Well, I can't prove that Sony's figures don't include digitally distributed games but Nintendo's annual reports specifically state that Wii Ware, DSi Ware, Virtual Console are not counted in the software shipments, and Microsoft always touts Live figures seperately from attach rates. Odds are heavily against Sony including the figures since the big three have exactly the same reporting methods in all other manners.
800,000 systems on shelves isn't that much really. If you look at the Wii figures it had far more than that on shelves through the end of June. Microsoft and Sony both likely held back on shipments for the quarter to insure current system-models would be depleted so that they can introduce new models for lower prices later in the year. Microsoft appears to have held Xbox 360 back a little more since their weekly sales are higher which implies a new sku or two pretty soon.
In the United States alone there are over 10,000 stores that sell video games. Worldwide it is 50,000 or more. So to have 800,000 more systems isn't really that much.
People are difficult to govern because they have too much knowledge.
When there are more laws, there are more criminals.
- Lao Tzu
