New Zealand PS3 launch: biggest sales spike ever

Sony Computer Entertainment New Zealand (SCENZ) confirmed that the sales from the New Zealand launch of the PS3 caused “a spike in retail spending not previously witnessed at the launch of any other console in New Zealand,” according to analyst group Gfk. In other words, in the 10 days from March 23 – the day of the official PS3 launch in New Zealand – until April 1, there were 4,835 PlayStation 3 consoles sold.

Gameplanet calls it an “unprecedented sales spike.” This isn’t too surprising considering the PS3’s successful pre-order campaign in New Zealand.

There’s more good news. PS3 games have taken over the sales charts. Daniel Morse from Gfk said, “Since launch, PS3 games have dominated GfK sales charts taking out all of the top ten places (console and handheld).” The two top sellers were Resistance: Fall of Man and MotorStorm, two games published by Sony Computer Entertainment.

What’s the reason for the PS3’s success? Warwick Light (General Manager Sales and Marketing, SCENZ) mentioned their advertising campaign and their interactive display units that let people “experience” the PS3. And after the sales success, Light has a right to be proud:

Combining games, photos, music, movies and the Internet, the PS3 is the ultimate entertainment hub in the living room. With the ability to have its functionality expanded through on-line upgrades, PlayStation 3 will be relevant for at least the next 10 years.

For the curious, here are the sales results from March 23, 2007, to April 1, 2007:

• PlayStation 3: 4835
• PlayStation 2: 1567
• PlayStation Portable: 738

Apparently, the PS2 black and pink consoles and the PSP also continue to sell in New Zealand, making Sony the clear retail winner for this month. Here’s what Morse had to say about that:

Our combined data for the month of March positions the PlayStation 2 (black) console second to the PS3 as the next highest selling console, with PlayStation 2 Pink and PlayStation Portable rounding out the top four giving PlayStation a clean sweep for the month.

Sony Computer Entertainment New Zealand (SCENZ) confirmed that the sales from the New Zealand launch of the PS3 caused “a spike in retail spending not previously witnessed at the launch of any other console in New Zealand,” according to analyst group Gfk. In other words, in the 10 days from March 23 – the day of the official PS3 launch in New Zealand – until April 1, there were 4,835 PlayStation 3 consoles sold.

Gameplanet calls it an “unprecedented sales spike.” This isn’t too surprising considering the PS3’s successful pre-order campaign in New Zealand.

There’s more good news. PS3 games have taken over the sales charts. Daniel Morse from Gfk said, “Since launch, PS3 games have dominated GfK sales charts taking out all of the top ten places (console and handheld).” The two top sellers were Resistance: Fall of Man and MotorStorm, two games published by Sony Computer Entertainment.

What’s the reason for the PS3’s success? Warwick Light (General Manager Sales and Marketing, SCENZ) mentioned their advertising campaign and their interactive display units that let people “experience” the PS3. And after the sales success, Light has a right to be proud:

Combining games, photos, music, movies and the Internet, the PS3 is the ultimate entertainment hub in the living room. With the ability to have its functionality expanded through on-line upgrades, PlayStation 3 will be relevant for at least the next 10 years.

For the curious, here are the sales results from March 23, 2007, to April 1, 2007:

• PlayStation 3: 4835
• PlayStation 2: 1567
• PlayStation Portable: 738

Apparently, the PS2 black and pink consoles and the PSP also continue to sell in New Zealand, making Sony the clear retail winner for this month. Here’s what Morse had to say about that:

Our combined data for the month of March positions the PlayStation 2 (black) console second to the PS3 as the next highest selling console, with PlayStation 2 Pink and PlayStation Portable rounding out the top four giving PlayStation a clean sweep for the month.