Xbox 360 stays strong as other segments of industry struggle |
Register here for our next TechFlash Live networking event, March 23, featuring an expert panel discussing the future of online advertising.
Microsoft's Xbox 360 was the only current-generation game console to post a gain in U.S. unit sales in June, compared to the same month last year, according to numbers released today by the NPD Group research firm. The Xbox 360 posted sales of 240,600 units, up from about 220,000 units a year ago, the numbers show.
"We’re kind of the bright spot in the industry for game consoles," said David Dennis, an Xbox spokesman, discussing the results this afternoon. "We feel great about the trajectory and momentum."
[Follow-up: Xbox 360 scores five of top 10 U.S. console games in first half.]
The U.S. video-game industry overall posted sales of $1.17 billion in hardware, software and accessories for the month. That was down 31 percent from June of last year, according to NPD statistics.
Overall sales of video-game Sony's PlayStation 3 came in at 164,700 units, down from a result of more than 400,000 units a year ago -- although that past result was boosted significantly by the launch of "Metal Gear Solid IV," so the comparison isn't entirely fair.
Sales of Nintendo's Wii fell to 361,700 for the month, from more than 660,00 the same month last year, but NPD analyst Anita Frazier pointed out that the console is still doing well.
"While Wii sales are down from last year, the platform is still realizing very strong sales month after month," Frazier said in an email distributed by the research firm this afternoon. "Compared against historical performance of other systems this far into the console lifecycle, the unit sales performance is still strong."
In a statement distributed to the media, Nintendo noted that its dual-screen Nintendo DS continues to do well.
"In the United States in June, the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems combined to sell more than 766,000 units, more than all current-generation consoles combined, according to the NPD Group, which tracks video game sales in the United States. U.S. consumers purchased more than 424,000 Nintendo DSi systems and more than 342,000 Nintendo DS systems in June."
The Xbox 360 version of the game "Prototype" was the top seller in the U.S. for the month, with 420,000 copies sold, according to NPD.
Todd Bishop is co-founder and managing editor of TechFlash. He has covered Microsoft and the technology industry for more than five years, most recently as a daily newspaper reporter and blogger based in Seattle.
READ FULL BIOGRAPHYTechnology Tax Planning – Did You Take The Deduction?
Technology companies require professional advisors who can assist in all aspects of the business. The BDO Technology Practice provides a full range of services tailored to help address the changing needs of domestic and international companies. In addition to core audit and tax services, BDO professionals can assist technology companies with:
· Revenue recognition
· Business combination accounting
· R&D tax credits
· Compensation and benefits
· Business valuations
Backed by 38 national offices and an international network in 110 countries, we have the domestic and global footprint to serve growing technology companies. Contact sphilpott@bdo.com (audit partner), mreeves@bdo.com (audit partner), psmith@bdo.com (tax partner), tzambito@bdovaluation.us.com (valuation), tfiscus@bdo.com, Director, 206.624.2020
Join the Microsoft WebsiteSpark program and get software, support and visibility – at no upfront cost. You’ll benefit from fast and easy access to current Microsoft development tools, platform technology and server products including Visual Studio, Expression Studio, Silverlight, Windows Web Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 Web.
Seattle-based Adhost is a WebsiteSpark hosting partner providing dedicated servers with free Windows Web Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 licensing for three years to Web developers enrolled in WebsiteSpark. Servers are located in our secure data center with SAS 70 Type II certification, 24x7 technical support and 24x7 client access.