This site is popular because all of this is really a competition. The difference of a few consoles isnt such a big deal, but when NPD has a console outselling the other console by over 10% and the VGC has that other console outselling the PS3, you have to wonder.

On top of that, evidence at retailers and common opinion makes it seem that the PS3 was outselling the 360, and I assume that if NPD was undertracking the 360 by 100,000 consoles, Microsoft would know about it.

They may not have the exact numbers of consoles sold, but I doubt they wait on NPD like we do every month to react to numbers. They know more than we do, yet they confirm being outsold even before we get the numbers. Its not the fact that NPD's numbers alone that make me a little hesitant to believe VGC is more accurate, its the fact that Microsoft is confirming it as well.

This isn't a shot at ioi either. Being this close is absolutely amazing for a free site, since you see even Microsoft and Sony dont have the means to track console completely accurately. I was suprised myself to see the 360 stage such a strong comeback since there was no reason for it to do that.

Whether ioi adjust for NPD is fine, this is still the best source to get weekly sales estimates. Like all sales trackers it won't be enitirely accurate, and whether or not you want to believe NPD or VGC is up to you. Both are valid IMO, and most likely we will start seeing more reference to both, using whichever source better fits your argument. Personally, I think the PS3 outsold the 360 in NA, and I thought it would all along. I think the 360 has converted less than 10% previous PS2 owners who never owned a 360, but has gotten previous Xbox owners to hop on board faster with strong FPS titles and Halo's release last year.

People like the Sony, people hate paying fees to access features that should be free, and a good deal of people only care about a few major games and high tech features. I expect the trend of PS3 outselling the 360 to continue for that reason, and once the PS3 hits $299 the PS3 will outsell the 360 every month in every region for the duration of the generation except months with huge AAA exclusives (Gears is the only one I see being huge as of now) and a couple of weeks after big price drops. NPD data supports my thesis, so I think they're right.

I think their is a lot of nitpicking going on and once again the kingoffail acts like we are all being let down by some major conspiracy.

These are all estimations so becoming furious about numbers being 10% one way or the other is unfair.

There is a trend that is clear for everyone to see. The PS3 has grown massively in demand this year compared to the 360. They now appear competitive with each other.

You guys are furious that ioi is predicting that Wal-mart is selling more 360s, while NPD is saying they are selling more PS3s. The numbers are close enough where that is basically the difference.

You can't look at statistics with a bias. You see the NPD numbers and they support what you feel in your gut. That feeling doesn't make them right.

My hunch is is that since NPD and VGC are close that means the truth lies somewhere near by.

And kingoffail if you wish to stop talking about sales by all means do so no one is stopping you.

Anyone want to post the exact numbers according to NPD, including last year? I want to see how many consoles the PS3 has sold according to NPD alone. Would be funny if they really did hit 10.5 at the end of the year wouldnt it?

We can't just assume VGC is right because we like ioi either. We dont know how ioi tracks this stuff, we dont know his sources, and we dont know how much his own opinion effects the outcome. What we do know is that NPD has a larger sample, and that Microsoft confirmed it had been outsold for Feb. We see the PS3 on Amazon.com, and while its no absolute indicator of trends we can assume some things from it. The fact that the PS3 costs more, yet is #9 while the 360 which costs less and is "higher in demand" is ranked around 40-50 says something. There are no special deals, and nothing that would give Sony the advantage.

It indicates that the PS3 is slight more in demand, as the 360 always ranked higher when that was more in demand. Upcoming games, blu-rays victory, and pricing all point towards a boost in PS3 demand while 360 has nothing but its past currently to stimulate sales. As Sony's PR states, the PS3 has "leverage", and is really the hotter item ATM.

All signs but VGC point to the PS3 selling more, and I think and unbiased observer right now would say NPD is closer to the truth. Its not ioi's fault at all, but that doesn't mean that we can trust his analysis above all other indicators. He does what he can with the data  he has.

 Thanks for replying ioi. If I was you I would probably just ignore a pain in the arse dude like myself ;)

 Anyway I do understand how you think I just don't agree with it. NPD is considered the official source and I strongly believe (as you probably noticed by now) that you should use NPD numbers to adjust data (as you see fits) like you guys used to do. For me it was a mistake to stop doing it, maybe one day you will think the same way. But please bear in mind that lots of people make fun of VGC numbers and that pisses me of a lot, I wish I could do something to change that but I can't :(

Ioi let me say that I feel sorry that you have to go through this every month it seems, as I know you must put extreme amounts of work in to this. But for the same reasons we should be skeptical about NPD, we should be about VGC data as well.

And my comment concerning NPD was assuming that even though Microsoft may not track 360 sales data store by store, I would assume they have some sort of way within their company of getting a general idea of market trends. I would be VERY suprised if Microsoft waited on NPD numbers for sales, then reacted upon that data on a monthly basis. However, that was stipulation, and your obviously more knowledgeable on the subject.

The guy feeling I get that leans me towards believing the PS3 was outselling the 360 is because of what I see every day, going in to stores and what not. Sitting between the two options, my own experience would drive me to believe one or the other sources. I know what the PS3 is riding on driving sales, but I dont see what would propel the 360 over 100,000 in a single week. I also the common opinion now about both consoles, and other than pricing, the PS3 seems to be the prefered option.

I couldn't imagine working so hard weekly, assuming your right, then having people attack you for reasons you can't control because of another source. Thats what I don't agree with, those people on here saying that you're biased and such. I 100% don't agree with that. But I respectably have to disagree SLIGHTLY with some of your numbers. Unfortunately the numbers are so close that the slight difference decides the difference between the main reason for many people to visit your site weekly.Its for that one question:
"Did the PS3 or 360 sell more consoles? Which console is in higher demand?"

I dont think you should change your numbers however. But I do think that THIS month, NPD was the more accurate source. Next month, who knows?

Just one question. Why do you use mediacreate/famitsu for jap sales and not NPD for US sales ?

I don't think VGC is tracking as much sellers as NPD, who is considered as the official numbers...

30-40k fail over NPD with 1-2% of the market is brilliant. The real question is if data should be corrected or not.

"I hope not to keep going over this every month, I am happy to explain what we do and how it works and hopefully at least some of it is sinking in with people!"

And we're happy with the explanations, of course!