Kotaku: Enterbrain

The World's Top Selling Video Games This Year... So Far

Brian Crecente — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:40:00 MDT

It's about time!

The NPD Group, GfK Chart-Track Limited and Enterbrain have joined forces to release the Top Global Markets Report, the first report to combine point-of-sales data for video game sales in the world's largest games markets, aka the U.S., U.K. and Japan.

The soon to be monthly report will give a break down of the top titles by country and worldwide.

“The video games business has become increasingly global, with the majority of the publishers releasing games in multiple markets,” said Anita Frazier, industry analyst, The NPD Group. “The U.S, as the world’s largest market will be able to view and compare sales for the first time outside of their own market.”

It's kind cool to check this stuff out. For instance Grand Theft Auto IV is the top selling game in the world despite not being on sale in Japan. Of course Super Smash Bros. Brawl is in a close second without having to bother selling on two consoles. And Wii Fit? That depresses me.

LEADING MARKET RESEARCH FIRMS JOIN FORCES TO PROVIDE FIRST MULTI-CONTINENT VIEW OF VIDEO GAME SOFTWARE SALES

New Report Provides Comprehensive View of Global Video Games Sales in World’s Largest Games Markets

NEW YORK, TOKYO, LONDON, August 21, 2008 – Leading providers of consumer and retail information in the video games industry, The NPD Group, GfK Chart-Track Limited and Enterbrain, Inc., today announced the release of Top Global Markets Report, the first report to integrate point-of-sale (POS) data for video game software sales in the world’s largest games markets.

The leading games information sources in the U.S, U.K. and Japan – the largest games markets in the world – have joined forces to provide the gaming industry with a single source for sales data providing detailed insight into what’s happening in these important markets.

Top Global Markets Report gives the video game industry the ability to equip itself with a monthly report that provides jointly-contributed, title-level video games software sales by country. Data can be viewed as an integrated total market view or as side-by-side country comparisons.

The report allows users to track titles, unit sales and share, as well as dollar sales and revenue share in order to quickly respond to shifts in the marketplace. It gives users the ability to know the market and competitors across countries in order to analyze and respond to global gaming market trends.

"We are excited to be working more closely with NPD and Enterbrain,” said John Pinder, Managing Director, GfK Chart-Track Limited. “This partnership represents a great opportunity to benefit not only our clients but the industry as a whole by providing a comprehensive, industry-supported view of sales across the three largest video game markets,

“We are very grateful to start such a valuable service and alliance with NPD and GfK Chart-Track Limited,” said Hirokazu Hamamura, President, Enterbrain, Inc. “This service gives us the ability to better help game publishers and developers by providing them with a more global view of market performance.”

Year-to-Date* Top 5 Video Game Titles
Top Global Markets Report
Ranked By Units**

Rank Title Total US UK Japan
1 GRAND THEFT AUTO IV 6,293,000 4,711,000 1,582,000 —
2 SUPER SMASH BROS: BRAWL 5,433,000 3,539,000 213,000 1,681,000
3 MARIO KART WII 4,697,000 2,409,000 687,000 1,601,000
4 WII FIT 3,604,000 1,433,000 624,000 1,547,000
5 GUITAR HERO III: LEGENDS OF ROCK 3,475,000 3,037,000 412,000 26,000

Source: Top Global Markets Report / Retail Tracking Service
*Jan.-July 2008
**Unit sales figures rounded

Methodology
Information in this report is based on POS data that comes directly from the leading games sales data providers in each country covered by this report.

About The NPD Group, Inc.
The NPD Group is the leading provider of reliable and comprehensive consumer and retail information for a wide range of industries. Today, more than 1,600 manufacturers, retailers, and service companies rely on NPD to help them drive critical business decisions at the global, national, and local market levels. NPD helps our clients to identify new business opportunities and guide product development, marketing, sales, merchandising, and other functions. Information is available for the following industry sectors: automotive, beauty, commercial technology, consumer technology, entertainment, fashion, food and beverage, foodservice, home, office supplies, software, sports, toys, and wireless. For more information, contact us or visit http://www.npd.com/

About GfK Chart-Track Limited
GfK Chart-Track Limited, a research company based in West London, monitors sales of music, videos and software through retail in the UK, Ireland and Denmark. GfK Chart-Track Limited has established an unparalleled reputation for fast and accurate retail research in the home entertainment market. The methodology used across all GfK Chart-Track Limited's services is continuous quantitative retail research, giving clients a broad range of statistical information from GfK Chart-Track Limited’s standard and customized services, enabling them to track market size, market trends and product sales through retail. For more information, visit http://www.chart-track.co.uk/

About Enterbrain, Inc.
ENTERBRAIN, INC. is a publisher of top-selling magazines, with each representing a field within the video game industry, including its flagship series of Famitsu magazines – its most popular being Weekly Famitsu. Additionally, Enterbrain, Inc., a publisher of various entertainment books and magazines in genres such as PC game, horse racing, cartoons, game strategy books, and fighting, has also developed numerous hit video games, such as the Derby Stallion series, and put its efforts into network services with sites such as Famitsu.com, as well as mobile phone sites. Enterbrain, Inc. also provides the most comprehensive up-to-date information on Japan's game hardware/software industry and publishes the 'Famitsu White Paper'. For more information, visit http://www.enterbrain.co.jp/

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PSP: 10 Million Sold (In Japan)

Luke Plunkett — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:00:00 MDT

While it's enjoyed various ups and downs in the West, in Japan, the PSP has been emerging as something of a colossal hit. Over the first six months of 2008 it's been the best-selling console in Japan, and Sony have now announced that (based on Enterbrain figures), since the unit's launch in Japan in 2004, over ten million PSPs have been sold in the country. To anyone getting visions of a tortoise and a hare, it's OK, you're not alone.

Tokyo, July 15, 2008 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that the cumulative sell-in units of PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system (PSP-1000 and 2000 series) reached a total of 10 million units(*1) in Japan as of July 15, 2008.

Since the launch on December 12th 2004 in Japan, PSP has evolved as an innovative handheld entertainment system, having a wide array of exciting software titles and by introducing peripherals as well as upgrading system software through continuous firmware updates. Inheriting the basic functions and the design philosophy of PSP-1000, slim and light PSP (PSP-2000) made its debut on September 20th 2007 and in the first half of 2008(*2), it has become the best selling system in the game console market in Japan. Many color variations have also been introduced, now having PSP available in a total of seven different colors. Features such as “1 Seg” viewing(*3), “Skype”, Kotaku press releases and many other fun accessories that expands the joy of entertainment on PSP, including “Microphone” and a multi-functional “Cradle” in addition to a strong line-up of attractive software titles are also accelerating the expansion of the platform.

On the games front, there are over 580 (*4) titles now available in Japan alone. More and more exciting new software titles of different genres are scheduled for release towards the end of year from third party licensees as well as from SCE Worldwide Studios (WWS) Japan Studio, including GUNDAM BATTLE UNIVERSE by NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc., The Legend of Heroes: SORA NO KISEKI the 3rd by Nihon Falcom Corporation and PHANTASY STAR PORTABLE by SEGA CORPORATION as well as SCE WWS Japan Studio titles including BLEACH Soul Carnival, LocoRoco2, PATAPON2(Working Title), SECRET AGENT CLANK and Yusyanokuseni Namaikidaor2.(*5) In conjunction with the powerful line-up of upcoming software titles, two new bundle packs, “PSP Metallic Blue Value Pack” and “PSP Metallic Blue 1 Seg Pack”, featuring a new “Metallic Blue” PSP bundled with popular accessories and peripherals, will become available on July 17th in Japan as a limited offer.

SCE will vigorously promote PSP as a new handheld entertainment system to enjoy a variety of digital entertainment content by enhancing network capabilities and interoperability with PLAYSTATION®3.

Ken Kutaragi Offers His International Business Skills

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:00:00 MDT

Ever wonder what PlayStation father Ken Kutaragi is up to? After that messy, messy PS3 launch, Kutaragi was elbowed out of the limelight in favor of Sony Computer Entertainment of America honcho Kaz Hirai. Still connected with Sony Computer Entertainment, Kutaragi no longer works for SCE in any active function.

According to a recent Kadokawa Group Holdings financial statement, Kutaragi will be taking on the role of an outside director, making him on the board of directors. This will be approved at the June 22nd shareholder meeting. Kadokawa Shoten publishes many manga (Lucky Star, Cowboy Bebop) as well as magazines (Newtype). Apparently Kadokawa is hoping to tap into Kutaragi's international business savvy. M'kay.

As IGN points out, here's where it gets interesting: Enterbrain is under the Kodokawa Group Holdings umbrella. Enterbrain publishes Famitsu, Japan's most influential game magazine. Let the conspiracy theories begin!
Ken Kutaragi's New Digs [Famitsu]

Enterbrain Back Slowly Away From "New DS" Prediction

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:40:00 MDT

Earlier this week, according to Bloomberg, Enterbrain president Hirokazu Hamamura predicted a new DS would be unveiled at E3. You'd think he'd be the kind of guy - what with his company publishing Famitsu and all - to get that sort of thing right. But Nintendo quickly came out and, rather than say "no comment", went so far as to say "no dice". Now, Enterbrain themselves have felt the need to issue a statement, denying that Hamamura predicted any such thing.

He did not...make a comment about the possibility of an announcement by Nintendo concerning a new model or successor to the Nintendo DS due to its current scarce product availability caused by its worldwide popularity.

Maybe they're right, maybe Bloomberg are right, but either way, who am I to stand in the way of a good old-fashioned corporate back-tracking expedition? Full statement's after the jump if you're interested.

Enterbrain: Japan Console Market To Peak This Year

Mark Wilson — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:00:00 MDT

Famitsu publisher Enterbrain is not encouraged by the Japanese console market. In fact, they've predicted that game console and software sales will peak this year with spending of 710.4 billion yen and drop to 671.1 billion yen by 2010. More from Japan Today:

The market is likely to contract as brisk demand for games consoles, such as the Wii from Nintendo Co and the PlayStation 3 from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc, will run its course, Enterbrain Inc said.

We can't quite tell if that means Enterbrain singled out those two consoles, or if the publication just offered examples for clarity. Either way, it's not a good prediction for either of them...especially not the PS3, which is still fighting for a decent install base in its native land.

Video game console, software sales forecast to peak in 2008 [Japan Today via MaxConsole]

New DS Coming To E3 2008?

Mark Wilson — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:40:00 MDT

According to Bloomberg Japan, Enterbrain (Famitsu's parent company) honcho Hirokazu Hamamura has said that Nintendo might unveil a new DS model at E3 2008. While Ash is asleep and our Google Translate only takes us so far, there doesn't appear to be any other information of note other than Nintendo declining to comment on the rumor.

Since it took about two years for the DS to become the DS Lite, the timeline for the DS Lite to become the DS Liter seems right on track. What would you like to see in the updated handheld if Hamamura's prediction comes to fruition?

Nintendo DS possibility of a new version [Bloomberg via NeoGAF]

The NEC PlayStation 2 Dating Game Laptop

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 07:00:57 MST

Japanese electronics company NEC has a deal for you! For only ¥76,258 (US $737), you can order a laptop engraved with dating sim KimiKiss from publisher Enterbrain. Check out these specs. Yep, seems like a novel way of NEC to clear out old older merchandise. Bravo, NEC. We're impressed.
Kimikiss [NEC Direct Thanks, muu!]

PS3 Wins November In Japan

Mike Fahey — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:20:29 MST

While they might have dipped a bit this past week, but you don't have to win every battle to win the war. According to Enterbrain, the PlayStation 3 came out on top in monthly sales over the Wii for the month of November, pushing 183,217 consoles to Nintendo's 159,193. This marks the first time Sony came out on top since the PS3's release last November. Is this an indication that Sony is returning to its former glory in Japan? Analyst Hiroshi Kamide of KBC Securities isn't convinced.

"It's nice to see the system selling much better than six months ago. But is it a sustainable trend? Is it going to really escalate from here? I'm not so sure."

I'm hoping the momentum keeps up. Not to dismiss the popularity of the Wii, but the PS3, despite costs, has turned out to be an extremely reliable system, and with excellent games like Ratchet and Clank and Uncharted coming out this early in the console's life cycle, things can only get better. Feel free to twist this into a 'Kotaku Hates Sony' post in the comments section!

Sony PS3 tops Nintendo Wii in Japan for first time [Reuters via Next Generation]

Wiis Gathering Dust in Japan

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 21:00:50 MDT

Sure, the Nintendo Wii is selling well in Japan. But are people actually using it or is the console just room decor? President of Famitsu publisher Enterbrain Hirokazu Hamamura not only predicts 30 million DSes sold by 2009, but also shows figures that indicate something like 67 percent of Japanese Wii owners are not using the Wii console recently. Which probably means people bought the Wii and Wii Sports, played it until they got sick of it and have returned to their DSes. Sure, Super Mario Galaxy will have folks playing the crap out of their Wiis again. But until then? Damn, it's been a long, hard dry spell since the console launched.

Unscientific poll time: Who regularly plays their Nintendo Wii?
Enterbrain President [IGN]

Wii Sales Dominance Digest, Vol. 2, Issue 41

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:20:58 MDT

To anyone who follows the weekly Simple 2000: The Japanese Hardware Chart posts, this news won't come as a surprise. But, according to Japanese publisher Enterbrain, via Reuters, the Wii continues to outsell the PLAYSTATION 3 at home at a rate of four-to-one. The figures, compiled from April to September of this year, put Wii sales at 1.6 million with the PS3 selling through just 385,492 consoles.

While we've seen a decline in Wii sales over the past few weeks, Sony has seen a similar drop off week-to-week in the past month. And while the ratio may be decreasing in Sony's favor, the Wii still continues to outsell its bulkier competitor by a factor of two- or three-to-one.

I suspect that the Japanese release of Super Mario Galaxy will drive Wii sales through the roof, as the PS3's response for the Wii sequel is Railfan Taiwan High Speed Rail. But, we obviously wish both parties the best of luck.

Wii Japan sales overwhelm PS3 [Reuters]

Wii Outselling PS3 Over Two To One In Japan

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 15:40:20 MDT

It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who religiously follows the Media Create weekly hardware sales, but a report from Enterbrain (publishers of Weekly Famitsu) shows that the Wii is outselling the PLAYSTATION 3 by a considerable margin. A gap wide enough to fill a blue ocean, you might say.

Enterbrain's figures, by way of Bloomberg, peg Wii sales at 1.95 million consoles compared to 812,000 PS3s during a similar time period. Actually, the PS3 has been available to Japanese consumers and Chinese nationals working for scalpers nearly a month longer.

So where is Sony keeping pace with Nintendo in the home turf console war? Total yen sales! With some 47.6 billion yen in sales versus Nintendo's 48.7 billion yen, that high price is helping them in one way. For the record, I'm estimating that with a fairly generous 20% of those PS3 sales being of the 20 GB variety.

Oh, and with PS3's eleven pound shipping weight, I'm sure Sony is crushing them in total pounds shipped. Michael McWhertor

Nintendo's Japan Wii Sales Double Those of Sony's PlayStation 3 [Bloomberg]