Xbox Ends 2002 As Fastest-growing Console Debut Ever

PuPPeT · 01-20-2003, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Xbox Outsold GameCube By 2:1 Over Festive Season

LONDON, 20th January 2003 — Based on industry-standard, independent statistics from research firms Chart-Track (1) and GfK (2) XboxTM, the future generation video game system from Microsoft, has established itself as the clear number two player in the region (3). This makes Xbox the fastest growing debut console ever, against some well-equipped, long-standing competition with a great heritage in this market.

Chart-Track and GfK numbers for the 2002 calendar year indicate that Xbox has well exceeded the million-console mark in the UK, France, and Germany alone. This, combined with strong sales in the rest of the region, places Xbox well ahead of Nintendo's GameCube. Based on the figures from Chart-Track and GfK during the key retail month of December, Xbox outsold GameCube by a factor of 2:1. This phenomenal result clearly established Xbox as the number-two player in the region heading into 2003.

European gamers showed their support for Xbox in huge numbers with near sell-out sales of the console in the region. The Sega Christmas Pack from Xbox, a limited edition Xbox Christmas offer that included €120/£80 worth of triple-A games from Sega for free, also proved a winner with gamers across Europe. Many stores sold out of stock before Christmas.

"We are pleased that this Christmas was the Xbox-green we predicted," said Neil Thompson, Director of Marketing, Xbox Europe. "Our increasing market share is great news for us. The steady increase in Xbox gamers over the year proves our strategy of offering consumers exactly what they wanted has paid off - a well-priced console, with more power than any other console on the market, a killer games portfolio and a built-in broadband adapter for instant online gaming with Xbox LiveTM. The choice gamers had to make at Christmas was a tough one but the numbers show that Xbox was the first choice for a significant number of people. We are looking forward to seeing our number two position in the market going from strength to strength."

An Xbox-Green Christmas
"Xbox launched in Europe less than a year ago and our first Christmas in the region has seen us clearly emerge as the number two player. Xbox-only games such as Splinter Cell clearly demonstrate the advanced hardware features on the Xbox and have sold incredibly well," said Thompson. "Other games that have fired the imagination of gamers include cross-platform games such as Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, FIFA 2003, and Colin McRae Rally 3 – these titles have proved the Xbox Difference and enjoyed remarkable sales. Over 250 new titles will be available this year, so 2003 will bring even more must-have titles for Xbox.

"Consumers know that when they buy Xbox they are buying something that is offering amazing features and abilities that really sets Xbox apart from the competition," said Thompson. "A built-in hard disc, together with unrivalled graphics and Dolby 5.1 surround sound, revolutionary gameplay, and top-quality DVD playback, lets gamers get even more from their Xbox"

The Xbox Difference is further amplified by the advent of Xbox Live, launching in eight countries across Europe on 14th March, Xbox owners can look forward to the future of gaming, both online and off. The Live Test Drive currently taking place in France, Germany and the UK has been a huge success, with literally thousands of gamers signed up to participate and enjoying a unique experience.

Yves Guillemot, President, UbiSoft Entertainment, added, "We believe that this Christmas has really established Xbox in the minds of European gamers as a powerful and strong-selling console, able to bring to market some of the best games around, such as Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell. As a developer we believe that gamers can only benefit from this kind of healthy competition and the sales over Christmas indicate that gamers believe that too."

Ok I know theres a post like this before but it's still nice.

Dyne · 01-20-2003, 12:22 PM

I've heard the Dreamcast, the GBA, the Gamecube, and even the PS2 claim that title. I don't believe any of them.

Besides, I thought GBA owned everyone in that respect currently.

Perfect Stu · 01-20-2003, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dyne
I've heard the Dreamcast, the GBA, the Gamecube, and even the PS2 claim that title. I don't believe any of them.

Besides, I thought GBA owned everyone in that respect currently.

console debut

meaning the PSone would fit into that category...the NES, the GB, the SMS etc.

PS2, DC, GC, GBA wouldn't apply

right?

Dyne · 01-20-2003, 12:55 PM

Oh bloody hell.. this is just for Europe. These giants will say anything to boost their ego. Meanwhile, in Japan, they got their asses whipped. But they're afraid to say that.

Professor S · 01-20-2003, 03:00 PM

Uh, they've admitted they've not done well in Japan several times in several press releases. Also, the first line clearly states "LONDON" and it refers to European sales alone throughout the article. I see no try at deception on MS's part... maybe on PuPPets though

Dyne · 01-20-2003, 03:23 PM

No, they're afraid to say that in the same article.

"Well... here in Urope, we had teh "best rise ever". Now here, it's teh good. Oh yeah, we we suck **** over in japan. Go us!"

I think their lopsided-ness is eventually going to kill them.

Professor S · 01-20-2003, 03:59 PM

Dyne, lets not be biased. EVERY console company does the same thing. Don't isolate MS as the sole proprietor of "spin" in their press releases. If its going to hurt MS its going to hurt Nintendo too.

Example: Nintendo just released that they have shipped 10 Million consoles world wide. Now by yourt reasoning they should have included that they have shipped that many, but sold far less and are getting crushed in Europe. They didn't, and there is no problem with that. They are a console company trying to make money and trying to give the consumer as positive a view of their future as a company as possible.

So is MS, and there is no problem with that.

Dyne · 01-20-2003, 04:04 PM

My point is, I'm sick and tired of hearing these damn numbers. It's like they have nothing better to do than count (or estimate) console sales and game sales, globally announce it, and increase their ego. I wake up some days and the only damn news I see is numbers. It's all pointless. I don't give a damn anymore. It's especially increased between Nintendo and Microsoft because they are almost head to head. Numbers, after numbers, after numbers. The only truth right now is, Sony is first, Nintendo is Second, and Microsoft is 3rd. Global. I don't care about regions. Global is the only number that you'll ever need. I don't think casual gamers will be influenced by Xbox/GCN sales releases anyways; if they like a game, they'll buy the console, and then the game.

However, I'm still slightly interested in Game Sales. It's nice to see what the hottest games are.

Bond · 01-20-2003, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dyne
My point is, I'm sick and tired of hearing these damn numbers. It's like they have nothing better to do than count (or estimate) console sales and game sales, globally announce it, and increase their ego. I wake up some days and the only damn news I see is numbers. It's all pointless. I don't give a damn anymore. It's especially increased between Nintendo and Microsoft because they are almost head to head. Numbers, after numbers, after numbers. The only truth right now is, Sony is first, Nintendo is Second, and Microsoft is 3rd. Global. I don't care about regions. Global is the only number that you'll ever need.

However, I'm still slightly interested in Game Sales. It's nice to see what the hottest games are.

Microsoft themselves do not count the numbers, independent research firms do. And there is a little thing called stocks which sometimes go up when positive news is announced.

bobcat · 01-20-2003, 04:14 PM

I'd like to see the Japan figures for Ps2, GC and Xbox

Bond · 01-20-2003, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bobcat
I'd like to see the Japan figures for Ps2, GC and Xbox

You can find and/or post them yourself.

PuPPeT · 01-21-2003, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dyne
No, they're afraid to say that in the same article.

"Well... here in Urope, we had teh "best rise ever". Now here, it's teh good. Oh yeah, we we suck **** over in japan. Go us!"

I think their lopsided-ness is eventually going to kill them.

Umm but this article was not done by Microsoft or any of its press offices. It was done by Games Press who asked Microsoft to comment on there European sales.

It would be real stupid to ask them about European sells then go on about Japan!!!

GameKinG · 01-21-2003, 10:07 AM

Well, it helps that the industry is much bigger now. When PSX arrived, nobody cared, they wanted the next Nintendo. By the time that arrived people wanted PSX. Both cause for small launch. And before them console were a little slower in big sales. But yeah...not much competition there.

But if they had said of any console, well that would just be a lie.

Dyne · 01-21-2003, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PuPPeT
Umm but this article was not done by Microsoft or any of its press offices. It was done by Games Press who asked Microsoft to comment on there European sales.

It would be real stupid to ask them about European sells then go on about Japan!!!

Whatever.