Whenever there’s a new generation of consoles. there’s always a transitional period, where developers and publishers keep supporting the older consoles, thanks to the much larger install base. That and the fact that people still buy tons of games on older platforms. The transition, this time, might be a little shorter though; people aren’t buying many games on last gen systems.
According to gaming retail giant Gamestop, they’ve seen "greater than expected" declines in sales of games for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Is it because people are buying next gen games in droves?
The new consoles have, quite obviously, driven a 99.8 per cent increase in new hardware sales compared to the previous year (in which no new consoles were released), but software sales on those platforms weren’t enough to offset lower sales on the older platforms.
According to Gamestop, sales results for the nine-week holiday period ended January 4, 2014, software sales overall were 22.5 per cent down on the previous year. People aren’t buying PS3 and Xbox 360 games,and there aren’t enough games for the new systems, or people to buy them to make up the deficit.
It could mean we have a much shorter transition between the last gen and this new one. Console gamers have probably become quite tired of sub-HD jaggy graphics with no anti-aliasing and are just waiting for the right time (ie: the right games to come along) to jump in to the next gen.
What games would get you to grab a new console?
Last Updated: January 15, 2014
Mike
January 15, 2014 at 12:34
Well the reason I’m not buying games on my ps3 is because of ps+, a large backlog of games and the games I’m interested in also have next gen console versions. So I would rather buy those.
Ricardo Harvey
January 15, 2014 at 13:17
Me 2, also that ps plus is so good that you might not need to buy games, like ever. How is Sony pulling this off?
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
January 15, 2014 at 12:37
I think the big game buy rush is done. Everyone now knows what it feels like to sit with a backlog… Also Steam is probably going to start eating into this market soon.
ElimiNathan
January 15, 2014 at 13:39
Yup just keep an eye out on the game you want this year and buy it, inbetween that time just play wateva you get for free on PS+ or catch up on backlog, very good point you have there
Umar digs KOS-MOS
January 15, 2014 at 12:38
With so many great games still on the way I find it weird it has decreased at such a rapid rate….Is graphics really that important? I mean that’s all the appeal to next gen at this moment in time is it not? Or did gamers buy a next gen console to experience the next evolution of gameplay with the Fighter Within?
Nothing , for me at least, would make me go next gen this year, not even Watch Dogs which I can play on PS3 or PC…
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 15, 2014 at 12:39
Umar on PC?
Umar digs KOS-MOS
January 15, 2014 at 13:05
Lol yes I do have a PC which I play games on. Not the best of PCs though. Last game I could run really well was Dark Souls (I played this version the most) and Tomb Raider
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 15, 2014 at 12:38
“What games would get you to grab a new console?”
Half Life 3, but only on SteamBox 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 15, 2014 at 13:18
I’d grab a new console for Witcher 3, but only to move it out the way so I can reach the PC version.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 15, 2014 at 13:19
Awww yeah!
TiMsTeR1033
January 15, 2014 at 12:39
The reason for the decline is there are few must have games on Xbox 360 and Ps3.. The last big games were Last of us and Gta V besides those nothing much is on the horizon sad to say.. I myself am gonna be getting many of the games I missed and play those until I can afford a next gen console.. Second sun alone would make me want to get a ps4.. but right now the prices are hectic after a price drop or some much needed bundles which include extra controller and games then I will be looking at next gen.. for now I can wait.
Kromas
January 15, 2014 at 12:40
Steam X-Mas Sale stole all the gamers money and that is why console sales have dropped.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
January 15, 2014 at 12:44
That’s what I wanted to say
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 15, 2014 at 12:44
hahaha
Hammersteyn
January 15, 2014 at 12:55
Seems not only I am draadsitter then.
RinceThis2014
January 15, 2014 at 12:42
I want to grab a PS3 and a new Xbox Slim when the prices come down!
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 15, 2014 at 12:45
XBox can’t be slim, they are dom!
Hammersteyn
January 15, 2014 at 12:55
hehe
TiMsTeR1033
January 15, 2014 at 12:45
not worth getting a xbox slim, rather get a ps3. prices wont come down THAT much..
RinceThis2014
January 15, 2014 at 12:48
I need a new one man. Not sure how much longer the one I have will last…
TiMsTeR1033
January 15, 2014 at 12:50
Id finish my games I have while still works and then get ps3.. or get ps4. but if you still wanna carry on with xbox 360 games then yeah a slim will be best bet.. I wish I had one too!
RinceThis2014
January 15, 2014 at 12:53
I don’t only want to finish games then move on. There are plenty of games I will revisit, games that I want to play online etc. I won’t be going next gen for a while and my Xbox has served me very well. I will get a PS3, but only when the price drops.
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
January 15, 2014 at 14:18
I had a 360 which packed up recently. You’d be better off with the PS3, the exclusives are amazing! Most of which I didn’t play coz the PS3 also packed up 😀
fred
January 15, 2014 at 12:56
We would buy more .. if the pricing allowed. Still paying installments on the shiny new black boxes doesn’t help either , and ps+ type services will add to to decline in retail sales.
TiMsTeR1033
January 15, 2014 at 12:57
I take it you bought a ps4..
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
January 15, 2014 at 14:17
Also digital sales may account for it..
But the PSN prices are outrageous!! R900 for most PS4 games is bullshit.
Hammersteyn
January 15, 2014 at 13:03
All I know is I didn’t have shit for cash after I bough my PS4,Killzone and a second controller. So that’s obviously the reason.
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
January 15, 2014 at 14:16
How is KZ?
Hammersteyn
January 15, 2014 at 14:39
It’s very pretty and has a lot of nifty features that incorporates the touchpad but I agree with the LAGZ review wholeheartedly. 7.5
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
January 15, 2014 at 14:50
Cool! I’ll live with BF4 for now.. If I can pull myself away from ACIV!
Wraith
January 15, 2014 at 14:25
There’s no split-screen in KZ right? So what would you need the second controller for?
Hammersteyn
January 15, 2014 at 14:38
Hehe, the ones battery charges while I use the other.
Wraith
January 15, 2014 at 14:43
Lol. I hope the battery life is longer than a single play session. Otherwise I don’t see the need for two controllers at the moment :).
Hammersteyn
January 15, 2014 at 14:45
Disable the rumble feature for a start.
DrKiller
January 15, 2014 at 14:03
Have you guys seen the random guy on My Broadband asking for second hand Xbox One games? He lives in CPT.
Edit: This guy – http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/587955-wanted-Xbox-One-Games
Anon A Mouse
January 15, 2014 at 14:32
Backlogs and digital sales are the main contributor after new consoles me thinks. I’m not buying any new games until I’ve played all the games I have bought and still have to play. (Only 2 and a half games to go, I think)
Deano
January 15, 2014 at 14:50
I think people are saving to buy next gen consoles and therefore are’nt buying much else.
MakeItLegal
January 15, 2014 at 15:51
Moving on to pc news ….. Ha ha , bait
CypherGate
January 15, 2014 at 16:41
New Mass Effect is my main anticipation and Witcher 3 definitely.
iPrimal
January 15, 2014 at 22:05
Has no one considered the fact that Gamestop just sucks more?
weird will
January 16, 2014 at 08:08
I think its just the crazy prices of new games that drive people away .People I have spoken to all agree why pay so much when they would rather wait and get it second hand for a fraction of the price . The only games I buy new is the f1 but even that has shot up in price drastically .
YLODPS3Fix
January 16, 2014 at 13:11
I really want to know what is the reason behind this.
Zubayr Bhyat
January 16, 2014 at 14:01
TBH the main thing I’m not liking about next-gen are the console prices. R6k for a new console is asking for alot.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 17, 2014 at 11:46
Kewl header