PS3 sells 3.8 million units in December, “vigorous enhancements” coming to PlayStation Network

I wouldn’t be wrong if I said that PlayStation 3 sales have had a strong increase since the announcement of the PS3 slim model and $299 price drop. However, saying that the console sold nearly four million units in one month would sound preposterous. Well, it’s true.

Sony Computer Entertainment announced today that during the five weeks following the last week of November 2009, PlayStation 3 sold over 3.8 million units worldwide. That’s a 76% increase when compared to December 2008. Along with that, more than 38 million registered PlayStation Network accounts have been registered as of January 3, 2010.

In the same release, Sony’s announced that they plan to “vigorously enhance the [PlayStation Network] content and services”, introduce a new motion controller (PS3 wand), and introduce 3D gaming to PlayStation 3 via a firmware upgrade.

2010 for PS3 looked exciting before, now it looks fantastic.

PlayStation(R)3 Retail Sales Exceed 3.8 Million Units Worldwide During the Holiday Sales Season
Remarkable 76% Increase Compared to the Previous Year, Resulting in the Most Successful Holiday Season in the History of PlayStation(R)3

TOKYO, Jan. 6 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that the holiday season retail sales of PlayStation®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment systems during the five weeks following the last week of November 2009(*1) exceeded 3.8 million units worldwide(*2). The PS3 platform experienced a 76% increase in hardware sales compared to the same period in the previous year, marking the highest record sales for PS3 hardware for a holiday period. With the release of the new slimmer and lighter PS3 system combined with an exciting line-up of compelling software titles, as well as with the expansion of new content and services on PlayStation®Network, with more than 38 million registered accounts(*3) worldwide, the PS3 platform continues to surpass its momentum every year and remains on track to further accelerate the growth of its worldwide installed base into 2010.

With continued strong support from game developers and publishers around the world, highly anticipated and exciting game titles on Blu-ray™ disc were released for the PS3 system during the holiday season. The software line-up includes platform-defining franchises that contributed significantly to PS3 hardware sales such as UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves from SCE, Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed® II, Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 from Activision, and FINAL FANTASY XIII from SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. FINAL FANTASY XIII for North America and Europe/PAL territories will be available on March 9, 2010. In addition to this extensive line-up of software titles, multimedia capabilities that PS3 offers, including Blu-ray disc player functionality, combined with various rich content and services available for download on PlayStation®Network, continue to attract more and more users around the globe making PS3 the ultimate interactive entertainment system for the home.

In 2010, SCEI will continue to deploy various measures to further expand the PS3 software line-up, including highly anticipated titles such as God of War 3, Gran Turismo™ 5, MAG, Heavy Rain and ModNation Racers. The company will also vigorously enhance the network content and services, while tapping into a wider audience through the introduction of a new Motion Controller(*4) supported with a variety of software titles as well as delivering outstanding 3D experience in homes with 3D stereoscopic games and movies(*5), that is possible only on the PS3 platform.

(*1) From November 23 to December 27 for Japan and Asia, from November 24 to December 28 for North America, and from November 21 to December 25 for Europe and PAL territories.

(*2) Retail sales number is estimated by SCEI.

(*3) Number as of January 3, 2010.

(*4) “Motion Controller” is a tentative name.

(*5) Users will be able to enjoy 3D stereoscopic games and movies by updating their PS3 system with the supported firmware updates. Details of the firmware updates will be announced when they become available.