However, the Saturn failed to take the lead. After the launch of the Nintendo 64 in 1996, sales of the Saturn and its games were sharply reduced, while the PlayStation outsold the Saturn by three-to-one in the U.S. in 1997. The 1997 release of Final Fantasy VII significantly increased the PlayStations popularity in Japan. As of August 1997, Sony controlled 47% of the console market, Nintendo 40%, and Sega only 12%. Neither price cuts nor high-profile game releases proved helpful. Reflecting decreased demand for the system, worldwide Saturn shipments during March to September 1997 declined from 2.35 million to 600,000 versus the same period in 1996; shipments in North America declined from 800,000 to 50,000. Due to the Saturns poor performance in North America, 60 of Sega of Americas 200 employees were laid off in the fall of 1997.

Question: What game console producing companies are mentioned in the article?
Answer: Sony

Question: Which console became more popular than the Saturn in 1996?
Answer: Nintendo 64

Question: How many percent of the market did Sony and Nintendo hold in August of 1997?
Answer: 87

Question: What two methods did Sega try to save the Saturn's performance?
Answer: price cuts

Question: Did Worldwide or North American shipments decrease by the largest amount?
Answer: worldwide

Question: Which company was second leading in the market in August of 1997?
Answer: Nintendo

Question: Which three companies competed for popularity in August 1997?
Answer: Nintendo

Question: Which company laid off employees in 1997?
Answer: Sega of Americas

Question: How many Sega employees retained their jobs after massive layoffs in the fall of 1997?
Answer: 140

Question: Which companies controlled over 40% or more of the market in 1997?
Answer: Sony

Question: Which companies each controlled 40% or more of the console market?
Answer: Sony

Question: How many months was there a total decline of 1750000 worldwide Saturn shipments?
Answer: 6

Question: How many shipments were Saturn shipments declined by in North America?
Answer: 750000

Question: How many Sega of Americas employees were not laid off in the fall of 1997?
Answer: 140