHING to push units out. An increased price bought you more games with the console, but Nintendo has it wrong.

Nintendo needs to lower the price (and I already own one, so it doesn't help me) during the holiday season to put more units in the field, which will result in more games purchases.

They should be selling a 32GB units with a single "older" game for $199 on the same basis MS did - temporary price reduction. Probably a break-even transaction, but they'd pump units out the door and the strong attach rate would make up the difference.

Frankly, Nintendo's marketing and pricing for North America has been abysmal this season.

[Corpser]

Decline in retail sales doesn't say anything when they don't track digital, for all we know digital sales could very well made up the loss in retail and more

[CervantesPR1]

so what are the lifetime sales of halo MCC??

hmm they said it didnt reach a million?

The Last Of US remastered reached a million only in 1 month! its about to reach 2 million soon too!

[Gemmol]

whats last of us sales for america only, cause npd only looks at america no where else, if you add up other places worldwide it would probably make a million

[kakashi81]

Wii u will sale okay as long as they come with bundles when the system sellers drop. But nintendo need to do is get exclusive capcom and namco games.
Naruto revelations 2 & Tatsunoko vs capcom 2.

[dillhole]

Hey guys, did you check out those sales figures? Yeah, it made absolutely no difference to anything in my life.

Go corporation! Go corporation!

It feels great to be backing the winning team, it'll all pay off in the end when.......err

[DarXyde]

The Wii U really deserves more sales. It's easily the most unique console and does its own thing very well. Very solid year of games. I'm learning to love my PS4 again but would love those for both to have continued support.

[Realplaya]

These articles are killing me. If were going to focus on sales why don't we focus on the truth.

Microsoft broke records and sold millions but at what cost.

Lets see the Journey Microsoft took to get where it is.

$500.00 system that wasn't selling so they had to drop the connect to get where it is.

$400.00 started selling more then at black Friday they gave a bundle where the system was set at 3$49.00 and about 2 free games.

So lets get this correct people are making a big deal over Microsoft basically saying our system is no better than the PS4 barely better than the Wii U.

Talk about Nintendo all you want but they made money on black Friday. Every Wii U sold at a profit and in the end that's what matters.

[kwandar]

Not quite all that matters. The profit is short-term. The long-term profit is based on the number of consoles in the market and the attach rate.

You think MS is losing money on those console sales? Maybe, but keep in mind they pick up an extra $50 a year for online play which is $200 - I think they are laughing all the way to the bank.

Nintendo on the other hand made short term profit, but didn't get its consoles into the marketplace, which is a DISASTER when you have such spectacular games and an assuredly good attach rate, as a result.

Yes, Nintendo should have sold consoles at break-even or a loss on a temporary basis, to boost console sales. Nobody is buying the blades without the razor.

[Flames76]

One think i learned is the Xbox destroyed everyone

[btk]

XBone selling badly WW, so they had all the inventory available for US and HAD to get it moving - otherwise no drop in stockpile inventory, meaning no new model to cut costs...
So - heavily discounted, bundled with additional games to get the stock moving.

Sony had no such problem, moved more stock WW anyway, so they would either drop the price and not have enough stock to match demand, and only lose on the extra $$ from a price drop.

Both did what was logical given the inventories they had to move for best benefit. New slimmed down models incoming - new war.
In the end - whoever has the best / most titles available for the best profit margin will win the profit wars. PS4 will win the multiplat one by 30% to 50% simply because it will be the best place for multiplats due to better specs. Exclusives - time will tell.

[skyrimer]

WiiU isn't dead, but it doesn't matter anymore. I'll probably get it when it hits 200 just to play Bayonetta 2 and a few more.

I'm sorry for Dragon Age since it's a great game, still it says a lot about piracy, since it's one of the few games that hasn't been cracked yet. Weren't games downloaded 10 times per 1 original game sold? Maybe piracy helped people test the games before purchasing it instead, even more on PC where you can't really say how well a game will work on your rig until you try it.

[jackwei22]

If COD went to the Vietnam War instead of the future then it would have been something more fresh and attractive the consumer as that hasn't been done yet in the series it would remind you of when they went to Pacific Theatre of war during World At War that turned out to be very successful indeed.