Sales figures and stock prices are important to any fanboy's repertoire. For some reason, there's a strange assumption that higher sales of a system means better games (something that I'd like to disagree with ... RIP Dreamcast). However, considering how we're all invested (mentally) in the industry, it's still fascinating to see how gamer perception reflects upon stocks--and Digital Battle did the research for us.

Sony fanboys know that Sony hasn't done as well as they could've this year, with both the PSP and PS3 launches. Nintendo has been on a roll with the Wii and the DS, and it appears the stock reflects that nicely. However, considering how Sony is a mega-conglomerate corporation, one can't assume the poor performance of the video game devision is to blame for their fiscal stagnation: I'm sure exploding batteries haven't helped them one bit.

[Via digg]

It's pretty obvious that Sony and its image in the public realm has depreciated over the past few months. They're ridiculed time and time again by many writers on the internet (Joystiq included), using old internet memes about giant enemy crabs and real time weapon switching. Behind the humor, there are some real concerns that they need to address:

• Sony doesn't make reliable hardware. The exploding battery fiasco certainly doesn't look good for them, especially when they're responsible for recall after recall after recall after recall...
• Sony makes outrageous, unbelivable claims. And they're perceived as arrogant too. For good reason.
• Sony's marketing (for the PSP at least) has been atrocious.

With their stocks taking a huge plunge, many are wondering if there is a future for Sony, and if it's learning from its mistakes. Well, Sony's eating some humble pie as of late, even admitting to the weakening quality of their products. They're taking another step for the better: they're getting a new ad agency. According to mad.co.uk, Sony is finally re-examining their brand, and will try to completely makeover their corporate identity. With the all-important PlayStation 3 about to launch, Sony better get their act together... fast.

[Via CVG]

Take-Two, the company behind the mega-popular brand Rockstar Games, is facing some troubles. Although the company has greater revenues this year than last, Take-Two is facing some serious issues. Firstly, the company has "received additional grand jury subpoenas issued by the District Attorney of the County of New York requesting documents ... regarding stock options and other equity based compensation." Also, Wall Street analysts think that the stock for the company is overvalued: "the current analyst consensus EPS estimates for its third quarter, and revenue and EPS [earnings per share ]estimates for its fourth quarter are too high."

With plummeting stock prices, Take-Two looks towards the PSP for solace. The company speaks of the upcoming Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories and "a Rockstar PSP title based on a premier brand out of the fourth quarter" as upcoming releases that should more than move a few units. The company hasn't revealed what the mystery PSP title is, but it appears that all bets are on Sony's handheld for the company now.

See also:
TTWO shares drop on earnings warning, stock option investigation

[Via Gamespot]