Microsoft clarifies NPD claims

Platform holder Microsoft has clarified a statement that it released earlier today that appeared to claim that Xbox 360 sold 10m units in the US in 2009 – a number that didn’t correspond with official NPD figures.

In 2009, Xbox 360 console sales topped 10m units globally,” Microsoft has now stated. More than 1.3m sold in the US in December, contributing to a worldwide Xbox 360 install base of 39m.

Previously we had unintentionally indicated Xbox 360 sold 10m units in the US when in fact this is a global number. Apologies for any confusion this may have caused.”

Microsoft does not itself specify the sales figures, though NPD has confirmed to MCV that the console sold 4.77m units in the US throughout 2009. Its lifetime US sales stand at 18.7m.

The number means Xbox 360 outsold PS3, which shifted 4.3m consoles in the region in 2009. Nintendo’s Wii shifted 9.6m consoles and the DS 11.2m.

The clarification stems from enquiries from MCV after readers of the site picked up on the 10m figure, which arose from the following statement:

In 2009, US Xbox 360 console sales topped 10m units, with more than 1.3m sold in December, contributing to a worldwide Xbox 360 install base of 39m.”