370°

Xbox One and PS4: Is this the year Microsoft reclaim console crown from Sony?

Sony have found themselves on top in terms of sales and still look to be pushing forward having announced at the end of the fiscal year that total worldwide PS4 shipments had reached 22.3 million units.

Sony are looking to sell another 16 million new-gen units in the current fiscal year, however comparing these numbers to Microsoft's Xbox can prove tricky.

The tech giant has yet to provide a new Xbox One shipment number since November 2014 and tend to combine Xbox One and Xbox 360 in earnings reports under overall Xbox sales.

But the tide could be about to turn if first-party titles have any say in the matter.

Sony conceded today during their annual Investor Day conference that things were looking a little thin in that department for 2015.

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express.co.uk
stonecold33256d ago

world wide ps4 is leading the pack but i know who will come out on top this year and they have been outselling the competition from day one both machines were launched

Transistor3256d ago

The Xbox One maintained pace with the 360 by cutting a huge chunk of the entry price multiple times, the PS4 has yet to drop price.

Big difference.

Transistor3256d ago (Edited 3256d ago )

@nick

Considering they said the Xbox One would never be sold with out Kinect means removing it is a price drop.

The removed it because people didn't want it. They also threw in 2 free games with the $50 reduction.

super_bruno3256d ago

"Xbox One and PS4: Is this the year Microsoft reclaim console crown from Sony?"

Maybe in NA and UK, the rest of the world I doubt it.

Concertoine3256d ago (Edited 3256d ago )

Wait, what about the fact that the 360 launched with multiple models, one of which was 299.99? Or what about all the millions of consoles lost to the RROD?

Both of those were used as ammo last gen, now we're going to forget it because the Xbone is selling close to its predecessor, which sold pretty well...?

With that said, i dont think xbone will win this gen. I just hate to see misleading information has become so commonplace. Still, it doesn't need to outsell the PS4 or even the 360 to make moolah, which should be MS' real priority.

PistolsAtDawn3256d ago

But the price drop made them close to the same price. X1 dropped from being more than $100 more. Either way, after owning all the consoles, it's safe for me to say IMO that the X1 actually is the best all around console so far this gen, and it has the brightest future as far as we know. As soon as more people (esp in Japan and Europe) see past the marketing hype, I can see the sales evening out. Esp if more and more games get pretty significant boosts from DX12 like Project cars looks to be getting on X1. 30-40% is no joke...all last gen neither console got a 30-40% boost in performance.

...however the effects of DX12 on X1 games will vary from game to game, and it's still not solid...but when a Third part Dev makes claims like that, it's time to start taking notice.

miyamoto3256d ago

I think many bloggers are on life support living off these kind of articles nowadays to support their businesses. Its a sad tale of desperation. really. Bloggers living off flamebait is very sad.

This is the exact opposite of the dark PS3 vs 360 days.

But the PlayStation Nation rose from the ashes!
Good thing the PlayStation Nation emerge victorious once and for all this time around with Sony and the gamers having a symbiotic relationship.
Not even M$'s billion dollar media buyout can not suppress the truth now.

The truth is marching on!

BattleAxe3256d ago

As long as Xbox thrives in North America, the U.K. and maybe Australia/New Zealand, that's all I care about. The fact that Xbox targets the North American market with the games that I like to play, is what matters to me. For everything else there's Steam.

Army_of_Darkness3256d ago

@pistols "it's safe for me to say IMO that the X1 actually is the best all around console so far this gen"

LOL! I didn't think the statement you said was even possible to say, after the inferior multiplats against the PS4 and all...

johndoe112113256d ago (Edited 3256d ago )

I'm still trying to figure out why no one noticed that the heading said "reclaim". What do they mean by "reclaim"? When did Microsoft ever have the console crown? They have always been second to Sony, ALWAYS. People using sales figures from last gen keep forgetting that the 360 launched a year before the ps3 and already had a 10 million lead by the time the ps3 launched. Yet the ps3 still overtook it eventually. So again, What the hell do they mean by reclaim?

@pistols
How delusional can one person be???

Transistor3256d ago

@johndoe

The Xbox 360 had a 10M lead launching a year before the PS3.

The PS4 has a 12M lead launching at the same time as the Xbox One.

That says it all.

BeefCurtains3255d ago

Regardless, the PS4 sales have been insanely impressive.

If by "changing the tide" they mean consumers are willing to give the X1 another chance after it's launch debacle, then I hope so. But I wouldn't really predict an X1 takeover unless DX12 does something miraculous, the cloud gets released in big ways, and hololens becomes available. Those three things combined could really trigger massive consumer interest.

But that's a BIG "IF"

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 3255d ago
nicksetzer13256d ago (Edited 3256d ago )

Yea, doubt there is really anything MS can do to "win." At least world wide, but honestly as long as both sell enough that MS and Sony continue their excellent support, I could care less if MS or Sony win this holiday/year/generation. In fact, I feel MS is giving much more effort (quality effort may I add) because they are the underdog, so might even be to the benefit of platform owners.

@transistor MS has only dropped it's initial price by $50... removing kinect is not a price cut, it is just adding a sku. The only price drop has been $50. Both PS4 and XB1 are bundling games at this point. Anything beyond that is retailer choice, MSRP set by MS is $350 w/o kinect and $450 w/ kinect, potentially with MCC or Assassins creed bundle.

So there really isn't this "big difference" you speak of considering the XB1 hardware is slightly weaker it makes sense to have dropped the price first, even still only by $50.

BitbyDeath3256d ago

'removing kinect is not a price cut, it is just adding a sku.'

Yes and no, like when PS3 dropped the emotion engine it was considered as a pricedrop and not adding an SKU.

(Not that it really matters anyway :-/)

nicksetzer13256d ago (Edited 3256d ago )

Removing backwards compatibility and removing an external piece of bundled hardware are not nearly the same though ....

@transistor again as I said, Sony has game bundles with it's console for a while now as well, so $50 is the only difference. Also, black flags/unity bundle is two games, but one was over a year old at the time Not like it was 2 $60 games.
https://www.google.com/sear...

KwietStorm_BLM3256d ago

I will live the rest of my life not understanding why people want to spin the price cut thing. Yes, they removed the Kinect. Therefore, the price was cut. It was a price cut. The reason could be that aliens took control of Redmond. It doesn't matter. The official price was lowered by the manufacturer themselves. The price was cut. It's like people make it out to be some kind of disrespect or mud slinging by stating that the price was lowered, so it has to be clarified for some odd reason.

MasterCornholio3256d ago

Well there main goal was to increase sales of the system and one of the ways they could do this was to lower the price.

They could either

À. Cut the Price of the Kinect bundle
B. Create a cheaper SKU without Kinect.

Since Microsoft knew that a lot of people hated the device and refused to buy the XB1 because of it. And also since it wasn't necessary to operate the system with it (180) they decided to lower the price by removing Kinect.

So yes the main goal of the kinectless XB1 was to increase sales by selling a cheaper SKU without Kinect a device that many people hated.

What I dont understand is why Microsoft didn't do this in the very beginning. It couldn't have been difficult to sell two bundles at launch so why obligate early adopters to have only one choice?

Transistor3256d ago

At the time the $349 bundle launched.

Unity was $60, Blackflag was $30, Kinect removed $100, plus $50 extra off compared to launch.

It pretty much reduced it's price by $240. Now since the games have decreased in value, it's a bit less.

JMyers3256d ago

Removing "essential" hardware and having to update the software to suit is essentially a price cut. Who is replinishing Kinect SKUs, and where is it being sold in stores individually?

Launch was $499. Removing the SKU made it $399. It then went $50 cheaper. Came the holidays you could get this with 2 games and a gift card. the reality of this is multiple price cuts for hardware not being sold enough.

In the UK you can pick up an XB1 for £299 with the MCC. That's essential £250, with the PS4 being £349 with a game.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3256d ago
AngelicIceDiamond3256d ago

Console crown over Sony? As far as I'm concerned no, but what MS can do is become very competitive and pressure Sony with its games, 1st party and its pricing. Maybe that rumored slim model along with that supposed hardcore controller http://gamingbolt.com/micro... .

All rumors but if they are indeed true then MS would be highly competitive and that right there is a fact.

3255d ago
RedDevils3255d ago

@EpicName except that Microsoft have no game studios that can compete Sony on that front as well lmao

UKmilitia3256d ago

in UK whenb halo launched last year you could get

sunset overdrive console,halo collection,forza,titanfall and another game ,2 pads for £349 which was same price as a ps4 with no games and ps4 still outselling.

Magicite3256d ago

X1 certainly has chance in USA, but not a chance outside of it.

madmonkey013256d ago

Ms have never had the console crown, through three generations they have been outsold and out performed.

Wii_nes_0073256d ago

You speak facts and truth. The average gamer without researching would believe that the 360 blew away the ps3 in units sold world wide. They will think that because the 1 year head start with the 360, and the 1st couple years of the ps3's launch, MS dominated. Sony made an unthinkable comeback. As of November 2013, 80 million ps3's were sold world wide vs the 360's 72.3 million

beerzombie3256d ago

They made a profit and that what matters when Sony was bleeding cash.

MysticStrummer3255d ago

@beerzombie - Even if "winning the console crown" means having the best profit margins, which is a really bizarre concept in my view, MS didn't win it Nintendo did.

showtimefolks3256d ago

OK let's see:

Call of duty from the looks of it will have exclusive marketing meaning 30 days of exclusive dlc

MGS 5 will have exclusive marketing and most likely console exclusive dlc even if it's timed

batman has exclusive marketing with ps4

Star wars yes star wars has exclusive marketing rights

Uncharted trilogy HD collection

No man sky

God of war 3

Until dawn

Everyone's gone to rapture

sarcasm(yeah ps4 will have so much trouble selling at all)

Xbox one has halo 5 which is a huge IP. But here is a fun fact, halo 3 has was the peak for this IP. Look at the sales numbers. No halo game since halo 3 has ever sold as much or even come close

Forza is an excellent game but how much has it sold? One GT game has sold as much as the series combined. GT5/GT prologue sold over 15 million so now sure how forza 6 2illow change the fortune

And don't give me Crap about sale numbers. If they matter for halo they matter for GT

Tomb raider is a big exclusive for holiday but here is something to think about. A lot of people switched from xbox to ps so this will be their first opportunity to play uncharted HD collection. So think about it, it can sell neck and neck or even better. But I also think tomb raider will help sell xbox one consoles and software will be good too

So now ask me why xbox one will not only sell more than PS4 but reclaim something. Seriously people xbox one will be successful but if that means it has to outsell ps4 Than it won't.

So to answer the question of this very fanboysih and clickbait article No xbox one will not sell more than PS4 in year 2015 to claim any crown which is invisible BTW

ps4 will sell more than xbox one in USA and UK since to xbox fan boys only these 2 territories count as world wide in year 2015. (January 1st 2015 to December 31st 2015)

Oh and before you call me a fan boy whatever yes I am a sony fan since day one, and yes I am happy when sony does well because that means Playstation brand will get better budget and more to spend in gaming division

Thank you

OB1Biker3256d ago (Edited 3256d ago )

Theres nothing wrong with being a fan (I have PS3 PS4 and Vita and really enjoying it so I guess I could see myself as a PS fan) just as long as we respect fans from Xbox, Nintendo etc. which is fine.
Id call fanboys people who want to convince others they shouldnt be enjoying their preferred platform by trolling for example and worse of all when they try to be stealthy about it which is not usual on gaming sites unfortunately.
Not sure whats the fuss about 'holiday releases' though as so far its been really great for playstation this year and I dont see any 'drought' in the coming months regarding great games to play

showtimefolks3256d ago

I couldn't agree more, it's their time and money so they can buy whichever console they want. As a gamer for past 25 years, I just can't deal with this anymore

El in your face stats are overlooked by fanboys so they can prove their point.

I love the fact on that we get new games throughout the year instead of everything being in those 3 to 4 months window of fall launch. But than these same fanboys forget the fact sony launched and delivered games monthly, only to say ms delivered x number of Games. Well what about the other 7 to 8 months when ms delivered absolutely nothing

I for one am glad sony is back like they during ps4 Era. And I don't know why people are surprised, ps3 out sold Xbox 360 from launch at a much higher price poinT

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 3255d ago
daBUSHwhaka3256d ago (Edited 3256d ago )

Microsoft own this year no probs.

PeaSFor3256d ago

then you are straight up delusional.

Eiyuuou3256d ago

Look at the bright side! At least they'll have second place.

madmonkey013256d ago

microsoft have been outsold every year when there has been a sony console available for that generation, not likely to change now.

daBUSHwhaka3256d ago Show
MysticStrummer3255d ago

You know the comment you made that got marked for trolling is completely false, right?

I mean, you can't possibly really believe what you said is true, right???

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3255d ago
Relientk773256d ago

Yeah no, I don't see that happening

SpaceRanger3256d ago

Been hearing that same question asked every year. Unfortunately, unless they keep cutting the price I don't see anything changing much.

Lennoxb633256d ago

How many times, and in how many ways are people going to keep asking this question? There's no crown. Whatever people like wins with them.

Spotie3256d ago

I dunno. How many times will you come in and complain about other people debating this question? You're perfectly free to NOT click on the article, you know. Nobody is forcing you to come in here.

The crown has always been a matter of who sells the most consoles. And that's been a reason for gamers to debate for years; it ain't gonna stop now just because the XB1 doesn't stand a chance. Get over it already; if you don't like it, you can leave that argument alone, too.

As for the article's question: not a chance. Unless you're being specific and talking about two territories in particular, Xbox never took the crown from PlayStation. Oh, I mean, unless you count that period of time where the 360 was the only console on the market.

It was Nintendo that took Sony's crown, and current sales say Sony's definitively taken that back. And even if not another PS4 was sold all year, odds are it'd still be in the lead on December 31st.

So no, this is not the year. Not even close.

magiciandude3255d ago

How much longer can Sony rely on subscription services, indies, and 3rd party to carry them through? That's what they're doing now. Sony needs to step up their game on the first party, because right now they're taking it easy.

Spotie3255d ago

I guess Naughty Dog and all the other first party studios Sony has have all been shut down, then?

They haven't? So then Sony, the company "bleeding money," according to all the Xbox fanboys around here, is just paying money to people that are doing nothing? Even though they've closed studios that were underperforming in recent years?

That's not happening either? Then what the hell do you think their first party devs are doing?

It's so weird. All these Xbox fans attack Sony like they're not making ANY games, and yet the number of first party exclusives isn't that different. To make matters worse, Microsoft is primarily giving the same few big names they've been relying on for close to a decade, only now on a yearly basis, but you say SONY is taking it easy?

Tell me: when was the last time Microsoft took a chance on a big new IP? When did they last heavily fund a new franchise IN HOUSE?

Who's taking it easy again?

magiciandude3255d ago

"I guess Naughty Dog and all the other first party studios Sony has have all been shut down, then?"

No. Zipper Interactive, Liverpool, and a plethora of studios behind popular franchises have been shut down, and Evolution is very likely next in line.

"They haven't? So then Sony, the company "bleeding money," according to all the Xbox fanboys around here, is just paying money to people that are doing nothing?"

According to facts. MS rakes in million dollar bills like piles of leaves. Can't say this for Sony.

"Even though they've closed studios that were underperforming in recent years?"

Studios under performing like Evolution? Looks like Evolution's next in line to get on the chopping block as said above.

"It's so weird. All these Xbox fans attack Sony like they're not making ANY games, and yet the number of first party exclusives isn't that different."

Look at the PS3's lineup in the first two years and match that with the PS4's. The PS3 easily mops the floor with the PS4 in both quantity and quality of exclusives within the first two years.

"To make matters worse, Microsoft is primarily giving the same few big names they've been relying on for close to a decade, only now on a yearly basis, but you say SONY is taking it easy?"

As somebody that owns a PS3 since 2007 and a PS4 since launch, they're taking things far easier with the PS4. They've shifted much of their focus on indies, subscriptions, third party cross platform titles, cross-gen titles, exclusive marketing deals for Call of Duty and Star Wars, remasters of old gen games, and less AAA exclusives.

MS has been focusing on delivering features right out of the box, new IPs like Sunset Overdrive, Quantum Break, Scalebound, etc. and Windows 10 on the console. Funny how you ignore the new IPs coming for MS. Crackdown is also making a welcomed return which is exciting for me and many other MS fans. They're far more active in delivering AAA titles than last gen. This is the opposite for Sony.

gangsta_red3255d ago

"It's so weird. All these Xbox fans attack Sony like they're not making ANY games, and yet the number of first party exclusives isn't that different."

The first party line up is sparse Spotie even your own Andrew House from Sony has admitted this, why can't you see it?

I also find it funny that now sales matter. Last gen's mantra from the ps3 guys was "play games, not sales", another goal post moved. I am positive that if we looked back in your first account comment history we could see you spouting the same thing.

"Microsoft is primarily giving the same few big names they've been relying on for close to a decade, only now on a yearly basis, but you say SONY is taking it easy?"

Hmmmm, interesting enough MS came out the gate with only one of their own returning IP. Ryse, Titanfall and Sunset Overdrive all new IP's. Sony on the other hand relied on Killzone and Infamous as big names for their launch...i guess you forgot about that. Two years into a console and NOW MS is providing their users with their big name franchises...and this is a bad thing. I love the way you and others desperately try and SPIN that, as if MS should not bring out Halo or Gears on the system that birthed them.

"Tell me: when was the last time Microsoft took a chance on a big new IP? When did they last heavily fund a new franchise IN HOUSE?"

Lets come back to this question come E3. I'm sure we will see a few new IP's as rumored. I would love to see you backtrack, spin and duck the inevitable.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3255d ago
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50°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv7211h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

purple10128m ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos2m ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

140°

Sony Patents To Prevent You From In-Game Harassment By Reading Your Emotions

A new patent recently published by Sony wants to gather biometric data of gamers to track whether one is being harassed using AI tools.

Profchaos1d ago (Edited 1d ago )

I hope this is one of those patents that never comes to fruition.

I already dislike the fact you can pay a significant amount for a online service buy associated games and content on said service and get banned from that service over potentially a misunderstanding the bans are already handed out for flimsy reasons

I'd rather see money invested in a ban that simply removes the offensive players ability to communicate with unknown players allow them to continue party chats with friends but not with Joe blow on cod.

exputers20h ago

Agreed. Blizzard recently banned a college Overwatch 2 player who's dependent for saying "shit." Pretty harsh.

Profchaos5h ago(Edited 5h ago)

How rediculas really. You can't say a word that's allowed in most PG films and prime time TV but the game is based around killing the enemy team using guns, explosives etc.

It's just backwards.

just_looken7h ago

What your talking about is called block list

In 2006 a spaceship dropped of the playstation 3/xbox 360 i say that that generation was the last great gen with game functions/tech that has yet to comeback

Anyhow the playstation 3 if you block listed a id they could not talk to you in chatroom with either text or voice. But that was pre mind fucked 2018 when people were more human than sheep.

But hey gta 6 is coming out billion dollar budget without a single player custom character creator and without singeplayer coop off/online something saints row 1-3 had on the xbox 360.

z2g16h ago

Take my social security and bank account numbers too! Here’s a picture of my wife and our address.

phoenixwing16h ago

Cmon where's the pictures of your children. Don't hold out on them.

H916h ago

At this rate I feel Sony will eventually sell a room to play games in it where they can monitor your every breath

jambola12h ago

I genuinely get a bit worried sometimes when a friend says something that could be offensive In a party
Because I have no trouble believing some bans would happen when in a private party for saying something wrong

SegaSaturn66915h ago

I want them to censor erotic content by measuring my groin temperature so i dont get too distracted while playing black ops 2.

Popsicle15h ago

Terrible idea. Not only do I not consent to providing my biometric data, the potential for mishandling biometric data is almost a certainty. Positive stress and negative stress can produce similar changes in biometrics. Interpreting the precise emotion a person is feeling is not only invasive but could be easily misconstrued. I hope this never comes to fruition.

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300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere1d 7h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 5h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos1d 2h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN19h ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo21h ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies17h ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion1d 7h ago (Edited 1d 7h ago )

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger1d 5h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Mr Logic15h ago

What a stupid thing to say. The elites give 0 fucks what we say on an obscure website in the comments section.

Crows9014h ago

You can always reach out and give them jobs at your company man. Don't wait

Profchaos1d 7h ago (Edited 1d 7h ago )

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto1d 7h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos1d 6h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long1d 3h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel1d 6h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos1d 4h ago (Edited 1d 4h ago )

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator1d 5h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

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