The PS3 outsold the 360 by FAR at this point in time. Think of it, the PS3 had less launch systems, a higher price tag, less regions but still it managed to crack 360s numbers in less time. Sonys assembly lines must be glowing by now.

Now take into consideration that half the earth (EU and AUS) dont even have had contact with the PS3 yet and the launch isnt too far off, how sales will turn out by the end of the year? If Sony manages to supply a rather big pile of PS3s for the EU and AUS launch, they will really be able to pull off the 6 mil til end of March (I doubt it though, maybe 4-5).

And this is without many games, that were supposed to be launch titles, like Lair, HS, Motorstorm, Oblivion etc. I would want to see the numbers sold from RFOM. (like how many of the 1.5mil+ users has it… As of now, about every 3rd 360 owner has GeoW).

When games like MGS4 hit in Q4, I think, Sony will have closed up to or surpassed the 360 in sales (pure estimation made by a non marketing guy, namely me).

I even think, most people will buy GTA4 for the PS3, just for being the Playstation brand. All 3D GTA titles were first on the PS3 and many casual gamers dont know, that it comes parallel on the 360, or just dont care, to them Sony it is, live or die (I dont mean fanboys here, just casual folk… You know growing accustomed to something REALLY is nothing to just laid aside).

PS3 is launching a year later, against 2nd gen 360 titles. It’s also coming in at a price roughly $100-250 more than its competitors. I’d say its doing surprisingly well based on those factors. The main killing factor is the games. Oblivion, Rainbow Six, Splinter Cell, FEAR. All these games are already on the 360, and won’t be on the PS3 for months.

Here in the US, stores like Gamestop told consumers that the PS3 would be delayed till Spring 2007, and that your best bet would be to get a 360 because all the good games would be released on it . It worked. For a while. But when the PS3, 360, and Wii are on the same shelf, you know which one the store clerk is going to feel the need to push onto you. The most expensive one, with the most expensive warranty and accessories.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_360

I agree that some people might not know they are available but gamers should be hunting them down. I was on several websites last year and they all had something on their telling people the best way to get them (websites that tracked stock, etc). If people really wanted them they would be stalking stores and having people look out for them, as many people I know are doing right now with the Wii). The Wii is still sold out everywhere and they are way ahead of the PS3 on units shipped. The Wii may have shipped 4 million units so far. So I disagree with you Henning on that being the only reason they are sitting on shelves. One person does not excuse thousands of PS3s sitting on shelves.

I think their is a problem when my fiancee was approached 3 times at her work weeks before christmas with people trying to sell their PS3 AT COST to her or anyone else that she worked with. I got the phone call 3 times and each time I declined (as I have said, I refuse to pay $600 for a game console, I don’t care what it does).

As I already said above, I think the number of people who are jumping to pay $500/$600 for the PS3 are almost gone. A great game or a price reduction will jump start things again. I think when Motorstorm is released and is rated a 9.2 or higher on 1up or Gamespot people might go running to the shelves. This isn’t a sign of doom, just a sign of price being to much for what is available. Their aren’t enough games and the price is high.

I think the problem is that people think you can’t find PS3′s, so they don’t look for them. As a matter of fact, I KNOW that’s the problem, because a coworker of mine did just that. He wanted a PS3 but said that he’d buy one once they becamse available. I told him he could buy one at Toys ‘R’ Us and he was surprised.

The funny thing now is they can’t sell the systems they have and they are almost begging people to buy a PS3. People coming in for a Wii are greeted with “We don’t have any Wiis but we do have some PS3s!”. I wouldn’t be surprised if Corporate was behind this somehow. They want to sell what they have and worry about the other out of stock products later.

The PS3 needs to pick up some steam though. They have shipped 1 million units to the U.S. and they are sitting on store shelves. Every store I have been in since the week before Christmas has had them. Not one or two but 10-20+ at almost every store. Asking employees they say they haven’t sold many in the past few weeks. The 360 I couldn’t find on shelves until March 2006 and even then it was rare. I would say May 2006 was when they were readily available in Orlando, FL (where I lived back then). I pre-ordered my 360 July 9, 2005 and got it December 29, 2005.

The Wii has sold more than 2 million Wiis in the U.S. and I still can’t find one. Every store sells them out within minutes of them hitting the floor.

I am curious to see what Sony is going to do. If the PS3 continues to sit on shelves they will have to react. I strongly believe the price is way to high for the average consumer and sales will be poor until they drop the price. This is exactly what I thought would happen and why I waited to purchase a PS3. Americans love electronics but have a threshold of value/ price. Most people don’t see the value of the PS3s abilities so the price is way to high. I am thinking the price will be reduced for next Christmas at the latest.