Games By Matthew Humphries Nov. 25, 2013 8:44 am
When the PS4 launched on November 15 Sony was very happy to report its next-gen console managed to sell over a million units in the first 24 hours. That’s eleven every second.
Microsoft has now confirmed the Xbox One also managed to sell over a million units at launch, but that shouldn’t be taken on face value as equaling Sony’s achievement with the PS4. Remember, when the PS4 launched it was only available in North America, with other territories being added in the coming weeks. Microsoft simultaneously launched in 13 territories, including North America and Europe, meaning the console was available to a lot more gamers on launch day.
We’ll get a better picture of PS4 sales when Euro gamers get their hands on it this Friday. But even so, a million units for both consoles is a very good start, and establishes both platforms on the market and for developers/publishers to consider releasing games for. Healthy competition will benefit gamers in the long term, and push both Sony and Microsoft to lower prices when they can as well as court developers to secure some exclusive, and hopefully very high quality new games.
We won’t know which console is “winning” for some time. The worldwide launch for both consoles extends into 2014, although Sony’s finishes first with the PS4 release in Japan on February 22. Microsoft is still deciding exactly when in 2014 to launch the Xbox One in Japan. With that in mind, and the fact the PS4 is significantly cheaper, I expect it will have the lead early on and maintain it into the holidays next year.
One area Sony and Microsoft will be focusing on right now is quality assurance. Both consoles have had hardware issues which need to be fixed on the production line. In the case of the PS4 it’s an issue with video output related to the HDMI port. Where as some Xbox One units are shipping with faulty Blu-ray drives or make an awful buzzing sound.
Now read: PS4 and Xbox One game install, load, and boot times compared
More...
Microsoft has now confirmed the Xbox One also managed to sell over a million units at launch, but that shouldn’t be taken on face value as equaling Sony’s achievement with the PS4. Remember, when the PS4 launched it was only available in North America, with other territories being added in the coming weeks. Microsoft simultaneously launched in 13 territories, including North America and Europe, meaning the console was available to a lot more gamers on launch day.
We’ll get a better picture of PS4 sales when Euro gamers get their hands on it this Friday. But even so, a million units for both consoles is a very good start, and establishes both platforms on the market and for developers/publishers to consider releasing games for. Healthy competition will benefit gamers in the long term, and push both Sony and Microsoft to lower prices when they can as well as court developers to secure some exclusive, and hopefully very high quality new games.
We won’t know which console is “winning” for some time. The worldwide launch for both consoles extends into 2014, although Sony’s finishes first with the PS4 release in Japan on February 22. Microsoft is still deciding exactly when in 2014 to launch the Xbox One in Japan. With that in mind, and the fact the PS4 is significantly cheaper, I expect it will have the lead early on and maintain it into the holidays next year.
One area Sony and Microsoft will be focusing on right now is quality assurance. Both consoles have had hardware issues which need to be fixed on the production line. In the case of the PS4 it’s an issue with video output related to the HDMI port. Where as some Xbox One units are shipping with faulty Blu-ray drives or make an awful buzzing sound.
Now read: PS4 and Xbox One game install, load, and boot times compared
More...
