How Sony is Winning the Console War

Alex gives his take on the latest generation console war. Although the current console war between PlayStation 4 and Xbox One isn't nearly as heated as it was last generation between the PS3 and Xbox 360, there are still quite a few hardcore gamers on gaming forums going back and forth about which system is better and which system is 'winning.'

[StrayaKNT]

There's no 'winner' except for us gamers who own all consoles. Sony isn't going to win a award. This is just clickbait.

[webmednet]

I think that is really offensive to the person that wrote this article (not me, one of my freelancers), it's obvious if you have read the piece that a lot of time and effort when into it - and to just label it as clickbait - well it's a bit of an unnecessary cheap shot.

[StrayaKNT]

Everything he wrote is opinion, it's like saying because candy crush has so many sales it's the best game ever or because an iPhone has thousands of terrible little games, it's the best gaming device ever. It's all opinion, so far when it comes to AAA games microsoft is on top and console owners who own both will tell you the same thing (unless ofcorse you are speaking to a fanboy) not saying that I don't love my ps4, but I have had it since day one and it has disappointed me so far. I know bloodborne and uc will be great but thats two good games compared to like 8 on the xbox. This is just my opinion.

[TrollityTroll]

Everything he wrote is opinion
It's all opinion,
so far when it comes to AAA games microsoft is on top
console owners who own both will tell you the same thing
unless ofcorse you are speaking to a fanboy
This is just my opinion.

Everything is opinion ... and this is my opinion ... but MS has the better AAA games and if you disagree you're a fanboy because I speak on behalf of everyone who owns both consoles?
#contradictory

[AskYourMumGaming]

While competition is great in the industry, articles like these are fairly baiting for arguments, which is pretty unhealthy for the industry.

While I can appreciate the effort put in to write it, we could all benefit from having less articles like this.

[kurruptor]

@Troll, Sony had more exclusives rated 75+ in 2014.

So anyone who says Sony has better AAA titles is not simply a fanboy.

What did MS have last year? 2 of their most-touted titles were severely overrated.
- Titanfall overrated. A multiplayer game with last gen graphics shouldn't have cost full price.
- H:MCC overrated. It should have got blasted just like Unity/DriveClub did for being broken. It is still broken.

[Ron_Danger]

@Aussie

"Everything he wrote is opinion"

And wouldn't you know, the article is labeled as an oppinion piece! What exactly did you think it was gonna be?!

[TrollityTroll]

Erm ... kurruptor ... I don't think you quite understood my post. Here's a quick simplification:
I was pointing out how AussieGamer1 was saying it's all opinion, but then went on to dismiss anyone with a different opinion to him as a fanboy in the same post.
Hence the #contradictory at the end. His very post contradicted itself.

My post had nothing to do with my opinions of the exclusives of either console. Just the contradictory nature of his post.

So not sure what the hell you thought I was saying to justify your response?

[uptownsoul]

@TrollityTroll

I'm going to have to agree with @kurruptor…The following is NOT opinion:

Looking at the total number of games reviewed, the PlayStation 4 has the following score breakdown:

6 games scored in the 90's (3%)
56 games scored in the 80's (27%)
78 games scored in the 70's (38%)
38 games scored in the 60's (18%)
17 games scored in the 50's (8%)
7 games scored in the 40's (3%)
4 games scored in the 30's (2%)
1 game scored in the 20's (0%)

Total: 207 games

The Xbox One has the following breakdown:

2 games scored in the 90's (1%)
34 games scored in the 80's (23%)
56 games scored in the 70's (39%)
29 games scored in the 60's (20%)
17 games scored in the 50's (12%)
5 games scored in the 40's (3%)
1 game scored in the 30's (0%)
1 game scored in the 20's (0%)

Total: 145 games

Now people can break down these numbers based on their preferential distinctions: exclusive vs multiplat or AAA vs AA vs Indie, etc…

But none of those distinctions determine how good a game is, so ALL games should be included in any comparisons

[annoyedgamer]

Oh the "I am offended" card is pulled. Stand in awe of the powa!

[Pogmathoin]

Clearly, here on N4G towers, unless it is something nice about Sony, its bullshlt.

[TrollityTroll]

@uptownsoul
I can't believe I'm going to have to use my last bubble trying to explain this again.
I just don't understand what's so difficult to get

My comment had nothing to do with the exclusives of either console
It had nothing to do with the games
It had nothing to do with the scores
Let me try and reiterate ==>
Game variety and game score have absolutely no bearing on what I was highlighting in my comment.

So let me try simplify my comment even further
AussieGamer1 (not me) said multiple times everything is opinion
AussieGamer1 (not me) said MS is on top in AAA exclusives (MS, NOT Sony)
AussieGamer1 (not me) said anyone who disagrees is a fanboy

I pointed out that saying "everyone has an opinion" to then effectively say "anyone who doesn't agree with my opinion is a fanboy" is contradictory.

I didn't realise my post was so difficult to understand!
Are you people not following the thread and looking at my comment in isolation instead of looking at it as a RESPONSE to AussieGamer1's post with QUOTES from the post just before mine?
Both you and kurruptor have come in trying to "prove me wrong" on something I NEVER said.

Here's some more help
Everything before the line break in my first post are AussieGamer1's words, not mine
Everything after the line break is me pointing out how the preceding quotes contradict themselves.
I really don't see why that's so difficult to follow, unless my comment is being read in isolation or people have short term memory problems and have already forgotten the post immediately preceding mine so don't realise it's taking extracts from that.

One last clue as to the intent of my post. Notice the question mark at the end of the sentence before #contradiction? Think about that for a minute ....
In fact spend a minute thinking about the #contradiction and why I put that in too

[Death]

These stats are a bit padded for different reasons. Let's look at the games in the 90's.

PS4:
GTA IV: 97 (66 critic reviews)
The Last of Us: 95
Flower: 91
Diablo III: 90
Rayman Legends: 90 (16 critic reviews)
Fez: 90

Xbox One:
GTA IV: 97 (16 critic reviews)
Rayman Legends: 91 (6 critic reviews)

Curiously missing is the Xbox One version of Diablo III which has a Meta of 86 with 16 reviews. This is compared to the PS4 version with 63.

In the 90's the only difference between the two platforms is 2 indies and The Last of Us Remastered on the PS4 along with the omission of Diablo III from the Xbox One due to the fact it wasn't included with many of the PS4 review scores. The games are identical on both platforms. It's up to each of us to determine how important these differences are. For anyone saying it's a clear cut difference, I disagree.

[MysticStrummer]

@Troll - I understand your comment but also understand why it was misunderstood. Your wording was pretty confusing.

@Death - I'd like to say nice try but that was an incredibly weak downplay attempt. 207 games vs 145, give or take, doesn't equal "the games are identical on both platforms" in any reality we're capable of perceiving as humans.

[JPauls]

To dismiss this editorial as clickbait is wrong - but there is certainly cause to call the author out for being a fanboy. The numbers used are based on volume of games and quality as Sony's "winning" the console war.

Statistically, the Xbox One has made huge gains with the dropping of Kinect requirement and also dropping the price of the console - in fact, that they were even able to climb up into first position during the holiday season (North American market) is amazing.

The reason Sony is in the lead (winning a war? really?) has more to do with price point and a fantastic trouncing of Mattricks' go-to-market strategy including a muddied message during E3 2013.

Sony did the right thing - they stepped up and said: "We're not Microsoft" and nudged them to fall down the stairs.

As of right now I have any games I know I want to keep digitally on my XB1 - because my son's XB1 has full, unfettered access to those games *SIMULTANEOUSLY*. Buy one, get one free.

This is the reason XB1 should push forward. I want to see each console adopt the others advantages so we have competition and progress.

[TheLastColossus]

Numbers are not opinions, those are facts

[baryonyx]

There is an difference between Indie, Mid-tier and AAA. It's a difference in budget. Sunset overdrive is an Mid-tier game, therefore no a AAA game.
The only games i can think of from XB1 which is AAA, is Forza H1 and h2 and Ryse. The rest is mid-tier if i am ofc not forgetting a name

[VforVideogames]

So now a mediocre games are called AAA with low score? GTFOOH!!!

[Ron_Danger]

AAA has nothing to do with review score/ personal opinion.

This is the mindset that ruins peoples expectations of games.

[Clunkyd]

@VforVideogames

I dont even think you know what AAA means. LOL

[Cuzzo63]

Damn man. Let the Sony owners enjoy the ass kicking out the gate this time. Last Gen PS owners were getting hammered every hour, article after article. Now PS owners are in the wrong for enjoying their first round tko. Last Gen PS3 was winded.but pulled a amazing Muhammad Ali/Foreman on dat azz

[DonFreezer]

"At this point, it's important to mention that when talking about console wars most people focus on comparing Microsoft with Sony. Nintendo does not enter into the discussion because the Wii / Wii U are seen as consoles aimed at kids. An adult trying to decide which gaming console to purchase will most likely have narrowed his choices down to either a PS4 or an Xbox One and so that is why this article will focus exclusively on these two consoles". A serious gamer adult or not would laught with that assumption.

[Aussiebeachbabe]

That's right aussiegamer. It's just that some people have got they're heads that far up sony's ass, that if you give sony a kick in the rear they will end up with a migrane. You guys know who you are.

[Eonjay]

"Most experts would agree that Microsoft 'won' last generation's console war. Despite the fact the Xbox 360 actually sold fewer units globally than the PlayStation 3 during its lifetime..."

Not sure why our criteria for expert is so low, but anyone can create arbitrary criteria for winning this 'war'. Apparently experts agree that only North America matters so the rest of the world, regardless of preference is just spectating.

Other than that, the article gives an interesting analysis.

[webmednet]

Thanks for bothering to post that, it's nice to read positive feedback about our articles.

[JPauls]

There is a segmented market region which does not behave in line with the rest of the world. Not only are the game tastes entirely different (and often those games are not available outside their own region, but often are not translated outside their region), there is a xenophobia that is undeniable.

If one were to exclude that market, Sony's PS3 sales are not anywhere near on par with the 360s'. That's where analysis and critical thinking come into play. That market segment isn't simply a border crossing - it is an entirely different beast. It's not bad, it's not wrong, it simply is what it is - different.

As such throwing it into the evaluation of the rest of the market is like adding tomato to your fruit salad.

[TrollityTroll]

Wait, you talk about xenophobia when both the PS2 and PS3 sold pretty much equally in Asia, Europe (across the whole of the area) and the U.S.
The PS4 is currently selling a higher proportion in the US and Europe than Asia.
Meanwhile all XB consoles sold over 75% in 2 regions, US and one part of Europe (UK, which under Blair had a "special relationship"). Of that, over 45% of sales happened in the US alone

I hate this xenophobia dismissal of Asia. If you want to talk about volume of console sales it reflects the U.S. market is the market most likely to purchase the US console, followed by the "wannabe US" market (coming from someone who lives in the UK).
And considering you still have Americans going on about Pearl Harbour (have a look at some of the post-tsunami tweets), combining that with the global sales across regions, the evidence supports the US market being the most xenophobic.
Not to mention Apple absolutely dominates in Japan, but that doesn't count right?

Yeah, lets remove an entire market due to "xenophobia" to support one viewpoint. In that case they should dismiss the US market in comparisons as well as all evidence points towards that same xenophobia existing in the console market.

[rainslacker]

Console wars are arbitrary to begin with. outside a few glaring examples of one company absolutely dominating the market, it's always been a thing of preference.:)

It's really a shame, because there is a lot of things that are would make great topics of interesting debate if the trolls could stay out of it.

[JJShredder]

I don't know about any console winning anything as the Wii also sold more than PS3 and Xbox 360 and had some of the highest rated reviews. You wont see many people saying that Nintendo won.....

The only thing I know is that the loser of all this my wallet.

With that said, both Sony and MS need to start picking up some steam. Other than Forza H2 and Infamous, some rather disappointing games so far IMO.

[rainslacker]

Wii was conveniently forgotten in favor of 360 vs PS3. It had that whole non-conventional approach and family friendly mantra, and tons of shovelware which made it easy for both the other two fan bases to simply ignore it. There were quite a few excellent games on the system, though I doubt many Xbox of Sony fans could name more than a couple.

Anyhow, winner is always based on some random arbitrary thing that someone decides to use to make the winner whoever they want it to be. Wii won because it sold the most units, 360 won because it gained a lot of marketshare and MS became a serious contender in the market, PS3 won because it had great games and outsold 360 worldwide....etc.

I prefer to just enjoy the games myself, but do enjoy tech enough to prattle on about it.:)

[hello12]

Winning in terms of sales yes everything else i am not so sure.

Real problem with this Sony last official announcement of sales for PS3 was the start of next gen they had it 80 million shipped- where did he get 85 million from? Sony ceased production of PS3 early 2014 The 84.5 million figure for Microsoft is true but that was sales up to June 2014. Know sales for the next six months really Microsoft still produces 360's but at lower scale of production to previously.

Microsoft in last generation's market share (85 million PS3's sold compared to 84.5 million Xbox 360's).

[baryonyx]

Sony didn't stop the production, it's just not mass produced.

[rainslacker]

It's still mass produced, just not as much as before. PS3's are still stocked regularly on store shelves, and while I'm sure sales have slowed, it's still selling pretty decently.

Just as an interesting historical point, the PS2 sold almost half it's final number of sold units after the PS3 released.

[The-Marb]

Interesting article.

MS certainly made some poor early decisions (DRM, etc) but seem to have at least gained a bit of ground.

The real winner in a console war is the gamer as competition forces each company to raise their game. This is a good thing.

[Gazondaily]

Listen to this man!

[Minute Man 721]

M$ lost @ DRM

Sony won @ used games playable on PS4

[MasterCornholio]

Not just that but the price and kinect also causes the brand plenty of damage.

The price because the PS4 was 100$ cheaper than the XB1.

Kinect because of the awful reputation the first one had which wouldn't have been a problem if it wasn't bundled with every XB1. A lot of people didn't want to pay for it.

[AskYourMumGaming]

"Nintendo does not enter into the discussion because the Wii / Wii U are seen as consoles aimed at kids"

So we'll just forget about Madworld, Bayonetta 1&2, Deus Ex, Monster Hunter, Zombii U, Call of Duty, Darksiders, Batman Arkham City, Assassin's Creed 4 and more then?

[kayoss]

Well you cant blame people for thinking this. Wii U exclusives when it comes to catering to the "adult" gamers are next to nothing. Most of their "adult" themed games are not exclusives and lots of gamers will flock towards the consoles that cater to their gaming needs when it comes to exclusives.
I have a nintendo Wii U, I have to be honest and said that i've out grown mario games. I barely even touch my wii u anymore. My wife (casual gamer) and sometime my nieces and nephews will turn it on occasionally. The only games that interest me on Nintendo now are the zelda and metroid series.
Everytime a multiplatform game is released, i will buy it for the PS4 (dont have an xbox one...yet).

[AskYourMumGaming]

"I have a nintendo Wii U, I have to be honest and said that i've out grown mario games. I barely even touch my wii u anymore. My wife (casual gamer) and sometime my nieces and nephews will turn it on occasionally. The only games that interest me on Nintendo now are the zelda and metroid series.
Everytime a multiplatform game is released, i will buy it for the PS4 (dont have an xbox one...yet)."

Yeah I agree with you wholeheartedly. Can't stand Mario personally, I'm just saying don't write Nintendo off because the titles are there.

[Duke19]

Oh good, another "my console is better than your console" article.

I laughed at the comment "Wii/Wii U dont come into the discussion because they are aimed at kids".

More opinionated BS that is attempted to be passed off as fact

[kayoss]

Article is an opinion piece.

[thegood33]

I'm actually finding this gen to be a bit of a letdown so far. Video games have gotten so popular (and expesive)they're becoming stale--using the same formulas and rarely taking chances.

[The-Marb]

Perhaps a little yes...probably not helped by the amazing games (The Last of Us, GTA5, etc) that were launched towards end of the last-gen, which set a benchmark so high.

In fact it often felt like the machines were punching way above their weight in terms of processing power, etc and this shows in some of the current-gen launch titles (especially cross-gen ones) which barely look better than the PS3/360.

On a positive note, 2015 is looking like a belter though, I have high hopes.

[raptorjacob]

So many offended that Sony is outselling everyone.

[The-Marb]

Sorry but seems like an odd statement as I can't see very many people on this page that are offended to be honest.

I'm pleased the PS4 is selling well, its a great console. Sony's early investment in a gaming first strategy is paying off and that's something MS have learned the hard way.

Videogames are in rude health and that's a good thing for gamers of all platforms.

[Spotie]

He didn't even say "in this article." That said, the fact that quite a few comments here are trying to twist the definition of what it means to win lends some credibility to what he says.

Until last gen, it was always who sold the most hardware. Then Xbox fanboys made it about who gained the most marketshare. And now Nintendo fanboys are saying it's about best metacritic scores.

[strangeaeon]

Technically the only way to lose would be to not move enough consoles to maintain support and then be forced to exit the console hardware market. At the end of this generation I don't see MS crying if Sony has 100 million and they have 60 million.

[SliceOfTruth888]

As an owner of all 3 current gen the only reason i can think of is they made a deal with the devil.
Rating System
Great > good > ok > sucked
PS4
1)Killzone sucked
2)Knack sucked
3)Second Son is good
4)Driveclub is ok
5)Last of US i played it not even a year before it came out but i guess i still consider it Great
6)The Order is good
7)Resogun is Great...but gets old quick

Xbone
1)Dead Rising 3 is Good
2)Forza 5 is Great
3)Killer Instinct reboot is Great
4)Killer Instinct 1 and 2 arcade is Great
5)Powerstar Golf is good
6)Ryse is good
7)Titanfall is Great
8)Sunset Overdrive is Great
9)D4 is good
10)Fantasia is good
11)Forza Horizon 2 is Great
12)HALO MCC would be Great.....if it worked. In a year its going to be a great addition lol

Wii U
1)Nintendoland is good
2)New Super Mario is good
3)Zombie U is good
4)Wonderfull 101 is ok
5)Donkey Kong Country is great
6)New super mario 3d is ok (yeah wasnt a big fan but its better than anything on my PS4 still)
7)Mario Kart is Great
8)Bayonetta 2 is good

[rawrock]

Shame, cause X1 has a better online system, and better exclusives like Sunset Overdrive, Dead Rising 3, Halo, Forza...

[leogets]

Thats ur opinion mate.. im not interested in any of those. i enjoy dc.tlou.uncharted and the like..

[Garethvk]

Lower price, a machine that is viewed by many has having more power, and developers saying that Sony is easier to work with than Microsoft are all big factors.

[kenwonobi]

More games. Simple. Better multiplats. Ps4 just has the better games technically.

[ManiacMansion]

Sony wins right now only in terms of sales.

Wii U and xone are winning RIGHT NOW in terms of games.

After Driveclub and The Order i lost my trust in Sony.

Hell i am even sceptic in uncharted 4 since i cant believe how they want to top UC2.

MS has just to many blockbusters comming... and with blockbusters i dont mean indi games.

[Predaking77]

It is pretty obvious that the PS4 is dominating this generation almost without competition.

And it is obvious the xbox fanboys will make any excuses to say the contrary as it is obvious that they will not accept the PS4 is dominating so, let's move to to next subject.

@ManiacMansion

Interesting that you lost your faith on Sony because Drive Club and The Order but you didn't lost your faith Microsoft because of Ryse, Halo collection and inferior versions of multiplatform games on Xbox.

Your excuse is very pathetic.

[Skankinruby]

Society as a whole has fully realized how shallow and narrow minded Microsoft is, that's why Sony is winning. Sony devotes their time and resources to improving their gaming industry in every aspect while Microsoft simply sits back dishing out the same 2-3 franchises for bragging rights then when criticism gets high enough they just make back door moneyhatting deals to already existing franchises and claim them as their own. Like instead of trying to win the trophy they simply go out and buy one. Even more pitiful is their loyalists' inability to make excuses for their nonsense but still arrogantly stand by theor product ignoring just how bad the big picture looks. In short, Microsoft is Sony's bitch, always has been and always will.

[parentsbasement]

Sony is winning because they have to , their very existence depends on it , PS4 fail would mean no more Sony....meanwhile , Xbox is merely a side project for MS , if it fails its just a rounding error come tax time.....

[Killzoner99]

Better hardware. Better exclusives . Better online. Better price. There's no reason not to buy a PS4 anymore . If you haven't bought one yet you're going to be left in the dust.