Sony Australia Claims GTA IV Victory

PS3 News | Does anyone other than the PR wagon actually care?

Last week, Microsoft Australia was quick to release a press release which stated that the "Xbox 360 is the lead platform of choice for Grand Theft Auto IV after Gfk statistics show copies of the game on the 360 outsold those of its rival platform."

Today, Sony is fighting back at the claims with Sony Computer Entertainment Australia's Managing Director, Michael Ephraim went on record with IGN AU to lay down his side of the story.

Ephraim states, "you might have seen the local Microsoft press release that came out last week. Well, I want to tell you that that is completely wrong, because what they failed to communicate or add was the 5000 GTA PS3 bundles that were sold in that week. When you add that in, the PS3 SKU outsold the 360 SKU definitely. We can't comment on GTA numbers – just that one bundle and that PS3 outsold 360 at EB – and their figures aren't factored into GfK statistics."

Without the full sales figure details released to the public, neither side can proclaim themselves to be the better GTA IV console, but until they are made known, it looks like the PR war between Sony and Microsoft will continue.

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26 Comments

mikezilla2

4 years ago

i care

Eyce

4 years ago

Spanca

4 years ago

Sony wrote

We can't comment on GTA numbers – just that one bundle and that PS3 outsold 360 at EB – and their figures aren't factored into GfK statistics.

That's like prefacing an insult with "no offence..." - utterly redundant.

Toastfarmer

4 years ago

I'm sorry, I think Sony are still bitter about their noticeable lack of DLC.

I think that for the $50 million Rockstar are going to knock out something pretty decent for it - it won't be some half-arsed mission pack. Microsoft will be getting a second wind on the hype, almost.

mipac

4 years ago

I still think that DLC is coming to the Sony platform

Sony paid a huge amount to Rockstar to keep all PS2 GTA's "exclusive", but they all came to Xbox eventually. I'm going to be very surprised if the episodes are not on the PSN at some point in 2009.

And as for the numbers, well, I guess this is why God invented PR.

mikezilla2

4 years ago

mipac wrote

I still think that DLC is coming to the Sony platform

that was a lincence that exspired cz they decided not to keep paying

Dovey

4 years ago

mikezilla2 wrote

mipac wrote

I still think that DLC is coming to the Sony platform

that was a lincence that exspired cz they decided not to keep paying

M$ paid ahead for the content, so in fact they have paid for the development and exclusivity, dlc could still come for the PS3 but just not the stuff that is coming for 360 and if PS3 does get some content it will be available on 360 as well.

Sony PR is funny cause the like to work on numbers shipped, not on gfk figures, and if that is the cause yeah sony are in front, my store recieves more ps3 versions than 360 but 360 always sells out quicker and Ive still got plenty PS3 versions of the game

mipac

4 years ago

Dovey wrote

mikezilla2 wrote

mipac wrote

I still think that DLC is coming to the Sony platform

that was a lincence that exspired cz they decided not to keep paying

Actually Microsoft has just loaned the money to Rockstar for the development of the DLC, they didn't pay for it. I remember someone went over the leaked details when the $50 million thing hit the internet, and there is a clause that says that Rockstar must pay Microsoft any of the $50 million that the DLC doesn't make. The reason I say I think that it is still coming to the PSN is that originally Rockstar intended it for both consoles, but Microsoft came along and offered a $50 million loan in return for timed exclusivity + paying back any of the $50 million that is lost. I could be wrong, but I'm sticking by my prediction of the episodes hitting the PS3 in late 2009.

VOOK

4 years ago

Ephraim making up stats again by using using bundled software with hardware, try again Mike. Earlier this year it was him using PS3's included with Bravia TV's as "sales" despite them not being tracked by GfK.

This guy plays by his own rules and anything he says has been run through the Spin Cycle, pity someone crapped in the Wash.

mikezilla2

4 years ago

VOOK wrote

umm WTF ?

DancesInUnderwear

4 years ago

Michael Ephraim. Jeez dude relax.

VOOK

4 years ago

DancesInUnderwear wrote

Michael Ephraim. Jeez dude relax.

Underwear speaks the truth.

arbok

4 years ago

The problem is all us consumers get sucked into making comments...

kartanym

4 years ago

My comment: Who cares. I'm playing GTA no matter what console it's on.

ohayes

4 years ago

spin spin spin

Tom101007

4 years ago

and heres me the wii owner looking in on the action and kind of wishing i had enough money for either a ps3 or 360..., i guess ill wait for the pc version, or by then the hype might be gone and i wont we'll see

ZNMS

4 years ago

Quote

The other thing I can tell you – and I feel comfortable telling you because I've asked them – EB, in the standalone data…across EB in Australia, the PS3 SKU outsold the Xbox 360 SKU too.

What about all the other retail stores? There's Harvey Norman, Myer, Big W, JB Hi-Fi, Target and Kmart.

Quote

Essentially, we don't have either party's sales figures for the week, but Ephraim believes that the difference of 5000 was enough to put Sony ahead of Microsoft's release of GTA IV – without even being factored into the GfK figures.

If you don't have the sales figures then where are the legs you need to stand on?

Jedi.Jell

4 years ago

Of course an console bundle will sell more then just a console by itself. Kinda obvious don't you think?

Skiller

4 years ago

Who cares, they are fighting over the scraps left over by the PC version. PC version will pwn them both... when it comes out... if it does.

RhysDeschain

4 years ago

I can definitely say that my EB has been selling a crapload more PS3 GTA's than 360, and the console bundle too. Seriously, the day we get them in stock they're gone the next, and then we have at least 10 calls or customers coming in and asking if we have them in stock.
That said, it's not like the 360 version has been selling badly by any stretch, and it could just be my store alone, but yeah.

Jedi.Jell

4 years ago

RhysDeschain wrote

Isn't the only relevant thing that Rockstar are making a fcukload of money?

Sony and Microsoft sit here and btich about each other, but in the long run it's Rockstar that are laughing.

Ken_Gooner

4 years ago

Sony would've always claimed a "bundle victory" with GTA, many casuals were looking for a reason to "upgrade" from the ps2.
Most people who bought the game on the 360 are probably established gamers who have owned a next gen console for a while now.
I honestly don't think casuals know or care about DLC, exclusive or not.

Kurupt

4 years ago

People who own a PS3 and a 360 are, of course, going to get it on PS3. It makes their collection of 4 games look 2cm bigger.

Fly

4 years ago

VOOK wrote

Step 1: make unit
Step 2: deliver unit to be moved to consumer
Step 3: actually move unit
Step 4? disregard because gfk says so.

Same case scenario with the bundles, Sony aren't the ones "spinning" sales data, anyway you look at it they moved the unit, end of story, the sooner people with ^ that sort of opinion gets that through their thick skulls the sooner everyone can go back to bagging Sony and MS' obvious desire to get in each others pants PR wise.

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Grand Theft Auto IV

Pre-order or buy:
PALGN recommends: www.Play-Asia.com

Australian Release Date:
  29/04/2008 (Confirmed)
Standard Retail Price:
  $119.95 AU
Publisher:
  Rockstar Games
Genre:
  Action
Year Made:
  2007

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