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Microsoft Winning The Downloadable Race

by Tim Turi on June 28, 2011 at 03:50 PM

4,427 Views

While it may not come as a surprise to everyone, the Xbox 360 is leading the digital charge with most downloaded games. Don't chalk this up to the PSN outage, however, as these figures are primarily taken from last year. In 2010 XBLA moved twice as many games as Sony's PSN, and trounced Nintendo with seven times the downloads.

The NPD Group reports that downloadable games sales between 360, Wii, and PS3 rose dramatically between 2006 to 2008, and plateaued in 2010. The report also shows that Microsoft outsold Sony in retailer-distributed digital points cards nearly four to one, with Nintendo straggling far behind.

Other interesting reports show 3D-capable software comprising 25% of November 2010, then leveling off at 10% in April 2011. Also games sporting motion control increased between April 2010 and 2011, following Kinect and Move's launches.

I don't know about you, but in my social circles the Xbox 360 is the most popular way to download games. Though there have been developer horror stories, Microsoft is better than its competitors at shining the spotlight on indie downloadable games with consistent deals, the Summer of Arcade, and other promotions. What's surprising is that even with Nintendo and Sony's download-focused handhelds, Microsoft still obliterated them in sales. However, the Xbox 360 did kick off the downloadable game craze for consoles, so maybe it makes sense.

Source: Gamasutra

Email the author Tim Turi, or follow on Twitter, and Game Informer.

Filed under: Wii, Nintendo, Sony, Xbox 360, Microsoft, Playstation 3, sales, downloadable, npd, Impulse

Comments

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by UnableApoch Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 03:53 PM

Wow I did not know the 360 did so well with downloads.
by highrishman420 Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 03:58 PM

GI why must you do this? You post gaming news in ways that scream "OH OH OH CONSOLE WARS OVER HERE!!!" I mean the first two words of the title say "Microsoft Winning..." You claim that console wars are pointless, but then go and post flame-bait articles. It's kind of maddening.

I'm glad to hear that XBLA is doing well, but the way this article is written just screams for people to argue why their console is better or why someone else's sucks.
by MonsterZero Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 04:00 PM

The 360 has tons more blockbuster titles available for download, there are more 360s out in the general public than there are PS3s, and the Wii sucks, so this really is non-news. Kinda like saying "It's hot in Africa." Duh.
by Adym Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 04:01 PM

It would seem what Xbox lacks in on-disc exclusives, it makes up for in arcade games.
by sealsaa Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 04:01 PM

"and trounced Nintendo with seven times the downloads."

About as easy to do as it is to say

*gives the Wii a playful shot in the arm*
by FutureZeus Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 04:02 PM

Oh good lord, Here it comes......

However, with the recent Sony debacle I foresee Sony taking the top spot for digital points cards. Not many are going to use their credit cards on PSN anymore.
by eyros2k Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 04:06 PM

Huh, from 07 to 08 was quite the climb... what is the attributed to?
by Adam Starr Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 04:07 PM

This shows there is a good increase across Sony and Microsoft platforms over the years but Nintendo just started to die!
by Nick Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 04:09 PM

That's cool. I have heard from a lot of friends that have both consoles that they do prefer the Arcade games that come out on the Xbox 360 compared to those of the PS3.

I don't download much but I have gotten my fair share of games of the Marketplace like Castle Crashers, Hydro Thunder, and all the Alien Breeds.
by Kyledk05 Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 04:13 PM

I'm not really surprised. Microsoft has done a much better job of advertising and supporting the 360's downloadable games.
by Gotta_go_faster Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 04:17 PM

I'm not surprised by Microsoft's success. Trials HD and Minecraft for PS3 noaz????
by Mr.MLGPro Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 04:29 PM

Go Xbox 360 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
by tylerh1701 Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 04:44 PM

IGN is reporting this info differently. I think the term "Online Playable Software" is pretty ambiguous. After reading the IGN story, they are defining it as games such as Halo and Gears of War that are playable online, whereas Game Informer is defining it as downloadable games. Not sure who is correct.
by drownthefish23 Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 04:56 PM

cool
by IG-88 Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 05:03 PM

Good job microsoft
by Soldierx0fxGod Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 05:04 PM

The Xbox 360 always has awesome downloadable games on sale, so this isn't real surprising.
by eviltwinofme Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 05:16 PM

I use the 360 to download games. I barely have to think about buying them there since the marketplace is integrated into the menu whereas it is in a different page that has to load on the others and is annoying.
by Aces And Eights Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 05:23 PM

Download from both XBLA and PSN but if the game is out on both systems I download and play it on the 360.
by mojomonkey12 Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 05:33 PM

Well, if PSN can count the welcome back games, they will be winning by pure numbers alone quite easily next(this?)year.
by Warthog911 Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 05:46 PM

Xbox is just the best all around.. When I play my Ps3 all I can think is how much better the Xbox is, in all aspects from the controller to the platform setup..