Oh look, it's the NPD report. You may have noticed that we skipped coverage of this over the past couple of months. Apologies for that, but the NPD has changed the way it makes this information available. We used to get platform ordering for software sales and all sorts of other intel, but that can only be accessed by paying members now. More to the point, it's included some digital sales data, but it's such a small subset of info that we can't even be arsed to research what is and isn't incorporated. Sloppy journalism.
Anyway, the Xbox One won the hardware battle in the United States in August, as was the case in July also. Last month saw the release of the slim model, of course, while it's also been clearing out stock of the older version of the console, so good on Microsoft for breaking Sony's streak. Hardware sales were still down six per cent year-over-year, however, which isn't amazing news – but software did increase by eight per cent, so there's that.
Speaking of software: Madden NFL 17 topped, while No Man's Sky came in at second. That's an incredible result for the Hello Games developed sci-fi title, and while we don't have access to any numbers, it finished above Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, which is frankly insane. Grand Theft Auto V, Overwatch, and all of the other usual suspects padded out the top ten, with Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege doing particularly well in sixth position.
And that's it. Welcome to the new NPD reports, people – we're not even going to grace them with a GIF image anymore. It'll be interesting to see whether the PS4 Slim can have the same impact in September as Microsoft's new machine – it's looking unlikely given that most interest is centred on the PS4 Pro, which doesn't launch until 10th November.
NPD Software Top Ten: August 2016
- Madden NFL 17
- No Man's Sky
- Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Overwatch
- Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege
- Call of Duty: Black Ops III
- Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens
- Minecraft
- Destiny: The Taken King
[source venturebeat.com, via neogaf.com]
Comments 15
While the internet console warriors argue both good and bad for No Man's Sky, Hello Games and Sony are just kicking back and enjoying the $$$.
I wouldn't be surprised if MS takes September and maybe October too in the console market even though Sony has the Slim out this month.
Whilst it does offer a smaller size, I think the lack of any extra 'notable' features comparatively to the existing PS4, maybe even slightly less functional with the lack of 'optical' output, doesn't appear to offer the same future proofing of the XB1s (4k HDR player) or the PS4 Pro (4k gaming).
It will be interesting to see if this pans out. I do expect the PS4 Pro to sell well despite the lack of a 4K player - I just hope I don't regret my decision to buy early in 6-12 months time if Sony do bring out a PS4 Pro with a 4k Player...
@BAMozzy
I wouldn't be surprised if the Xbox One S has a long winning streak in North America. The One S is how you do a mid-gen refresh, Sony's plan, imo, seems pretty lame in comparison. It will be interesting to see though, maybe the mass market will take to the PS4 Pro more than the One S. If that happens, MS needs to turn the page on this gen and make the Scorpio the Xbox Two.
@BAMozzy Was just reading an interview with Jim Ryan before I saw your comment so thought I'd share: "One of the reasons behind Pro is for us to future proof ourselves in terms of the PS4 life cycle. Our audience is increasingly enjoying its video content through streaming services. We announced 4K initiatives with YouTube and Netflix, and obviously other conversations are on-going. In light of the future, we definitely see streaming as the way forward in terms of video."
Their stance could, of course, change — but it looks like they don't really see UHD Blu-ray as all that important.
@BAMozzy I think people are more bothered about the price then any extra features. People will just see "new PS4 at new low price" and that will enough.
Great to see NMS doing well if nothing else to just stick it to the haters. Xbox's recent success while good for them is also rather hollow considering many are just waiting for either PS4 slim or Pro, not to mention that there was only a few thousand units between them so right now Sony won't be losing any sleep.
@Gamer83 Personally I think Sony's plan is a much better way of doing a mid-term upgrade. Focus on the gamers and upgrade their gaming experience. All MS have effectively done with the slim is upgrade the player and a HDMI port (by doing this, the console can now run 4k media apps too - the same as my TV - and not made by MS/Sony). I know they 'tweaked' the power a whole 7% which has seen a 7% rise in frame rates (which equates to 1-2 frames at 30 fps and about 4-5 frames at 60fps) but overall game performance still can't even match a 'standard' PS4! It still has the lowest resolution and more importantly frame rates too. I know that in 1-2 games the XB1 may outperform the PS4 in certain situations but generally it can't compete in a direct comparison. That doesn't mean I think its bad as there are number of other factors involved in buying a console. I guess for those who spend more time watching movies than actual gaming, a 4k HDR Blurays is maybe more important.
Sony's upgrade benefits everyone! Those with a 1080p TV as well as those with a 4k HDR TV. MS's console really only benefits those with a 4k HDR TV and interested more in movies. Movie buffs though could be put off because the XB1 can't (at present) offer the full HD, Dolby Atmos or DTS-x sound that a dedicated Bluray can and is present on the discs.
@get2sammyb I think its PR BS. In exactly the same situation as MS, just by upgrading the HDMI port, the console can play 4K streaming content at NO extra cost - these apps are made and run by Netflix, Amazon etc and their HDR is poor and very limited too - much more so than the amount of HDR Blurays. Sony are also about to launch their first dedicated 4k HDR bluray player and we know that side of their business is struggling. What's most likely to impact sales of that? An upgraded console with a 4k HDR Bluray Player! For purists, a Bluray is the best way to watch HD and of course 4k HDR - the quality is significantly better! Its also not affected by the speed of your internet where as you need a decent connection to get 4k HDR. I know some that can't get 4k HDR streaming because their speed is insufficient so the Apps won't allow 4k HDR. Sony also have their own 'streaming' service so I can see that added to PS4 Pro and Sony selling a subscription - less competition if they don't add a 4k player! I personally think that Sony's decision was primarily about cost. It was also a decision about not cutting off revenue from its other side too. The 4k streaming was just PR BS.
Given the choice (as we are) of buying a console with an upgraded media player OR an upgraded gaming experience, I would choose gaming every time! I would of course have preferred to have both but at the moment, that is not available.
Sorry, but I am truly bummed that no mans sky is doing well. Its like quality doesn't matter.
Does this factor in returns? Curious the number of returns NMS had.
@BAMozzy Sony is totally right about streaming. Movies that I own I still often watch on Netflix because who can be bothered to go get the disc and physically put it in? I'm equally amazed at the number of ppl buying physical copies of games, though trade ins factor there.
I'm 100% sure that statement about streaming is based on solid market research and real data, real trends.
@Mega-Gazz I would never buy a digital game when a physical version exists. I also don't own a Netflix/Amazon etc subscription and in terms of 'quality', Bluray is far better! Comparing HD streaming with the comparative Bluray is maybe not that different - not enough of a quality difference and requires a lot less of a download speed than 4k HDR. As someone with a 4k HDR screen, Streaming really is playing catch-up in terms of quality and really doesn't do 4k HDR justice like a 4k HDR Bluray will.
I never trade-in either so that isn't a factor for me. I never had an issue with the 5 seconds or so it takes to switch a disc - I am not that lazy! In the 20 years we have used 'discs', I have never lost or damaged a disc to the point its unplayable either. Consoles have given up before my games have! I know that IF I ever had to sell my collection, its an Asset and worth a LOT more than if I bought digital - its virtually worthless and yet costs more too - just to save you a few seconds instead of getting up and swapping discs.
I am 100% sure that statement is pure PR BS to excuse the lack of a 4k HDR Bluray player. Its not exactly great to turn round and say the reason we didn't put one in is because we want you to buy a separate dedicated player and preferably the one we are about to release. Obviously the cost was a big factor too, keeping the 'Pro' under $400.
I very much doubt 'PS5' will be without a 4k HDR Drive
One S and reduced One will sell loads probably, I reckon we'll also see a sharp drop in PS4 sales until Pro. My guess anyhow. Not sure how many average consumers are going to wait a possible 12 months+ for a probably more expensive Scorpio. We'll see I suppose.
No Man's Sky just proves nobody really cares about reviews.
Congrats to NMS for being the non-shooter-sports-lego/minecraft game in a Western top ten.
My 2 August favorites are too niche to chart outside of Japan. KOF14 and Diva X.
@Gamer83 NMS sold a lot based on the initial hype, but the backlash has now hurt the game, HG, Sony, and possibly even the PS4 ecosystem. The poor Slim/Pro transition is also to blame. Sony has lost a lot of momentum in the past few months, but can they recoup it? PS4 Pro looks like Sony's "New 3DS" moment to me: they don't know what to do, so they put out that thing, and it ends up hurting them.
@Mahe
Saying NMS hurt the PS4 ecosystem is a bit of a stretch. As disappointing as it was there have been far worse games that haven't hurt other consoles. As for the Slim/Pro transition we'll have to see the end results before judging.
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