Rules regarding the posting of Video Game Console and Gaming Sales Numbers

[hugh]

Over the last several years, threads with skewed titles and randomly chosen numbers have been posted on the forum and led to lots of flames.

I banned one member last week who had just gone over the top so going forward. I don't want to ban members and I don't want flames so, in the future, these types of post will not be allowed unless:

The subject contains date and the region for which sales numbers are presented.

• Numbers for all consoles are presented. (so includes all platforms)
• Time frame for numbers is stated (what month or year)
• Numbers clearly state for what geographic region is being measured (U.S., Asia, World etc)

Any attempts to deliberately distort or misrepresent the numbers in the original post will result in the thread being deleted. Members are asked to report any such post if they feel it violates these rules. We will then ask the author to clarify or the thread will be removed.

[hugh]

If you have a question about this policy, you can ask it here.

Please note that I am NOT banning these types of threads, I am simply asking that any numbers clearly articulate their source, region and include all consoles.

People can spin the numbers all they want in subsequent posts, however, I am demanding that the initial post be complete and accurate.

[99semaj]

Dunno if it would help (or is even possible) but perhaps the DHC community could also agree on what's a legit neutral source of data?

For example, vgchartz.com seems to be acceptable to everybody versus numbers or speculation pulled in from some blogger site. Even manufacturer press releases are questionable since both Sony and Microsoft are known to bend the truth!

This would also filter out the effect of sell-through versus channel-stuffing.

[james99]

The NPD Group is the source of most chatter on the internet. Do a simple google search.

http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_100114.html

[dahnacadi]

I think the console numbers game should be frowned upon by all of us if it is not going to be outright banned.

[99semaj]

I can support using NPD for discussions on the US market.

[dahnacadi]

Using just the NPD numbers is flame bait for the Sony fans who will promptly bring about the Europe, Japanese and eventually the world numbers in order to counteract what the NPD numbers say, so on and so on.

[the hawk]

Originally Posted by dahnacadi

I think the console numbers game should be frowned upon by all of us if it is not going to be outright banned. All they do is insight the PS3ers against the 360er's. It seems the Wii'ers are the only civil gaming group around here. We can all go to the sites to see the numbers if we want, but I don't really care to hear about who has the bigger wang.

X2

I say ban the posting of such threads altogether. They serve no purpose whatsoever. Buy the console you like and call it a day. Arguing about why one is superior to the other is fanboy nonsense. To think these guys waste so much time typing their jibberish when they could be doing something constructive.......like PLAYING the console they bought rather than feverishly typing away sales numbers and flame posts in a weak effort to help them justify their purchase to others.

[Tezster]

As long as it's clearly stated what the numbers represent - BOTH in the initial DHC post as well as the referenced URL link (as outlined by Hugh), then I don't have any problems in principle with any cited source.

[hugh]

I don't care what the source (NPD, VGAChartz etc) is so long as its not misrepresented and so long as such things as what region we are talking about is clearly stated.

No source, no region and missing data means NO thread.

[hugh]

On a personal note, I want these types of threads. Not because I am a ****** rather I am fascinated by consumer trends and I am interested in what consumers are buying and why.

What I don't like is people twisting the data and getting upset because somebody doesn't adore their precious console.

[dezzpayne]

I don't see an issue with posting of sales numbers but sometimes the posts are misleading. The proposed rules should take care of that.

Part of the issue arises around knowing which side of the fence someone sits on. Seeing 360 fan A start a negative PS3 thread and obviously the other way around tend to lead into said "flame wars".

I was a very quiet PS1/2/3 owner until what seemed like every news outlet in the world announced what a piece of trash the PS3 was and every forum backed them up about how 360 was king. It was only at that point I felt a need to defend my home team.

I'm a fan of my PS3 but that doesn't make me a "fanboy". I tend to stick positive stories about my console of choice and try to stay away from starting derogatory threads about the 360. Arguing about your choice of consoles is no different that arguing about sports teams or political affiliations. It's all in good fun, just try and keep it civil.

[Tezster]

Just to add, I think it would be a rather sad state of affairs to have to ban these type of discussions outright for the simple reason that we can't discuss them in a non-combative manner.

[james99]

Originally Posted by 99semaj

I can support using NPD for discussions on the US market.

That's fine. Most people who follow video game stats know that NPD data is for the US market. The chart and thread title clearly stated NPD as a source. When people open their newspapers in the morning they see articles like this:

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...9-top-seller/1

I don't remember seeing an article in the mainstream media that cites another source than NPD.

The numbers i posted last night (the chart) was actually from a Sony fanbased site. The numbers are strictly that, numbers. It doesn't mean system A is better than system B because it sold more.

[hugh]

Most people who follow video game stats know that NPD data is for the US market.

I have been given NPD data that was Canada only so I disagree that NPD data is for U.S. market.

If region (U.S. Canada or the World) is clearly stated in the Subject along with the timeframe (2009, December 2009 etc) then ambiguity is gone .

Ideally, any post should include figures from multiple regions and the world.