Sony's PSP sales claims exaggerated

[Noukon]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002223024_psp29.html

Despite Sony's claims that the PSP has completely sold out, it hasn't. Interesting.

[Sketch]

I'm sure it did well none the less but expecting a sell out would have been unreasonable. While Sony has the advantage of people in their target range getting their tax returns they still picked an awful time to release the system. They should have given it a winter release before Christmas.

Sony is getting desperate these days. I don't see why, they still have a large market share. The PSP is an impressive system, they shouldn't need to embellish anything. Love the commericials though. Best I've seen since the early Xbox commericals.

[Mr Cat Dog]

Game shops here in the UK are guaranteeing that the PSP will sell out on launch day. I don't see that one happening, but I think it won't be far off. Sony really shouldn't need to exaggerate their sales anyways... They already have the majority of the gaming market.

[Sketch]

All this does is make them look bad. Not that it will matter. Shoot they're getting sued but that wont stop them and they continue to be successful.

I saw some PSP's at Fred Meyers the other day. Its obvious to any consumer that the system has not sold out because they're still avaiable at many retailers.

[Batman's Biggest Fan]

I keep hearing things all around. This kid's telling me now that PSP beat out the DS, but now I'm hearing they didn't sell out. So... ah who cares?

[Sketch]

It's far to early for any real sales figures I suppose. I forget though... How well did the DS do on it's first week?

[Mr Cat Dog]

I'm not sure if Nintendo have released any figures, but countless gmaing magazines say it was the biggest launch in console history... well, at least in the UK. Not that the UK is representative of the whole world or anything...

[Batman's Biggest Fan]

The DS I think sold pretty close to 500,000 units in a week.

[Tommy Lawson]

Despite Sony's claims that the PSP has completely sold out, it hasn't. Interesting. When did Sony announce they had sold out of PSP's? Show me an article saying that as proof and I'll believe you. I believe what they actually said was they would have 1 million units shipped to meet demand:

http://www.us.playstation.com/pressreleases.aspx?id=257

And while they may not have sold a million, 475,000 to 575,000 is definitely a good start for a 1-week debut at a very high price point of $250.

Besides, as noted in this CNN article (http://money.cnn.com/2005/03/31/technology/personaltech/psp_sales/index.htm?cnn=yes) , the DS was released very, very close to Thanksgiving and Black Friday. What notable shopping days are there in March, April, and May? Plus, as IGN PSP (http://psp.ign.com/articles/595/595553p3.html) once reported, the launch of the PSP was likely meant to be a "soft launch." Sony likely won't advertise extensively until the summer months and when known premiere titles like Gran Turismo 4 arrive on the system.

[Batman's Biggest Fan]

^I never heard any official sales so where did you get that number?

[Beat]

All companies exaggerate sales claims a bit, but the numbers are still very strong.

Nevertheless, more people will buy when the price goes down.

[Demonic Raven]

Just thought I'd post this for a good comparison: http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/12/01/news_6114218.html

The DS sold equally as well as the PSP in it's first week. About half a million.

[mookie75]

Just thought I'd post this for a good comparison: http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/12/01/news_6114218.html

The DS sold equally as well as the PSP in it's first week. About half a million.
It's probably the same 500,000 people that run out and buy every dang thing that comes down the pike....:sweat:

[Sketch]

It's probably the same 500,000 people that run out and buy every dang thing that comes down the pike....:sweat:
Yeah... probably.

[SSJPabs]

The numbers (575,000 sold) are from analyst PJ McNealy (who released an analysis of the potential for a new Nintendo console a month or two ago) and a survey done by American Technology Research.

According to ATR:
50 of 150 stores were sold out of the PSP
15 of the remaining 100 stores had 3 or fewer PSP units

source: 1up.com (http://www.1up.com/)

[Noukon]

When did Sony announce they had sold out of PSP's? Show me an article saying that as proof and I'll believe you.
I believe it was on a TV news spot. My mistake if they didn't really make the claim, though.

[William C. Maune]

When did Sony announce they had sold out of PSP's? Show me an article saying that as proof and I'll believe you.

According to the linked Seattle Times article in the first post:

"On the launch day Thursday, Sony officials tentatively claimed a total sellout"

[Homesick_Alien]

Come Christmas time that statement will be true. ;)