Q4 2012 Hardware Analysis (VGC Exclusive)

[Michael-5]

Quater 4 Analysis

By: Michael-5

Hey guys, thanks for reading my Quarterly analysis. For those unfamiliar with my quarterly analysis's here are link to older software analysis's

Quarter 3 2012
Quarter 2 2012
 Quarter 3 2010
 GameTrailers Archive

I used to make these on GameTrailers before and when I first joined VGC, but now I have kind of migrated here. There is a gap between 2010 and 2012, but it's only because I would write these articles up, but never publish them.

Anyway, starting with this quarter I have decided to do something different. I am separating and expanding my Hardware analysis from my Software analysis. So expect the software analysis sometime later this week, I'm almost done it as well.

I also asked TrunkSwd if I could write these as articles on VGC, but haven't received an answer yet. So, if you like this, and think it's as good or better then VGC's own articles, go spam message him or other Administrators.

Anyway, lets begin with graphs showing hardware sales for all platforms in all regions, the graphs should be self explanitory

Platform	Q4 Sales
3DS	6.38 million
360	5.67 million
PS3	5.59 million
WiiU	2.45 million
Wii	2.13 million
DS	1.64 million
PSV	1.37 million
PSP	0.71 million
PS2	0.54 million

3DS was the best selling system WW for Q4 2012, followed closely by 360 and PS3. Unlike in 2010 and 2011, the 360 was unable to recover the sales deficit it experienced during the rest of the year with PS3 this fall. Kinect's appeal has worn off. WiiU has done reasonably well, nearly keeping up with Wii's launch, and was sold out in most retailers in NA and Japan. 4th place out of 9 with only about a third the time to sell is pretty good.

 

Platform	Q4 2011 Sales	Q4 2012 Sales	% Difference
360	7.52 million	5.67 million	-24.6%
PS3	6.40 million	5.59 million	-12.6%
WiiU	N/A	2.45 million	N/A
Wii	5.59 million	2.13 million	-61.9%

Compared to 2011, Wii sales have fallen drastically, probably due to the lack of major software this year, and the WiiU's release. 360 sales have fallen harder then PS3's, which has resulted in an annual sales gap which favors PS3 more then any other year after 2009. In it's late years, PS3 is managing to hold its own, where 360 (and Wii) are not, so it's very likely that PS3 will take over 360 sales either temporarily or permanently in 2013-2015.

Platform	Q4 2011 Sales	Q4 2012 Sales	% Difference
3DS	7.91 million	6.38 million	-19.3%
DS	2.49 million	1.64 million	-34.1%
PSV	0.48 million	1.37 million	+185.4%
PSP	2.01 million	0.71 million	-64.7%

Despite low sales during the year, DS has sold decently well for a system which was replaced nearly 2 years ago, outpacing the PSP and PSV. With strong sales in 2013, the DS could top PS2 sales. However, the PS2 still has some fight left, it's no garenetee. PSV only released in Japan last fall, on was only on the market for 3 weeks, so it's no wonder PSV sales have increased. 3DS sales have droped since 2011 for Q4, but are slightly up for the year. This is probably because of the $80 price cut last year, and the launch of two major software titles (Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land). Hopefully with a strong lineup in 2013, 3DS can outpace itself for the entire year, and not just the first 10 months like in 2012. As for PSP, with the release of PSV, PSP sales have crashed.