Microsoft and Sony Spin the GTA 360 to PS3 Ratio
Posted by Chris on Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 at 2:28 pm under Game Companies, Game Consoles, Game Platforms, Games, Grand Theft Auto, Microsoft, Microsoft, Rockstar, Sony, Sony
Okay, so if GameStop is any indication of how the rest of the retailers in the U.S. sold Grand Theft Auto IV, Microsoft saw its system cash in on 64% of sales for Rockstar’s game, while Sony only got 36% of the love in the game’s first week. But, as the numbers show, the PlayStation 3 actually had the better performance when you compare the number of systems that have been sold. (Thanks to Level Up for doing all the math so I didn’t have to.)
After reaching out to both Microsoft and Sony, Level Up got two very different takes, as you’d expect.
Microft’s Aaron Greenberg (the same one that ripped the PS3 recently) had this to say:
I think many people have been surprised to see how well GTA IV is selling on Xbox 360 given the history of the franchise. These sales results add GTA IV to a long list of franchises that have switched over from Playstation to find a new home on Xbox 360 similar to what happened last year with titles like Madden and Guitar Hero. As you have covered on Level Up in the past, the majority of third party franchises are being developed first on our platform so they end up playing best on Xbox 360 and when you combine that with Xbox Live, we expect this trend to continue as more multiplatform releases hit the market. With that said, it is fantastic to hear that we beat PS3 two to one on Grand Theft Auto sales from a major retailer like GameStop.
Sony marketing VP Peter Dille offered this take:
GameStop probably does a little bit better with the early adopter crowd. There’s a larger installed base right now on Xbox 360 than on PS3. So it’s not surprising that there’s going to be more selling on Xbox 360 than PS3. Having said that, we’re really excited about the ratio. If I had an installed base advantage of 3-1, I wouldn’t be crowing too much about a 60-40 sales advantage. We think it’s not as high as what GameStop’s telling you, if you look at [the full picture on] the national level. They’re outselling us, but not by that same margin, and it’s because of their installed base lead. With an installed base lead that’s close to 3-1, if you’re bragging about a 60-40 software split, it’s clear evidence that the Playstation 3 consumer is overindexing on GTA IV, and the Playstation brand loyalty that we’ve been talking about is bearing itself out in the marketplace as we speak.
Dille’s right, as the numbers proved, but does anyone else find it funny that for once Sony is actually using its smaller install base as an argument in their favor?
via Level Up
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May 13th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Sony: "Boo Hoo There are more Xbox 360's out in the wild and that's why they beat us…..Boo Hoo"
Microsoft: "Dude we won, get over it"
Sony: "Our fans love us more than your fans love you….Boo Hoo"
Go Marlins!!!!
May 13th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Man of teal shut up u fukin geek.
May 13th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Oh dear God, if you really exist, please ban all these fanboys!
May 13th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
…either way, gta4 is selling more for 360.
May 13th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I am not a fanboy. I cannot be a fanboy when I own all current gen systems…..which means I have every right to break down the arguments given by both Microsoft and Sony above into more simple language…..which is all that I have done.
Now if Sony fanboys don't like that then I guess they are just finding out that the truth hurts….not my fault.
Go Marlins!!!!
May 13th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
All fanboys should burn in hell… ps/xbox/nintendo fanboys, windows/linux/mac fanboys, amd ati/nvidia fanboys… all of them… I'm tired and pissed off so don't mind me
May 13th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Yeah, the whole "attach rate" nonsense is only used by those who sell fewer actual units. Do you think that Rockstar gives two shits that 360 has an install advantage? Hell no. All they care is which platform moves more of their software, and in this particular case it was clearly the 360 moving the most software.
May 13th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I don't know why anyone bothers being a fanboy anymore. Unless you're an idiot, you can easily find out what system is better for you. Choosing a console all depends on what game types you like, and which system the majority of your friends own. All "fanboyism" is, is a person saying "My system is better because I like it better!" And anyone taking them seriously cannot be taken seriously.
May 13th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
I don't think the XB360 or the PS3 is "better". Each one has it's strengths, and each one has some pretty glaring weaknesses. I have a PS3 just because I wanted a Blu-Ray player, and I wanted a system that could play my PS2 games if and when I ever wanted to play them. Does this mean I give a crap which system has a "larger installed user base" or that I pay attention to "attach rates"? No. I really could care less unless those numbers mean I get cheaper games, which they don't. Things are too expensive these days to be a rabid, mindless fanboy.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:51 am
This is only for the u s and a right? We still have to wait for the rest of the world
May 14th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
i think it is very cool and i have the same thing and for ps3 it is a asom game and i willl like to play online with you my online id is mitchey128875 plz send me yours to add you if you have internet think you by. im at the mision when roman dies and the mishion i have to do with jacop after roman dies i still have not beat it et if you have mabey you can help me think you for your time bye bye. love gta 4
ps: add me as soon as you get this email and i will as you as soon as i have mine. think you
May 14th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
@jogo Yes, these numbers are only for the US.