Parsing the Xbox 360 NPD and post-E3 data [update]

by Richard Mitchell { Jul 25th 2007 at 4:15PM }

Microsoft has posted its commentary on the latest NPD numbers and some post-E3 facts. For those that missed the latest NPD numbers on Joystiq, the Xbox 360 managed to sell 198,400 units in June, handily beating the PS3's 98,500. Of course, the 360 itself was trumped by the Wii (381.8K), DS (561.9)K, PS2 (270.7K), and the PSP (290.1K). Still, in the world of only two consoles -- the world in which both Sony and Microsoft purportedly live -- the 360 is tops. Much more legitimately impressive is the Xbox 360's incredible attach rate. Currently the average number of games sold per console is 6.1, with the number of accessories sitting at 3.2. Microsoft also notes that the Xbox 360 has sold 20.1 million games since the Wii and PS3 launch. Games are where the money is, so in this respect the 360 is doing well.

Microsoft is also trumpeting 38 nominations from the Game Critics Awards -- more than any other console -- which are given to the best and brightest of E3. We'd like to clarify that this number includes multiplatform games that will appear elsewhere as well, so the "most nominated platform" claim seems a bit odd. Still, Microsoft did rack up several nominations for console exclusive titles like Fable 2, Mass Effect, Halo 3, and Halo Wars. While we can't argue that these will likely be great games, it's a little irksome that -- with the exception of Fable 2 -- none of these were actually playable at the show. But, it's E3 and awards must be given, so what're you gonna do, right? Follow the "read" link for the rest of Microsoft's thoughts on the NPD numbers and the GCAs.

Update: Corrected the time frame of Microsoft's 20.1 million games sold remark. The 20.1 million games figure refers to the time since the launch of PS3 and Wii, not the entirety of the Xbox 360's availability. Thanks to Samisin for pointing this out.

Tags: gamecriticsawards, gcas, npd

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Tony @ Jul 25th 2007 4:22PM

Honestly, I don't think it's going to matter if (more like when) the Wii winds up being first world wide. The development platform for it is quite different, for one, but more importantly, if a decent amount of people continue to buy a 360 and continue to buy several games for it, are companies really going to care?

This is one example where I don't think it really matters if your first or second at all.

Intentless @ Jul 25th 2007 4:36PM

Technically Halo 3 was playable they just wouldn't let anyone else play it....

WowWowWubzy @ Jul 25th 2007 4:52PM

*This is one example where I don't think it really matters if your first or second at all*

Yes it does, 360 Owners get to Gloat!

TORO @ Jul 25th 2007 4:53PM

Tony are you saying that 2nd (Xbox360) is good and 3rd (PS3) is bad? I agree.

MYPS3KilledMy360 @ Jul 25th 2007 5:17PM

the PS3 is no rush at least the install base is growing and soon the games will be rolling in while 360 owners can be happy about how COD4 and GTAIV(you saw e3 and how they showcased games that are going multiplat) halo3? whats gonna happen next year? not halo4 nobody sees it but they just past the baton to Gears of War(not that its a bad thing) when people start seeing familiar games that was on the PS2 showing up on the PS3(by that time another price drop) PS2 owners are gonna go where they feel at home(No pun intended), where they see varity, sure 360 is starting to show what little variety they have but not like sony. i say the 360 was rushed and the bugs were not fixed because of the 1yr headstart. But there plan worked out great. they got to high ground to escape the tsunami that is the PS3. benefited by gaining a large install base and the devs got there hand othe hardware sooner and creating great games like gears of war.

Samisin @ Jul 25th 2007 5:30PM

"Currently the average number of games sold per console is 6.1, with the number of accessories sitting at 3.2. Microsoft also notes that to date the Xbox 360 has sold 20.1 million games."

Wait a sec here? Microsoft has supposedly sold about 10 million consoles. If there are 20.1 million sold games, how can the average number of games sold per console be 6.1? Seems like it'd be more like 2.1...

Or am I missing something here?

Rotmm @ Jul 25th 2007 5:43PM

Samisin,

Yes, you are missing that those sales quoted are since the launch of the other consoles. Clearly, many more 360 games were sold in the year prior to that.

Saren Arterius @ Jul 25th 2007 6:52PM

I think the Xbox 360 sales will BLAST OFF when the price-drop occurs, and when games like Halo 3 and Mass Effect is released.

By the time the Holiday shopping season gets here, the Xbox 360 price drop will have taken place, and the games like Mass Effect, Halo 3, Bioshock, Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, and so many others will make it so the Xbox 360 probably outsells the Wii and the Playstation 3 for the second Christmas in a row.

JagerQ @ Jul 25th 2007 6:52PM

Games were where the money was until they started selling a profitable console from launch. I don't think Nintendo cares as much if their games aren't selling as well.

MisterL @ Jul 26th 2007 5:07AM

Mass Effect will move them consoles baby, that game is one of the best I've ever seen so far. If the PS3 is a tsunami, Mass Effect is a million hydrogen bombs with Chuck Norris riding each and every one of them, and that's only one of the games coming out...