Economy affecting video game sales in Japan

[engmsf]

http://www.edge-online.com/news/ps3-sales-falling-further-japan

The Japanese game industry had recorded a terrible sales performance for the week ending Oct 12. One week on, and sales figures are looking healthier for nearly all consoles in Japan, yet the PS3 is sinking further still.

Famitsu’s latest sales predictions show that the new PSP-3000 has boosted sales of the PSP hardware family from 23,901 last week to 156,000 for the week ending Oct 17. It is believed that the 3000 version of the handheld is responsible for at least 140,000 of that total figure.

The PlayStation 3, however, has continued its downward sales slide in Japan. After recording a sales figure of 5,734 last week (a 1,498 drop from the previous week), the Famitsu estimates suggest that the PS3 has dropped again, with the console only managing to shift a lame 4,800 units. That figure puts it 1,200 units behind the Xbox 360, which is now widening the margin between the two.

Famitsu estimates follow:

PSP: 156,000
DS Lite: 34,000
Wii: 25,000
PS2: 7,800
360: 6,000
PS3: 4,800

[Emancipated]

They only sell a few thousand units a week? How many million gamers are in Japan? Damn.

[sfu_lifer]

http://www.edge-online.com/news/ps3-sales-falling-further-japan

The Japanese game industry had recorded a terrible sales performance for the week ending Oct 12. One week on, and sales figures are looking healthier for nearly all consoles in Japan, yet the PS3 is sinking further still.

Famitsu’s latest sales predictions show that the new PSP-3000 has boosted sales of the PSP hardware family from 23,901 last week to 156,000 for the week ending Oct 17. It is believed that the 3000 version of the handheld is responsible for at least 140,000 of that total figure.

The PlayStation 3, however, has continued its downward sales slide in Japan. After recording a sales figure of 5,734 last week (a 1,498 drop from the previous week), the Famitsu estimates suggest that the PS3 has dropped again, with the console only managing to shift a lame 4,800 units. That figure puts it 1,200 units behind the Xbox 360, which is now widening the margin between the two.

Famitsu estimates follow:

PSP: 156,000
DS Lite: 34,000
Wii: 25,000
PS2: 7,800
360: 6,000
PS3: 4,800

You mean narrowing the gap between the two. PS3 is way ahead in Japan last I checked. So 360 is becoming a somewhat respectable name. Who would've thunk it after consistently poor sales for 3 years.
Amazing it's been nearly 7 weeks in a row it's outsold the PS3. The Japanese are consistently know for having fiscal restraint. I doubt we'll see such radical changes with the NA numbers.