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Sony Game Division Posts Loss, But It's Getting Better

Sony's had a rough year so far, littered with bad financial reports and layoffs. In a new financial statement, the losses continue.

Sony's posted a loss of $198 million in the its most recent fiscal quarter. Some of the loss was due to a slowdown in its games business. The company's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 sales were down compared to last year (3.5 million units sold vs. 4.9 million units sold in the same quarter of 2011). The Vita and PSP combined to sell 1.6 million units.

There were some glimmers of hope. Though the $198 million loss for the quarter isn't exactly good news, it's better than the $312 million loss posted in the previous quarter. Also, Sony software sales were up, with PS3 and PS2 sales up 41.4 million from 40.2 million, while handheld sales were up 8.2 million from 8.7 million.

Other Sony departments like the home entertainment division, which covers home theater systems and televisions, saw their net loss drop to $203 million from $526 million last quarter.

Sony has lowered its revenue projections for the year ending March 2013, from $85 to $83 billion.

Sources: Joystiq, Engadget

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Comments
  • I'm surprised Sony hasn't just shut down yet. The vita is a complete failure, Walkman hasn't been relevant in decades, and 3Dtv's are dead.
  • Seems like they need a new console to boost sales. These losses will push that end forward more urgently. Hope they don't make the same mistake MS made with the 360's launch
  • Sony seriously needs to rethink their gameplan. They made a huge mistake not to release a large AAA title this fall like the Last of Us or Last Guardian, and they need to get the PS4 out in time to compete with the 720 or whatever Microsoft is going to show off. If they repeat the PS3 launch, they won't last in the console manufacturing business much longer unfortunately.
  • "Handheld sofware up 8.2mil from 8.7mil"

    Do you mean the other way round?

  • since when was 8.2 up from 8.7?
  • It's nice to see that things are on the upswing. I wonder how many people have bought PSP games for their Vita and how much that helped software sales for the handhelds.

  • I bought a vita, and a ps3, and I always buy games. I am helping all I can Sony!

  • Does a company that makes 83 billion a year really have "losses?"
  • I've been letting my mind run wild at the thought that sony might partner with someone for the next generation, due to financilal reasons. Can anyone else imagine a Valve Sony console?
  • That's great news... I hope you guys rebound quickly :)

  • The fact that losses narrowed compared to previous quarter is not truly good news and is not that much of an improvement. In fact, the lowered profit forecast speaks of a rough way ahead and is about to reach bottom (or so it seems). Third quarter is not that active regarding sales of hardware. Also PSVita is totally underperforming, the TV business is in life support as of now and Sony is now venturing joint businesses to improve profits which may ultimately backfire.

    The real issue in which Hirai's ability to steer the company remains to be seen is to return Sony's former glory. If you look at Panasonic's earnings report, you may break into tears.
  • (sigh) Yeah. Better. Honestly, I don't know if Sony can even afford to screw up or even make a PS4 at this point. They're hobbling along on some pretty big crutches.
  • thats alot of amount of money...

  • With the economy on such shaky ground, that's to be expected. Let's hope for everyone to have a great Q2 in this FY.

  • Doesn't matter one bit to me.  They still have the far superior game console compared to the tweener box.

  • that's sad news, i hope they can do something to change that, but honestly Microsoft will probably continue to dominate. I think part of the problem is Sony tries really hard in all these things that ultimately turn out to be gimmicks. Like the 3DTV support, and all their hand held stuff, I'm sure there is a market for that, but maybe not invest so much into it. It's not always about being "cutting edge" and technologically advanced, sure have some muscle but the more important aspect to keep in mind is to make the gaming fun. I have a ps3 and xbox, and have to admit, most of the games I get for PS3 are the exclusives, if its multiplatform than I go with xbox typically. Thats because thats they have more people, its a more social experience, I will get a multiplatform for ps3 sometimes when they include exclusive content like AC3. Anyways, I hope Sony works out, it'd be sad to see em go.

  • "Also, Sony software sales were up, with PS3 and PS2 sales up 41.4 million from 40.2 million, while handheld sales were up 8.2 million from 8.7 million."

    According to this handheld sales actually went down by 1/2 million.

    As for the comments saying the Vita is dead and Sony is out of innovation, I would point you to my new blog post regarding the Vita. Just got mine and my brain almost exploded from the sheer amount of awesomeness.

  • I would like to help sony, I really would but the PSN store is very expensive and is lacking in discounts and sales like steam or Xbox live. I mean DLCs from 4 years ago are still at the same price. I would like to buy them but no way in hell am I getting it when I can get the base game at half of what the DLC costs :(
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