PS3 has lowest console attach rate

By Robert Purchese Published 7 November, 2008

Xbox 360 owners still buy the most games.

There's still daylight between attach rates for market leader Xbox 360, and those on PlayStation 3 and Wii. But the margin is narrowing.

That's according to fresh figures calculated by the studious Gamasutra, which used recent Nintendo presentation figures and a mixture of known numbers and NPD data to arrive at a conclusion. The boffins.

As of September 2008, the site claims that there are 8.1 games sold for every Xbox 360, 5.5 games sold for every Wii, and 5.3 games sold for every PS3.

But the Xbox 360 has been on sale for 35 months, the cheat, while the other two have been around for 23 months. Compare all three over the latter amount of time and Xbox 360 attach rate falls to 6.5.

Microsoft has consistently bragged about the impressive Xbox 360 games to console ratio, recently announcing breaking the eight mark after September's NPD results.

But these figures should be taken with a pinch of salt, as calculations are based on the installed base of each console, an area that the Wii dominates, thus watering down the associated attach rate.

As of September 2008, Nintendo has sold 34.55 million Wii consoles, Microsoft has sold 22 million Xbox 360s, and Sony has sold 16.84 million PlayStation 3s.

US NPD sales for October 2008 should arrive on 13th November, and are expected to reveal a spike for Xbox 360 in light of the recent price cut.

The Top Global Markets Report, which should give an overview of UK, US and Japanese sales every month, was last published back in August. We hope a new one pops up soon.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (101) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • ryohazuki1983 #1 3 years ago

    True, if people are splashing out 300 for a console then are probably not got a hell of a lot to spare/willing to fork out for a load of games straight away, however if you buy a console for less than 200quid then it doesn't seem so bad buying a few games.

  • degville #2 3 years ago

    Yet third parties are making more money from the PS3.. damn statistics

  • lennon #3 3 years ago

    Wouldnt you expect the attach rate to fall as a console gets bought by more casual gamers who buy less games?

  • optimusprym8 #4 3 years ago

    I have both and whilst I sort of agree, I put it down to generally 360 versions of multi-platform titles being more stable, having achievements, being cheaper. Or that's why I pick up a 360 version rather than a PS3 version. Oh and I know far more people likely to also buy the title on 360 to play with / against, if having strong multiplayer elements. The only titles I own on PS3 is Buzz, Eye of Judgement and Little Big Planet.

  • DFawkes #5 3 years ago

    Does that include XBLA? Because if so I was responsible for about 4-5 peoples orth of games. Plus, how does pre-owned get figured? I'm sure these stats are just made up, but probably about right anyway.

  • Dizzy #6 3 years ago

    >Yet third parties are making more money from the PS3.. damn statistics

    Err??? That must be imaginary statistics.

    So Wii is actually lowest since it has the biggest installed base?

    >Does that include XBLA

    No
    Edited by 1 at 07/11/08 @ 11:13

  • DrDamn #7 3 years ago

    "But these figures should be taken with a pinch of salt, as calculations are based on the installed base of each console, an area that the Wii dominates, thus watering down the associated attach rate."

    Erm, what do you suggest they base it on? Kittens?

  • bad09 #8 3 years ago

    "I put it down to generally 360 versions of multi-platform titles being more stable, having achievements, being cheaper."

    This.

    Most of my Multiplatform is 360. I'll tell you this though in terms of exclusive titles Sony has been winning my wallet...

    / goes back to WipEoutHD and Siren.

  • Cronan #9 3 years ago

    Seems to me this should have been a 360 story.

    "Xbox 360 still has highest attach rate"

  • Darren #10 3 years ago

    This doesn't surprise me at all. I own all three consoles but buy 80% of my games for my 360 with the Wii (understandbly given the lack of decent games of late) getting the least. This isn't new though, I think anyone who owns multiple consoles will find that one tends to get the most use and games.

  • UncleLou #11 3 years ago

    "Then why fucking report it then. Journalistic integrity and professionalism? Not round these parts. "

    You could at least *try* to understand what the article says before posting a nonsense reply.

  • mcbi4kh2 #12 3 years ago

    >Does that include XBLA

    No



    does it include games off psn? What about ones that are also available as retail. Warhawk, GT5, Burnout, Siren etc.

  • chrisjm #13 3 years ago

    Garo, maths isnt your strongpoint is it

  • Thalanos #14 3 years ago

    @Aspic

    Attach rate figures are still very useful as a statistic. I think they were trying to say that the average number of games sold per person may not be a good way of saying which console is "winning the console war" if you are into such things.

  • j1m.ch053n #15 3 years ago

    The sony box is the most expensive and in general the cross platform games are slightly inferior. this is to be expected

    If sony were to lower the price to £200 - £220 I would expect the situation to equalise in due course.

  • muscleblade #16 3 years ago

    The numbers seem extremely low to me. I usually buy at least a couple of retail games every month on average. I am so different from other gamers. Looks like it.

  • Bigglesworth #17 3 years ago

    How are 360 games cheaper? I just compared a few on Amazon and they all seem to RRP & £50.

  • KayJay #18 3 years ago

    I personally cant make sense of this I have loads of frikken games for my PS3...

  • Fab4 #19 3 years ago

    How much extra do they have when they buy a battery pack for their controllers? Or if they want their 360 to be wirelessly connected? How much does a 360 user have to pay to upgrade their HDD to a measly 120Gb? And while many of you 360 zealots knock it, how much would a Blu-Ray player actually cost you?

  • DFawkes #20 3 years ago

    Thninknig about it, I own a whole lot of games. Since I have so many, to balance those out there must be people sitting with only 1 or 2 games.

  • LetsGo #21 3 years ago

    Well PS3 owners buy blue rays.

    360 owners buy HD dvds...

    oh wait..... maybe not! So they have a console where they can only buy games for? Oh lol!

  • Dr_Wadd #22 3 years ago

    The only games I`m going to get for the PS3 are those few worthwhile games that aren`t available on the 360, or should a miracle happen, if the PS3 version is actually better than the 360 version. Other than that I've absolutely no incentive to buy PS3 titles. Still, it makes a nice BluRay player.

  • chrisjm #23 3 years ago

    YRLY

  • Stuz359 #24 3 years ago

    Attach rate is a wierd one. According to statistics, despite the 360's superior attach rate, the Wii has still sold significantly more pieces of software than the 360.
    How dull are statistics though, just get on with the gaming

  • Eraysor #25 3 years ago

    I have a ton of games for my 360, but only three on the Wii because it sucks so badly.

  • tesco #26 3 years ago

    wow!
    who pays £50 for a game?! My advice is to pop in to your local supermarket. generally less than £40 a game.

  • drewman5150 #27 3 years ago

    I was actually under the impression when I got my 360 that I would use it for playing games, maybe I've missed the point of a games console...

  • thebaron #28 3 years ago

    I have the following number of games:

    XBOX 360 - too many - probably about 180 - no joke - I buy them cos of achievements - online - most of my friends have a 360 - and it just works
    PS3 - 20 - needs better online - stop bringing out updates every 2 weeks - for firmware and games
    Wii - 8 - gave up cos of quality and they are mostly for kids/family

  • seasidebaz #29 3 years ago

    So far, since getting my 360 (again), I've not spent more than £10 on a game.

    I've also only bought 1 new one (The Darkness for £10 from Currys... Bargain!) and about 10 pre-owned. Then traded them in a couple of days later once I've finished them.

  • Moonprince #30 3 years ago

    Jesus, that being the case:

    "But these figures should be taken with a pinch of salt, as calculations are based on the installed base of each console, an area that the Wii dominates, thus watering down the associated attach rate."

    These figures mean FA and the MS talk is pure bs...

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #31 3 years ago

    "But these figures should be taken with a pinch of salt, as calculations are based on the installed base of each console, an area that the Wii dominates, thus watering down the associated attach rate."

    "OK so basically the average X360 owner has one game more than Wii and PS3 owner.... cough, is this really newsworthy? "

    "Attach rate is a wierd one. According to statistics, despite the 360's superior attach rate, the Wii has still sold significantly more pieces of software than the 360.
    How dull are statistics though, just get on with the gaming"

    I can't believe how people get confused with attachment rates:

    A couple of points:

    The size of the install base is part of the calculation. It doesn't water anything down.

    The Wii can still be selling more software every month than the 360. If you have sold 20 millions consoles and only sell 1 game per console. And you have a 10 million selling console that has sold 2 games per console, you've sold the same amount of software!

    Attachment rate is useful at seeing how well a console is doing from software sales UP TO A POINT. If your competitor is selling many more systems than you they don't need to sell as many games per unit.

    That means the PS3 is in worse shape as not only are they selling less games per system but they also have the least number of systems.

    'Only' 1 game extra per system when you are 9 million consoles ahead is 9 million units of software more!

    Wii attachment rate is lower because casual gamers don't buy as many games. I know two friends that still only have Wii Sports.

    PS3 attachment rate is lower because no mater what you say there are lots of PS3s sold as 'primarily' BD players by casual/non gamers.

    360 attachment rate is higher because mostly gamers buy it. There is no other property of the system (at the moment) that will change that.

    Any comments on here about how you have X amount of games on you PS3 are, with respect, not the entire story. You're visiting and posting on a gaming site which implies that games are a hobby of yours. The extra, non-gaming, value of the PS3 to non-gamers have been well documented and that's why it sells less games per system.
    Edited by 1 at 07/11/08 @ 12:06

  • phycus #32 3 years ago

    I'd like to know where I can buy half a game from on the ps3? or does haze count?

  • miiiguel #33 3 years ago

    er... I completly destroy this statistics, as I own 76 retail 360 games. And why are you so defensive, claiming about Blu-Ray movies and all?

    Isn't that a fact that 360 is for the hardcore niche and stuff, I mean... do you want to rule them all?

    Yet again, I have plenty of work collegues that associate "games=Playstation+PES+NFS", that's a fact.
    Edited by 1 at 07/11/08 @ 12:10

  • Les #34 3 years ago

    It's a shame the euro is weakening due to the expected lowering of the interest rate. Import game prices have gone up 15 to 20%. Better to use a site that charges you in GBP if you're from the continent currently though I haven't managed to find one. E.g. play charges in euros if you're non-UK.

  • Les #35 3 years ago

    "Attach rate is also a bit misleading as its not going to take into consideration "invisible" sales like those from the used market."

    And let's not forget those filthy pirates.

  • Les #36 3 years ago

    "That means the PS3 is in worse shape as not only are they selling less games per system but they also have the least number of systems."

    True though you should also compensate for time on the market. In that regard, PS3 and 360 are performing about equally bad. In the end there's only one statistic that really matters: Those the investment in the platform generate a positive return. So far, that's only the case for the Wii.

  • menage #37 3 years ago

    Own both machines.

    Must admit I buy more 360 games, even the multi-platform ones, at the moment. It kinda differs on the game though. With GTA and SC4 I went for the PS3 version because of the more reliable machine. With Fallout 3 I chose the 360 version because it looks way better and has less bugs. I do think the PS3 is a bit of a letdown technically. But LBP and Wipeout make it a machine I'm happy with.


    Edited by 1 at 07/11/08 @ 12:19

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #38 3 years ago

    "Attach rate is also a bit misleading as its not going to take into consideration "invisible" sales like those from the used market. I'd say that while the average 360 owner is likely to have quite a lot more games than PS3/Wii owners, there'd also be a big difference putting PS3 owners above Wii owners mainly due to the type of games that are commonly sold second hand.

    It's not really misleading at all. Attach rate is a business tool not a fanboy " I own more games than you do" statistic. (I'm not calling you a fanboy)

    It's there to show that for every one of our consoles sold, we sell this many NEW games. Make games for our console and you'll sell more. (That's not the whole story as I've already mentioned, but self contained that's what it shows.)

  • niz #39 3 years ago

    The title of the article could have just as well been something like "Wii has by far the lowest third party attach rate".

    I think that's more interesting because people are always arguing whether third party games sell on Wii or not. For the most part, they don't. Of course the quality of the third party offerings has something to do with it, but I think it's worth asking why the quality of third party games on Wii is so bad when compared to PS3 and Xbox 360... maybe the publishers think that they won't sell anyway so why bother...chicken and egg?

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #40 3 years ago

    I forgot to mention that these particular attach rates are bollocks as they show the first 24 months of each console so they're not a good comparison. They should just show the full attach rate for each system! It's a bloody average. If you don't use the full amount of time a system has been on sale you don't get the TRUE attach rate.

    "True though you should also compensate for time on the market. In that regard, PS3 and 360 are performing about equally bad. In the end there's only one statistic that really matters: Those the investment in the platform generate a positive return. So far, that's only the case for the Wii."

    I'm not sure what you're saying. Extra time on the market favors a 360 attach rate. How? It's an average.

    Why are PS3 and 360 performing equally bad on attach rate? Have you got some proper stats and not the stupid 24 month period posted here?

    Again why are you sure that the Wii is the only system generating a positive return. Even if it was that doesn't benefit the publishers does it? Selling games does. You could sell at a £200 loss and as long as the publishers are selling lots of games they don't care. That's what Attach rate is for.



  • miiiguel #41 3 years ago

    Space, mate, what Les is always trying to say, *always,* is that MS is in deep shit and Linux is taking control.

  • dr_faulk #42 3 years ago

    I've never bought as many games for a system as I have with the 360.

  • michaelius #43 3 years ago

    So i guess most of that attach rate must be coming from Microsoft published games ?
    Becouse most of 3rd party devs are reporting similar or higher profits from ps3 than x360 ?

  • Xerx3s #44 3 years ago

    Err, htf is the ratio related to time. It is the average amount of games sold to a machine. The only relevant numbers are number of sold machines to number of sold games.

  • Les #45 3 years ago

    "I'm not sure what you're saying. Extra time on the market favors a 360 attach rate. How? It's an average."

    I wasn't really clear, was talking about number of consoles sold. But if attach rate isn't adjusted to time on the market (normally it's just number of games sold in lifetime / number of consoles sold in lifetime), the machine longest on the market will be favoured because people in general have more games for a console they've owned for 2 years than they have for one they've owned for 1 year.

    And there's the effect of budget releases. Longer on the market means more older and cheaper games. Can also lead to on average more games sold though it doesn't necessarily mean more revenue.

    "Even if it was that doesn't benefit the publishers does it?"

    Short term, not really. Long term, definitely. If you can't make money with manufacturing and selling consoles in the long run, there won't be consoles and thus fewer platforms to publish your games on.

  • Arwin #46 3 years ago

    I bought Burnout on PSN and Wipeout on PSN, two games that don't show up in the statistics, but seem to be quite popular. ;)

    Wait, I forgot Warhawk, which is also basically a shop release equivalent (and is also available in shops) and maybe even more popular. So make that three. ;)
    Edited by 1 at 07/11/08 @ 12:57

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #47 3 years ago

    Err, htf is the ratio related to time. It is the average amount of games sold to a machine. The only relevant numbers are number of sold machines to number of sold games.

    =]

    Exactly what I've been trying to say (with slightly more words unfortunately.)

  • UncleLou #48 3 years ago

    "The title of the article could have just as well been something like "Wii has by far the lowest third party attach rate".

    I think that's more interesting because people are always arguing whether third party games sell on Wii or not. For the most part, they don't"

    A console that is selling faster will have a lower attach rate. Everybody who buys a new console lowers the rate.

    The simple "low attach rate = people don't buy games" conclusion is a fallacy.
    Edited by 1 at 07/11/08 @ 13:08

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #49 3 years ago

    *bangs head against brick wall*

    "A console that is selling faster will have a lower attach rate. Everybody who buys a new console lowers the rate. "

    Only if they don't buy fucking games for it - WHICH IS THE WHOLE POINT!

    Also... ;)

    Just to throw this out there...how comes the SDF, when talking about total numbers of 360's sold, always bang on about it not being a true figure due to RRODlol. If that's true (they argue it is) then the actual number of real 360s sold is lower. THAT gives the 360 an even greater attach rate!

    The SDF can't have it both ways.

    /runs

  • MrGilder #50 3 years ago

    Well, doesn't look that way in my game collections, i currently seem to have more PS3 games than i do 360 (about 3/1)...

  • teabagger #51 3 years ago

    Odd. I always choose the PS3 version over 360 due to the fact I can't hear myself think with the 360 turned on. The only reason I've still got it was because I wanted to play Fable2 and GOW2.

  • layleeloo #52 3 years ago

    This thread and forum is definate proof people will argue about anything on the internet.

    Who gives a stuff abuot this topic? Does any of it matter? Nope...

  • DrDamn #53 3 years ago

    @SpaceMidget75
    I was going to raise the whole RROD thing too :).

    @UncleLou
    Did you even wave to "the point" as you gleefully sailed past it?

  • Xerx3s #54 3 years ago

    SpaceMidget75: Forget it mate. I think some people don't get the definition of attach ratio. Instead of posting here, unleash you rage on our online sessions of gow2. That I'm going to pick up right now. That will increase the attach ratio.

  • Luvbeers #55 3 years ago

    All I have to say is that I feel sorry for the people who only have 1-3 games to bring down the average of people who have 10+

  • seasidebaz #56 3 years ago

    You're not a true gamer until you throw Attach Rate into turmoil.

    I have owned about 100 Xbox360 games.
    I have owned about 100 PS3 games.
    I have owned about 40 Wii games.

    Current owning figures:
    Xbox360: 5.
    PS3: 1.
    Wii: 1.

    Now please work out my attach rate.

  • des #57 3 years ago

    Wii attach rate>PS3 attach rate

    Interesting,piracy on 360, Wii is booming like crazy and attach rates are growing.

  • siro #58 3 years ago

    If you take the many people copying their Wii and 360 games, the PS3 looks even worse.

    I'm not sure how many 360 games I have right now, but it's between 20 and 25. I always sell them when I'm finished though and got most 2/3 used, so I'm not *that much* above the attachment average actually.

    Edit: Should have refreshed before des wrote his comment. :)
    Edited by 1 at 07/11/08 @ 14:40

  • muscleblade #59 3 years ago


    "Own both machines."

    "Must admit I buy more 360 games, even the multi-platform ones, at the moment. It kinda differs on the game though. With GTA and SC4 I went for the PS3 version because of the more reliable machine. With Fallout 3 I chose the 360 version because it looks way better and has less bugs. I do think the PS3 is a bit of a letdown technically. But LBP and Wipeout make it a machine I'm happy with. "

    This is basically what all owners of both systems say. About time people start to understand the fact that 360 is the best choice if you only want/afford one.

  • spitfire1945 #60 3 years ago

    For me it' like this:

    Wii: 12 games

    360: 7 games

  • muscleblade #61 3 years ago

    @teabagger

    Whats you gamertag? Do you really own a 360? Why isnt your gamertag on your Eurogamer profile then?

  • UncleLou #62 3 years ago

    *bangs head against brick wall*

    "A console that is selling faster will have a lower attach rate. Everybody who buys a new console lowers the rate. "

    Only if they don't buy fucking games for it - WHICH IS THE WHOLE POINT!


    If you wouldn't bang your head against brickwalls so much, you might find it easier to follow simple maths.

    Someone who buys a console today usually won't buy 6 or more games with it. Hence, he lowers the average attach rate at that point. Which is why pure attach rate figures say absolutely nothing at all. A low attach rate can mean noone's buying the games, or it can mean game sales are alright, but the console is selling at a fast rate. A high attach rate can mean people buy games like mad, or the hardware sales have slowed down.
    Edited by 1 at 07/11/08 @ 15:14

  • urban #63 3 years ago

    bragging over 1.5 of a game?

    jesus.

    plus 360 games drop in price RAPIDLY

  • filtronic #64 3 years ago

    It's funny that the Wii which has arguably cheaper games compared to both consoles has a low attach rate. Still I guess casual gamers don't buy a lot of games. I know I would buy more PS3 games if they were cheaper but with Blu-Ray the price stays consistently higher than the DVD Xbox 360 titles. No one said having a next gen drive would be cheap I guess.

    http://gadg etsgamesandstuff.blogspot.com

  • siro #65 3 years ago

    filtronic: In the wild Wii games are often more expensive than 360 and PS3 games though, as those drop in prize rapidly.

    Also: There's a reason that eg has no signatures.

  • mingster #66 3 years ago

    So that proves the whole piracy argument is rubbish then.
    As you can copy 360 games but not PS3.

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #67 3 years ago

    @UncleLou

    Yes I know that to be the case but your variable that is supposedly going to effect attach rates is only applicable to the most recent period of time - at purchase.

    The Wii sold like shit off a shovel last Christmas. Can we include those sales now? Has it been long enough for them to buy some games? The fact is attach rates are for over 2 years now. Your variable is for that small snapshot at purchase. Factor in that the the other consoles are still selling even if it isn't at such a high rate (so suffer from the same 'problem') and it all becomes a little bit insignificant.

    As for simple maths, I'm a professional programmer. So not only do I know a little bit about maths I also know a little bit about the software industry and what attach rates are used for. ;)

  • Bleh #68 3 years ago

    Marketing people always calculate in there favor.
    I'm not giving much thought of all these marketing comments.

  • DrDamn #69 3 years ago

    @UncleLou
    If you look at the console sales graph over the whole period then the rate at which consoles are being sold hasn't changed much for any of them. Obvious seasonal blips but if the sales rate is reasonably consistent then the attach rate is a decent measure for comparison no?

  • ronuds #70 3 years ago

    "So i guess most of that attach rate must be coming from Microsoft published games ?
    Becouse most of 3rd party devs are reporting similar or higher profits from ps3 than x360 ?"

    Are you talking about that 1 qtr when EA said they made more on PS3? That was only due to some weird finagling they did with the books. They've made more on the 360 before then and ever since. These aren't MS numbers, anyway - as I'm sure you'd love to believe.

    And I can't BE-LIEVE these numbers given there are at least 3 people here that said they've bought a lot of games for their PS3's. MS has cooked the books and I call foul! :p

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #71 3 years ago

    So what we really need to do is:

    Total Software Sales / Total Console Sales

    ...And then...

    factor in:

    Age of console. -360 -+Wii +PS3
    Budget releases. -360 +Wii +PS3
    Speed of console sales (?) -360 +Wii -PS3
    RROD + 360 -Wii -PS3
    Piracy + 360 -+Wii -PS3

    ...hmm.... or we could just take it for what it is.

    Ever heard the saying "it all comes out in the wash"

    EDIT: The above is sarcasm by the way!!
    Edited by 1 at 07/11/08 @ 15:59

  • ronuds #72 3 years ago

    Age of console is meaningless as long as they're still selling new consoles. Every new one starts the attach rate clock over again.

    And I have a hard time believing RROD is a factor either, given that even the first 360 made is still under warranty.

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #73 3 years ago

    I was being 'funny' ronuds.

  • Fatnick #74 3 years ago

    Do these figures include wii play/sports?

  • cyber_nicco #75 3 years ago

    Is anyone still that interested in Blu-Ray? I don't get it. For $8.99/mo I can stream as many HD movies as I'd like to my home computer, and starting on the 19th of this month I'll be able to stream them to my Xbox 360 as well (which is what I'm mostly interested in). I do agree that Blu-Ray is still a slightly better quality than that of streamed videos, but not by much (I'm talking HD streaming).

    It just doesn't make sense for me to invest in Blu-Ray. For $540 I can watch 12,000+ (Netflix's downloadable library is going quickly) titles, as often as I'd like, for the next 5 years. Certainly in 5 years time there will be even more options to make me not want Blu-Ray. True, there's the cost of Live! over that period as well, but I have that anyway.

    Different strokes for different folks, it seems. Oh, and I guess you don't have a Netflix like option in Europe yet - hopefully soon.

    edit:/changed 10,000 to 12,000.
    Edited by 1 at 07/11/08 @ 22:49

  • CallousB #76 3 years ago

    "Do these figures include wii play/sports?"

    Well I believe the figures come from NPD data (who don't count officially bundled software) so the tie ratio wouldn't include Wii Sports.

    Wii Play would be included as that is counted as a game by NPD...although strangely I'm not sure Links Crossbow Training would be included as I believe NPD count that as a peripheral. All rather confusing.

    The same questions were asked 6 months ago ...Kotaku specifically asked Nintendo if the data included Wii Sports and they confirmed that neither Wii Sports or Virtual console/Wiiware titles were counted in the tie ratio.
    Edited by 1 at 07/11/08 @ 16:56

  • DrDamn #77 3 years ago

    @Fatnick
    Of course they do. This needs to be accounted for and also games which were sold largely as pack ins. SpaceMidget75 make it so! :).

  • ronuds #78 3 years ago

    @ SpaceMidget

    Oh, I know, but others weren't.

  • Frandroid #79 3 years ago

    retibra said
    "Attach rate is also a bit misleading as its not going to take into consideration "invisible" sales like those from the used market."

    The used market has no effect on attach rate. If you've sold five consoles and ten games, you have an attach rate of two. The attach rate is still two, regardless of how often those ten games change hands. Only new sales affect the attach rate and this is all publishers and developers are interested in, as those are the only sales they see any return on.

    SpaceMidget75 said
    "I forgot to mention that these particular attach rates are bollocks as they show the first 24 months of each console so they're not a good comparison. They should just show the full attach rate for each system! It's a bloody average. If you don't use the full amount of time a system has been on sale you don't get the TRUE attach rate."

    The attach rate for any given system tends to increase over time as this means more games, more opportunity to purchase said games, reduced game prices etc. all of which leads to a higher attach rate. The attach rates, adjusted for time, mean that they are calculating the figure based on hardware and software sales for the first two years of each console's life.
    The adjusted figure for the X360 is not it's TRUE attach rate NOW, but it is the TRUE attach rate from LAST YEAR.

    Xerx3s said
    Err, htf is the ratio related to time. It is the average amount of games sold to a machine. The only relevant numbers are number of sold machines to number of sold games. "

    The ratio is not affected by time. However, the sales figures used to calculate that ratio are taken from a given period of time. If you want the attach rate for a console after two years of sales, you only include sales figures from those first two years.

    seasidebaz said
    "Current owning figures:
    Xbox360: 5.
    PS3: 1.
    Wii: 1.

    Now please work out my attach rate. "

    Xbox360: 5/1 = 5
    PS3: 1/1 = 1
    Wii: 1/1 = 1

    Number of games/number of consoles=attach rate. I am assuming you only own one of each console.

  • spammage #80 3 years ago

    EUROGAMER IN FANBOI STOKING SHOCKER!

    /wrists

  • teabagger #81 3 years ago

    @ muscleblade

    Er, what gives? I simply prefer to play multi platform games on the PS3 due to the fact it's significantly quieter. Don't really see what is wrong with that, though I appreciate it might not bother other people so much.

    My gamertag isn't on here because I haven't bothered doing a profile. If you must know it's ZacMcflimby. Or Sockmonkey on PSN.

  • Apologie #82 3 years ago

    who gives a shit???

  • canIdoyabombsforya #83 3 years ago

    "Well PS3 owners buy blue rays.

    360 owners buy HD dvds...

    oh wait..... maybe not! So they have a console where they can only buy games for? Oh lol! "

    Blu-Ray is dead, fool

    http://blogs.zd net.com/storage/?p=365

  • UncleLou #84 3 years ago

    "If you look at the console sales graph over the whole period then the rate at which consoles are being sold hasn't changed much for any of them. Obvious seasonal blips but if the sales rate is reasonably consistent then the attach rate is a decent measure for comparison no?"

    The Wii sold quite a bit more than the 360 in a shorter amount of time for example, which means the sales curve looks obviously different. Hence a direct comparison of the attach rate is doomed to failure.

    If they had similar rates, only at diferent levels, and if you take into account the different launch dates (like the article does), we're getting somewhere. But the "woohoo, console x has a "better" attach rate than console y" fanboy argument is simply foolish.

    FWIW, I am a PC gamer, and wish I'd never bought a Wii (RE 4 aside), but sometimes the comments here get too much to bear. :p

  • seasidebaz #85 3 years ago

    Xbox360: 5/1 = 5
    PS3: 1/1 = 1
    Wii: 1/1 = 1

    Number of games/number of consoles=attach rate. I am assuming you only own one of each console.

    Yes, but according to Microsoft and Sony's sales figures, I have 200 games between them. They don't know if I sold them on or not. So which is it? 5 or 100?

  • Frandroid #86 3 years ago

    seasidebaz said
    "Yes, but according to Microsoft and Sony's sales figures, I have 200 games between them. They don't know if I sold them on or not. So which is it? 5 or 100?"

    Attach rate is based on new sales only, Microsoft and Sony don't care about the used market. They know you've bought 200 games and that is included in their figures. The important figures here are Consoles Sold and Games Sold. What you do with the games after purchase is irrelevent.
    I was being slightly facetious with my original reply to you. You can't calculate the attach rate of a person, only of a console. What the attach rate represents is an indication of the strength of software sales on a given platform. A large installed based doesn't guarantee large software sales if every console owner only buys one game. Equally, a large attach rate doesn't guarantee sales if you've only sold a couple of hundred consoles. Combined, they give developers and publishers an indication of which format may prove the most profitable to work on. That said, there's hundred's of other factors that also influence such decisions.
    Why attach rates (or installed base, game scores, failure rate etc) should be a point of contention for fanboys is a mystery to me. But the again, fanboys are a bit of a mystery to me too.

  • canIdoyabombsforya #87 3 years ago

    "It's a shame the euro is weakening due to the expected lowering of the interest rate. Import game prices have gone up 15 to 20%. Better to use a site that charges you in GBP if you're from the continent currently though I haven't managed to find one. E.g. play charges in euros if you're non-UK."

    dvd.co.uk

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #88 3 years ago

    @Frandroid

    "The adjusted figure for the X360 is not it's TRUE attach rate NOW, but it is the TRUE attach rate from LAST YEAR. "

    Thanks for pointing out what I already said, stating the bleeding obvious, and being rather pedantic all at the same time. =]

    I think my point was clear and you were fully aware with what I was trying to get across. My criticism of the first 2 years for each console was that they're in different financial climates and with different amounts of competition. I've already stated that attach rate is an average that (as I've joked previously) has all sorts of variables that could affect it's outcome.

    I personally would rather have seen the LAST two years (if you insist on taking a snapshot) as at least all 3 consoles exist in that exact same period.

  • samaran #89 3 years ago

    all this proves is that the 360 is for nerds. the people that care about which console sells more are a tiny subset of the people that actually buy them, so what does it matter if some normal people buy a PS3 for pro evo & GTA?

  • Caimbeul #90 3 years ago

    take mirroes edge as an example - i downloaded oth ps3 and 260 versions. The results were as follows:

    PS3 = jaggies, tearing, poor frame rate.
    360 = AA enabled, vsync enabled, smooth frame rate

    Whilst not always the case it is often so. But then you have games like GT5 Prologue (stunning) PS3 games are often but not always superor. if people have both, like me they tend to buy the better version which is usually the 360 version.

  • napalm68 #91 3 years ago

    Yeah, more meaningless drivel. I use my PS3 for more than games. What is the HDDVD attach rate for the 360

  • belziah #92 3 years ago

    and the monkeys continue to spin like whirling dervishes.........................

  • seasidebaz #93 3 years ago

    You spin me right round baby, right round
    Like a record baby, right round round round.



















































































































    Dead Or Alive were ace ;)

  • Les #94 3 years ago

    "If that's true (they argue it is) then the actual number of real 360s sold is lower."

    And there's piracy. So there's a number of 360s sold with hardly any or even no games at all so also lowers the attach rate.

  • RandomTerrain #95 3 years ago

    I'm a PS3 owner, and I must admit, most of my games are off the PSN.
    Plus I'm still buying up classic PS2 games from a couple of years ago and playing them as well.
    New doesn't = best.

  • TRUTH #96 3 years ago

    Having a 360 & PS3, the best of multiformat games are bought on my 360...They look better, framerates are usually better, and also cost less, some games also have extra content too. Not forgetting quicker load times too!

    I have only bought 3 exclusives games on PS3 that have interested me, with over 10 exclusives on 360...With download games I would say 360 provides a better option with classics & variety old & new like - Rez, Ikagura, Samurai Showdown, Metal Slug, Braid, Mutant Storm, Castlevania - Sympathy Of The Night, King Of The Fighters (soon) etc...Though Wipeout, Siren, Stardust on PS3 are on my PS3.

    Variety, exclusives, run better, cost less, better features, online, bigger library of games - probably the reason why 360's games sell more!

  • migasUK #97 3 years ago

    @Les
    "PS3 and 360 are performing about equally bad"

    The funniest comment today! Mate, you probably came from Mars a few days ago init? I suggest you to update your knowledge on this field at least. Cuz you make yourself look like a fool....


  • TRUTH #98 3 years ago

    napalm68

    The fact is bluray is also a slow seller and has not gained momentum Sony hoped for... In Japan - nobody is bothered with it, as in most if not all part of asia. With super hi-def just around the corner, many are saying b-ray is just a stop gap untill super hi-def muscles in. With Apple, Samsung, MS, Pioneer, Panasonic, JVC..already mentioning this the true hi-def vision, I wouldn't really be surprised to see bluray fade away. PC have already a taste of Super Hi-Def gaming.
    Edited by 1 at 08/11/08 @ 23:31

  • SilentScream #99 3 years ago

    @Les
    "PS3 and 360 are performing about equally bad"

    The funniest comment today! Mate, you probably came from Mars a few days ago init? I suggest you to update your knowledge on this field at least. Cuz you make yourself look like a fool....

    @migasUK

    The funniest thing I heard on Saturday was someone who was talking with his friend reckoned that with a HD television, Wii games would look better than PS3 games.

  • el_pollo_diablo #100 3 years ago

    It's a shame because the PS3 is an utterly ace machine.
    It wasn't at launch, but with each new (highly irritating) firmware update the thing just gets better and better.

  • SpyroViper #101 3 years ago

    Well I have my PS3, but because Sony cannot code an update that doesn't brick some systems for toffee I am using my beloved Elite for actual gaming, rather than TRYING to game.
    Edited by 1 at 10/11/08 @ 12:19