September Sales Numbers

by pastapadre
Posted October 17th, 2008 at 7:10 am

NPD has released the official sales numbers for September offering an opportunity to look at how Madden fared in its second month of release. The numbers for the NBA games won’t be known until they are released next month at which point we’ll be able to look at how they have did year over year as well as against each other.

As discussed with August’s sales Madden saw an increase from the previous year with the PS3 and 360 more than making up the losses seen from the PS2 and Xbox. Both the PS3 and 360 showed solid gains but considering the increased user bases maybe they should’ve been even better. It was the Wii where the numbers were most surprising as the console keeps selling like crazy but EA Sports’ All-Play initiative proved to have no effect on sales.

For September Madden 09 made the top 10 in sales by picking up 224,000 on the 360 and 158,000 on the PS2. With the PS3 not making the top 10 we can estimate that the drop was comparable to the 360′s of about 78%. That would put the PS3′s take for the month at approximately 141,000. The big drop seen in Madden’s sales is no surprise as consumers have always run out to purchase the game immediately and the sales drop significantly the following month before leveling out.

For comparison’s sake last year the 360 version took in 173,000 in September. That represented an 81% drop. So the slight improvement this year mirrors what we saw with the launch numbers. That is probably encouraging for EA Sports as the game should remain relatively strong through the holidays.

Numbers Through Sept. 2008 w/ difference compared to 2007
Madden 09 360: 1,224,000 (+154,400)
Madden 09 PS3 (estimate): 784,000 (+383,800)
Madden 09 PS2: 582,500 (-266,100)

The other games released in September included NHL 09, NHL 2K9, and Facebreaker. No surprise that none of them came close to making the top 10.

Update: We now have Facebreaker numbers. The game sold a combined 52,000 for the month. That clearly is a disappointment for EA though the game wouldn’t have cost near as much to make being unlicensed. Personally I feel the lack of accessibility and fun found with the game hurts the Freestyle brand more than the actual sales. I’m a little surprised it even sold as much as it did.

Tags: sales analysis

Tom

First for the first time ever
Tom

First for the first time ever
Tom

But seriously, I just happened to see no one had answered yet. Anyway, I would be interested if Gamestop was able to measure how many copies were returned or exchanged this year and compare it to last year
Anthony

It’s amazing how a game such as NHL 09, with EASHL and just great overall gameplay can miss the top 10, but i can see that since hockey doesn’t have a big following compared to other sports.
Tom

But seriously, I just happened to see no one had answered yet. Anyway, I would be interested if Gamestop was able to measure how many copies were returned or exchanged this year and compare it to last year
Anthony

It’s amazing how a game such as NHL 09, with EASHL and just great overall gameplay can miss the top 10, but i can see that since hockey doesn’t have a big following compared to other sports.
http://www.pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

Yeah, its tough because there isn’t a huge built in fanbase for it. I think NHL 09 probably stole some people though that otherwise wouldn’t have been interested.

If you look at VGChartz, which is just an estimation but does do a good job of showing general trends, NHL 09 probably sold about 100,000 for the month. NHL 2K9 sold somewhere under 10,000. So if it isn’t so much about being a huge seller you can see how most anyone who wanted an NHL game went with 09. Probably more so this year than ever before.
http://www.pastapadre.com pastapadre

Yeah, its tough because there isn’t a huge built in fanbase for it. I think NHL 09 probably stole some people though that otherwise wouldn’t have been interested.

If you look at VGChartz, which is just an estimation but does do a good job of showing general trends, NHL 09 probably sold about 100,000 for the month. NHL 2K9 sold somewhere under 10,000. So if it isn’t so much about being a huge seller you can see how most anyone who wanted an NHL game went with 09. Probably more so this year than ever before.
Ketih

Pasta, I don’t think it’s really fair for you to just make up the PS3′s sales numbers. Based on the numbers I’ve found, the 360 and PS2 sales combined, were up a total of 4,000 units over the 360 and PS2 sales from last September.

The fact is, PS3 did not even make the chart for September. For you to just assume that it had the same drop off in sales as the 360 is very misleading.
Ketih

Pasta, I don’t think it’s really fair for you to just make up the PS3′s sales numbers. Based on the numbers I’ve found, the 360 and PS2 sales combined, were up a total of 4,000 units over the 360 and PS2 sales from last September.

The fact is, PS3 did not even make the chart for September. For you to just assume that it had the same drop off in sales as the 360 is very misleading.
Ketih

Following up on my last post, you can spin these numbers any way you want Pasta. The truth of the matter is, Madden’s sales are basically flat from last year. And based on the extremely negative feedback on the OS boards and other places, I don’t think EA can assume sales are going to be solid through the holidays, as they have been in past years.
Ketih

Following up on my last post, you can spin these numbers any way you want Pasta. The truth of the matter is, Madden’s sales are basically flat from last year. And based on the extremely negative feedback on the OS boards and other places, I don’t think EA can assume sales are going to be solid through the holidays, as they have been in past years.
pastapadre

[quote comment="42485"]Pasta, I don’t think it’s really fair for you to just make up the PS3′s sales numbers. Based on the numbers I’ve found, the 360 and PS2 sales combined, were up a total of 4,000 units over the 360 and PS2 sales from last September.

The fact is, PS3 did not even make the chart for September. For you to just assume that it had the same drop off in sales as the 360 is very misleading.[/quote]

What makes you think the PS3 would have a far heavier drop-off than the 360? In all liklihood they are going to be similar. And actually the PS3 showed much more growth over last year than the 360 did. At an estimation of 141,000 using the same % drop as the 360 that puts it outside the top 10. It probably missed the top 10 just by one or two spots. Regardless it is definitely going to have made a big jump from last year’s September sales.
pastapadre

[quote comment="42485"]Pasta, I don’t think it’s really fair for you to just make up the PS3′s sales numbers. Based on the numbers I’ve found, the 360 and PS2 sales combined, were up a total of 4,000 units over the 360 and PS2 sales from last September.

The fact is, PS3 did not even make the chart for September. For you to just assume that it had the same drop off in sales as the 360 is very misleading.[/quote]

What makes you think the PS3 would have a far heavier drop-off than the 360? In all liklihood they are going to be similar. And actually the PS3 showed much more growth over last year than the 360 did. At an estimation of 141,000 using the same % drop as the 360 that puts it outside the top 10. It probably missed the top 10 just by one or two spots. Regardless it is definitely going to have made a big jump from last year’s September sales.
meh

You still didnt show Facebreaker sales.. show the number.
meh

You still didnt show Facebreaker sales.. show the number.
meh

Nevermind PP… look.. thats a flop if I ever saw one for a new IP from EA. Facebreaker sales:

http://www.vgchartz.com/games/index.php?name=facebreaker
meh

Nevermind PP… look.. thats a flop if I ever saw one for a new IP from EA. Facebreaker sales:

http://www.vgchartz.com/games/index.php?name=facebreaker
http://www.pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

Actually those numbers would surprise me if they’re true. Its a tough game to judge an estimate on being targeted to casuals so I think they may be giving it too much credit considering the response to the game. If they did reach that level (upwards of 70,000 combined for the month) that would probably be a good take for them considering the game wouldn’t have cost nearly as much as a licensed title. The game was a terrible launch of the Freestyle brand though since it didn’t really carry the accessibility or fun traits that it is supposed to represent. Lets just say I doubt a sequel is in the works
http://www.pastapadre.com pastapadre

Actually those numbers would surprise me if they’re true. Its a tough game to judge an estimate on being targeted to casuals so I think they may be giving it too much credit considering the response to the game. If they did reach that level (upwards of 70,000 combined for the month) that would probably be a good take for them considering the game wouldn’t have cost nearly as much as a licensed title. The game was a terrible launch of the Freestyle brand though since it didn’t really carry the accessibility or fun traits that it is supposed to represent. Lets just say I doubt a sequel is in the works
JR

Improvements all across the board. Is this the last year for Madden on the PS2? The really should bring this back to the PC.
JR

Improvements all across the board. Is this the last year for Madden on the PS2? The really should bring this back to the PC.
http://www.pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

I’m sure they’re still profitable on the PS2 so I would imagine they’ll keep it going. They’ll probably finally drop the Xbox though.

They will have PC offerings next year, whether they are along the lines of 360 ports or fresh games with their own PC specific angle we don’t know yet.
http://www.pastapadre.com pastapadre

I’m sure they’re still profitable on the PS2 so I would imagine they’ll keep it going. They’ll probably finally drop the Xbox though.

They will have PC offerings next year, whether they are along the lines of 360 ports or fresh games with their own PC specific angle we don’t know yet.
Tristate Killa

Can anyone sign in to xbox live without it freezing???I cant sign in wtf
Tristate Killa

Can anyone sign in to xbox live without it freezing???I cant sign in wtf
Ketih

[quote comment="42487"][quote comment="42485"]Pasta, I don’t think it’s really fair for you to just make up the PS3′s sales numbers. Based on the numbers I’ve found, the 360 and PS2 sales combined, were up a total of 4,000 units over the 360 and PS2 sales from last September.

The fact is, PS3 did not even make the chart for September. For you to just assume that it had the same drop off in sales as the 360 is very misleading.[/quote]

What makes you think the PS3 would have a far heavier drop-off than the 360? In all liklihood they are going to be similar. And actually the PS3 showed much more growth over last year than the 360 did. At an estimation of 141,000 using the same % drop as the 360 that puts it outside the top 10. It probably missed the top 10 just by one or two spots. Regardless it is definitely going to have made a big jump from last year’s September sales.[/quote]

Looks like my guess was right and your numbers for PS3 are wrong.

http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=14673&region=All

Over the last 5 weeks, Madden’s PS3 numbers are:

26,488
21,051
16,909
17,602
19,221

Add them up, and you get 101,271, which is a far cry from the numbers you “estimated.”

Face it, Pasta, Madden’s numbers are in the toilet this year. And they’ll stay that way, until EA/Tiburon improves the game (if they have the talent to do so) to The Show’s or NBA2k’s level of quality. Which is sad, considering football is America’s #1 sport.
Ketih

[quote comment="42487"][quote comment="42485"]Pasta, I don’t think it’s really fair for you to just make up the PS3′s sales numbers. Based on the numbers I’ve found, the 360 and PS2 sales combined, were up a total of 4,000 units over the 360 and PS2 sales from last September.

The fact is, PS3 did not even make the chart for September. For you to just assume that it had the same drop off in sales as the 360 is very misleading.[/quote]

What makes you think the PS3 would have a far heavier drop-off than the 360? In all liklihood they are going to be similar. And actually the PS3 showed much more growth over last year than the 360 did. At an estimation of 141,000 using the same % drop as the 360 that puts it outside the top 10. It probably missed the top 10 just by one or two spots. Regardless it is definitely going to have made a big jump from last year’s September sales.[/quote]

Looks like my guess was right and your numbers for PS3 are wrong.

http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=14673&region=All

Over the last 5 weeks, Madden’s PS3 numbers are:

26,488
21,051
16,909
17,602
19,221

Add them up, and you get 101,271, which is a far cry from the numbers you “estimated.”

Face it, Pasta, Madden’s numbers are in the toilet this year. And they’ll stay that way, until EA/Tiburon improves the game (if they have the talent to do so) to The Show’s or NBA2k’s level of quality. Which is sad, considering football is America’s #1 sport.
Ketih

Just to be clear, the numbers show AN EVEN BIGGER DROP for the PS3, DESPITE the greater growth that PS3 has had over the 360. Please get it right, Pasta, and take off those EA paid-for rose colored glasses.
Ketih

Just to be clear, the numbers show AN EVEN BIGGER DROP for the PS3, DESPITE the greater growth that PS3 has had over the 360. Please get it right, Pasta, and take off those EA paid-for rose colored glasses.
pastapadre

[quote comment="42504"][quote comment="42487"][quote comment="42485"]Pasta, I don’t think it’s really fair for you to just make up the PS3′s sales numbers. Based on the numbers I’ve found, the 360 and PS2 sales combined, were up a total of 4,000 units over the 360 and PS2 sales from last September.

The fact is, PS3 did not even make the chart for September. For you to just assume that it had the same drop off in sales as the 360 is very misleading.[/quote]

What makes you think the PS3 would have a far heavier drop-off than the 360? In all liklihood they are going to be similar. And actually the PS3 showed much more growth over last year than the 360 did. At an estimation of 141,000 using the same % drop as the 360 that puts it outside the top 10. It probably missed the top 10 just by one or two spots. Regardless it is definitely going to have made a big jump from last year’s September sales.[/quote]

Looks like my guess was right and your numbers for PS3 are wrong.

http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=14673&region=All

Over the last 5 weeks, Madden’s PS3 numbers are:

26,488
21,051
16,909
17,602
19,221

Add them up, and you get 101,271, which is a far cry from the numbers you “estimated.”

Face it, Pasta, Madden’s numbers are in the toilet this year. And they’ll stay that way, until EA/Tiburon improves the game (if they have the talent to do so) to The Show’s or NBA2k’s level of quality. Which is sad, considering football is America’s #1 sport.[/quote]

Those aren’t official numbers. That site guessed that Madden 360 sales for September was about 175,000 and it turned out to be officially 224,000. It seems likely they underestimated the PS3 also. There is little reason to believe the PS3 wouldn’t have a similar drop to the 360. If it is heavier it isn’t going to be by a whole lot.
pastapadre

[quote comment="42504"][quote comment="42487"][quote comment="42485"]Pasta, I don’t think it’s really fair for you to just make up the PS3′s sales numbers. Based on the numbers I’ve found, the 360 and PS2 sales combined, were up a total of 4,000 units over the 360 and PS2 sales from last September.

The fact is, PS3 did not even make the chart for September. For you to just assume that it had the same drop off in sales as the 360 is very misleading.[/quote]

What makes you think the PS3 would have a far heavier drop-off than the 360? In all liklihood they are going to be similar. And actually the PS3 showed much more growth over last year than the 360 did. At an estimation of 141,000 using the same % drop as the 360 that puts it outside the top 10. It probably missed the top 10 just by one or two spots. Regardless it is definitely going to have made a big jump from last year’s September sales.[/quote]

Looks like my guess was right and your numbers for PS3 are wrong.

http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=14673&region=All

Over the last 5 weeks, Madden’s PS3 numbers are:

26,488
21,051
16,909
17,602
19,221

Add them up, and you get 101,271, which is a far cry from the numbers you “estimated.”

Face it, Pasta, Madden’s numbers are in the toilet this year. And they’ll stay that way, until EA/Tiburon improves the game (if they have the talent to do so) to The Show’s or NBA2k’s level of quality. Which is sad, considering football is America’s #1 sport.[/quote]

Those aren’t official numbers. That site guessed that Madden 360 sales for September was about 175,000 and it turned out to be officially 224,000. It seems likely they underestimated the PS3 also. There is little reason to believe the PS3 wouldn’t have a similar drop to the 360. If it is heavier it isn’t going to be by a whole lot.
Ketih

So you’re saying your guess is better than their guess? And which of the two “guessers” routinely gets all expense paid trips to EA’s headquarters? I’ll stand by my “guess” as to who is closer to being right here.
Ketih

So you’re saying your guess is better than their guess? And which of the two “guessers” routinely gets all expense paid trips to EA’s headquarters? I’ll stand by my “guess” as to who is closer to being right here.
JR

Has anyone taken into account the high gas prices (at the time), the failing economy? I don’t know the exact specifics, as only an estimated guess could be made. Madden 09 was a highly reviewed game, and even though there are some users who are disenfranchised with the game (as with any game, any given year) it’s to be expected.
JR

Has anyone taken into account the high gas prices (at the time), the failing economy? I don’t know the exact specifics, as only an estimated guess could be made. Madden 09 was a highly reviewed game, and even though there are some users who are disenfranchised with the game (as with any game, any given year) it’s to be expected.
Ketih

[quote comment="42508"]So you’re saying your guess is better than their guess? And which of the two “guessers” routinely gets all expense paid trips to EA’s headquarters? I’ll stand by my “guess” as to who is closer to being right here.[/quote]

And also for the record, Pasta, I took another look at VCgamerz chart for the 360, and it shows total sales at being 1.22 million…which is exactly the same as what you’ve posted. So it looks like they didn’t “guess” wrong, at all.
Ketih

[quote comment="42508"]So you’re saying your guess is better than their guess? And which of the two “guessers” routinely gets all expense paid trips to EA’s headquarters? I’ll stand by my “guess” as to who is closer to being right here.[/quote]

And also for the record, Pasta, I took another look at VCgamerz chart for the 360, and it shows total sales at being 1.22 million…which is exactly the same as what you’ve posted. So it looks like they didn’t “guess” wrong, at all.
pastapadre

[quote comment="42508"]So you’re saying your guess is better than their guess? And which of the two “guessers” routinely gets all expense paid trips to EA’s headquarters? I’ll stand by my “guess” as to who is closer to being right here.[/quote]

Personally I’d take the one based off a real number rather than an imaginary one. That site can be fun to follow and does a decent job of showing trends but has proven to be completely unreliable. No one takes it as any sort of serious information.

But whatever, I’m not even sure why its necessary to go back and forth over this. Madden’s sales are up slightly, but as I stated they probably should be even better. Regardless of whatever amount you want to credit the PS3 with that is the case.

[quote comment="42510"][quote comment="42508"]So you’re saying your guess is better than their guess? And which of the two “guessers” routinely gets all expense paid trips to EA’s headquarters? I’ll stand by my “guess” as to who is closer to being right here.[/quote]

And also for the record, Pasta, I took another look at VCgamerz chart for the 360, and it shows total sales at being 1.22 million…which is exactly the same as what you’ve posted. So it looks like they didn’t “guess” wrong, at all.[/quote]

That’s cause it includes the two weeks of October, which the official NPD sales are just August and September.
pastapadre

[quote comment="42508"]So you’re saying your guess is better than their guess? And which of the two “guessers” routinely gets all expense paid trips to EA’s headquarters? I’ll stand by my “guess” as to who is closer to being right here.[/quote]

Personally I’d take the one based off a real number rather than an imaginary one. That site can be fun to follow and does a decent job of showing trends but has proven to be completely unreliable. No one takes it as any sort of serious information.

But whatever, I’m not even sure why its necessary to go back and forth over this. Madden’s sales are up slightly, but as I stated they probably should be even better. Regardless of whatever amount you want to credit the PS3 with that is the case.

[quote comment="42510"][quote comment="42508"]So you’re saying your guess is better than their guess? And which of the two “guessers” routinely gets all expense paid trips to EA’s headquarters? I’ll stand by my “guess” as to who is closer to being right here.[/quote]

And also for the record, Pasta, I took another look at VCgamerz chart for the 360, and it shows total sales at being 1.22 million…which is exactly the same as what you’ve posted. So it looks like they didn’t “guess” wrong, at all.[/quote]

That’s cause it includes the two weeks of October, which the official NPD sales are just August and September.
JR

Pasta,

(NBA Live) I’m sure they are profitable on the PS2/Xbox side. They are very familiar with the technology, it’s cheaper, and isn’t the focus of the franchise; however, with the price drop of the 360 and future price drop of the PS3, I think the numbers will continue to drip for PS2 sales as more consumers are going to feel a little bit more comfortable purchasing a next gen system.

I think a 360 port would be great for NBA Live…could it support Live Anywhere? I really think that’s a huge long shot, Sony would cry foul in a nanosecond.
JR

Pasta,

(NBA Live) I’m sure they are profitable on the PS2/Xbox side. They are very familiar with the technology, it’s cheaper, and isn’t the focus of the franchise; however, with the price drop of the 360 and future price drop of the PS3, I think the numbers will continue to drip for PS2 sales as more consumers are going to feel a little bit more comfortable purchasing a next gen system.

I think a 360 port would be great for NBA Live…could it support Live Anywhere? I really think that’s a huge long shot, Sony would cry foul in a nanosecond.
http://www.pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

I suspect they won’t go the port route. I guess we’ll see how 2K9 does in that regard. But I feel they pulled this year’s titles in order to change their philosophy on the PC. If you look at what they’ve done in Asia they went to the more subscription based type of gaming with a strong focus with online. I could see them doing the same and possibly going the MMO route. That way they don’t lose out due to pirating and can offer something unique. Subscription and/or microtransaction heavy but making the games free.
http://www.pastapadre.com pastapadre

I suspect they won’t go the port route. I guess we’ll see how 2K9 does in that regard. But I feel they pulled this year’s titles in order to change their philosophy on the PC. If you look at what they’ve done in Asia they went to the more subscription based type of gaming with a strong focus with online. I could see them doing the same and possibly going the MMO route. That way they don’t lose out due to pirating and can offer something unique. Subscription and/or microtransaction heavy but making the games free.
http://www.pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

Facebreaker numbers and thoughts added into article.
http://www.billingsgazette.com/h/blogs/catgriz catgrizinsider

I guess I’m somewhat surprised NHL 09 didn’t make it, it seems that game is always cluttered with people looking for team play games. Maybe its just a very dedicated user base.
http://www.pastapadre.com pastapadre

Facebreaker numbers and thoughts added into article.
http://www.billingsgazette.com/h/blogs/catgriz catgrizinsider

I guess I’m somewhat surprised NHL 09 didn’t make it, it seems that game is always cluttered with people looking for team play games. Maybe its just a very dedicated user base.
boucher

NHL 09 IS DA BEST GAME THIS SIDE OF ASIA
boucher

NHL 09 IS DA BEST GAME THIS SIDE OF ASIA