CES '08: Sony touts PS3 holiday sales of 1.2M, PSP Skype

[UPDATE] Hardware maker sells 3.9 million PS-branded products from Black Friday through December 31 in NA, including 1.3 million PS2s, 1.4 million PSPs; Internet phone for portable officially coming later this month; conference video inside.

Sony @ CES

Highlights from the PlayStation-maker's conference.

Last week, Microsoft kicked off the 2007 full-year stats grab by announcing that sales of the Xbox 360 to date had reached 17.7 million units worldwide. Although the hardware maker wasn't forthcoming with exact sales numbers for 2007 alone, an extrapolation from previously announced numbers indicated Microsoft had sold 7.3 million units for the year, an 18 percent decline over the approximately 8.9 million units it sold in 2006, the console's first full year on the market.

Preemptive of its appearance at this year's Consumer Electronics Show 2008, Sony has responded in kind, announcing its North American holiday sales statistics for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation Portable from November 23 through the end of December, traditionally the most lucrative time of the year for the gaming industry.

For the time period beginning Black Friday, Sony sold through 1.2 million PS3s in North America. Sony sold well over 5 million PS3s worldwide in 2007, according to the new figures and the console maker's previously reported sales numbers.

Sales for Sony's current-generation system nearly matched its workhorse PS2, which garnered 1.3 million units for the five-week holiday period. Slightly outpacing its console counterparts, Sony's popular handheld the PSP was the company's biggest performer for the period, shifting 1.4 million units. The PSP's sales were undoubtedly bolstered by the worldwide release of its redesigned PSP Slim in September.

Speaking of the PSP Slim, Sony also officially unveiled Skype Internet phone functionality for the redesigned handheld. As previously reported, Skype functionality will be added to the revamped model of Sony's portable later this month through a software update. In addition to free Skype-to-Skype calls, the service will accommodate calls to land lines and mobile phones across the globe for a fee. PSP Slim owners will also have the option to purchase a phone number for the Skype-enabled handheld. To use the service, PSP Slim owners will need a Memory Stick Duo, a wireless Internet connection, and a Skype-compatible microphone.

641 Comments

  • Buttduck

    Posted Jan 13, 2008 11:57 pm PT

    andrew_ribbons...I was at school on the Back lot of Universal when it got pitched, and I remember the exact guy that brought it to Warner's HQ about two blocks away.
    Please get YOUR facts straight before you state on subjects you have no idea about...idiot.

  • camarozl1

    Posted Jan 13, 2008 5:59 pm PT

    to : rhcp_andrew PS3 sucks huh, ok have played it, do you own one, if not how can you be certain that the system suck, im guessing you own only a 360, so let me see ps3 suck for offering free online, free themes ( microsoft charges you like 2 or 3 dollars per theme) wifi included, memory stick readers included it HD playback included, and best of all is not going to get RROD, and send it back so i can get another busted 360, now dont bash because guess what i have a 360 and wii, just click on my profile and see for yourdelf and look at my collection, i bet is by far anything you can afford, so if you dont like the ps3, dont buy it just stay quiet and dont bash if you dont know anything about the system, and besides what makes the ps3 such a bad system like you said, not enough games well dont worry we will get enough.

  • andrew_ribbons

    Posted Jan 13, 2008 11:12 am PT

    I fail to see how these numbers are impressive. MS sells about 4 Million 360s over the Xmas Period and Sony are celebrating just over 1 Million? Nintendo sells probably around 5+Million DS Lites and Sony are celebrating just over 1 Million? Fair enough this article is trying to make big the company who's fans it is written for, but surely these numbers are very disappointing for Sony? Doesn't the 1 BIllion USD of debt kinda give a hint to their problems?

  • andrew_ribbons

    Posted Jan 13, 2008 11:07 am PT

    Buttduck (lol ur name), you are just spouting ignorance. The split of Bungie and Microsoft was entirely mutual and friendly, it was done with no ills. Bungie will continue to choose MS as their publisher and the 360 as their platform, said multiple times by Bungie head-staff. The reason a Halo film hasn't gone ahead yet, is not because the Hollywood companies disagree with MS, it's because they disagree with themselves. Universal and 20th Century Fox were going in halves, but they disagreed on budgeting and who got what, so they both dropped out.

    Please get your facts right before claiming to know anything.

  • Sammojo

    Posted Jan 13, 2008 1:15 am PT

    juggleJUGGLER - i also love the greatest sony fan boy line of all "WE ARE GETTING SOME GOOD GAMES SOON" its the worst thing to say to defend yourself against a system that has better and more games.

    its not defense, it's just the truth.

  • juggleJUGGLER

    Posted Jan 12, 2008 9:37 pm PT

    maersyndel you seem to be the perfect example of a sony fan boy. first off 07 was a huge year in sales for the 360. i guess that little game halo 3 didn't sell any console or games right. i mean it must have just blown over. oh thats right it was all over the news and stores ordered millions and it sold millions. i also love the greatest sony fan boy line of all "WE ARE GETTING SOME GOOD GAMES SOON" its the worst thing to say to defend yourself against a system that has better and more games. its also pretty bold to claim the ps3 is going to have a spike in sales that will match the 360. so how its looking now sony will still be in last place for all of 2008.

  • KGB32

    Posted Jan 12, 2008 9:05 pm PT

    *looking at comments* wow why bash other consoles? so what if one console is not doing so well as the one you own, what are you gonna get out of it? a free blu-ray DVD? a few wii points? free MS points? NO....so why waste so much damn time bashing a console when it has done nothing to you? i own a 360, i want to get all 3 systems, the wii for my marios, and the PS3 for my FF's MGS' and Socom's....i just dont really have the money for it. i really like to play online so i got the 360, it was cheaper than a PS3, but does that mean i'll never want a PS3? no, i just cant afford it right now... really i dont know why take sides on computer-like machines...we dont get anything in return other than certain games only for that console you own...but you have to pay..........

  • rhcp_andrew

    Posted Jan 12, 2008 8:32 pm PT

    too bad ps3 sucks

  • adkcrazox

    Posted Jan 12, 2008 8:10 pm PT

    i want a ps3 i'll wait when it drop more im still good with my xbox 360 and wii lol

  • Buttduck

    Posted Jan 12, 2008 7:57 pm PT

    It'll be an interesting year no matter what...Microsoft has been blinded by the fact of dominance...it's existed throughout all there press hearings, but lets take a look. They lost Bungie due to the shotty script and the fact that no one in hollywood wants MIcrosoft to get involved in film, they just don't. They sent those guys strapped in with a copy of the script to all the executives in studio city stating Microsofts demands and every chance was thrown quickly out the window...Thank god, we DO NOT need Microsoft in films, at all. Bioware is now owned by EA, and HD-DVD is doing worse than ever. Sony will be back on Par, it's almost guaranteed

  • Maersyndel

    Posted Jan 12, 2008 7:43 pm PT

    TTdog:

    They're coming, and without typing out a big list we all know what games they are. A HUGE year for games on the PS3.

    And given 360's decling sales in 07 compared to 06, even with Bioshock and Halo 3 coming out, I think the gap will be marginal by the end of 08.

  • SegArgyle

    Posted Jan 12, 2008 4:44 pm PT

    I honestly think its too little too late for sony to be on top this gen, but that dosen't really matter anyways, the wii will be on top due to it being cheap, and people who cant play games think they can on the wii, that and parents don't have to worry much about M rated games on the wii being too much for their little ones, which is why I think it's so successful, video game market is alot broader now, there never will be anyone so dominate as sony has been that's just how it is and will be from now on

  • chimairawr

    Posted Jan 12, 2008 2:26 pm PT

    Sony seem to be constantly releasing something to give the PSP added functionality, when it should really be trying to make games for it anywhere near the standards of those on DS.

  • infrared13

    Posted Jan 12, 2008 11:29 am PT

    Well as games cost more and more and I have less time to play - I had a 360 for 1.5 years I had a PS3 since it came out. I just sold my 360 on Craigs list. Sorry, I just get more out of my PS3. Those complaining about the games are wrong - There are better games on the PS3 in its first 15 months then there were on the 360, Plus while Bioshock and GOW are awesome - I can play them on the PC. I just Love Warhawk, Unreal, RFOM, Rachet and Clank (360 STILL has no platform games), MotorStorm, Drake's, Heavenly Sword was great (short), COD4 and yes I have a bunch of Blue Ray DVDs. -- I still think the 360 is a great console but when I only want to spend money and time on one I HAD to go with PS3. Oh and the Wii - please die

  • vahid_xbox_360

    Posted Jan 12, 2008 9:20 am PT

    ps3 wont become like ps2 .I promise .360 will.

  • Jaster_DCX

    Posted Jan 12, 2008 8:46 am PT

    ps3 is shaping up its only a matter of time before the true king is throned.

  • holycrowbar

    Posted Jan 12, 2008 7:41 am PT

    LafinAtchu

    "lol some Sony FanYaoi is giving thumbs down to all negative comments."

    lol @ FanYaoi

  • wingnut99

    Posted Jan 12, 2008 6:58 am PT

    ScottEFresh. He's funny. What gaming catalogue. I'm talking PS3. Wii only has a few good games and its killing ps3. wii has not dvd hd or blu-ray play back. But it is killing PS3. Low price???? the wii is lower and well.. It's killing the PS3. So this ultmate machine it's getting own by something not so ultmate.. Plus if no one can get there has on somthing not so ultmate then they get a 360. something right now that is the ultmate game box. Why is it ultmate? Cuz it has games, it's a true 512mb game box, and..... XBL.

  • ApoIlo

    Posted Jan 12, 2008 2:04 am PT

    "ScottEFresh: The Playstation brand is the only brand worthy of anyones money. With top notch features, extremely reliable hardware and the best gaming catalogue now and in the future, the PS3 is sure to please any hardcore gamer or high definition movie fanatic. The PS3 is the ULTIMATE machine available at such a low price. "

    wow even as i love my ps3 your fanboysm just sickens me

  • XileLord

    Posted Jan 12, 2008 1:36 am PT

    PS3 will be a great console in time. Though right now xbox 360 is definitely the console of choice due to its game selection. We will all have to wait and see how ps3 shapes up....if it fails in 2008 then its going to be head to head competition between 360 and wii.

  • LafinAtchu

    Posted Jan 12, 2008 12:28 am PT

    lol some Sony FanYaoi is giving thumbs down to all negative comments.

  • wingnut99

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 10:02 pm PT

    @IHeartCloud
    I dont think 2 or 3 games is going to help the ps3. I own all 3 systems. Yes I do play the 360 more. It's really all about games, whats out now, and online play. Thats way the 360 is kick the PS3 all over the place. The 360 sold more systems and games over the PS3. Sony was counting on this, If no one can find a wii they will buy a PS3. Well they were wrong. More people got a 360 if the wii out. The past few weeks every store I have been to you could not get a wii or a 360. But PS3's were all over the place. I did see one guy buy a PS3. He told me hell I have a wii and a 360, why not a PS3. Then he was like... Ahh.. dude, what games are good. I told him, Ahhh. well what do you like to play? Hell there is only a hand full of games. So he got a game or 2 and when on his was. No joke, a few days later I was at the same store and the guy came in with PS3 and was like, Man that was a wast of time and cash. He returned it and just got a few games for the 360 and wii. See there are alot of fanboys on here. I look at what is going on outside of here. Just go to a games store and get the real inside info there. So what if the 360 has a RROD. They will take care of you. And no, you wont lose your saved games, moves or anything. All you do is send the 360 in with out the hard drive or cords. Some bone head was running his talk hole about how you lose your stuff when you send it in. Not true.

  • IHeartCloud

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 7:23 pm PT

    I think PS3 sales will boom in end 2008 and early 2009. By then there'll be enough good games out. That's also the time Final Fantasy XIII, and Versus will be coming out. I'll be buying a PS3 then, just for those games. I do my best to support every console in the race, as I already have a 360 and a Wii, but it's hard when you're a struggling high school kid with no real job.

  • rabidgriz

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 5:46 pm PT

    screw them both get a wii.

  • skirlnik

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 2:16 pm PT

    Love my PS3!

    Just checking to see if the haters will thumbs-down me into oblivion :-p

  • ctburesch

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 1:59 pm PT

    I own both a 360 and PS3. I prefer to play the Xbox over the PS3. When a game comes out for both systems, I will get the game on the 360. The best feature the PS3 has over the Xbox is theBlue Ray. Yes the Xbox has the available HD DVD, but the HD DVD format has just about lost. So I really want the PS3 fanboys to stop running their mouths. Oh but we have MGS. Wow. MGS is what I say.

  • wingnut99

    Posted Jan 10, 2008 8:13 pm PT

    I also did read that dev's will tap the full power of the PS3 this year. It's not looking good for PS3. It's not that powerful at all. The 360 has a bit more power. Gears of war 2 is looking 100% better than the frist one. That and Bioshock 2 they say will look even better than the frist one. I like the PS3. But you can say the 360 is crap when it comes to games that they have and what they look like now and what they will look like down the road.

  • wingnut99

    Posted Jan 10, 2008 5:48 pm PT

    @Nintendus21.
    Your funny, and full of crap. Is that why the 360 is kicking the PS3 all over the place. Hay, even the wii has owned PS3 this year. Hay thats 2 years in a row that the PS3 got ownd by something called the wii. Even when people could not get a wii more people got a 360. Its the truth. Well all know it. It's all over the net. Hell even on game spot.

  • Nintendus21

    Posted Jan 10, 2008 4:56 pm PT

    "The Playstation brand is the only brand worthy of anyones money. With top notch features, extremely reliable hardware and the best gaming catalogue now and in the future, the PS3 is sure to please any hardcore gamer or high definition movie fanatic. The PS3 is the ULTIMATE machine available at such a low price."

    Fanboy, eh?

  • Ozzie234

    Posted Jan 10, 2008 4:55 pm PT

    The sales of the 360 is REALLY picking up momentum in Europe. It's sold like hell here over the xmas holidays, so I would like to see those recent numbers. Could be smashing. Also, considering the exclusives on boths formats, let me just put things like this: If MGS4 is anything like the things we saw in 2007 Sony is screwed. Without a doubt.

  • gamenux

    Posted Jan 10, 2008 3:43 pm PT

    17.7 - 7.3(in 2007) = 10.4
    10.4 - 8.9(in 2006) = 1.5
    1.5(in 2005)

    That is pretty bad since MS released Halo3 and MassEffect in 2007. But how come the sales went down in 2007?

    1.5 in 2005, 8.9million in 2006, and now 7.3 in 2007. Looks like 360 ran out of steam, right?

  • nate1222

    Posted Jan 10, 2008 3:20 pm PT

    By 2010 I'll own a PS3. Next month I'm getting a 360. PSP looks good, but I want to wait-n-see. Already own a DS. The PSP-phone-thingy looks 'iffy'. I've got unlimited local/long distance on my residential line ans DSL. I DON'T like being tracked down everywhere I go. So I've ditched cells for now. If someone calls me, they can leave a message - MAYBE I'll get back to them.

  • okassar

    Posted Jan 10, 2008 2:21 pm PT

    Lolz,the PS3 is still selling bad.

  • vanhalendlrband

    Posted Jan 10, 2008 1:46 pm PT

    Its funny how Sony is now trying to charge for Internet Phone, which i mean it is logical, but really with all the existing Internet networks, and wireless stations around any city, its not like any of these companies set up those lines, and most likely your already paying for internet at home, or even voip phone already, so why use the PSP phone and pay for it, you can easily use homebrew software (altho i'm only aware of this on the DS so far) and you can make the phone calls you're already more than paying for.

  • thekodaman

    Posted Jan 10, 2008 12:35 pm PT

    I want neither company to dominate like the PS2 did last gen, all it did was produce some of the worst games known to man. Competition drives companies to do better and the customer always benefits from the results.

  • sekin321

    Posted Jan 10, 2008 1:46 am PT

    all you fanboys shouldnt be QQing over how sony sucks/owns or how xbox pwns ps3. Xbox did do better in overall stats, however Sony had **** sales for a while so with 1.2M sales at the holidays, thats not bad! you guys should encourage both companies not diss them for sucking at sales.

  • Commando3200

    Posted Jan 10, 2008 12:29 am PT

    Well, I think this year has been Microsoft's. Halo 3, Bioshock... But this year I still think that Microsoft is still going to dominate. GTA IV (Yeah, I know it's on the PS3, but the Xbox 360 gets extra content for the full experience, how do I know? Just click the CES Q&A: Albert Penello spins the 360 and get to the exclusives part, he mentions the GTA IV thing), Halo Wars (RTS FTW!), and so much more!

    Sorry Sony fanboys, I think MS has won the console war for now.

  • gin_rummy89

    Posted Jan 9, 2008 10:04 pm PT

    2010 will be Sony's year!

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Jan 9, 2008 10:41 am PT

    that's all you've got sony?

  • xtremeskiia15

    Posted Jan 9, 2008 6:57 am PT

    Yeah but the last few months have been holiday sales....
    Everything has sold better lately
    I would like to see your source for teh ps3 selling close to ten million since whenever they are.

  • Shivercraft

    Posted Jan 8, 2008 8:11 pm PT

    Fellas, the fiscal year is over as of March '07. The PS3 was only out for four months at that time. It has sold closer to 10 million since then. Very solid for a four month span, and it has shown an improvement in sales for the past couple of months.

  • quincy0191 posted Jan 8, 2008 5:20 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    quincy0191

    Posted Jan 8, 2008 5:20 pm PT (hide)

    And if MGS4 goes 360 (certainly possible since 360's userbase is so much bigger than PS3's) Sony is completely screwed. But even if it doesn't, Brawl will completely own it in pure software sales; that game is going to move more systems than any other, and will probably break sales records and critic's ratings. Unless Sony drops the price of the PS3 by $200, introduces ten exclusive 9.5 games, or launches PS4 with tech twice as good for the same price next year, they could be in serious trouble. SCE already lost billions in development and STILL isn't posting a profit, and that used to be Sony Co.'s most profitable division. Between 360's intramarket dominance and Wii's intermarket dominance, PS3 can't find its niche. This could be the death knell of SCE.
    And it should be mentioned that Sony sold 3.9 million systems in five weeks, while Nintendo's 1 million in 1 week can be extrapolated to assume 5 million between only two systems versus Sony's 3.9 between 3.

  • xtremeskiia15

    Posted Jan 8, 2008 3:57 pm PT

    I am sorry but this is pathetic. The ps3 seling a little over five million this year. That is disgusting. The 360 sold a good 3.5 million more consoles in their first year according to this article not to mention the wii which obviously has done the best out of all three consoles it's first year and so far. To the person who said you are glad sony doesn't drop the ps2. At this point I am pretty sure they want to drop the ps2. Sony invested a tremendous amount of time and money into the ps3, hoping it would be their number one console, yet it is in last amongst their own sales. Sony really needs to pick it up in 2008 with good exclusives. Honestly, if MGS4 is not a great game, I don't know what sony can do.

  • gnbfd

    Posted Jan 8, 2008 3:50 pm PT

    This news almost makes me want to throw my PSP FAT out the window.
    I HATE THE PSP ****!
    oops. I mean slim

  • TTDog posted Jan 8, 2008 1:59 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    TTDog

    Posted Jan 8, 2008 1:59 pm PT (hide)

    "Maersyndel:
    Wow. imagine what the sales will be like after all the big 08 titles have landed."

    Shouldn't that be IF the big games get released... its not nicknamed DELAYstation3 for nothing.

  • Maersyndel

    Posted Jan 8, 2008 10:52 am PT

    Wow. imagine what the sales will be like after all the big 08 titles have landed.

  • runstalker

    Posted Jan 8, 2008 10:00 am PT

    I suppose it helps that Sony didn't drop the PS2 like a dead weight, the way MS ditched the original Xbox so quickly during the 360 transition. Consumers still see a lot of support/new releases for the good 'ole PS2.

  • thelegendlives5

    Posted Jan 8, 2008 9:53 am PT

    Man the PS2 is still outselling the PS3, this thing called PS2 is certainly an impressive survivor.

  • URUCAN

    Posted Jan 8, 2008 8:48 am PT

    ScottEFresh ,,,,,,,,,, with a post like that i can only say you are a super PSfan or that you work for sony marketing .

  • Some_One_Plays

    Posted Jan 8, 2008 7:55 am PT

    To: MSG-Deathscythe,


    I don't think Sony is trying to replace the phone they make phones. I just think it's like their answer to what DS does with pictochat. Pictochat isn't going to replace anything but people with DSs can communicate. So with Skype to Skype calls it just brings it to a whole new level. Skpe on the PlayStation Portable isn't going to replace anything but it's a good alternative for people who have PSPs only.

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