Stringer: Wii shortage good for PS3

Sony CEO celebrates boost in PS3 sales after price cut and new model, thankful for Nintendo's supply problems.

One man isn't worried that he may have problems getting hold of a Wii this Christmas--Sir Howard Stringer, CEO of Sony.

Stringer told the Associated Press that the price cut and new 40GB model of the PlayStation 3 have made the console more competitive, and he's hoping that it will give both the Wii and the Xbox 360 a run for their money this Holiday season.

He said, "It's the breakthrough we've been anticipating. We're holding our breath."

Since the price cuts in North America, Europe, and Japan in October, Sony's sales of the PS3 have jumped dramatically. Weekly sales were averaging between 30,000 to 40,000 in the US before the price cut was announced, and for the week of October 29, rose to 75,000. For the week ending November 11, after the 40GB model was also released, sales for the new console and its legacy counterpart the PS2 combined hit 100,000 in the US.

Stringer also believes that Wii shortages may help boost PS3 hardware sales over Christmas, as gamers unable to get Nintendo's console will look for other options instead. He commented, "It's a little fortuitous that the Wii is running out of hardware."

499 Comments

  • thek0n

    Posted Dec 10, 2007 11:32 am PT

    I saw the whole Sony PS3 thing coming... Sony had something that Microsoft and Nintendo did not have. It's own "flow". In reality the PS2 console had enough life in it to compete with the XBOX 360 and the Wii. Sony should have placed their focus on making the best PS2 games out there ( in the level of Shadow of the Colossus, Final Fantasy 12, God of War, Resident Evil 4, etc...). They should have also focused their game making energy on the PSP... they have only been able to use about 30% of its capacity and I can guarantee they will be so stubborn that the PSP will be discarded in the next couple of years. In short they should have focused on the GREAT product they already have in order to perfect the PS3 system and release it with a wide variety of games.

  • darkslider99

    Posted Dec 7, 2007 9:33 am PT

    wait wait wait.... So sonys claiming ownage by saying their console is a 'last resort'?

  • Sikzak

    Posted Dec 7, 2007 8:06 am PT

    Sony is evil.

  • lil_soulja22

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 6:40 pm PT

    haha, the only funny thing is xbox will sell way more then the ps3 regardless the situation. I mean look at the exclusives for the 360 that are coming out this holiday season, there isn't one game that a 360 owner should be jealous over. The PS3 failed as a system and it'll be the next Sega Dreamcast. The Wii will no doubt sell tons more then the ps3 or xbox 360 regardless shortage or not, every f'n kid wants to get a wii for godsakes and every man with some sense and dignity should pick up the 360 and just see how f'n good it is. Thats real talk

  • Puckhog04

    Posted Nov 21, 2007 10:15 pm PT

    @Nicholasnavarro:

    It never ceases to amaze me just how uninformed people are. 1. 360's defective rate is about 20% according to retailers which is far from all. Not only that, the new 360's (when i say new i mean the last few months) are all fine. It's the older 360's that are having any problems. 2. I'm sorry, you're lying about the "friend with the 360 who's had to buy 5 of them and he's had it for 6 months". You blatantly lying. The Warranty for the 360 covers 3 years from when you buy the console and it's replaced for free if you get the RROD (which is the only problem some people are having) at any point in that 3 year time frame. So either you're lying (which is my bet) or your friend is a moron (or he's lying to you). Or you're in gradeschool and are just making stuff up. 3. The PS3 is a great buy, no doubt. But don't buy it because of anything other than the games. 360's quality titles vastly out number the PS3's at this point, that's undeniable. In all honesty, i'm tempted to think your entire post is a lie due to the 360 comment. Kinda sad.

  • playstation_wii

    Posted Nov 21, 2007 4:09 pm PT

    no duh

  • nicholasnavarro

    Posted Nov 21, 2007 3:57 pm PT

    I'm buying a ps3 this weekend, and I found a wii at best buy and picked it up walked to the register and had already felt buyers remorse so i put it back, because in a year or so the wii will be a fad. So i walked over to the 360 section( and i was already worried about the failure rate because my friend has had to buy 5 of them and hes only had it for 6 months) and saw the display model in the stage of rrod.

  • hstolar

    Posted Nov 21, 2007 12:02 pm PT

    Maybe there will be ANOTHER price cut for the PS3!!
    OMG Sony does not have a clue !!
    What will happen when the Wii has a price drop....not that they need to .

  • Zerosumgame

    Posted Nov 21, 2007 10:22 am PT

    Yeah, pretty desperate to save the world by making better games and rescue people from being brainwash by fps, that whole thing is more complicated than you think. PS position in the console arena is rock solid, Nintendo might be the new king but without SEGA dropping out of the competition, there would be no fking chance for bottomline console to exist, you know what I mean.

  • GMR_mousse21

    Posted Nov 21, 2007 7:14 am PT

    How many price cuts has the Ps3 had in its first year? Can you say desperate?????

  • Ballroompirate

    Posted Nov 21, 2007 12:41 am PT

    If I cant get my hands on a Wii this holiday I'll just wait tell after the holiday simple a that,to bad Sony cant realise that.

  • living_wmd_888

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 10:29 pm PT

    We'll see. Even with shortages, the Wii still sells several times what the PS3 does the world over. I'd like for the PS3 to be a success.

    I think the 40GB, backward-compatibility free model is a total rip though, as is the whole software-based BC thing. Bring the Emotion Engine and the PS1 chip back to PS3, surely they can't cost that much to manufacture. No way I'm throwing away my Final Fantasy games in favor of stuff like Uncharted. Sorry, Sony.

  • rhcp_andrew

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 8:28 pm PT

    @raghraghragh
    lol, the 360 wasnt mentioned at all

  • raghraghragh

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 8:22 pm PT

    @moonshadow12

    Of course, and Microsoft launching the 360 early with numerous design problems was an act of genius.

  • moonshadow12

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 6:24 pm PT

    This article is absurd. It's one thing for a company to capitalize on its competitor's shortcomings, as it makes good business sense. But to completely depend on a competitor's shortcomings for your own success suggests a poor business model. The fact is that Sony has not done a single thing right since the PS3 launched. Not a single thing.

  • rhcp_andrew

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 6:03 pm PT

    He said, "It's the breakthrough we've been anticipating. We're holding our breath." I thought they anticipated to OMG SELL TONS of ps3's?
    lolz
    sony sucks.

  • jaredrichards3

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 5:29 pm PT

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtWITKpArH4&feature=related

  • jaredrichards3

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 5:28 pm PT

    The wii is for kids and teenage girls. i converted from Nintendo to sony after the n64 which had all these kids titles. lol what are they going to bring back next? the powerglove!

  • buzzguy

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 2:49 pm PT

    I imagine some of those people who can't find a Wii may pick-up a 360 Arcade pack instead. Still cheaper than the 40gb PS3. No doubt a Wii shortage will help Sony sales, though.

  • jhuuueee

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 2:40 pm PT

    Who cares about the Wii. Ps3 only matters. ..

  • Voltaire_Tmpntr

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 7:03 pm PT

    thats kinda rotten . nintendo is a small company so it cant produse enough wiis to satisfy everyone, so sony sees nintendos temperary wakness and steals a chance to sell by cutting their prices . it seems imoral, but thats busnies

  • miltown

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 1:50 pm PT

    LOL LOL LOL...whoa, that dude is funny. I mean, he's right. I like Sony and I love Nintendo (indifferent towards Microsoft...I love you Microsoft Word 2003) and while Nintendo does have the better line-up, people might be tempted to purchase a PS3 instead.

    However only people who don't have a clue about games will do this. I mean most gamers know that a PS3 price cut still does not warrant a purchase because it's software line-up isn't in place. I can't wait until Nintendo replies back...c'mon Fils-Aime, make me laugh too!

  • Olly464

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 11:03 am PT

    WOAH bad blood on this site....seriously, when your thinking of being a git and posting a fanboy comment, just don't, leave the web page and never come back.

    and the Wii isn't "running out of hardware"....or it might be I don't know.

  • batman360

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 2:35 am PT

    It's about time.

  • SizeMatterzz

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 1:45 am PT

    good for sony

  • ardandil

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 10:08 pm PT

    you know whats better?

    ...good games

  • Anthony9000

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 4:40 pm PT

    WOW...sony STILL NOT making much progress eh?

  • OMasterBeefO

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 3:35 am PT

    Good for Sony. Perhaps increased sales will encourage developers to start making decent games for PS3 (and not porting every successful 360 game but with framerate issues).

    I'm a gamer, not a fanboy. There are strengths and weaknesses to every platform, and good and bad games on every platform. I only own a 360 at this stage, but play Wii and PS3 regularly. There really hasn't been any reason as yet to buy a PS3, except as a Blu-Ray player. Many people will claim that it's cheap for a Blu-Ray player, which is reason enough to own it, but I personally like to play games. I buy my consoles based on games, not technology (and let's face it - how many games REALLY need 50gb? Only ones with lazy developers who can't be bothered optimising).

    I'll be inclined to buy a PS3 as soon as there are some good exclusive games. I'm not a stealth-game fan, and at the moment the ONLY reason most people are touting to get a PS3 is for the ever-delayed MGS4. One game isn't enough to convince me to part with $700 that could go towards Mass Effect, Fable 2, Halo Wars, Assassin's Creed, etc.

    Good luck to Sony, and I hope the game library improves as a result of increased sales enough to give non-sony-fanboys a reason to buy a PS3 soon.

  • GhostStalkerX1

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 10:34 pm PT

    Stringer and his retarded statments. Iam sure Nintendo will make another shipping of systems before X-Mas time. When i visit my local gamestop or wal-mart. I see ps3's on the selves, no mater what time i go ther are never any wiis and mabie 1-2 360's. Just because wii runs out of systems for the time being dont mean that it will cause ppl to buy ps3's or xboxs. Normaly ppl will save up for when they do come in and Nab a wii, thus the saving alows them to buy many games...controllers...etc.

  • kratos_karmakar

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 6:45 pm PT

    the guys talking from a business point of view. he'll settle for anything. its doesnt matter to him even if the ppl bying the ps3 r satisfied or not as long as they are just buying.
    anyways this is good news for sony all over.besides wat does the wii hav but raid of ports.

  • Chief_Kuuni

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 6:44 pm PT

    well it's a plus for them, they need all they can get. I'm still getting a wii though and will eventually get a PS3

  • R3DN1N3

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 3:57 pm PT

    "It's a little fortuitous that the Wii is running out of hardware." --HOWARD STRINGER SONY CEO----
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Too bad the PS3 still suffers from a poor game lineup and so-so ports.
    Plus they still can't figure out why the PS3 is suffering when they're still over-supporting the PS2.
    It's just soo obvious it's laughable.

  • mark_unix

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 2:46 pm PT

    also good for PS2 sales, as the PS2 still outsells the wii everywhere.

  • Nightseva01

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 1:42 pm PT

    Honestly, when a CEO is grateful about something like that, it is pretty sad, but it is even more sad that he thinks that this stripped-down PS 2.5 (I refused to call it a PS3 since it lacks so many features that I think people DO enjoy, like PS2 compatilty, and yes I own a PS3, the 60 gig no less) is going to sell strong. Unfortunalty, it is not, the reson for is that : 1. No real killer app that people want aside from MSG4 ( and that may end up on the X360), 2. No nackward comp. is going to hurt many loyal Sony fans who had a large PS2 and 1 collections of games ( I mean has anybody here played there old games on a nice 1080p HDTV, it is real nice people) and to make it quick, 3. The Wii will outsell both are there competiotrs just becasue ther is bigger demand for the system then for either of the other two.
    Let be serious, this phase of increase sales of the PS3 is just a honeymoon that will last for maybe another 2 to 3 weeks more. I mean, look at Japan and see how the PSP increase sales have went back to normal. The way I see it, the PS3 is a great system that unfortuanlty been not only marketed wrong, but also relauch too many times.

  • Lokta

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 1:18 pm PT

    It's a sad commentary when you have to point out that another company's problems are helping yours.

  • UnholySaviour

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 12:27 pm PT

    so basically he is saying the reason people will buy the ps3 is because they cannot find the stuff they really wanted

    and he does it in a positive way

    gg sony

  • Ted_Zanarukando

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 11:57 am PT

    Yes, Wii shortage will teach Masahiro Sakurai a lesson. There will be a great Wii shortage when Super Smash Bros. Brawl is released. I hate Super Smash Bros. Brawl, because Fire Emblem being represented in a way that I do not want, and because those ultradefammatory lies about me and my character suggestions at the NSider message board, where I went by the name of KingMananan.

  • PhazonPheonix

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 11:51 am PT

    Then again who would buy a system for one game. Not me. So far the only game on the wii that I even slightly care about is brawl, but I am really starting to lose interest. Honestly, why should I pay for a system that has one game that looks okay for it, when there are countless titles that I would get on the PS3 & XBOX 360. And last time I checked monopolies sucked more than Red Steel. Better gtho before I am hoarded by Nintendo Fanboys. Peace

  • PhazonPheonix

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 11:44 am PT

    I don't think I have ever seen so many fan boys in my life. I AM A GAMER, not some noob that cares about one business. Personally I would buy a PS3 and a XBOX 360 first, because they are worth the money. Wait I think I hear the Nintendo Fan Boys about to bash on me. I don't care, the wii has potential, but thus far they have put that potential to waste. They need to make a good swordsman game, that actually functions like a real game, and then I MIGHT consider getting one. Key word MIGHT. Well it is going to be interesting seeing how many people bash on this. LOL NOOBS

  • King_Dodongo

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 6:27 am PT

    Come stringer you have to see the sucess of smash bros and you will tremble with fear!

  • smeghead83

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 2:06 am PT

    Sorry for the double post but
    @darkride66

    Just wanna say that your wrong about 2 things ok
    1= Killzone 2 footage at E3 of that year was in fact touted by Sony as being in game footage, nothing to do with the BBC at all. They made that comment because Sony told everyone it was real and so everyone believed it was, until it was proven to have nothing to do with the actual game graphics itself...so Sony DID lie

    2= Do you really think that downgrading the PS3 is consumer choice? no not really, its just Sony trying to salvage the PS3 and given how you can only buy a 40GB model (only one their producing now) is not consumer choice but rids the consumer of choice as they are forced to buy a console which takes away several features that they wanted. likewise consumers don't want the 360 without a hard drive (Microsoft trying to cut corners) so there likewise going to vase it out.

    You seem to be wrong on some other points but i don't have time to point them out like on the Blu-Ray V HD-DVD issue, even the Sony CEO admitted that it was a "standoff" partly due to the fact that most studios are backing HD-DVD.

  • smeghead83

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 1:56 am PT

    @Autolycus
    I think you hit the nail on the head so to speak...i mean the each 3 consoles, Wii, PS3 and 360 each have there weak points and strong points and each targeted at a different audience, but when the 360 had a HD-DVD players announced, Microsoft announced it once...where as Sony have been shoving Blu-Ray down our mouths demanding that we buy it almost all the time, its the of the main selling points of the PS3. But seeing that most Sony movies are crap why would i spend £40 ( = around $80, yes thats right almost twice as expensive to buy a Blu-Ray movie in the UK then it is in the US, thanks a lot Sony) when i could go out and buy the same movie for £9 on DVD, which would have the same features minus better quality.

  • -InsrtNameHere-

    Posted Nov 16, 2007 7:07 pm PT

    Gah, why would anyone would state to the press that you're happy about a company's misfortune?
    I mean, seriously. That, and how do they expect to get back 6 million consoles in one Christmas season?

  • spadewalker

    Posted Nov 16, 2007 4:11 pm PT

    Can't we all just get along, more competition means more good games for the 360, ps3, and the wii.

  • Jebril

    Posted Nov 16, 2007 3:50 pm PT

    I'm not really sure the Wii shortage will boost PS3 sales, I mean did this guy forgot about the 360? But I guess in some ways the Wii shortage will boost the console sales of the PS3.

  • darkride66

    Posted Nov 16, 2007 2:25 pm PT

    Autolycus. I feel I must comment on a couple of the "problems" you seem to have.
    "Blu-Ray is expensive"
    Really, expensive or not doesn't seem to be much of a deterrent. The PS3 will hit 6 million consoles this month and I understand Blu-Ray is still outselling HDDVD in north america by 2-1. Problems? Not if you want Blu-Ray, which many people clearly do.
    "Sony tries to tell me what to watch" Ok, I have to admit to having nothing here. Sony's never told me what to watch. Maybe they tried that with you.
    "Whats up with there no being able to play 1080i movies?! it downgrades it to 720p"
    Fixed in an upgrade.
    "stick em with changing the price and taking out capabilities"
    It's called consumer choice. Kinda like the 360 selling without a harddrive.
    "they claimed that Killzone 2 movie was actual footage"
    I think there was confusion there, but that was cleared up with the game footage at E3 this year which prompted the BBC to say "the BBC, have referred to Killzone 2 as being "one of the most cinematic and immersive games ever produced on a console."
    "they are releasing rumble now?! whats the point"
    The lawsuits over now. Game on. The PS2 didn't have rumble at first but developers sure caught on. Why would this be any different?
    "the cell is NOT a good gaming cpu"
    Interviews with Insomniac and Naughty Dog seem to refute that. Their games do as well.
    "Sony's online system is anarachy" Seems to be working fine to me, even without @Home yet. And it's free.
    Perhaps there's a reason you've been in retail sales for 8 years.

  • BlueFlameBat

    Posted Nov 16, 2007 1:59 pm PT

    Howard Stringer has such an ugly face.

  • Autolycus

    Posted Nov 16, 2007 1:39 pm PT

    I think its great that Sony is selling better. But if you are one of those fanboys that cant see WHY people dislike Sony's to much, thats the problem. I do know what demand is, I work @ gamestop and have for 8, yes eight years now. I know all about programing, textures, 3d rendering, codecs, you name it, i understand it. I can probably tell you more about the CeLL processor and 3D rendering card architecutre then most people on this board. POint being I have an open mind and I know what I am talking about.

    I honestly, think the ps3's feature set is awesome. Divx, movie files, computer hookup, etc FROM the start. All that is sweet, no doubting that. Here are the problems 1) Blu-Ray, while the "more advanced" technology, is expensive. Consumer prices go up higher because of that. if you want an example, the new blu-ray resident evil movie is $40!!! 2) Sony tries to tell me what to watch, where to watch, how to watch. Its exactly what's gotten them into trouble and has them pegged as "Arrogant" 3) Whats up with there no being able to play 1080i movies?! it downgrades it to 720p or some junk like that 4) they've stepped on their customers hard with the ps2 "disc read error" and then stick em with changing the price and taking out capabilities 5) they claimed that Killzone 2 movie was actual footage, WHICH IT WASNT. it was a lie to make people think it was end all be all systems 6) they are releasing rumble now?! whats the point, its not backwards compatable anymore and all the games out now (minus 1st party) dont even support it 7) the cell is NOT a good gaming cpu. Its capable of some great stuff but gaming, isnt one of them. Sony's online system is anarachy. EVERY DEVELOPER is in control of having to pay and control THEIR OWN SERVERS and stop cheaters, etc. which means game prices go higher and development times go longer.

    There's my main beefs...lets not forget that they originally thought it would sell well @ 600 which it didnt. Could be cool, but Sony's ultimate goals(blu-ray dominance, NOT NOT NOT video games) ruined it

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