Why do Microsoft exclusives sell better than Sony exclusives

Just last year, Gears of War 3 sold more copies than virtually every PS3 exclusive that released. This includes the masterpiece Uncharted 3, Resistance 3, Twisted Metal, Infamous 2, Motorstorm Apocalypse, and Socom 4.  While you may think that it’s because there are more 360s (67 million) than PS3s (65 million) worldwide, the numbers show that this isn’t the case. So why do 360 exclusives sell better than PS3 exclusives? Well let's take a look.

Marketing/Advertising

When a new blockbuster 360 exclusive is coming out in a given year, you start seeing commercials and ads months before the game releases. The most recent example of this is Halo 4, which debuted its first commercial in game two of the NBA Finals. That’s approximately five months before the game will hit retailers. Imagine how many commercials you’ll see a month before the game comes out, or the week of release. When Gears of War 3 came out, you’d have to literally try not to see the ads for the game, which is a big reason the game was so successful. Now think back to all the PS3 game ads you’ve ever seen, add them all up, and it’s probably somewhere around half of Gears of War 3’s marketing campaign.

Less is More

In a recession, gamers can’t play every game that they want to. So in 2011, when Sony released a new AAA game every month, you’d have to choose which game you wanted to purchase or wait until a price drop or it became used.  If you bought it used, Sony didn’t make any money, as only the retailer benefits from used game prices. With Gears of War 3, it was THE game to own on 360 and has sold 5.42 million new copies to date. Almost a year later, if you add up the Sony games mentioned above, they have surpassed Gears of War 3, but not by much.

Xbox Live

Gamers love Xbox Live, whether it’s the party chat (not available on PS3), the reliable connection, or the overall service itself, people would rather play on Live. So when a big game releases for Xbox 360, you and your friends go buy it. Not only can you play against each other or talk to your friend while he/she plays a different game, but you feel the camaraderie through the system. This not only helps sell exclusive games, but multiplatform games such as Call of Duty, as well.

Microsoft is a smart company and knows how to market their games and systems directly and indirectly. Whether it’s the ad for Halo 4 you see on TV or the person who buys a game for Xbox 360 because “all his/her friends have one.” Sony needs to market their products like Microsoft does in order to remain successful.

What do you guys think? Do you have any other ideas why 360 exclusives sell better than PS3 exclusives? Let me know in the comments below.

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