NPD reactions: Sony focuses on future
Microsoft on third-party, Nintendo on bank.
Sony is focusing on the "envelope-pushing" future of PS3 games, after a disappointing round of NPD figures for April.
"We're revving up the new fiscal year with a broad tent of content and services across our platforms with envelope-pushing PS3 games like inFamous, MAG, and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves," said Sony America's Peter Seybold.
He vowed that the company will more aggressively push the console's media utility fans are apparently often "surprised by".
"We know our consumers have varying entertainment lifestyles from the Blu-ray movie fanatic to photo enthusiast, so we've outlined our most aggressive marketing plans to help showcase this tremendous value proposition to all our consumers," he said.
"We've got a proven history in delivering the best entertainment experience and there is no doubt the PlayStation brand is staged for another big year."
Microsoft's flagship console posted lower numbers than last year but Xbox 360 software sold well, providing the PR machine with something to focus on.
"Sales of third-party games on Xbox 360, a key measure of platform health, hit USD 98 million in April, more than any other system," said Microsoft.
The company noted that this April there was no Grand Theft Auto IV to boost the market. Nevertheless, sales of Xbox 360 from January to April are up 28 per cent from the same period in 2008.
"Xbox 360 is the fastest-growing game console in the US so far this year, with retail sales jumping 28 per cent year-over-year in the first four months," the company added.
That leaves a smug Nintendo, which beamed as the DSi broke hardware launch sales records by shifting 827,000 units. Combined with the DS Lite, the handheld amassed an enormous 1m sales throughout April, taking its lifetime total past 30m.
The Wii was no slouch, either, and nearly doubled numbers posted by nearest competitor, Xbox 360. Nintendo's flagship console is fast approaching the 20m lifetime sales mark for the region. April's software sales were dominated by Nintendo, too.
US vice-boss Cammie Dunaway is pleased. "Nintendo systems and software represented 56 per cent of the industry total shares in April, indicating continued strong consumer preference for quality and value," she said.