220°

The First Week Ends: PS4 Overpowers Xbox One Across Most Major Online Retailers Worldwide

The first week after the fateful E3 press conferences is now in the past. Shots were fired and returned, and preorders for both the PS4 and the Xbox One are open in many countries.

Who is faring better so far? DualShockers set out to search the top sellers and preorders lists of the most popular online retailers in quite a few of the countries where the two consoles will be available at launch.

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dualshockers.com
mossman3960d ago

From my perspective, there are three critical mistakes that Microsoft have made with the Xbox One.

First
The whole stance on DRM/Used Games is the strangest and most ironic of the three mistakes. In various articles I’ve seen the XOne called futuristic and forward thinking. But if this is true, why didn’t Microsoft realize that the DRM/Used Game issue will eventually disappear on its own? Currently I have a PS3. Sometimes I buy disc based games, and sometimes I download them when I can get them at a discount or for convenience. I expect to be able to sell and trade my disc games, and I don’t expect that of my downloads. And over time, I am downloading more and more. See? This issue will naturally go away as we move into the future! So if Microsoft was so forward thinking, why didn’t they recognize this and just leave the issue alone. Better to potentially alienate a segment of your customer base?

Second
The unveiling event for the XOne was a colossal mistake. Not the event itself, but how they focused on the non-gaming aspects of the device. Much of this has been said already, but I think two things stand out for me and bear repeating. The most obvious is that the people who will buy the XOne are gamers, so that aspect always needs to go first and be emphasized. The media elements come next and should have been presented as a bonus. As with the first argument above, Microsoft seems to be tone deaf to their customer base for no apparent reason. But then there’s this: as cool as the media elements are, I can’t shake the feeling that there will be a box from Apple or Roku in a year to two down the line that will do the best aspects of what the XOne can do for $100. Why would I pay $500 for that? Well, I might if I were a gamer and the features were just an add-on to my system. Which again, makes Microsoft’s approach to marketing the console seem misguided and sloppy.

Third
I can’t shake the wonder that maybe Microsoft doesn’t really want to be in the gaming market at all. Do I really believe this? No. Of course they want to be here. But the thought occurs to me when I see what Sony is doing. Let’s be frank here. Sony is a large corporation with a track record of bad decisions and trying to force customers into their way of thinking (especially as it pertains to proprietary formats and really pushing their media acquisitions). They didn’t look like that at the PS4 unveiling and at E3 did they? They look like an upstart company, doing whatever it takes to win. They know Microsoft is their target, thanks to Nintendo’s strategy of self-irrelevance. They can’t wait to talk about how their product is better than their competitors, and is probably making decisions directly based on what Microsoft has done (I wonder how many such decisions were actually made after the XOne E3 presentation?). Sony is the fighter that’s telling me “I want your business and will only make decisions that I know will make you happy”. Microsoft seems to be saying, “jeepers, we think we’re really cool and you should be on board with us”. An oversimplification of the two positions? Of course, but I’m not that far from the truth, am I?

Ultimately, I think Sony and Microsoft deserve to be in the position they are in right now. Sony is fine and can sit back and wait. Microsoft needs a direction change between now and November. If they continue to act the way I have described, there will be no change, and they will get crushed in 2013. If they can address these issues, then maybe they can level the playing field. It would all come down to whether gamers believed they were sincere or not. That doesn’t seem to be a question for Sony at the moment.

Abriael3960d ago

It's hard not to think "what the hell they're doing? They're just shooting themselves in the foot", and it's definitely hard not to wonder how the hell they can not see it...

Honest_gamer3960d ago

@your point 3 i have too thought this i think they are going for the TV crowd, which as we all know is massive compared to the gaming crowd, however they are also going for the gamers as they have the xbox 360 players who will buy the system to kick it of, however this has not worked as many 360 people are trading in there 360's for ps3's, jumping shit now or plan to jump ship next gen. BUT at the exact same time im not so surprised by this last gen they abandoned there user base, this gen the same thing is happening i have a 360, but have not turned it on ONCE this year as there's NO GAMES for it, last game i got was halo 4 which was a massive letdown and traded it in a few days later.

xursz3960d ago

Something on my mind, can some body more informed than myself answer this for me?

If I buy a game disc for the XBOne, am I just buying a digital license to play that game? I heard they will allow "game shares" but isn't that the same model used for digital distribution, being that every game needs to be mandatorily stored on your HDD?

pompombrum3960d ago

I don't think anyone fully knows the answer to that yet however it is pointing very much to you buying the game license.

3960d ago
3960d ago
Destrania3960d ago (Edited 3960d ago )

Technically yes, you are in essence buying digital licences when purchasing discs on Xbone. Consider you have to register online every disc based game you buy (even to play 'offline'), and, you have to install every game onto your hdd to be able to play said game. Discs for Xbone will be used only as game transfer devices.

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pompombrum3960d ago

Agree with everything you said but would also add

Forth: Poorly handled interviews and conflicting statements from various execs.

Still even now despite everything that has been said, I'm still not 100% certain on certain aspects of the console. By now for Microsoft's sake, they should have had every controversial topic addressed and completely cleared, instead they stewed in their own arrogance and refused to address rumours and then made it even worse post unveiling as they had five different employees say five different things.

Abriael3960d ago

Yeah, the interviews were very poorly handled, especially when major nelson came out and accused the press of inaccurate reporting, when the ones that were being inaccurate were his own executives. It was in very poor taste and didn't make them any friends.

Tales RPG addict3960d ago

Nooffense but Microshaft wont addresss the issues. Have you seen Angry Joe's interview with Major Nelson as the guy gets made a AJ saying the family share is DRM.
Dont beat around the bush, MS doesnt give a Fuck what you think, and they have no intention to remove the DRM policies since Major Nelson said it was publisher chosen or some Bullshit like that.
PS3,PS4,Xbox 360, and Wii U > Xbox DONE

mossman3960d ago

You could be right, but there's time for Microsoft to correct their mistake. Right now, not even a week after their e3 event, they are like a deer in headlights. They are momentarily stuck in place and will need time to think about their position.

It's possible that they decide to stick to their guns, and keep the core strategy in place. But I have a hard time imagining that based on the pre-order situation. The market is telling them, "we don't like what you are offering", and the message is crystal clear. The networking effect is critical, and no one knows that more than Microsoft. Their success with the 360 in America was largely based on getting out a year ahead of the competition, and Sony's blunders with the PS3 launch helped as well. So Microsoft knows that they can't spot market share to the PS4 out the gate or their climb back up the ladder will be slow, painful, and potentially futile. They have to try to stem the tide before launch, and limit the damage. Otherwise they risk losing it all from the starting gate.

If they can't get that, then they will truly be destined to fail. I don't know what will happen, but Microsoft isn't stupid, and given time, I suspect we will start to see a third attempt to get a better message across. Lots of time between now and November.

It's too late for me. I've got my launch day pre-order in place for the PS4. But the game has not yet been won in America.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3960d ago
Moonman3960d ago

It begins. PlayStation mania is back baby (it really never left) but you know the level I mean! ;p

Fat-Milkers3960d ago

LOL What's going on in Canada? I know the PS4 is sold out, but come on! don't go to the dark side.

devwan3960d ago

The EB Games site has the ps4 listed as something other than pre-release, it's actually top of their current sales (link in other post below).

zeroskie3960d ago

Don't forget all the countries where the Xbox isn't launching.

Abriael3960d ago

Of course. In fact I've listed only countries in which both were ranked. Making a comparison with a no show isn't too fair :D

Honest_gamer3960d ago

as bad as the news is for the xbox one its sad to thing this is only about 20% of how bad the ps3 got it, aw man i cant help but look back at the early days of the ps3, who else remembers the comparisons where they would edit and use the best possible tv/settings for the 360 but use scart and the worst possible tv for ps3 etc aw funny stuff.

Why o why3960d ago

Yes. I was here then.... open zone days....zhuk and dark sniper days....those 2 were tru kings. Im still waiting for the same magazines dead on arrival front page they ran for the ps3.....smh

Show all comments (29)
80°

Unicorn Overlord is a tactical RPG masterpiece

Vanillaware's tactical role-playing game Unicorn Overlord is a beautiful mix of old mechanics and new-age graphics, with over 65 unique recruitable characters and a rich storyline.

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knowtechie.com
jznrpg5h ago

I have the game and downloaded it going to start it tonight and play it on the Portal.

NotoriousWhiz4h ago

Enjoy. This game is so much fun and so addictive.

jznrpg2h ago

I heard great things and I am a fan of most Vanillaware games so I’m looking forward to it. Waiting for my kids to fall asleep and I’m good to go

hard joe51m ago

the only rts that worked for me
other titles didn't

220°

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Has Appeared On The Xbox Store

Activision and Raven Software's 2006 action role-playing game, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, has found its way to the Xbox Store.

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twistedvoxel.com
LG_Fox_Brazil11h ago

Used to love this one, but X-Men Legends 1 and 2 will always be my favorites, especially Rise of Apocalypse. Would pay some good money to play it today with online multiplayer, back then I had no way to get a modem

RavenWolfx3h ago

Yeah, I loved the Legends games so much.

ZeekQuattro10h ago

I remember buying them dirt cheap on the PS4 and then a few days later I read they were delisted. I was wondering why the bundle was price so low and got my answer when that happened.

Knightofelemia9h ago(Edited 9h ago)

Sad to say this is one game franchise next to the Xmen that needs a sequel. I use to play the hell out of Xmen Legends and Marvel Ultimate Alliance. Was great when my cousin had the OG Xbox play with four other people and then playing online. Great games glad to see it reappear even though I own the discs love the mechanics of this game.

Terry_B8h ago

It got a sequel..but for dumbass #reasons as a switch exclusive.

shinoff21838h ago

It looked so horrible to. They should've kept it similar to the first two.

Asplundh8h ago

Because Nintendo funded it, they did the same for Bayonetta.

Knightofelemia8h ago

I totally forgot about the Switch sequel.

jukins8h ago

Misleading. This page is whats available for people who owned the game prior to delisting.

Abnor_Mal7h ago

The first game was the best imo.

160°

Kingdom Come Deliverance is just $4 on PS5 following reveal of KCD2

If you’re hyped for Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, then you can play the first entry of the RPG series on PS4 and PS5 now for a very low price.

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theloadout.com
FPSRUSSIA10h ago

Just Bought it Thank you after checking reviews alot people enjoyed it Worth Picking up for that Price.

Spenok7h ago

I already own the physical copy on PS4, and even bought it on Steam for my Steamdeck... but I went ahead and bought this as well. Because, why not?

thesoftware7306h ago

Yeah, good price, saw this yesterday on SX as well