ioi said:
Simple, the markets in which PlayStation is strongest have a later generation cycle than what we'd traditionally think of as the core markets. In the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, France, Germany last gen has been on the decline for a long time and in most of those markets (France and Germany being the exceptions) Xbox is a stronger brand so has seen more of a decline. Most of the current PS3 sales are coming from Latin America, Spain, Italy, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asia - regions that peak 2-3 years later than everywhere else. This is why PS2 was still selling decents amounts every year until recently despite being dead in the "main" markets. This is actually another point entirely and if Nintendo / MS can get a decent presence in these markets where Sony has always enjoyed a strong foothold then they have a real chance to make ground this gen. |
There was a 20 million gap between the PS3 and the Wii/360 in gaming largest market. The 360 one year lead, the PS3's initial price point, lack of exclusive (including timed) and the Wii fad helped regulate the PS3 to last place. Already in a month and a half the PS4 has captured 10% of those PS3 sales with an anemic lineup and $399 price tag. We are already seeing Sony make up significant ground in a region it did extrmemly poor in and remain strong in regions its always have been. How are Nintendo and MS going to make up ground when Sony can match them step for step?
