New York (NY) - Despite Sony's PS3 console being outsold by the Xbox 360 by more than two to one in the US, it managed to grab a healthy amount of the Grand Theft Auto IV sales.

GTA IV broke game records around the world when it came out a few weeks ago, selling 3.6 million copies in the first day and six million copies by the end of the week.

In a post on Microsoft's official Gamerscore Blog, the Xbox team claims that 60% of all GTA IV sales in the United States were for the Xbox 360 version.  It sounds like great news for the Microsoft system.  However, given the extreme difference between install bases for the two, it's also a victory for the PS3.

As of NPD's latest numbers at the end of March, around 4.05 million PS3 consoles had been sold in the US, compared to nearly 10 million Xbox 360 units.  If software sales matched those numbers, the Xbox 360 version of GTA IV would be out-selling the PS3 at a margin of close to 70%/30%, instead of 60%/40%.  That means the PS3 is actually gaining some traction.

GTA IV is helping to move consoles too.  Microsoft said that 40% of all new Xbox 360 consoles since the game launched have been sold with a copy.

Additionally, UK retail chain Chips told gaming site next-gen.biz, "Some people appear to have been waiting for a killer app on PS3 and see GTA IV as that app, so we’re certainly noticing that the game’s more of a hardware shifter for PS3."

GTA IV publisher Rockstar Games has signed an exclusive agreement with Microsoft for new downloadable content (DLC) on the Xbox 360.  However, there are rumors circulating that the PS3 will receive DLC as well.

too much product placement

May 09, 2008 11:25     

you guys should dial back the marketing a little. or risk losing your readers.
anon report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

How is this a big deal?

May 09, 2008 11:50     

The PS3's software library is a considerably short list. Let's also not forget that 1/2 of the PS3 owners own a 360. Also, GTA has always been a Playstation Title. These numbers aren't surprising at all. It WOULD be surprising if suddenly the split on COD4 became 60/40...But GTA? Nah.
Devryn report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

Numbers seem off

May 09, 2008 15:07     

Last finical statements I saw from MS and Sony had their console sales at 18 million and 9.5 million respectively. It's hard to believe the US market would make up less than 50% of consoles sold world wide.
Action Jackson report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

So 360 PS3 owners prefer the PS3 version?

May 09, 2008 15:40     

I didn't know that half of PS3 owners also own a 360, as Devryn says, but it makes things clearer: 2 million 360 owners have upgraded to a PS3 and aren't looking back to buy the 360 version.
ET report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Own both consoles!!

May 09, 2008 19:36     

Use the 360 for games and the PS3 for Blu-Ray. You don't have to hate the PS3 to love the 360 and you don't have to hate the 360 to love the PS3. You do however, need a bundle of cash to own both!! I recently picked up a PS3 from my neighbor who wanted to go buy the 360. He had tired of coming to my house to play cool games. Though the PS3 library is starting to pick up steam, the 360 has been good for a couple years. I don't own a single game for the PS3 yet but may pick up Metal Gear Solid if the reviews are good, but honestly I got it for the movies and I really hate the look and feel of it. The thing is an eye sore. Oh well it is one damn good Blu-Ray player. I will get the 360 version of GTA IV if I can ever put COD4 down :-)

DD report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Hey, numbers don't lie...

May 10, 2008 06:34     

Here we go, the 360 folks trashing the PS3. Usual crap from them people. First off, I don't own both consoles, my roomate acutally has the 360, and I do really like it, it is a great console. However, I do know people who own BOTH consoles, and they love both of them equally, surprising huh?!?!?!?!?! Face the facts 360 lovers, the numbers don't lie. With only slightly over 4 million units of the PS3 sold, and it has garnered sales of 40% of GTA IV, that is pretty big for Sony. You can do the math................. right?????? Let's see, shall we. Let's say (to make it very simple, I will keep it simple) 1000 GTA IV games were bought, that means that 400 went to PS3, while 600 went to the 360... Now, compare the game console sales... 10 million Units of the 360, with 600 copies of GTA IV. That breaks down to this, for every 16,666.66 Xbox 360, 1 owner bought a GTA IV copy. For the PS3, every 10,000.00 PS3, 1 owner bought a copy of GTA IV. Now let us subtract... Hmm..... 16,666.66 minus 10,000.00... equals 6,666.66. Are ya gettin' it now????? Probably not. It is so simple that it can be confusing. But I think you are getting the picture. We don't need a stupid war of the consoles between us gamers, let the retail, and sales folks do that. Both consoles offer things the other can't, and both are awesome consoles in their own right. Let us game, and be happy.

Mike report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

When is gta 4 coming to pc?

May 10, 2008 17:55     

little(haha) out of topic but does any one know if or when gta 4 is coming to pc
prtk report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Wasn't bashing either console

May 10, 2008 23:58     

I wasn't bashing either console. I just thought the numbers for total US sales looked low compared to what the corporations have reported. I'm an owner of all 3 consoles and i'm also a 360 owner that bought the PS3 version of the GTA IV. Granted it was because my friend had already bought the 360 version and we wanted to see if there were any big differences but still I fall into article above. Mike said it best, there is no good reason to bash one console over the other. Each has their own pros and cons.

Action Jackson report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

RE: When is gta 4 coming to pc?

May 11, 2008 21:29     

Not coming to the PC, just the Mac. PS. That was just a jab to get the flame war going.
Ralf The Dog report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Healthy Competition...Great for Gamers

May 12, 2008 14:23     

I love it, a little healthy competition between 360 and Xbox is really pushing Sony and MS to get the best games out the door, even when it's the same game! Years ago measuring the sell ratio by platform was not a concern, but now it's crucial for PR and the "whos who" battle, so now the industry measures who is 1st, 2nd and 3rd. In the long run (even though we all have to listen to the noisy "fanboys") this just makes the gaming industry healthier and pushes the companies to make "quality" games out the door. Just look at 2007 for all platforms and how many quality games there were compared to previous years. I remember PS2 days and Nintendo days and all those absolute garbage games that came out back then...not any more....I'm LOVING IT!!!

Da Man report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0