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Chris Lewis, regional vice president of Xbox Europe, has issued a statement whereby he says that 2008 saw the Xbox brand grow faster than its competitors and that 360 has enjoyed its best Christmas ever sales-wise.
“2008 saw us grow faster than any of our competitors and we over-achieved in sales during the crucial Christmas selling period,” said Lewis.
“With eight million consoles sold since we launched, and consistently out-selling PlayStation 3 in EMEA, we’re poised to build on this success in 2009.
“This success was only possible through our partnerships with retail and with publishers, with whom we’ve worked closely to build a strong ecosystem in the region and to bring value to our shared customer base.”
There could be some weight to Lewis’ claims as the platform holder points to GfK Chart-Track data which shows that Xbox 360 was the fastest-growing console in 2008, with sales in the last three months of the year over double the same period in 2007 in the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain.
“As we move into 2009 and an uncertain economic climate, we continue to be committed to offering the right blend of gaming and entertainment experiences at the right price,” Lewis added.
By Mike Bowden
Viewing 43 responses
Alakratt said:
Frankly, I like this site a lot, but there’s just one thing that bothers the hell out of me! Its damn fanboyism! Nobody can deny that this site is biased against the PS3. EVERY time an article against the PS3 goes up on the web they post it here and every update it gets they post it. *Remember the 2.40 debacle and the LittleBigPlanet delay, just to mention a few* But of course, this site didn’t say crap about the bricks caused by the NXE update! Or about the RRoD still happening in the Jasper chipset. Whenever there’s a positive 360 article out there this site posts it like it’s the second coming of Christ! Too bad the 360 is only doing so well because of the price, not quality, and of course M$ is afraid of a PS3 price cut, ever wonder why so much negative PS3 articles out of a sudden?! Literally, right after the Home Open Beta got released, a lot of anti-PS3 articles went up! Why don’t you just try to be fair for once, really, or at least try to hide your preferences.
Psychotext said:
I told you. xbot247… all xbot, all the time.
Alakratt said:
Strange, remember when Volition (Red Faction’s developer) said that they were having problems with the PS3 or something, well obviously it was posted here. But, what about what Volition said recently? What’s that you say? Oh, well, Volition said they maxed out the 360.
This is a quote from the interview: “Rick White: Yeah, we’ve got it to the point where we can’t even put an extra vehicle into a world, because it’ll blow the memory.”
Search “Volition” on this site and you’ll see that the last article about them is the one they talk about the PS3’s difficulties. But the most recent one hasn’t been posted. What’s wrong? Afraid that the 360 is starting to show its limits? Well, you can stop the articles from appearing here, but its limits will show, and you can’t stop that!
Here’s the interview link: http://www.gameplayer.com.au/gp_documents/Red-Faction-Interview.aspx?Page=3
Blerk said:
Looks like the PS3 version’s in trouble then, given that the 360 has more usable memory than the PS3.
Whizzo said:
Having played the MP beta of RF3 it potentially having memory problems on any system is the least of its worries.
Blerk said:
Zing!
fearmonkey said:
I enjoy this site and I don’t think it’s biased.
I’m not a PS3 owner myself though, so I don’t
look for anti-PS3 sentiment.
I’m not a fanboy either, for PC or any console,
but you have to admit it’s entertaining just how
downhill Sony went from the PS2 to the PS3.
I’m no Xbot, but I’m glad Sony is third this
generation. If they would have won then all
future consoles would be $599 at launch.
Plus, I think they were very arrogant, it’s good
to see them humbled. Don’t worry, MS will
eventually get arrogant too, and it will be their turn.
Alakratt said:
@ Blerk
Umm, are you sure about that? PS3 has 512MB for graphics also, the difference is that they are separated but can be used by devs completely. That’s why most recent multiplatform games look equal or better on the PS3, if the PS3 had just 256MB RAM they would’ve looked COMPLETELY different.
Also, don’t you think if the PS3 version was in any trouble they would’ve mention it in that interview? I mean, Volition made comments about programming in the PS3 before so they would’ve at least mention it.
@fearmonkey
I admit Sony made a big mistake by starting at $600. But, even though they are still selling last in the monthly results, they still sell. That’s with they’re $399 and $499 price tags, so that’s saying something. Obviously there’s gonna be a price cut this year, and that’s (also with their exclusives) when the tide is going to turn and surpass or at least be equal in sales to the 360.
Psychotext said:
Alakratt – it’s because the OS on the PS3 uses up more memory than the 360 OS does.
Michael O'Connor said:
“Its damn fanboyism! Nobody can deny that this site is biased against the PS3.”
Have you ever considered that it might just be the industry in general that’s biased towards the PS3, and that the site is simply reporting the news?
I mean… ignoring that fact that more third-party exclusives appear on the 360, that the 360 has a significantly larger install-base and an even larger attach rate (Google it), and that it has more content on its online market service, which is updated dynamically instead of weekly whilst generally keeping the content consistent across regions…
It’s clearly not just the site.
My favourite game of 2008 was LittleBigPlanet by the way, so don’t even bother to use the fanboy trump-card on me. Facts are facts. The industry (and gamers) in general prefer the 360. At least right now. Sony at least has *some* trump cards to win the majority back in 2009. Lets just hope it doesn’t fall on the deaf ears of most gamers, like it generally has until now.
theevilaires said:
#
Psychotext said:
January 6th, 2009 at 2:45 am
Alakratt – it’s because the OS on the PS3 uses up more memory than the 360 OS does.
look at this fool flapping his mouth like he knows what hes talking about. shut up kid and go download some porn.
Alakratt i see all your points but what sickens me the most is last generation every asshole on this site and other game sites had a ps2 controller in their hands.How could so many people turn their back on the playstation legacy is mind boggling to me.Microsoft had good games too (halo,Riddick,and Kotor but Sony ruled liked no other console before it with quality games unlike that shit wii.
These people who bash sony now are like the people who cause grief on everyday life.Please don’t stress over it man as long as you’re happy with your purchase.Keep gaming bro don’t let the haters get in your way. PS. KILLZONE 2 MOFOs
Psychotext said:
Oh joy, you’re back. There was the internet hoping you’d been run over by Santa or something.
theevilaires said:
well sorry your christmas wish didn’t come true troll
Psychotext said:
I can only try to be extra good so that Santa grants my wish next year.
theevilaires said:
how bout getting on your knees like you do with morriss and maybe you’ll have better luck.
Psychotext said:
Santa don’t swing that way.
theevilaires said:
maybe not but you do that’s for sure
Michael O'Connor said:
theevilaires, you’d probably get a lot further if you didn’t keep resorting to flat out insulting people or making derogatory homophobic remarks. Just a suggestion.
On that note, gotta love how half decently thought out posts trying to create some discussion get ignored for the sake of inflammatory baiting. You’re both as bad as each other, to be honest.
Blerk said:
Sometimes it gets scary in here. Luckily it’s usually when I’m not here. What we need is some guy with a sweeping brush and a bottle of Dettol to clean up the vomit before I get in in the morning.
Blerk said:
I see there are lots of Microsoft press releases out there this morning to cheer Mr EvilAires up with.
I’ll put some coffee on.
Retroid said:
@Alakratt:
“Umm, are you sure about that? PS3 has 512MB for graphics also, the difference is that they are separated but can be used by devs completely. That’s why most recent multiplatform games look equal or better on the PS3, if the PS3 had just 256MB RAM they would’ve looked COMPLETELY different.”
Ummm, no. PS3 has 512 *in total*, just like 360. Difference is, PS3 RAM is split down the middle, 256mb for the GPU, 256mb for everything else. The 360’s RAM can be distributed as the devs want.
As for “most recent multiplatform games look equal or better on the PS3″, well…. I’m aware of the latest Tomb Raider having a higher res, but what else?
Alakratt said:
So the PS3’s RAM can’t be used completely by devs huh? Weird, then why do Dead Space, Alone in the Dark, Battlefield: BC, GTA 4, Dark Sector, Farcry 2 and Assassin’s Creed (watch the youtube comparison not GameTrailers) look the same or better? Did you play them all on both consoles? Or do you follow IGN like the bible?
Robo_1 said:
Anyone know how much extra memory the PS3 OS uses? I genuinely have no idea.
Blerk said:
It’s not that you can’t use it, it’s just that you can’t use it as easily – iirc, you have to move the data around a lot more to actually get it into the usable area rather than having one large instantly-accessible pool.
I can’t remember exactly, but I seem to recall at one point the PS3’s OS was taking up 90mb. I believe they’ve reduced that a fair bit, but it’s still a much chunkier footprint than the 360 uses.
Psychotext said:
Alakratt, did you really just suggest watching a youtube vid to compare two versions of a HD game?
/facepalm
Retroid said:
@Alakratt
Did you read what I wrote? I didn’t say devs couldn’t use it all, I said it was split equally down the middle between GPU and standard RAM. A bit like the Amiga CHIP / FAST RAM problems
As for your IGN accusation, HOW DARE YOU!
g00nerz said:
Interesting all this old talk of how the RAM is split on the PS3. I seem to recall reading an article the other day claiming that Sony almost didn’t put RAM in the PS3 at all – With the claim being the Cell and its various SPE thingy’s could theoritically take care of everything.
I generally don’t care a crap about technical specs and how amazing things look though, as long as it plays games well. I’m currently playing Zelda: Twilight Princess on my sons Wii. Shite graphics, excellent game. Go figure.
@ theevilaires
Methinks it is you who needs to ‘Shut up’ and go ‘download some porn’. Back to the playground with you.
Esha said:
The highlight of this thread for me is that someone mentioned the Amiga.
The PS3 is an Amiga now? That would explain my affinity toward it.
…
I miss the Amiga.
Gods damn it, now I’m going to have to install WinUAE again. The last time I played Last Ninja 3 I thought it would be for the last time, but noooo…
theevilaires said:
g00nerz said: @ theevilaires
Methinks it is you who needs to ‘Shut up’ and go ‘download some porn’. Back to the playground with you.
no matter how much i rant i’ll never use the term “methinks” its just plain stupid and on that note you grow up and get a better name. Happy New Year
Blerk said:
Forsooth, ’tis yon evil one! And hark! Verily doth I hear the sound of smack being talked.
SticKboy said:
theevilaires:
fuck off
G1GAHURTZ said:
The 360 is way better than the rubbishy old PS3.
Of course it’s brand is going to grow faster.
/waits
cookiejar said:
I hate green.
Blerk said:
Green is my favourite colour. But ‘Microsoft green’ is just plain wrong. Why they couldn’t have gone with a shade that doesn’t glow in the dark, I have no idea.
G1GAHURTZ said:
Maybe they should change it to indigo.
cookiejar said:
Its true. Anyone walking past my window at night seeing that green glow from the DVD rack will think im storing Uranium. Clear would be fine.
Whizzo said:
The darker, original Xbox green was nicer than the 360 one, either is better than the horrible orange they use for the packaging of Live and Microsoft points cards though, yuck!
Blerk said:
What the fuck is that packaging actually for? What am I supposed to do with that useless orange box that I can’t even store a DVD in now that I’ve typed the code in? Eh? Eh? Microsoft? You planet-killing wastrels!
G1GAHURTZ said:
lol. I think that it’s just supposed to make you feel like you’re buying a physical product.
Maybe it’s supposed to be a solution for all of the people who don’t like the idea of a future of download only games and keep going on about needing something to hold, when they buy physical media.
But I do agree, it is a total waste.
Maybe MS could save themselves a few million if they just stuck to a regular gift card wallet.
Blerk said:
So why not make the packaging out of cardboard so that I can recycle it?
Psychotext said:
You can recycle plastic…
Blerk said:
Not that kind of plastic. Not near me, anyway. I checked.
Psychotext said:
You’re right, a lot of places don’t take PP… but it is recyclable.