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[JuanLatino]

well this is the situation in germany (from August 2016)

Lifetime sales:
[PS4] 3,250,000 (3.2m according to the article, but a bit difference from the graph)
[WIU] 750,000
[XB1] 710,000


shouldn't be much different in Italy, Spain, France, etc. (apart from UK)

 

[Currygan]

Yeah, unfortunately this is true.

.

 

[ianpm31]

Sony has built up their Playstation brand worldwide for so long while providing a wide range of games from all genres. Xbox doesn't exist in a lot of peoples minds around the world

 

[OrbitalBeard]

It's been this way since the mid 90's.

 

[Succinct Verbosity]

Narrative games and Singstar.

Joking aside, I don't think you're wrong. Sony and Nintendo seemingly make games that appeal to western market beyond simple design. FPS will always be a huge genre -and one Microsoft typically dominates on consoles- but Europes reception to quickies games is far more viable than the United States.

I mean, not even FIFA marketing deals could elevate Microsoft in Europe.

 

[JP]

So, it's wrong to militaristic metaphors but it's OK to use "console wars" as a descriptor?

 

[Rncewind]

It's been this way since the mid 90's.

pretty much

i mean doesnt mean that nintendo and occasionally xbox dont have presence here but where i lived (germany and italy) gaming was always more associated with playstation then gameboy, so to speak

 

[protomouse]

DOn't underestimate the great sales network and retailer relationships. Where Nintendo (and Microsoft to a lesser extend) just goes "FUCK YOU!" to retailers, Sony actively works with them and in return demands great product placements. That shit pays off.

Where's your source for this?

Nintendo is, for one, is demonstrably creating incentives for people to visit retail stores. Popular collectibles like Amiibo (some of which are exclusive to certain chains), promoting their retail partners at gaming events (e.g. in-store demo stations), and not having a deluge of digital sales and give-aways. None of this rhymes with your assertion. They're very much working with retailers to have a great presence (again, a purpose of Amiibo is just that). Everyone is doing this.

What makes Sony different? You'd do well to remember that Sony, being a conglomerate that produces everything from clock radios to TV sets, is a much, much larger company at retail by definition. That's part of why they have had an advantage globally. They deal in larger product volumes, and have complementary products (such as TV sets and Hi-Fi systems) to which they can attach PlayStation. Going forward, and in addition to Amiibo, Nintendo only has one hardware product and category on the market. Their dealings with retailers hinges upon its success.

Furthermore, and anecdotal, but I have yet to walk into a single game/electronics store and notice what you describe.

 

[Psyrgery ES]

Here in Spain the term "La Play" was used to talk about any console in the market. I remember someone saying he had spent all day playing with "La play", which was how he called his OG Xbox.

The Xbox360 made a nice installbase throughout the last generation here, and then MS threw it all away with TV TV TV, DRM, and DVR stuff that nobody cared about, at least here.

Thanks Don Matrick, now MS no longers dubs their First party games into our language due to poor sales because of a very low installbase. And it's a shame bcause MS first party games have always had brilliant castillian dubbings.

 

[cucuchu]

I'm happy to see the console market thriving but I hope it can continue. While I have done most of my gaming on Playstation consoles since the original, I still hope Xbox can humble them a bit at least in NA. The harder each company can push each other, the better. Not like Sony has been slacking lately (my backlog just completely bottomed out this year) but I want to see them stay on top of their game.

 

[gtj1092]

Where's your source for this?

Nintendo is, for one, is demonstrably creating incentives for people to visit retail stores. Popular collectibles like Amiibo (some of which are exclusive to certain chains), promoting their retail partners at gaming events (e.g. in-store demo stations), and not having a deluge of digital sales and give-aways. None of this rhymes with your assertion. They're very much working with retailers to have a great presence (again, a purpose of Amiibo is just that). Everyone is doing this.

What makes Sony different? You'd do well to remember that Sony, being a conglomerate that produces everything from clock radios to TV sets, is a much, much larger company at retail by definition. That's part of why they have had an advantage globally. They deal in larger product volumes, and have complementary products (such as TV sets and Hi-Fi systems) to which they can attach PlayStation. Going forward, and in addition to Amiibo, Nintendo only has one hardware product and category on the market. Their dealings with retailers hinges upon its success.

Furthermore, and anecdotal, but I have yet to walk into a single game/electronics store and notice what you describe.

Nintendo created amiibos to help retailers?

 

[sechsterangriff]

In Portugal "playstation" is synonymous with videogames, just as "SEGA" was synonymous with videogames in the early 90's.
Portugal may be a small market, but playstation market-share has always been crazy high. The only exception to this was a brief period with the original Wii when it almost achieved parity with the PS3.
Also, treating each country as its own individual market with localized content and partnerships does matter. Microsoft does almost nothing in this regard, keeps focusing on the UK and some other bigger markets and unsurprisingly keeps under-performing.

 

[WordsintheWater]

The amount of people crying about the E3 timeslot is a little ridiculous. The time difference doesn't lend well to appeasing everyone, they are going to go with the best timeslot for the event for those living in the US because gasp the event takes place in the US. 6pm Pacific works because a good amount of people in the US are home from work in each timezone. They could have changed the day, but Sunday is pretty crowded right now.

 

[MTC100]

Yep, people buy PlayStation, no matter what, at least in Germany.

It's the same picture in the UK, and there you have Europes strongest gaming markets both buying Playstation like crazy, I think it was like that even with the PS3 when it was rather expensive still...

 

[Outrun]

Playstation is a impregnable fortress and Microsoft sends Major Nelson in a scorpion tank.

Hahahha,

Major Disappointment and General Apathy.

I jest.

 

[Kyry]

why are militaristic metaphors bad for anything describing competition.?

 

[Cindres]

It's the same picture in the UK, and there you have Europes strongest gaming markets both buying Playstation like crazy, I think it was like that even with the PS3 when it was rather expensive still...

You reckon? I would've said it was the 360, at least for a while, maybe later on with the PS3 slim and price drop but for a while there I'd have said it was Xbox land. Definitely PS4 nowadays though, anecdotally at least.

 

[c0de]

It's the same picture in the UK, and there you have Europes strongest gaming markets both buying Playstation like crazy, I think it was like that even with the PS3 when it was rather expensive still...

Well, at least last gen Microsoft dominated in UK so PlayStation winning is not as given as in other countries.

 

[MTC100]

The amount of people crying about the E3 timeslot is a little ridiculous.

Well it's a punch in the face to be honest, it will be held at 3am in Germany and other CEST countries. 2am for the UK doesn't sound too great either. It is beyond me why they didn't start about 3 hours earlier, also considering that their Press Conference will be 90-120 minutes long, meaning it will end at around 4am or 5am in the worst case scenario.

Sony doesn't even have an excuse, as 3 hours earlier wouldn't pose a problem for anyone(at least no one of their target audience) around the world and there aren't any collissions with other companies press conferences either.

 

[Doffen]

I'm shocked! With all the good marketing for Xbox One in tier 2 countries:

 

[OrbitalBeard]

Well it's a punch in the face to be honest, it will be held at 3am in Germany and other CEST countries. 2am for the UK doesn't sound too great either. It is beyond me why they didn't start about 3 hours earlier, also considering that their Press Conference will be 90-120 minutes long, meaning it will end at around 4am or 5am in the worst case scenario.

Sony doesn't even have an excuse, as 3 hours earlier wouldn't pose a problem for anyone(at least no one of their target audience) around the world and there aren't any collissions with other companies press conferences either.

Sony's conference time slot is "prime time" for Americans. Since E3 is a US expo, it's in their best interest to make the event as convenient for that audience as possible. The same goes for EU and Japanese events. While gaming is more global than ever, companies are always going to prioritize the market each expo is held in, regarding conference times.

 

[MTC100]

Sony's conference time slot is "prime time" for Americans. Since E3 is a US expo, it's in their best interest to make the event as convenient for that audience as possible. The same goes for EU and Japanese events. While gaming is more global than ever, companies are always going to prioritize the market each expo is held in, regarding conference times.

Maybe, but other companies(all but Bethesda) have much more convenient times for everyone involved(not in the middle of the night, destroying any sleep rythm you might have).

I guess in the end it doesn't really matter, as you can always watch the conference on youtube when you wake up. Which is what I will do, yet again, even though I'm on vacation for the whole week of E³.

 

[digoutyoursoul]

Don't care to be honest, if there is software I want to play on other platforms, I buy it. Never been one to stick with one platform throughout an entire generation.

 

[Auctopus]

I didn't think I used to mind Paul Ryan but these threads lately have made me rethink that.

 

[MDSLKTR]

Someone at Sony should maybe tell this guy to be quiet. He is not really doing them any favors in the PR department

He's dropping hard facts, salty boy

 

[cheesekao]

I didn't think I used to mind Paul Ryan but these threads lately have made me rethink that.

What exactly do you take issue with in his statement in the OP? Reactions to his BC comments are justified but this?

 

[OrbitalBeard]

Maybe, but other companies(all but Bethesda) have much more convenient times for everyone involved(not in the middle of the night, destroying any sleep rythm you might have).

They may be a bit more convenient, but they're still focused on the PT timezone. When Nintendo held their Switch event in January, it was at a time most convenient for the Japanese (it was showing at midnight where I live). When companies hold press conferences at Gamescom, they focus on times that are the most convenient for the European audience. This is just how it goes. It is literally impossible to hold a live event that is equally convenient for all major markets. For America, Sony actually has a better time slow than anyone else.

 

[Aostia]

Can confirm. Everything else seems niche in comparison, maybe other than Nintendo handhelds.

It has been Sonyland + N handhelnds since forever, with the Wii being an addition
let's see how the Switch will pan out
But in terms of MS vs Sony brands, in the home segment, only the UK with the 360 was able to see a real competition

 

[The Hermit]

FIFA & PES helps

 

[Devil]

I will always remember how the vast majority of people in Germany still flocked around the Playstation brand during the weird early days of the PS3 when elsewhere the 360 was the current go to console and for good reason.

I mean, it's their right to like whatever they want. But that made it clear to me that a lot of people don't even compare their options and just go with what they're used to.

Sony will always dominate over here, no matter what.

 

[Rncewind]

I will always remember how the vast majority of people in Germany still flocked around the Playstation brand during the weird early days of the PS3 when elsewhere the 360 was the current go to console and for good reason.

I mean, it's their right to like whatever they want. But that made it clear to me that a lot of people don't even compare their options and just go with what they're used to.

Sony will always dominate over here, no matter what.

I think this has especially to do with how the competition is in germany. Xbox/Microsoft is not really present when it comes to marketing and Nintendo is strong but if i compare my "observation" in france and in germany for example nintendo seems still be regarded far more "kiddy" in germany then in france or in italy where i lived. But like i said just an anecdote


PC Gaming is kinda strong here ( i think they are still shops who sell retail pc games here) but its still a niche compare to playstation

 

[RoadHazard]

Yeah. I don't know a single person who owns an XBO here in Sweden, it's just not in the conversation at all. This is the PS4 generation, through and through. Switch has decent hype as well though, at least amount the nerdier of my friends.

I'm betting that 3:1 ratio would be even higher if you don't count the UK.

 

[Shock32]

Someone at Sony should maybe tell this guy to be quiet. He is not really doing them any favors in the PR department

Why would you say that? What he said was perfectly fine.

 

[marmoka]

If Europe is so important for Sony, then somebody explain why the E3 conference it at 4am CET.

 

[Maximus P]

If Europe is so important for Sony, then somebody explain why the E3 conference it at 4am CET.

Why not. Europe is locked down. It's the Americans that are less brand loyal and need winning over.

It's a smart move, I'd do the same in Sonys position.

 

[oti]

I'm shocked! With all the good marketing for Xbox One in tier 2 countries:

.

I remember during launch there was a PS4 ad during EVERY SINGLE commercial break in Greece. In Greece!

 

[sechsterangriff]

If Europe is so important for Sony, then somebody explain why the E3 conference it at 4am CET.

Because it's mainly a SCEA event for an American audience?

 

[butman]

Here in South America is Sonyland too.

 

[RoadHazard]

Because it's mainly a SCEA event for an American audience?

It's for a global audience.

 

[tzare]

If Europe is so important for Sony, then somebody explain why the E3 conference it at 4am CET.

maybe because it is an american event? Dunno. There are a number of events in euroland during the year so no big deal. You will get the press coverage later on or can see the conference when you wake up just like i do myself.

I wonder why people talk about this sony land thing. I mean, do they act the same way for mobile, appleland, or other electronic devices??
People buy what they consider is the best option, so +20 years of consoles with good support is quite a good way to build customer loyalty

 

[Doffen]

I remember during launch there was a PS4 ad during EVERY SINGLE commercial break in Greece. In Greece!

PlayStation Europe knows what they are doing.

 

[OrbitalBeard]

It's for a global audience.

E3 is an expo created by the ESA, the trade association for the video game industry in the United States. So while E3 has become more global over time, it is still a US-focused event.

Guys, this isn't hard. I understand the frustration over inconvenient conference times if you're outside of NA, but it's not possible to create an equally convenient time slot for everyone on the planet.

 

[bede-x]

I thought Microsoft's XO sales were about half of PS4 sales, but if they're behind 2-1 in the territory they're doing best in, at least 3-1 in Europe and many to one in Japan, how far behind are they in total?

20-25 million XO vs 55-60 million PS4?

 

[Aceofspades]

The platform guarantee having 99% of all games + killer first party lineup, something you can't say about Nintendo and Xbox.

PlayStations ending up with most sales is just natural outcome of such diversity in games library.

 

[JamesHolden]

The fact that Europe supports PlayStation no matter the worth of the product each gen, where markets like the US seem to more accurately reward the brand that creates the better product each generation is telling. For the folks upset that Sony doesn't time it's E3 conference for Europeans, I'm sure they know you'll all still buy their products anyways because of the name on the box so why should they prioritize you?

 

[WordsintheWater]

Well it's a punch in the face to be honest, it will be held at 3am in Germany and other CEST countries. 2am for the UK doesn't sound too great either. It is beyond me why they didn't start about 3 hours earlier, also considering that their Press Conference will be 90-120 minutes long, meaning it will end at around 4am or 5am in the worst case scenario.

Sony doesn't even have an excuse, as 3 hours earlier wouldn't pose a problem for anyone(at least no one of their target audience) around the world and there aren't any collissions with other companies press conferences either.

3 hours earlier means people aren't home from work in the Pacific timezone for a regular work day. This is the best time for this in the United States where the event takes place, it's understandable why they're doing it this way. They can't please everyone. They could have chosen a weekend which would have potentially worked for everyone. But as far as the time is concerned it's set up nicely.

 

[Oreiller]

Here in France, I know more people who own a Vita or a Wii U than people who own a Xbox One. It's quite marvelous how Microsoft shat the bed with this console, the 360 sold pretty decently in comparison.

 

[antibolo]

You can just watch the conference the next day, you know.

 

[WordsintheWater]

You can just watch the conference the next day, you know.

This is what I did for Microsoft's conference last year it's not hard to avoid for a few hours if you don't want to be spoiled.

 

[Crayon]

I'm shocked! With all the good marketing for Xbox One in tier 2 countries:

WOW. I had no idea Sony put up ads like that.