In response to the latest
console hardware sales numbers reported by NPD Group, Sony contacted DailyTech and other media with its own
internal data on PlayStation 3 sales.
According to Sony’s data, PS3 sales have increased by more
than 135 percent at the company's top five retailers since the new $499 price was announced
two weeks ago on July 9.
The surge in PS3 sales helped to send total PlayStation
hardware up 161 percent, software up 15 percent and peripherals by 60 percent.
"The new price on the 60 GB PS3, coupled with our very
strong software showing from E3, is certainly paying dividends in terms of
impressive sales across the board at retail," said Jack Tretton, president
and CEO, SCEA.
Tretton continued by outlining the upcoming lineup of
promising PS3 software: "This jump in sales bodes very well for us heading
into the fall as we launch an impressive arsenal of hardware and software,
leading off with the new 80 GB PS3 in August along with the unveiling of highly
anticipated games such as Lair and Warhawk. That will be followed by Heavenly
Sword in September and six more exclusive first-party PS3 games in October,
including Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction."
Overall console sales in June saw an increase across the
board for all systems. PS3 sales were up 21 percent over May's figures, with
98,469 units sold at retail. Furthermore, PSP was up 31 percent year-over-year,
selling 290,108 units at retail, while PlayStation 2 once again remained one of
the best-selling consoles on the market, with unit sales of 270,763 for the
month, up an impressive 44 percent from May.