Microsoft trumpets strong October sales

by Kyle Orland { Nov 15th 2007 at 9:00PM }

Despite dropping back to third place in overall hardware sales for October, Microsoft isn't crying too much over the latest NPD sales report. Why not? Well, a press release issued by the company lists plenty of reasons, including:

Higher overall sales ($354 million in hardware and software combined) than the competition ($246 million for Wii, $116 million for PS3)
New-gen software revenue ($162 million) that beat the Wii and PS3 combined ($90 million for Wii, $48 million for PS3)
Halo 3 is still the best-selling game in the country, with 434,000 units sold in October
The Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero III proved the most popular, with 383,000 units in sales

The press release also includes the somewhat misleading claim that "PS3 and Wii combined had one third party title in the top ten console title list for the month, while Xbox 360 weighed in with two." While technically true, if you include the PS2, Sony's system wins with three games* in the top ten, and if you include first-party games, the Wii wins with four top-tenners. It's like saying your baseball team has the best left-handed pitchers born on Thursdays in February -- interesting, but kind of meaningless when you really look at it.

* Including both bundled and standalone versions of Guitar Hero III

Tags: Microsoft, NPD, press release, PressRelease, sales, spin, Xbox 360, Xbox360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Howl @ Nov 15th 2007 9:06PM

Hopefully they will eventually recover from that new warranty.

Haha, I also love the PR spin from all the companies, its as if they think we actually believe them...

Oh wait, people actually do!

Clack @ Nov 15th 2007 9:56PM

Good spin here.

"Higher overall sales ($354 million in hardware and software combined) than the competition ($246 million for Wii, $116 million for PS3)"

Sales, not profit. Not terribly surprising given how much more expensive the desirable XB360 SKUs are compared to the Wii, along with the +$10 per game. Not much to say in the PS3s defense on this one.

"New-gen software revenue ($162 million) that beat the Wii and PS3 combined ($90 million for Wii, $48 million for PS3)"

Not much to argue here, XB360 has a high attach rate, this is already established.

"Halo 3 is still the best-selling game in the country, with 434,000 units sold in October"

Technically Wii Sports was the best selling game with 550k or however many Wii sales there were.

"The Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero III proved the most popular, with 383,000 units in sales"

30% more sales than the Wii version with a 42% larger install base. Not much to trumpet here.

Clontz @ Nov 15th 2007 9:39PM

"Technically Wii Sports was the best selling game with 550k or however many Wii sales there were."

That's kind of a silly rationale. Isn't that like saying Hexic is the best-selling Xbox 360 game? Or that Marvel:UA and Forza 2 will be among the top-selling games in December? It doesn't really count if you have no choice in the matter.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Nov 15th 2007 10:01PM

@clontz. Keep in mind though that Japan is the only place where Wii sports isn't packed in with the Wii.

Silent Xenocide @ Nov 15th 2007 10:18PM

Yes Vegeta, but I believe this is about North American sales.

Rubang B (BRUSH WITH FAME) @ Nov 15th 2007 10:20PM

I wonder how many 360s Microsoft has to sell to get the same amount of PROFIT that Nintendo gets from 519K Wiis.

366K is BARELY more REVENUE if they were ALL the $400 model.

Silent Xenocide @ Nov 15th 2007 10:32PM

I think the main point is Rubang, that they are making profit at least now.

Rubang B (BRUSH WITH FAME) @ Nov 15th 2007 11:28PM

I know they're finally making X amount of profit, but it's interesting and fishy how they won't say what it is and have to brag about revenue.

Vidikron (FU) @ Nov 16th 2007 10:39AM

@Rubang

Who gives a shit? We all know Nintendo rakes in high profits... they sell cheap, old technology at high margins. The numbers that really matter are the software sales. Those are the ones that will matter to the devs. The 360 smacks the other two around in that category and the Wii is even more bleak for 3rd party devs because its dominateed by 1st party games.

SoulBlade @ Nov 15th 2007 9:43PM

i love this ish - Nintendo should bust out the hardware revenue numbers ;)

colin @ Nov 15th 2007 9:51PM

or some games ...

Howl @ Nov 15th 2007 9:53PM

@ colin

I would tell you to bust out your penis.. but you don't have one.

Seriously, Super Mario Galaxy, Batillion Wars and Fire Emblem.

SoulBlade @ Nov 15th 2007 9:54PM

haha that's a fair response. but sadly, Nintendo can't rely on its third party devs to produce quality games like the others can, so they come out a bit slower.

have you even tried any of the recent ones like Metroid, Mario Galaxy, or Zack & Wiki, or are you just being a hater? ;)

Silent Xenocide @ Nov 15th 2007 10:16PM

Soulblade, I've had a Wii for a year now, and the only game worth playing since then has been Zelda. And thats a port. Galaxy does look somewhat good though which is why I'll pick it up tomorrow.

But seriously, who buys a Nintendo console any more for the third party games? I'm sure most of the gamers who picked it up, got it for Zelda, Mario, Brawl, Animal Crossing, and Mario Kart. Which are all great games, but most aren't even out yet.

SoulBlade @ Nov 15th 2007 10:21PM

Silent - I understand your position. I've had mine for almost a year now, and I've been happy with it, but I also know that with work and such, I don't have the time to put in the gaming hours.

That said, I've been happy with it since my girl will play it, and when my buddy comes over to chill, we can play random stuff like Tiger Woods, and most recently, Strikers. As for single player experiences, yea they're lacking compared to the 360, but Galaxy is awesome, and I'd at least recommend that you rent Metroid and try out Zack and Wiki since it's actually quite good (but you have to like challenging puzzles). But yea, it's probably not your system of choice if you primarily game alone.

I'm also good w/ the Wii since I rarely game online. Any kind of graphics whore in me is satisfied by my PC, and that's where I do the online gaming as well.

Silent Xenocide @ Nov 15th 2007 10:31PM

Well I just moved and know no one out here so yea I game alone. Except for online games. But I do admit even games like Mario Party are fun with friends. But thats just because it has Waluigi.

Grant @ Nov 15th 2007 10:31PM

hey joystiq,
If Ms wants to do some niche bragging, why not....
it's good to have pride in something!

Josh @ Nov 15th 2007 10:55PM

Actually the PS2 version of GH3 sold the most when you add both the bundle and standalone game.

HB96st @ Nov 15th 2007 11:59PM

"LOL, I'm sorry but the "Or some games" hit my funny bone something terrible...lol!

I did get Z&W for it though, but I'm using that as credit for Mass Effect.. The Wii is a great secondary system to the 360.

As for sales and profit, I don't really care just as long as the PS3 STAYS in last place. -Don't care what games or exclusives they get, Don't care for price drops drops, don't care about the Blu-Ray/HD-DVD war -even though I copped the add-on. (for $150 @BB) Just stay in that disappointing last place. It's only right they stay there.