kowenicki said:
Reasonable said:
makingmusic476 said:
Given Microsoft's shipped numbers, and the usual struggle to maintain stock during the holidays, it's likely we have undertracked the 360 at least somewhat, and it wouldn't be very hard at all to erase the rather small gap we have between it and the ps3, putting 360 in first for the year. So I'd say they're probably right, if not definitely right depending on what information they have.
But I do wonder what information they're basing this on. They'd definitely know their own shipment figures and would at least have a rough estimate of sell through based on that, but how do they determine Sony and Nintendo's figures? Especially given the lack of tracking in areas like Southeast Asia, where a company like Sony has a relatively strong presence?
Is it just shipped vs shipped? Sell through vs sell through? Is "worldwide" just a compilation of worldwide trackers, like NPD, Media-create, and Chart-track?
I wish we could know more about these companies' internal methodology, but that'll probably never be the case. =(
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TBH the only element I'm not sure on it whether MS would know this quickly what PS3/Wii has sold to consumers. Shipments are a matter of public record, and they would also be able to get a decent idea of latest shipments too - but sold would be harder, particularly for PS3. That would mean either having info they probably shouldn't (which I doubt they'd make public statements on) or somehow getting retailers sellling PS3 but not 360 to let them know sales (which seems very iff).
I suspect they're comparing their sold vs a good knowledge of Sony shipped and factoring in an estimate for inventory in supply have decided they have to be ahead for the year.
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Shipped being a matter of public record isnt a matter of public record until its a matter of public record.....you cant guess shipments and make statemnts like this
Nobody has published their shipped numbers yet for the last 3 months of 2011, yet MS likely know their own NPD numbers already... possibly others too.
I'm sure sony or Ninty will refute soon enough if it isnt correct.
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I'm saying MS will know public shipments and shoudl be able to estimate what they believe Sony will have shipped but not released based on their sources. That gives them a view on which to base their statements. Ballmer almost certainly couldn't have been speaking knowing 100% Sony's position vs MS. He would know MS and an internal estimate of Sony's position. That's my point.
TBH MS/Ballmer could say MS was number 1 even if - hypothetically - Sony sold slightly more. So long as the final result is very close MS would know Sony would have no position to refute it sensibly. Most likely MS/Ballmer were fairly sure their internal tracking of Sony vs their sales gave them enough confidence in their position.
Sales/Inventory always flexes a bit an all numbers in statements like this are approximations. Only financial records have to be as exact as possible and even they will get low level small adjustments over time. That's always the way with physical inventory.
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