Microsoft: Xbox 360 widens lead over PlayStation 3

Microsoft said today that it had sold more than 28 million Xbox 360s since introducing the game console in November 2005. That compares with more than 20 million PlayStation 3 consoles sold by Sony since it debuted the device in November 2006, according to Microsoft executives.

"We're widening our lead against PlayStation 3," said Aaron Greenberg, director of product management for the Xbox, who noted that going into the fourth quarter, Microsoft's lead had been 5 million consoles. "This was the best year in the history of the Xbox, despite the tough economy."

Greenberg credited last year's growth to a lineup of exclusive games, including Gears of War 2, Left for Dead and Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts.

He also credited the company's online game service, Xbox Live. The company said it now has 17 million Xbox Live subscribers who can use their consoles to find online opponents, download games or watch movies and TV shows. Though many Xbox Live subscribers opt for the free version of the service, Greenberg said that the majority pay $50 a year for the premium service, which includes the ability for Netflix members to view the service's Instant Watch movies and television shows for free.

Microsoft said online sales on the service, such as movie rentals and downloads of TV shows and games, jumped 84% in 2008 from 2007. The Redmond, Wash., company said consumers have spent more than $1 billion on Xbox Live, but it did not say how much of that was spent in 2008.

"It's a huge part of our business," Greenberg said. "And it's a quickly growing portion of our business."

How did the others do? NPD Group plans to release its sales number for the video game industry next week.

-- Alex Pham

Photo credit: Microsoft

Comments

[Gary]

The PS3 is just too expensive, especially when you consider that, after spending $400 on the console, you have to drop $50 a pop for games.

I picked up an Xbox 360 Pro Holiday Edition Bundle (60GB) for just $240 this season through a deal I found on TechDealDigger - http://www.techdealdigger.com/hot-deals/xbox-360-sale/1468

I love it. Especially now that you can stream Netflix Watch Now movies via the 360.

[Bubu]

Isn't this comparison between Xbox360 numbers and PS3 numbers a little bit uneven? The numbers are good for both, so congrats to both, and I get the need of some to pick a winner; but here's my point:

IF YOU'RE TO BELIEVE THE GOOD PEOPLE AT VG CHARTZ, A SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON OF THE XBOX360 AND PS3 IN THE FIRST 104 WEEKS SINCE LAUNCH SHOWS THE PS3 AT AN ADVANTAGE. (some 2-3 million units more for the PS3)

Doesn't that mean that the PS3 is doing better than the Xbox360 in its life-cycle? huh? huh? buh. Let's not even mention that the Arcade SKU is much, much cheaper, nor that the Xbox had a head start of one year with no competition. Let's just base sales on number of weeks since launch. It's a bit early for people to start yapping about the 360 solidifying its #2 position in sales.

And why doesn't anyone compare sales of pro's and elites only to sales of ps3's? or sales of arcades to sales of wiis--oh wait, this second one is a no brainer.

I choose to end my rant here.
Oh wait, one more thing that bugs me; why does MS keep touting their game attach rate of 7-8 compared to the measly 5 for the Wii as if this shows it's the console to make money on if you're a publisher; are people retarded? do some math: 8*28mil on xbox, compare it to 5*46mil on wii.
Now I'll end my rant.

[mason]

I have no idea why people go to fight for companies? It's a marketer's dream come true. Anways it's forgone conclusion who will win second place, the xbox 360 and I predict that the next generation microsoft will also win second place, with sony at third. However the second tier race all depends on innovation, if another wii extravangza of innoviation hits the competition, who knows what will happen. However at the same token, a real innovation would need to occur not a simple upgrade from hand-motion to full-body motion.
Regardless, xbox will lead in the future generation as well, due to the primary reason they vanquished this one. Being the first and lower prices.

[Vivian]

Something to consider would be how many consoles are sold to repeat customers? I've actually made three Xbox purchases thus far- two to replace defective units.

[Mike]

Wow the PS3 sold 20 million in only 2 years and xbox 360 sold 28 million in 3 years and had an extra year of sales to add to the figure that's real fair. Considering how xbox is only 8 million sales ahead of PS3 even with a year extra just shows how the PS3 is clearly selling more in it's lifespan than xbox. Why does the media manipulate and fabricate the truth? To sell stories I guess oh well.

[Derek Pater]

I had a PS1 and PS2,but the current Arcade Xbox360 was just to good for me to pass up,plus all the cheap second hand games avaliable,at $238- AUD,Sony need to offer a Arcade type version without blue ray of the PS3,Plays all PS1 and PS2 Games,and bring down the price of their games and have the range of games like Xbox and Xbox360,lift your game Sony.

[VinTheDean]

I agree with Gary. The xbox numbers are great and so are the PS3. But the numbers can not be truely compared. This is because XBOX had One (1) year lead over the PS3. This is the only reason why there is 8 Million gap in the numbers.

Even many of you don't trust VG Chartz numbers but you should respect what they are trying to do. They are the only company where you can compare the sales based on initial launch. Meaning you can compare The first year of the PS3 to the first year of the Xbox and so on.

VG Chartz adjust their number as official data is released. This means that a comparason the first TWO (2) years of the two consoles is pretty accurate. I would say 95% or so. and even with a 5% error rate the PS3 is still leading.

http://vgchartz.com/hwlaunch.php?cons1=PS3®1=All&cons2=PS3®2=All&cons3=X360®3=All&weeks=104

[L J Solomon]

I own both PS3 and Xbox 360. PS3 is for me the better overall console. 360 has peaked - PS3 is booming past. Also - the 360 had a head start? I bet if you worked out since release dates the average consoles sold per month the 360 would be lagging [excuse the pun] behind. 360 isnt a next gen console - its a suped up old gen console. PS3 Features, Method, and Direction is for me what a Next Gen Console is all about. The only reason I got a 360 was for Gears 1 and 2. no more no less. Finally - 360 is copying every other consoles ideas - grasping at anything and everything..Lips - you mean Singstar....

360 HAS HAD ITS DAY
PS3 ALL THE WAY

[SmilingAssassin]

I own a game store in Los Angeles. The Xbox trounces the Wii and the PS3 in game sales. Sony screwed their customers by taking away the backwards compatability in their new system - it is a piece of garbage. What company comes out with hardware revisions that are worse than their predecesors? With over 110 million PS2's sold to be behind anyone in a new race should be considered an absolute failure.

[Will]

Sony doesn't need to take the Blu-ray out of its console, thats a clear advantage when you look at what it will allow them to do with future exclusive games. They'll be massive in size compared to the other systems' releases. Since all next gen games are $60 regardless of system at release I don't see microsoft keeping the advantage. Besides if my 360 would stop needing to be sent back and if the good xbox live was free instead of 50 bucks a year I'd feel a little less like I wasted my money on a machine that is barely better than my PS2. And don't get me into how much my 360 actually ran me. At this point with all the extra stuff microsoft has made me buy I would have been better off buying a PS3.

[Rich]

Mr. I own a game store in Los Angeles... what PS3 console are you selling. Oh wait you mean it is backwards compatible but not with all of the thousands upon thousands of PS1 and PS2 titles. But it is with every PS2 title I own. Hmm wait my 360 wasn't backwards compatible with all of my xbox games. I had to become a part of XBOX live and update it for that. No the reason you sell less PS3 consoles is because people don't realize that when you buy a 360 it’s not a complete system. You have to buy a hard drive which, if you're a gamer like me, will run you at least $100 more. Oh lets not forget the system overheats so extra cooling devices have to be purchased. Take your pick but they're around $30 and I had to buy two so my console wouldn't freeze. Oh and the red ring of death. I don't know anyone who owns a 360 that hasn't experienced this and after having it happen 3 times which is 3 times too many. So the reason I bought an xbox 360 was because it was cheaper and it had Gears of War on it. But I’ve spent less on my PS3 and been happier about it.

[Al]

I own both PS3 and Xbox 360, and like a few said here, the PS3 launched a year after the 360 so the data results are not basically fair to the PS3. In actuality, the PS3 is winning, and come this year with their (at least 2 I know so far) exclusives God of War 3 and Killzone 2, the PS3 will be ahead of the 360 hands down. If Sony decides to cut the price yet again on the PS3 this year, then my predictions will be realized sooner than later.

[literate]

If you'll note the article stated that the lead of the 360 over the PS3 increased in the 4th quarter by 3 million sales.

from 5 million to 8 million units

INCREASED

[Derek Pater]

I agree with the comments about backwards compatible for the PS3,I have all these games that I love from Crash Bandicoot PS1 and others in total 120,yes I have waited until 2 weeks ago to get the 360 Arcade because of the Red Rings of Death and over heating,Thats all fixed,I can by a pre-owned Xbox with one year warrenty for $47 AUD.
All I want to do is play the games,I dont care about Xbox Live not Interested and I bet there are many people like me also,as for the XBOX360 AND PS3 runs to same quality games.Who ever does the Market research for Sony is way of the Mark.I bet that a new Xbox Console is under development and will Kill off a PS4.

Sony have lost me as a loyal customer,because I am a family Man with 4 Kids I need value for money which the Xbox360 Arcade provides me,we are wraped with it.go to the local games store $20- to $40- for good second hand games.

It sounds like some of these games need to get off these game consoles and go and play sport,ride a bike,go for run.There is more to Life that Computer games.

[warzone]

I had a PS3 and WII before this x-mas and I got the arcade xbox 360. I must say, i was not impressed at all with the xbox when i got it open. Its really cheap. And i agree with other people's post....guys, you are buying an incomplete system. Arcade xbox is 200.00, i had to buy an hard drive (130.00 for a used 120 HD), an HDMI cable (30.00), a wireless adapter (100.00). I am already over the price for an PS3 which has all these items built in (ie hard drive, wireless, etc.). And lets not even forget that PS3 has an next gen DVD player. And now for me to get netflix (i have membership), I have to pay $50.00 a year for the membership? Dood, now I know why Microsoft is happy with this Xbox, cause they are raping the consumers for every single item that should have been standard in the first place.

And the bump this xmas for the xbox was due to the price point (the arcade was an xmas gift, I didn't buy it). But I think at this point people who want an xbox have gotten the xbox this xmas. I know alot of people who want the PS3 and are still waiting for the price to drop.

I don't know, so far, not so impressed with the xbox 360 (but yes lots of games and very cheap at 2nd hand stores like gamestop)

[Bubu]

Here's another thing that bugs me about this comparison - Xbox vs PS3, and people that already claim a victory (of sorts, since we're talking 2nd place to Wii's first) for the Xbox:
Realistically, how many years are left in the life-cycle of the Xbox 360? 3? maybe 4? Sure, some PR dude from MS claims they'll push the console a month past the end of the PS3--bold claim, since I figure that'll mean your average Xbox hardcore gamer will have gone through some 6 replacement consoles; but realistically, can someone in the know tell us suckers how long the 360 has left?
I myself think it has reached its peak. It can get cheaper, but not by much, it has no exclusives in the pipeline, its library of games is still great, but the PS3 and even the Wii is catching up (but let's leave the Wii out of this since it's just an abomination--and I say this with all the love a man has shown a toy with a vibrating appendage) and lastly it has no clear, tangible advantage over the PS3. I'll be honest, I had a Wii, got antsy when no games came out for it end of '08; so I went out and got a PS3; thought about the 360, but didn't want to bother/worry about it breaking down, and thought that for $100 more you get so much more with the PS3 (hell, you get more than the Elite, which costs the same). But the main reason for opting for the PS3 is, Sony proved they can support and push a console for 8 to 10 years, and the PS3 has the potential to do what the PS2 did.
To get back on point, the 360 has an 8mil lead over the PS3 as of today. Does that mean they have a lock on the #2 spot? By what twisted xbot-originated logic would the answer come out to be "hell's yeah"?
By no means am I saying that the PS3 will soon overtake the 360. I'm only saying MS still needs to prove itself as a console maker--they're still placing bricks on store shelves after all; on the other hand, Sony is by now well established in the business.
Rant's over, I gotta go to bed now.
Oh yeah, stop complaining about the price of the PS3; if the 360 pro is worth 300, the PS3 is worth 400. And the games are priced the same, unless you've modded your xbox and are ripping off poor Billy Gates.

[blake]

ok this isn't an issue of nubers anymore.
please read whole shpill.
one the 360 does have hardware probblems, yet they fix it for free and are endevering to creat better models, as such they have drop the prices while improving the system with better, (more expensive) parts.
PS3 has the advantages in hardware due to the blu ray and has a drasticly lower faluire rate. At the same time they have removed all backwards compadibily. which suck since in the 1st place that was there thing (100% BC) now ZERO. Also the lin up of games over the past year wasn't the best in the world. This holiday season 360 game sales were higher then PS3 and almost tied with the Wii and DS lite.
Also the cell system is atucally if you think about it, is too advance. No one is designing for the PS3 due to longer build times and just well its a pain right now. So all games are being ported over from 360 which if you look at a straight port doesn't always look or funticon propperly.

So at this point 360 has it. in the next 2 maybe 3 years we'll see PS3 comming out with better titles that'll blow us away, and by that time the new MS system will be out so yea. PLEASE EVERYONE SHUT UP. This is how it is so deal with it.

[stlman]

Wow it's amazing how bad denial really is. For all the PS3 fanboys that are complaining about headstarts. Just look at 2008 sales figures alone. There you go. Perfect comparison. Oh wait except for this would actually be a disadvantage for the 360 because it has been out for that much longer so it is the older console. PS3 is a great console. The xbox 360 just happens to be better. It's ok. You can keep justifying that cost, after all you can't get a blu ray player for any cheaper.... oh wait.

[Claudio]

Sorry but simple Maths say to us: if Xbox sold 28M un 3 years and PS3 20M un 2 years.... it means PS3 sell more than Xbox! :)

[Bubu]

Re: stlman post above

Your perfect comparison is nice; here's me paraphrasing you: this past year I timed myself running 100 meters, and timed a baby running (well more like crawling) the same distance. Mind you it was the very same year (2008, just like your perfect comparison set-up). That baby had nothing on me; I crushed said baby; made it cry, you know, like a baby...
On top of that, I'm older than said baby, so really, I'm at a disadvantage, Therefore by the logic of your argument that I borrowed from you, that baby will never in his life run faster than I. I win the generational battle, even though I've got two left feet, I overheat while I run and need to be sent in for warranty repairs.

That is all. Gizmondo FTW!

[Patrick]

@ Bubu

Funny comparison, but seriously? It's like a 35 year old compared to a 28 year old. One has just passed his prime and the other is right dead in the middle of it. In a 100 m race the 28 year old should blow the 35 year old away, especially if he's as awe-inspiring as everyone claims he is.

I mean, you can agree that if the PS2 outsold the PS3 now that would really be something, yes? Even though the PS2 takes on the adult role in your analogy and the PS3 the baby.

It is impressive when a console that has been out three years and outsells one that has been out two in the same time (let's just say the Christmas season for example) .

[Stephane]

Hi, for all of the readers. First quote. I own both 2 xbox 360(premieum and eliste) and 1 PS3. Lets clear that out. Stop fight for nothin about companies and lets compare both console. For my own perspective, console are both neck to neck compared to specification. For the use, both are pleasant to navigate through the menu. Concerning graphic details, so low differences between both console, hard to tell wich is best. But concerning graphics, PS3 still lack - almost every games are only 720p. XBOX 1080p. Concerning best game available, advantage to XBOX 360 (more and better games than PS3). But in any case the choice is hard to tell wich one win, cause both offer exclusive title that you must own both to appreciate. Concerning defect, xbox had some flaws at the start but has correct the defective problem with new system more 1 1/2 year ago. and at least has extend the warranty. Secondly, PS3 had also some problem on their side with update that do not complete successfully. I had experience it about 3 times till now. I had to shutdown the unit cause was not responding anymore. To finish, lets stop all the fight about backward compatibility, they both have problems with it and anyway, if you own a PS1 - PS2 - xbox game. Just play it on your old system. Me onces its over, I never played back a old title from 5 years ago. So guys lets stop fighting for those big companies and just enjoy the play on both system. Anyway, thats what makes companies still work hard and do good competition to keep up runners for the coming years.

[FG]

The "ONLY" thing ps3 has thats " next gen" is that crapola bluray drive . 360 has more video ram and now with the redesigned models no more RROD . Sony has a WOPPING 256 ddr3 VS 360's 512 ddr3 plus 360's 256ddr3 vram .
not to forget ps3 downscales everything to 480p if your not on a 1080p setup with HDMI , which is funny the people loving on the POS3 actually think they are viewing HD when they are still watching SD . Lets also not forget bluray is also falsely advertised as "UNCOMPRESSED" when infact it is conpressed data .
The ps3 online setup the majority of ignorant ps3 owners think is free . The game developers reserve the right to charge for access to their titles if they so choose too . Lets not forget 360live silver is 100% free to play all your games online on XBL . I have purchased both ps3 and 360 new pro version recently and I personally have to say the ( 6 DOA ps3's ) really got me pissed off . I will not bother with anotherone , beings ( for me) ps3 has a 100% failure rate .

[Kaden101]

Stephane, you are talking out of your rear end.
How is Blu-Ray Crapola? it holds more than DVD, the discs don't scratch, & the lie about DVD being faster. One of them is faster on the inside of the disc, the other on the outside. You just have to be careful how you store the information on the disc.
Every console has to downscale to 480 to display on a SD tv, that's the resolution, if it didn't downscale, there'd be no picture on the TV. As for Hi-Def, I have a 720p HD tv, & it runs the games on, wait for it, 720p.
How do you know what information is compressed on a Blu-Ray, it all depends on how the developer puts that info on the disc. You can either have more compressed information, or like Metal Gear Solid 4, a lot less compression on sound, higher quality but holds less. on a storage front alone 50GB is better than 9GB.
I have yet to be charged to play anything online on the PS3.
You can't play online on Xbox Live unless you have a Gold account, which has a fee. You can access the store, & download demos, games, etc on a silver account.
You even dare bring up reliability of 360 vs PS3. 6 DOA PS3 units. Either you dropped them all on the way home, or your lying. If all you've had is dead PS3's, where's the rest of your info coming from?
I'm not sure if your post is purely sarcasm, or if your just a really big 360fanboy, either way, it's pure fantasy on your part

[Kaden101]

To Stephane,
I apologise, my above post is aimed at FG. I assumed the names were above the posts, but I was wrong. The only thing I will say about Stephanes post re graphics is 720p vs 1080p - unless you're using a 60" 1080p & sitting 6 inches from it, the human eye will have trouble telling the difference, & there has been suggestions that 360 games that say 1080p on the box are actually upscaled from 720p to 1080p, not native, whereas if PS3 states 720p or 1080p it's not scaled in anyway - I cannot however, substantiate this, but have seen it discussed elsewhere, see http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20070721/4652/ as an example. Not that it matters, unless you have supervision, or a giant cinema screen.