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NPD Hardware Numbers January to April 2017 *Estimate*

Yjynx

Member
This thread is to bring more discussion regarding sales result.

The numbers were estimated by Neogaf members using Official PR etc etc.

January 2017
Donny has recieved NPD numbers in previous months from people when not all numbers have leaked.

Based on the top predictor's results, the gap looks to be in the 50K to 60K range.


The average for the top 5 predictors on units (plus theprodigy as they were #5 in points) is

PS4: 214K or ~215K
XB1: 159K or ~160K

ethomaz was also above Kayant in points so with his prediction the average is


PS4: 212K or ~210K
XB1: 158K or ~160K

This is probably the best results we got for this month, which fit with what we know so far. This would be the best January for the Xbox One and PS4 is down YoY but not massively.

Actually, we should be able to figure out the number fairly exactly since there are only 2 variables (PS4 and XB1).

Using the order of guessers for the month (and their associated guesses), you can create a matrix of possible values (I rounded to the nearest 1k - so 99k, 100k, 111k, etc) for XB1 and PS4 for the month, and then calculate the sum of the deviations for the 2 console guesses for each person. As long as the sums for each subsequent person are greater than or equal to the previous person, than it is a valid outcome (ie: 1st-10, 2nd-12, 3rd-12, 4th-15, 5th-29, etc); if they are out of order than it is not a valid outcome (ie: 1st-10, 2nd-8, 3rd-15, 4th-16, 5th-21, etc).

I only used the top five people since I don't have a ton of time, but that already narrows it down to:
XB1 ~156k-158k
PS4: ~211k-213k

or a gap of ~55k.

I'm sure you could nail down the exact numbers if you used a large enough pool of guesses, but I don't have time for that right now.



February 2017

As with January, I once again ran the parametric and can give more accurate estimates (though not as precise as last month).

PS4 - 395k to 651k
XB1 - 0k to 235k
Gap: must be 170k+
Combined: No more than 651k

If we make the assumption that both platforms were down YOY (EDIT: It seems this was said by NPD somewhere?), then the range becomes:

PS4 - 395k to 403k
XB1 - 0k to 233k
Gap: must be 170k+ (e.g. the results can't be 395k:233k, etc.)



March 2017
Now that Mr. Piscatella has provided the comparison with last generation, we have an at least slightly constrained field of possibility for Sony and Microsoft this month.

Here are the calculated hardware sales for March NPD*:

229k < X1 < 270k
395k < PS4 < 436k
Total: 665k

Essentially, there's 41k in uncertainty to split between the consoles. If we average the range of possible sales ratios, that would apportion 24.5k to PS4 and 16.5k to Xbox One. So the naive estimate for final March numbers would be:

PS4: 419.5k
X1: 245.5k

The real situation is unlikely to be so evenhanded, of course. But there are conclusions that can be drawn even without narrowing the ranges to specific numbers:

- The overall gap in the U.S. is above two million units (March gap between 125k and 207k)
- Xbox One Q1 is up less than 6% YoY (could be lower, or even down by ~1%)
- PS4 Q1 is up by at least 4.5% YoY (could be as much as 8.8%)
- In 2016 Q1 the sales ratio was 1.55; in 2017 Q1 the sales ratio is between 1.53 and 1.70 (March sales ratio between 1.46 and 1.90)


*These estimates crucially rely on numbers for last gen. If what I have is inaccurate, that would throw off the results. Here's what I used, in case anyone has different numbers.
360 41 months - 14,918,000
PS3 41 months - 12,077,000

Yes, but it has a lot more wiggle room. I came up with this:

Switch: 906k

229k < X1 < 270k
395k < PS4 < 436k
Total: 665k

Using the median choice for both, as I suggested for PS4 this month, would lead to:

PS4: 416k
XB1: 249k

Given there are two linked ranges, though, there's another possibly neutral choice. That is to divide the total uncertainty proportionately among the members, giving:

PS4: 419k
XB1: 246k

Unlike this month, these values partially rely on a comparison with last generation. Welfare had slightly different totals for that than I did. While he deferred to my results, the fact of the mismatch made me feel it would be more conservative to lower my estimates. So the final values I settled on (and which I used in the YoY calculations above) are:

PS4: 407k
XB1: 238k



April 2017
Crossposting from the other thread. Sorry for the delay, but I've finally run a parametric analysis using the results from the Prediction League. The Switch number was announced by Nintendo, and Xbox One has a very constrained ambit, so the calculation for it should be solid. Only PS4 has a range of possibilities. Here are the results for April NPD:

SWI: 280k
PS4: 201k - 229k
XB1: 127k

It's typically best to choose the center of the range as an estimated value, unless there are known skewing factors. There is one here, which is the sales decay curve of previous-gen hardware (360, DS, PS3, PSV, WiiU). This lessening would slightly boost PS4 numbers. However, the effect is likely minor, so I'd suggest dismissing it. The neutral estimate for PS4, then, would be 215k.


Note that, due to more detailed analysis of confounding factors, I've revised my February estimates for both PS4 and Xbox One slightly downward, to 396k and 226k respectively. Using those new estimates as well as April's above, we get the following:

Code:
      April YoY   YTD YoY
PS4   +23.0%      +8.0%
XB1   -25.3%      -5.3%

The Xbox number is from the parametric. It's not impossible that 126k would also work, though it's somewhat less likely.

As for the rest, I apologize. I missed that Mr. Piscatella gave us an updated comparison! That does put a lower cap, but the number isn't as certain as you say. We only have to a tenth of a percent, which still leaves an error margin in the tens of thousands of units. For this reason (among others), even though the calculations I've given so far in 2017 are mostly based on exact current NPD results, they can't be made to perfectly match the reported 29.8% and 29.3% numbers.

Without knowing the exact figures, the best approximation I can obtain would be to raise February back to 400k/230k, and thus leave ~340k for combined March. (There are other reasons to believe that your ~320k number is too low.) There are other manipulations possible, but essentially they fall into two types:

1. Gen 7 is now estimated higher by NPD than I have. No amount of analysis can address this, so if we're to proceed at all we have to ignore the possibility, for right or wrong.
2. Q1 2017 differs month-by-month than what I've calculated, but the quarterly numbers balance out with the quadrimester.

So here's the revised numbers for April, keeping in mind that some thousands of the units may be "shared backward" into prior months.

PS4: 213k
XB1: 127k

Code:
      April YoY   YTD YoY
PS4   +21.9%      +8.2%
XB1   -25.3%      -4.8%


PS4: 211k
XB1: 157k



Using Liabe Brave for the April #s.

Next-Gen/Current-Gen thus far:
NDFFnzl.png


All credit for compiling the numbers here goes to Square2015 keeping track of all the reliable NPD estimates must be some work - thanks again,

So I decided to look at the NPD sales numbers to try and understand what the overall trends are - the following is my take I have my biases but I try to stay away from console warring.


So starting with the most basic stuff - cummulative sales over the lifetime of the consoles and the lead the PS4 has at present which stands at about 2.2m consoles. Few things to call out on the graph - especially the cumulative sales gap one
  • Whatever MS did in Oct14 helped - A LOT
  • Halo 5 (Sep15 I think, correct me if im wrong) barely moved the needle in MS' favour
  • XBOS' introduction is clearly felt on the sales gap graph

us0TsKk.png


The single best thing MS has done is whatever they did in Oct14 - whoever came up with that deserves a medal.


Moving on next easy one market share - this ones quite boring but important nonetheless - market share is very stable between the 2 companies.

Sony have been steady growing their lead in numbers but market share has not changed by up to a percentage point since Nov15. MS are still very much in the running here 53% to 47% is not that big of a deal.

The second thing that is not obvious from the graph is that sure Sony is ahead by 2.2m consoles but for a full year on average each console manufacturer has sold 4.9m consoles - Sony has less than half a years sales lead. One bad Christmas and that can disappear - more on this later

ILd3Cua.png



On to the next graph - this one takes the XBO monthly sales as a 100% baseline and factors the PS4 sales on top of it ( for instance if XBO sold 100k and PS4 sold 130k the XBO would show at 100% and PS4 at 130% it gives you an idea of the proportional sales in the month. An important take away from this IMO is MS screwed themselves in 2014 - even with their extremely strong finish in 2014 the PS4 on average was 147% of the XBO sales volume - it was 115% in 2015 and 117% in 2016. The second thing that is not so obvious is Sony had a very strong Q12017 and it shows in sales obviously they had a lot of games come out - I wonder if that momentum will continue

qHTXbQT.png


On to the last 2 graphs I promise!

What these graphs tell us is that Christmas is hugely important - 52% of all console sales in the year occur in Nov/Dec. Forget the rest of the year Q4 is what matters.

In terms of ranking the months I would say Nov/Dec are the most important months, then oddly enough Sep/Oct and Jan - Mar are priority 2 and the rest of the year is straight filler material.

Few other things to call out i think Sonys 2014 Nov/Dec was actually hurt by whatever MS did in Oct14 if you compare YoY performance with 2015 and 2016 you can clearly see that period does not match the other 2

Both companies had a weak Nov16 but things picked up in December

Sony again had a very strong Q1 2017 (best on record and April as well - this is the most consoles they have sold in the first 4 months of the year - helped especially by March numbers - dat Horizon Zero Dawn effect I guess)

ScSMr7j.png


l9dHi8B.png



The End.

NG+ Data

YoY Performance


NG+2 Data
Cumulative YoY Performance


Platinum Trophy
Shows Nov/Dec sales as a percentage of full year


They gave up over a billion dollars in revenue in order to subsidize Xbox One sales. It's very likely that won't happen again. Not only is it expensive, it'd be much less effective in the current situation. A ~600k unit swing wouldn't halve the gap, they'd need an effect twice that strong to do so.


These statements are misleading. First, by averaging the consoles together you're producing a false comparison. Microsoft and Sony do not average 4.9m units per year; Microsoft averages 4.7m and Sony averages 5.2m. More importantly, that second sentence greatly undersells the scale of the disaster it would take for Microsoft to catch Sony in the US so rapidly. Xbox One sells about 2.4m per Nov/Dec, so PS4 would have to literally sell zero consoles for "one bad Christmas" to eliminate the gap. This is an edge-case fantasy, not a living possibility.


Your facts are sound, but your takeaway less so. Yes, the holidays are half the story each year. But concluding they're the only season that matters is refuted by the actual sales pattern. Xbox One is very successful versus PS4 in the holidays...but they're losing the US anyway. Each year, PS4 builds up a lead in the other ten months, and each year Xbox's bite back at Christmas is insufficient to balance it. The unit gap is higher than it's ever been. The percentage gap has been climbing for six months. That is, for the last half-year PS4 has not only been beating Xbox One, it's been beating it by a higher margin than before. So far, 2017 is the worst year Xbox has had. It's the best year PS4 has had.

And this comparison doesn't just hold with PS4. The pattern of concentrating so heavily in the holidays also differs from the path Microsoft themselves took last generation. Xbox One is above Xbox 360 in the US launch-aligned, and likely will remain so deep into 2018. But outside the holidays month-by-month performance does not look impressive against their prior machine. It seems not so much an intentional strategy, as the best of a bad job. Even the holiday advantage has become less effective over time.

x1monthlyx8uwo.png


May 2017
#1 PS4
Switch <200k

Would be updated later on


All credit to the Above quoted members.
 

Raw64life

Member
Is Xbox just going to take a beating for the remaining six months?

Given what their pre-Scorpio software lineup looks like for the year, it sure seems like they're intentionally punting on the rest of the year and firmly putting all their eggs into the Scorpio basket.
 
I don't think Microsoft really cares much to be honest. Gaming isn't to Microsoft, what it is to Sony and&#8203; Nintendo, they can wait it out.

How is the PS4 tracking in alignment with the PS2?
 
MS must be desperate to get Scorpio out the gate. They're taking a beating in their strongest market.

Their worldwide sales must be terrifying. Honestly believe Scorpio should have been what the Switch was to the Wii U, a "fuck this gen, get the next console out asap" moment.
 

gtj1092

Member
Funny to look back on the debates last year about how all those Japanese "niche" exclusives would have no effect on sales and that the X1S and the big multiplats had shifted momentum back to Xbox.
 

Asd202

Member
Funny to look back on the debates last year about how all those Japanese "niche" exclusives would have no effect on sales and that the X1S and the big multiplats had shifted momentum back to Xbox.

Yeah but then again good holidays can easily shift the totals. MS must be hoping to close this year gap with Scorpio.
 

sphinx

the piano man
Yeah but then again good holidays can easily shift the totals. MS must be hoping to close this year gap with Scorpio.

which may happen if scorpio is priced no more than $399.99 and is instantly appealing, like the switch, which is appealing by itself, before we start talking about the games people can play on it.
 

cw_sasuke

If all DLC came tied to $13 figurines, I'd consider all DLC to be free
I didn't realize PS4 beat Xbox by that much ... Damn impressive sales.

Why ? Many of the big titles in the first couple months were PS4 exclusives. Seems like MS is saving most of their big games for the Scorpio launch.
 
I'm trying really, really hard to imagine a scenario where Scorpio is a big success and I just cannot come up with one. Even if it launches at $399. If Switch had been a complete non-starter, then maybe. I feel PS4 and Switch are different enough to coexist peacefully and both serve the market well.
 

Elios83

Member
Xbox is having a really rough time sales wise this year.
And Scorpio can only a have a negative impact on the current model's sales until it's launched.
So I guess that the only option that Microsoft has to revitalize their hardware business is to announce a permanent price cut to 249$ for the Xbox One S at E3 and to nail the price of the Scorpio at 399$ to try to get more momentum during the holiday season.
An other issue seems to be the lack of games that give an identity to the platform so we'll see what they are going to announce at E3.
 

Shin

Banned
Market is healthy, from a business point of view as well for consumers.
This is only the US, but when I think about it, consoles selling by the thousands every month it really is crazy.
 

cw_sasuke

If all DLC came tied to $13 figurines, I'd consider all DLC to be free
I'm trying really, really hard to imagine a scenario where Scorpio is a big success and I just cannot come up with one. Even if it launches at $399. If Switch had been a complete non-starter, then maybe. I feel PS4 and Switch are different enough to coexist peacefully and both serve the market well.
Yeah it's weird... If we assume that PS4 and Switch keep selling the way they ate right now you gotta wonder of the Market is big enough to have another console sell very well. You could argue that the Switch is expanding the home console market by bringing in handheld and mobile gamers... So the effect on the traditional PS4/XBO crowd might be limited. Then again...I don't think the audience for "the most powerful console" isn't that large anymore, especially if this new system don't get any exclusive games. Feel like people that really want to make the next big step would just built a gaming PC, well or already did.

E3 will be interesting... I think MS will deliver, but don't know of the audience they are going for will care or even be there.
 

Aceofspades

Banned
Why ? Many of the big titles in the first couple months were PS4 exclusives. Seems like MS is saving most of their big games for the Scorpio launch.

I guess you are right, games sell consoles after all but to think that PS4 is outselling xbox by this much in Xbox strongest market is shocking nonetheless. Can you just imagine the sales different WW? Crazy.
 

sphinx

the piano man
You could argue that the Switch is expanding the home console market by bringing in handheld and mobile gamers... So the effect on the traditional PS4/XBO crowd might be limited.

in any case, switch being successful is terrible news for MS.

people have limited money and time.

Anyone with a PS4 and some money, time and curiosity to spare will have to choose between a X1 and a Switch.... that's a fight X1 won't ever win.
 

Yjynx

Member
Funny to look back on the debates last year about how all those Japanese "niche" exclusives would have no effect on sales and that the X1S and the big multiplats had shifted momentum back to Xbox.

Yeah but then again good holidays can easily shift the totals. MS must be hoping to close this year gap with Scorpio.

which may happen if scorpio is priced no more than $399.99 and is instantly appealing, like the switch, which is appealing by itself, before we start talking about the games people can play on it.

I'm trying really, really hard to imagine a scenario where Scorpio is a big success and I just cannot come up with one. Even if it launches at $399. If Switch had been a complete non-starter, then maybe. I feel PS4 and Switch are different enough to coexist peacefully and both serve the market well.

Xbox is having a really rough time sales wise this year.
And Scorpio can only a have a negative impact on the current model's sales until it's launched.
So I guess that the only option that Microsoft has to revitalize their hardware business is to announce a permanent price cut to 249$ for the Xbox One S at E3 and to nail the price of the Scorpio at 399$ to try to get more momentum during the holiday season.
An other issue seems to be the lack of games that give an identity to the platform so we'll see what they are going to announce at E3.

Bear in mind that X1s momentum pretty much died this year. I suspect that most people that bought X1s last year were mostly previous owner of OG X1. Which bring the question for Scorpio. Would scorpio face the same fate as X1s?
 

cw_sasuke

If all DLC came tied to $13 figurines, I'd consider all DLC to be free
I guess you are right, games sell consoles after all but to think that PS4 is outselling xbox by this much in Xbox strongest market is shocking nonetheless. Can you just imagine the sales different WW? Crazy.

Oh yeah...i mean we have had numbers for a while now - One has been getting ethered by the PS4 in every non UK/US market since launch. But yes its a bad sign for MS if they fail to put up a better fight in their strongest market.

*they should have begged Atlus for a P5 port lol.
in any case, switch being successful is terrible news for MS.

people have limited money and time.

Anyone with a PS4 and some money, time and curiosity to spare will have to choose between a X1 and a Switch.... that's a fight X1 won't ever win.

Yeah, i probably wasnt the only one surprised seeing MS delivering Minecraft on Switch so early. It doesnt help that the Switch isnt cheap - so its not a Wii60 situation anymore. If someone picks up a Switch by Holidays they could easily spend up to 500 bucks on it with if you count a Pro controller, BotW/Mario Odyssey, eShop cards etc. Same for PS4 were the users are heavenly invested in the eco-system and will get their exclusives all through the year. Add in PC-Gaming/Steam as the ever growing constant..and well, you gotta wonder how much space is left.

Obv. the hardcore MS/Halo fans will jump on Scorpio asap , but i wonder how it will look like after the initial launch.
 

Yjynx

Member
Oh yeah...i mean we have had numbers for a while now - One has been getting ethered by the PS4 in every non UK/US market since launch. But yes its a bad sign for MS if they fail to put up a better fight in their strongest market.

*they should have begged Atlus for a P5 port lol.


Yeah, i probably wasnt the only one surprised seeing MS delivering Minecraft on Switch so early. It doesnt help that the Switch isnt cheap - so its not a Wii60 situation anymore. If someone picks up a Switch by Holidays they could easily spend up to 500 bucks on it with if you count a Pro controller, BotW/Mario Odyssey, eShop cards etc. Same for PS4 were the users are heavenly invested in the eco-system and will get their exclusives all through the year. Add in PC-Gaming/Steam as the ever growing constant..and well, you gotta wonder how much space is left.

Obv. the hardcore MS/Halo fans will jump on Scorpio asap , but i wonder how it will look like after the initial launch.
What matter during holiday season is price. Got it right then your console would fly from the shelves. What matter during off season is games. In other word what current Sony strategy is.


They should hit the nail with scorpio pricing anything higher than $399 = DOA. Pump Exclusives after or any huge marketing deal games after holiday season.
 

Avtomat

Member
Hey OP,

Can I get a link to the numbers used to create the graph at the bottom would like to get a feel for what the LTD / YoY performance comparison across both platforms is.

Thanks
 
What matter during holiday season is price. Got it right then your console would fly from the shelves. What matter during off season is games. In other word what current Sony strategy is.


They should hit the nail with scorpio pricing anything higher than $399 = DOA. Pump Exclusives after or any huge marketing deal games after holiday season.

I have a strong feeling Microsoft will take a loss on the hardware at launch to keep the price below $400. But as you say, anything greater than 400 bucks is DOA.
 

Yjynx

Member
Hey OP,

Can I get a link to the numbers used to create the graph at the bottom would like to get a feel for what the LTD / YoY performance comparison across both platforms is.

Thanks

Unfortunately as far as I remember the data were scattered within the many NPD thread. You might want to PM Square2015 for the compilation.
 

Kayant

Member
OMG am in a OP! &#128563;
Bear in mind that X1s momentum pretty much died this year. I suspect that most people that bought X1s last year were mostly previous owner of OG X1. Which bring the question for Scorpio. Would scorpio face the same fate as X1s?
It's likely going to be a similar situation because of the existence of XB1s being the "mainstream" cheaper model and Scorpio being the premium.

Especially with Sony having a lot of marketing deals on games around fall a lot of eyes with be on their platform(That's not even accounting for bundles). MS will have to market it well(Which they probably will knowing them) and aggressively&#8203; to break perspective and be seen.
 

cw_sasuke

If all DLC came tied to $13 figurines, I'd consider all DLC to be free
What matter during holiday season is price. Got it right then your console would fly from the shelves. What matter during off season is games. In other word what current Sony strategy is.

They should hit the nail with scorpio pricing anything higher than $399 = DOA. Pump Exclusives after or any huge marketing deal games after holiday season.

First off - Games and momentum always matter. Price is a factor but the best price doesnt matter much when the competition is cheaper or priced the same and offer the more appealing lineup. Sony has locked up exclusive Marketing deals for many of the Fall blockbusters, has the japanese content on lock and in general the better first Party lineup. Just the right price wont be enough.

We also dont know how many Scorpios MS will be able to ship...so stock might be an issue while Sony will pump them market with a high amount of Slim/Pro consoles and is ready for very attractive Black Friday deals/bundles.

Price probably wont be a issue for Switch but the shortages, so this could help out MS if peole cant get their hands on a Switch. With Mario O (if it delivers) they have a big seller in place for November...and if the rumors are right Pokemon might hit Switch even bevor November. So yeah Sony/Nintendo will more or less be in beast mode by the Holidays...so MS needs a really solid e3.
 

Yjynx

Member
First off - Games and momentum always matter. Price is a factor but the best price doesnt matter much when the competition is cheaper or priced the same and offer the more appealing lineup. Sony has locked up exclusive Marketing deals for many of the Fall blockbusters, has the japanese content on lock and in general the better first Party lineup. Just the right price wont be enough.

We also dont know how many Scorpios MS will be able to ship...so stock might be an issue while Sony will pump them market with a high amount of Slim/Pro consoles and is ready for very attractive Black Friday deals/bundles.

Price probably wont be a issue for Switch but the shortages, so this could help out MS if peole cant get their hands on a Switch. With Mario O (if it delivers) they have a big seller in place for November...and if the rumors are right Pokemon might hit Switch even bevor November. So yeah Sony/Nintendo will more or less be in beast mode by the Holidays...so MS needs a really solid e3.

MS always have strong Brand recognition in the US. Regardless any marketing deal and exclusives, they definitely would perform really well during holiday season. That's why price point is really important especially during holiday where people really price sensitive. Of course the momentum thereafter is where the fights really begin, They could push all their exclusives to Jan-April period.

Switch would definitely perform really well as every Nintendo Handheld did. I wouldn't worried about shortage, they have more than enough times to prepare.

But yeah its really questionable on the Scorpio standing right now. Is it to maintain the status quo or is it to capture wider range of audience.



Exciting times ahead.
 
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