What console war? Latest NPD numbers claim everyone wins

http://www.betanews.com/article/What_console_war_Latest_NPD_numbers_claim_everyone_wins/1216400519

By Tim Conneally, BetaNews
July 18, 2008, 1:01 PM
Whenever video game consoles' sales data is released, we often depict the comparison as some kind of war. But with E3 having ended and the holiday season approaching, NPD suggests the battle may be entirely in our minds.

June's total video game sales for the US were $680 million dollars higher than last year, with revenues from consoles and portables combined rising 54% over last year, and revenue from game software 61% higher. One NPD analyst expects total industry sales to be $22 billion this year, making video gaming the single highest-grossing form of entertainment today.

With numbers this high, the concept of a "console war" seems silly. The bottom line is that everybody is winning.

Sure, Microsoft's Xbox 360 trailed behind both Nintendo's Wii and Sony's PlayStation 3 last month in sales, but in the United States video game market, placing third in a booming market isn't all that bad. In terms of raw numbers last month, 666,700 Wiis, 405,000 PS3s, and 219,800 Xbox 360s were sold.

NPD analyst David Riley chuckled at the idea that people still believe there is a console war going on.

"There is no console war. Consumers can purchase multiple platforms (e.g., it's not like the core only select one platform). While some manufacturers are selling more hardware than others at this time, all three are holding their own. It's the content that drives hardware acquisition, so if you develop the content, the gaming consumers will come."

"With this in mind," Riley continued, "At E3 we saw plenty of compelling titles across all of the platforms, including PC, that will keep gamers busy this holiday season and well into the new year."

All three major video game consoles announced banner titles for the holiday season, with Nintendo expecting Animal Crossing and Wii Music; Sony expecting Resistance 2, and Disgaea 3, and Microsoft expecting Fable 2 and Gears of War 2.

I can't really argue with them, each "faction" of this "war" is doing great and there is a difference between "competition" and "war", the battlefield does seem to be in our minds, and hell, I'll take this over a "[system] is dieing! Look! [system/game] sold THIIIIS much!" - but, if everyone wins...then who loses? >_>

ElArabDeMagnifico:
if everyone wins...then who loses? >_>

Well last time I checked it was our wallets that lose.

In all honesty I don't think there is a real war. I think the whole 'war' idea is forum trolls and their real life brethren looking for a good battle.

They are exactly right.

It's all in your head. Cuz it ain't in mine.

HA! Nice find Magnifico, it really is in our minds.

It's just human nature to defend something that they love (or is that something else?) Really, the companies themselves arn't fighting, they just want to make as much money as they can. It's the fanboys/girls that do the dirty work and try to get the companies more money by converting non-believers.

But at the same time, the reasonable people who love their console/PC have to correct the idiots statement about this or that system. And thus, the circle continues.

Jumpilon you're pretty much right, it's the fans doing the dirty work, I heard about people going out and buying a plethora of games (say, about 1000 dollars worth) for one system, ONLY for the reason of "helping [company] in the console war." --- I had some friends who worked at best buy's tell me stories about these rich maniacs.

Hell I'll admit I've been involved too, being a PC and PS3 owner, I get sucked into them constantly the second I come into a game related website, hell I just had to deal with a certain user in another thread and I feel kind of ashamed since it could have altogether been avoided, but naturally it turned out for the worst. Yet, that is also more proof that the battlefield is in the mind - and today, I lay down my weapons! Bash all you want guys!

if its in out minds, the next world war will be fought with game controllers, and game disks?

Well, why else would Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo frequently claim they have the highest sales?

HomeAliveIn45:
Well, why else would Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo frequently claim they have the highest sales?

because Fanatical customers make for good sales.

HomeAliveIn45:
Well, why else would Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo frequently claim they have the highest sales?

Because they want you to know who have the highest sales! And also, it makes them feel better.

Edit: By 'they', I mean you, and by 'them', I mean the companies.

Ultrajoe:

HomeAliveIn45:
Well, why else would Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo frequently claim they have the highest sales?

because Fanatical customers make for good sales.

I guess Nintendo wins in the fanatical customers department.

HomeAliveIn45:

Ultrajoe:

HomeAliveIn45:
Well, why else would Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo frequently claim they have the highest sales?

because Fanatical customers make for good sales.

I guess Nintendo wins in the fanatical customers department.

It's a little hard to say who wins in that department, it's hard for me to say which fanboy is crazier than the other.

ElArabDeMagnifico:
Jumpilon you're pretty much right, it's the fans doing the dirty work, I heard about people going out and buying a plethora of games (say, about 1000 dollars worth) for one system, ONLY for the reason of "helping [company] in the console war." --- I had some friends who worked at best buy's tell me stories about these rich maniacs.

Hell I'll admit I've been involved too, being a PC and PS3 owner, I get sucked into them constantly the second I come into a game related website, hell I just had to deal with a certain user in another thread and I feel kind of ashamed since it could have altogether been avoided, but naturally it turned out for the worst. Yet, that is also more proof that the battlefield is in the mind - and today, I lay down my weapons! Bash all you want guys!

Yeah, I saw, though i would like to put in my two cents about that. PM or just post it here? Ha, sometimes i forget that you're a PS3 owner to with your devotion to PCs and such.

PS: Still feels funny when people post my name .-.

Jumplion:
PS: Still feels funny when people post my name .-.

Why, Jumplion?

Anyways, the console wars is more about people who haven't yet developed the mental capacity to become rational adults argue and fling shit in the hopes their favoured object wins out. Most people don't really give a shit and enjoy what they have.

Though, it would be nice hearing the same thing from one of the companies.

stompy:

Jumplion:
PS: Still feels funny when people post my name .-.

Why, Jumplion?

Maybe it's the paranoia, i dunno.

stompy:

Jumplion:
PS: Still feels funny when people post my name .-.

Why, Jumplion?

Anyways, the console wars is more about people who haven't yet developed the mental capacity to become rational adults argue and fling shit in the hopes their favoured object wins out. Most people don't really give a shit and enjoy what they have.

Though, it would be nice hearing the same thing from one of the companies.

What I think is the "Pièce de résistance" of all this is that the NPD - which is constantly being quoted by those who discuss game politics - came out and said "lol, people argue about this stuff? Look, everyone wins except your wallet and your time!"

I don't expect this to actually end the system war, just like how I don't expect the Palestine and Israel war to end anytime soon, but I'd imagine that this article alone could halt the madness for a while. I just wish that the people who voted for option 2 posted, I mean, this is turning out to be pretty one sided.

(Hey Jumpilon...4chan doesn't require screen names, but, uhh...it's still 4chan >_>)

There is a war just look at the shots at the other companies in the E3 press Conference besides the winner takes all games (see PS2).

its called business! its called competition and i think people should make up there own minds instead of listening to pointless hype from the console company's themselves! its all done to make money! just buy the games that u know you'll enjoy! whether its Mario on the d.s or half life on the pc it really doesn't matter. people get so fan boy about a particular console/game type that they believe no one else can derive enjoyment from anything else other than what they like! seriously people why can't we call just get along!? now i'm off to play something cute on my Wii before going on a murderous rampage on my 360! see.... life is simple! (as am i) lol

Radical Fanboys and their flags..

ElArabDeMagnifico:

stompy:

Jumplion:
PS: Still feels funny when people post my name .-.

Why, Jumplion?

(Hey Jumpilon...4chan doesn't require screen names, but, uhh...it's still 4chan >_>)

Ha, 3 times in a row!

ElArabDeMagnifico:

stompy:

Jumplion:
PS: Still feels funny when people post my name .-.

Why, Jumplion?

Anyways, the console wars is more about people who haven't yet developed the mental capacity to become rational adults argue and fling shit in the hopes their favoured object wins out. Most people don't really give a shit and enjoy what they have.

Though, it would be nice hearing the same thing from one of the companies.

What I think is the "Pièce de résistance" of all this is that the NPD - which is constantly being quoted by those who discuss game politics - came out and said "lol, people argue about this stuff? Look, everyone wins except your wallet and your time!"

I don't expect this to actually end the system war, just like how I don't expect the Palestine and Israel war to end anytime soon, but I'd imagine that this article alone could halt the madness for a while. I just wish that the people who voted for option 2 posted, I mean, this is turning out to be pretty one sided.

(Hey Jumpilon...4chan doesn't require screen names, but, uhh...it's still 4chan >_>)

The thing is the people who compile the numbers for NPD's reports would say this even if all games ended up being the same as long as the companies still made money. Microsoft's dominance over the desktop market might be good for business (It is not in reality.) but it is definetly not good for the consumers.

Geo Da Sponge:

Why can't we all just get along?

Because humanity is not made up of robots.

I do find it pretty funny that games are the entertainment industry that makes the most money, but people tend not to look at it seriously.

It takes as much work, if not more, to make a AAA game as it does a AAA movie or album.

shadow skill:
The thing is the people who compile the numbers for NPD's reports would say this even if all games ended up being the same as long as the companies still made money. Microsoft's dominance over the desktop market might be good for business (It is not in reality.) but it is definetly not good for the consumers.

I guess if they all make profit it's hard to say anyone is winning or losing, unless the numbers are drastic. Also the desktop market is a tricky one since Microsoft is so dominant but even Linux is still in business, with it's open source junky crowd, and Macs being about simplicity, heck, I want to know why MS is so dominant in the OS market, I'd imagine that all 3 would be pretty popular and would be at each others necks. If it were that way I bet MS's prices would be lower too, Vista is nice but I'll never pay 200 dollars for it.

shatnershaman:
There is a war just look at the shots at the other companies in the E3 press Conference besides the winner takes all games (see PS2).

..but..you're the one who told me this!

Microsoft: 360 is better har har, PS3 sucks.
Sony: Now now, the 360 is clearly inferior, we are more awesome than you!

Microsoft: So uhh...about that new Vaio...
Sony: Yeah we need vista installed on them, how much would you like?
*friends forever*

ElArabDeMagnifico:

..but..you're the one who told me this!

Microsoft: 360 is better har har, PS3 sucks.
Sony: Now now, the 360 is clearly inferior, we are more awesome than you!

Microsoft: So uhh...about that new Vaio...
Sony: Yeah we need vista installed on them, how much would you like?
*friends forever*

Your right I should have replace companies with gaming divisions of M$ and $ony. There also were shots from Nintendo (Avatar/Sixaxis)

Arab to answer your question it is because they were the at the right place at the right time, and Apple screwed itself by not being IBM compatible. The machines that Microsofts operating systems ran on were not deadbolted to a single manufacturer and because multiple component manufacturers existed prices were relatively low compared to products by Apple, or IBM, or Sun etc. That and the fact that Microsoft's business practices are not always above board or pro competition. They pretty much have all of the OEM's by the balls and have convinced lay people that Windows IS the PC, thus allowing them to further tighten the vice around OEM's balls. I genuinely wish Apple had just started selling OS X to anyone who wanted it without the hardware bit, I think they could have cut a bigger chunk out of Microsoft's market if they had done so.

Sony and MicroSoft are big campanies. They want to take over the world, whilst being aware that this is impossible. Hence "healthy competition". The console wars are just an example of modern capitalist posturing.

Fanboys fuel the war. The console companies use the ammo.

They consoles seem to be at war, but it's just normal competition. The competion intensified by exclusive content which does not exist in other industries. Mostly the fanatics do the fighting, there's no end in sight to the bloody struggle for control of the Interwebz.

I agree actually, I mean if someone were to ask me which console(s) do I buy I say get a Wii60 simply because the games are better on the 360 and the Wii is fantastic for nights spent pissed up.

Fanboys take it from a genuine discussion into OMGWTF????? h0W c4n j00 sai the 360 is bettar than the PS3 - the PS3 is like OOb3rsup3rm3g4w3som3!!!!!!!1111111

I try to avoid the word whenever possible though, but if I ever call someone a fanboy boy howdy have they deserved it and it is delivered with a certain amount of scorn.

Anyway I agree with what several people have said and that the people who really suffer is the consumer.

Well...think about it, if there was a 'war' going on between the various consoles then it gives fanboys a provocation to get upset and defensive whenever a flaw is revealed about their 'weapon of choice', otherwise it would just be taken as them taking it too seriously (something I genuinely believe to be the case most of the time).

If you think there aren't a large number of people at both sony and microsoft thinking very hard about ways to increase their market share and outdo eachother you are naive. There is an enormous amount of money at stake here, as your article proves very nicely! But yes, fanboys take it to a whole new level... Personally I think its because not everyone can afford all three systems.

It actually pisses me off to how ignorant some people can be.

I have one co-worker of mine who proceeded to argue with--no wait, yell at me why the PS3 is a better system than the 360. His compelling argument? "Blu-ray disc is *insert fanboyish linguo here*!!11!!1111!" Mind you, he owns absol