When it comes to sales I want games to sell well not to say "ha ha the game on my system sold better then the system you own" but so that development of games continue. First party PS3 games have done less then stellar and one would think the first party PS3 games cost quite a large amount to make.
Only 9 games from first and second party (sony fund the game development) have passed 1 million sales and all those games look to be of high budget. Also many were heavily bundled so Sony did not make a penny from those sales, R:FOM and Motorstorm came with every bundle at the beginning, they were unofficial but all stores gave the option of choosing one of those games. It would be nice if someone had an idea about HD development costs in general but from here I would think the Sony funded games are not making profit.
Of the upcoming games GT5, GOW III, Uncharted 2, next R&C game, MAG are the guaranteed million sellers but I do wonder if sales would cover all those development costs, besides GT5.
With all that said do you think first party support will continue? I hope it continues but am doubtful, sure Sony get more income for every copy sold for a first/second game compared to third parties but I doubt they are making sufficient profit to continue. Studios will be sold off to other companies is my guess.
Ironically I rent games so need to stop with that -_- .....expect 3rd parties :P
