Sony Rising From Own Ashes?
Not bloody likely, ‘cuz the old bird ain’t dead yet, let alone toasted. But Sony experienced a reversal of fortune this Thanksgiving weekend with vital increases in week-over-week PlayStation 2 and PSP hardware sales, which were up by 116.5% and a whopping 280.5%, respectively. Does a nearly threefold increase in PSP sales over last year mean the little handheld that couldn’t maybe…can? It’s been tough to take Sony’s “it’s not just a game machine” line, which has only been building momentum, and despite my absurdly stupid urge to respond, “It isn’t even a gaming machine,” it will be good news for everyone if the PSP has a hale holiday season.
Indeed, the figures for software sales also saw a jump – first-party software for the PS2 grew 120.6%, and the PSP saw an even better 167.9% growth in fist-party software sales. That’s games, I’m guessing. And when folk buy games, ofttimes folk play games. I saw a lot of PSPs in the airports this weekend – nowhere near as many Gameboys and DSs, but still, it was noticeable.
Sony, of course, is still flat-out dodging the PS3 sales numbers, which is…well…dodgy, but there’s no denying the fact that, shipment drought aside, those units that hit the shelves didn’t stay there long. Sony says:
Sony Computer Entertainment America has been airlifting additional shipments of PlayStation 3 systems into the North American market since the launch on November 17. We were able to get a fresh supply of PS3s in the hands of retailers prior to Black Friday… We will continue to utilize airfreight delivery for the PlayStation 3 to assure a steady stream of systems for North American consumers through the end of the year. Our goal remains to have one million units in the pipeline by December 31, 2006.
Ok, baby, I believe you. It might just be fairy dust and sugarplum wishes, but if Sony could pull itself together by the end of the year, it would go a long way to restoring its image as the biggest, meanest bully on Techno Street. Take my lunch money, please.
Sony: PS2, PSP Sales Jump Over Thanksgiving [Gamasutra]
tiny dancer
Posted to Video Games on 28 November 2006
· Comments (2)
Other stuff like this: hardware, ps2, ps3, psp, software, sony, thanksgiving
Considering that I’m thinking about finally buying an HD monitor for my living room, I might actually consider buying a PS3 if they can pull it all together.
That PSP commercial where the guy looks at photos to go find his girlfriend?
LAME.
That’s what digital cameras are for, jackass.
Well, no. That’s not even really what those are for, so I don’t really knwo what they’re trying to pull.