PS4 Sold 10 Million Thanks to Hype, Not Performance

Sony wonders why it sold 10 million PlayStation 4 units worldwide. It’s clear to us: That amount was sold due to positive word-of-mouth, plain and simple.

[ape007]

well to be honest, they got an amazing first impression at E3, they literately kicked butt at the show

......but is the 5 million gap between X1 and ps4 reflect the reality of quality between the two systems?? no way, that just show you the importance of nailing first impression

i used to say first impression stuff is BS but psychologists are right

i expect Xbox one sales to get a major boost this year due to more exclusives and the master chief collection

[xHeavYx]

The denial is strong with some fanboys. The PS4 is an amazing system that focuses primarily on games, hence why it's more powerful. Microsoft decided to make a home entertainment system instead of a home console, what gamers prefer is obvious.

Also, this article says that, according to Metacritic, the best next gen title is Titanfall, even though it's on the 360 and PC, but what about that not very well known game called The Last of Us, sitting at 95?
He even says that InFamous Second Son "didn’t fare quite so well with critics". I guess having a Metascore of 80 is a bad thing to this "journalist"
One does not sell 5M more consoles by hype alone.

@Lightning's "PS4 has no games"
It has 40 more games than the One
http://www.listwar.com/rele...

@future "but but but, most of those games are Indies"
Take the indies away and the PS4 still has more games

[creatchee]

@xHeavYx

"One does not sell 5M more consoles by hype alone."

The Wii would like to have a word with you.

[Lightning Mr Bubbles]

I don't think it's just hype. Bottom line is people have to choose between XBOX One and PS4, and I guess more people are choosing PS4.

The way things are looking, with that great controller and all it's great first party exclusives and everything in development for the console, it was the right choice.

Plus the Playstation brand is trusted, it's been delivering the goods for a lot of years, so it's a known brand all over the world. Not just the US.

If you're smart, you look at these things and make a choice.

[ape007]

"The PS4 is an amazing system that focuses primarily on games"

LoL both system focus on games, titanfall in my humble opinion is the best console nextgen game(if u consider it nextgen game) so far on both platforms

[360ICE]

@Lightning Mr Bubbles

It actually has tons of games. Sure, games like Watch Dogs, Call of Duty and Battlefield 4 are multiplatform, but then again, PS4 has been the cheapest option for those who want to buy these games on a next gen console.

I think price and timing has been everything in the beginning. Yet, judging by the libraries one wouldn't think there was a whole year's difference between PS4 and Wii U.

[Gamingcapacity]

But don't you get "positive word-of-mouth" by being a good product??

Hype is usually generated by the companies of a product and both companies have tried to generate their own hype.

Let's not forget that the PS4 also launched at a lower price and the PS3 has been outselling the 360 worldwide since launch. The Playstation is a stronger brand worldwide than Xbox.

Hype helps but Sony created its own advantages.

[GarrusVakarian]

Oh, the things that people tell themselves to feel better about their purchases.....

I mean, it has nothing to do with 20 years of the PS brand that many people grew up with, the tons of amazing exclusives on the PS3, the better looking and running games, the fact it's more powerful, the PS-exclusive developers, PS-plus value, or the better price point.

No no, nothing to do with those. It's purely because of hype! Hype is the sole reason why people are going out and spending hundreds of $£ of their hard-earned money on PS4's.

http://myreactiongifs.com/g...

[GiggMan]

Since this article mentions metacritic it fails to mention how more multiplats score higher on PS4 than their Xbox One counterparts.

Believe it or not multitplats exist and people want the best version. When it's all said and done, multiplats will make up the majority of most gaming libraries. If you could only afford one console you might as well get the one with the best multiplat versions. This could have a lot to do with the sales gap more than exclusives.

@Creach I agree about the Wii selling because of hype but I think it had a lot to do with price as well. Along with those newfangled motion controls.

[ABizzel1]

This is just sad, and when the author compared the XBO to the PS4 you instantly opened yourself to be labeled a troll and bias.

Hype is one of the reasons the PS4 is selling so well, but more importantly the evidence also points to it's current sale because of:

1. Launch Reveals: The PS4

2. Price to Performance: The PS4

3. Consistency / Potential / Future: The PS4

It's that simple. MS basically gave Sony a good portion of their gaming audience and a free ride for the first few years. The DRM fiasco, the always online mess, the horrible console reveal, the poor treatment of fans looking for answers by people in charge, and the utter confusion going on within MS caused their own media backlash which put them at a disadvantage they've been fighting so far this entire generation.

Then the PS4 was discovered to be more powerful and cost less, and even today is the same price, but still more powerful means that multiplatform gamers are generally better off getting the PS4. This was the main advantage MS had early last gen, and one of the main reasons it stayed ahead of the PS3 as long as it did (the other being the 1 year head start).

The PS3 had a good ride all generation long, the 360 has been dead the last couple/few years (just now getting "port" support). The PS3 has won several GOTY awards with Sony producing some of the best games of the last generation, that same expectation is there for the PS4. The PS4 demoed some gaming changing hopes and policies like PSNow and PlayShare, those features are being implemented.

MS lost all of its advantages this generation, beside money bagging, and nearly offed their own brand and consumer trust. What do you think was going to happen? People flocked to Sony and the PS4 in droves, and I've even seen more people looking to buy pre-made PCs, until MS gets their act together.

The PS3 pretty much outsold the 360 globally ever year since it's launch, which is why it was able to catch and break the 1 year sales headstart the Xbox 360 had. If the PS brand at it's worse can still comeback and beat the Xbox brand at its best, what do you think is going to happen when the roles are reversed.

The PS4 was going to sell well regardless, but MS practically told gamers to go out and buy the PS4 first, considering all the shenanigans they pulled.

The XBO is a good console, don't get that wrong, and don't let anyone tell you different. But the companies behind the two couldn't be any different.

[FriedGoat]

The PS4 is actually the first console I have bought at launch that I haven't got bored with, that says something. They managed to get enough to keep me entertained and I drop games like nobodies business.

[denawayne]

Ha, looks like someone else agrees with me. I wrote this in another article about 2 weeks ago -

"I've said it before and I'll say it again. The PS4 is selling like hotcakes because of pure hype. There is nothing that separates the two systems put raw power. If raw power is what people are looking for then why don't they go the PC route? It's been almost a year since the systems were released and I've yet to see why the PS4 is so musc better than the Xbox One. Games for both systems are lacking at the moment. And if you ask me, I would argue that the Xbox One has the better, more unique features. I'm not saying everybody should have bought the Xbox One but I do believe a lot of PS4's sales were do to one big flock of sheep."

[andibandit]

@Lucas

"I mean, it has nothing to do with 20 years of the PS brand that many people grew up with, the tons of amazing exclusives on the PS3, the better looking and running games, the fact it's more powerful, the PS-exclusive developers, PS-plus value, or the better price point."

I dont know where you were at the start of last generation, must've been in denial land.

[NewMonday]

people were feed up with a long PS3/360 gen and couldn't wait for the new generation, Sony were doing great with the community after learning from the harsh lessons of the PS3 era, and then a perfect storm happened when both MS and Nintendo messed up big time leaving PS4 as the best option in the eyes of most.

[Dynasty2021]

1080p and 30 FPS in 2014 isn't exactly amazing.

[SilentNegotiator]

"The Wii would like to have a word with you"

Would people stop with the Wii comparisons already? Wii's success was 90% thanks to the fact that it appealed to people who never play VG otherwise. It's not the same situation as ANY other console ever.

As for this "Ps4 is only selling because of hype" crap...if Ps4 is less deserving of sales, where's the hype for Xbone/WiiU then?

[Boody-Bandit]

Actually this article couldn't possibly be further removed from reality.

Performance is a huge reason why Sony is ahead and hype has next to nothing to do with it. How can anyone with a shred of common sense bring hype into a discussion involving the gaming industry and put Sony ahead of MS? Nobody spends more money on marketing than MS. Nobody talks to the press more than MS. Seriously, how can you use hype at all?

This article screams attention / pure absurdity. Sony is ahead because they built a developer friendly powerful system with a consumer friendly approach and launched it -$100 less than their main competitor that used the opposite approach entering this generation.

Sony has consumer confidence and a plethora of top developers making award winning exclusives and new IPs every generation. They have a much better track record in the gamin industry than MS and they are currently out selling MS worldwide by nearly 3 to 1. They have an over 2 to 1 ration in units sold and the gap is widening week after week. That has nothing to do with hype.

And those bringing Nintendo into this with the Wii is beyond is like comparing apples to onions. The Wii got non gamers (soccer moms and the elderly. The Wii was a big hit in old folks homes. No joke. I'm being serious) to purchase their console and they had the best price point at the time the PS3, 360 and Wii were on the market.

Comparing last gen to this gen is meaningless. Every generation plays out differently. Well accept for the fact Sony is usually top dog. Unless MS starts practically given away XBOX ONE units that's not going to change.

[Army_of_Darkness]

This author lost credibility once I read this line from his article:

"In fact, one could argue that Titanfall is the best exclusive piece of next-gen software to date"

Please. Only a fanboy would say that crap LOL! Titanfall of all games does not even come close to showing a good representation of next Gen gaming?! Fun? sure, next gen quality? hell no.

[thisismyaccount]

10M consoles without a proper SS?! That´s bad or what? Who cares... we´re playing games that others (PC) wont ever see or get.

You get visuals like Forza 5 1080p60fps at under 100W systemload or how about these visuals :

http://giant.gfycat.com/Exc...

http://a.pomf.se/lawpma.gif

#DC and The Order on the PS4, 1080p, 30fps at 130W more or less. Can you say the same about your PC?

If anyone has AC4 for the PC and PS4, please do a comparison between the two, both system at similar consumption levels (<150W), dont think the PC can handle that...

[Why o why]

To the people who are acting like simpletons.......

If the ps4 is doing this much better than its competitors with hype alone.......what the eff is going to happen when the heavy hitters and true performance arrives...... lmao.... more pain and excuses from the simple.

[DragonKnight]

Most of the comments replying to people like ape and the article's author could have been summarized with this alone.

https://farm4.staticflickr....

Hype would have sold 5 million for sure, but not 10 million.

[Potnoodle999]

@RATEDAFORADULT nothing new there then, consoles have always been really weak from the start compared to PC.....and guess what??
Oh that's right, it's never stopped them from being unbelievably awesome haha
Go away and stop trolling loser...

[fr0sty]

@dynasty, that depends on what quality visuals are being rendered at that resolution and frame rate. Visuals like Driveclub at 1080p30, yes, amazing. Visuals like mario 64 at 1080p30, not so much. 1080p or 30fps is not a benchmark for visual quality, it is nothing more than the resolution the images are drawn at and how often. Those frames could be simple, blocky PS1 graphics being drawn at that res/rate, or they could borderline being lifelike.

I've had my jaw dropped enough times by my cheap lil' PS4 to justify my purchase, and that's just what I've already played on it. P.T.'s visuals are stunning. Infamous is quite a looker too. Killzone wasn't a bad launch title. Looking ahead, I only see the visuals improving, so I'm not complaining.

[ikkokucrisis]

Come to think of it,

this would be the first time the most powerful console actually sold more units than its counterparts...

[Clarence]

Well said

[DarXyde]

@creatchee

Debatable. The Wii took a very different direction from its [very similar] competitors and actually appealed to hardcore and casual gamers alike. Thus, it had a more accessible market.

Like the PlayStation 4, you'll never know how much of it was hype.

[maddskull]

@ape007 if your taking about hype then titanfall is the most overrated and over hyped game ever. people bought it played it for a month then they never touch the game ever. titanfall isn't the best next gen game there are many games that are better the remaster of the last of us is better than titanfall.

[gfk342]

What are you talking? It's not like the 10 million consoles were sold in the day of the release!

So only (partly) the consoles sold in the first 1 months could have been sold based on the first impression.

After that is solely based on how the console manages to convince the customers through games, power, aspect, quality, price.

I know a lot of people that didn't buy any console and they want to buy a PS4 not for the "first impression" but solely on PS4's qualities. The fact that is slimmer, has a better design, better specs, games that are on their theist (I'm from EU) are sufficient reasons to make them buy the PS4.

This does not have to do with the "first impression".

In my opinion the Xone was the one that was bought with the hype of voice commands (only with Kinect), all in one console! And now what do you have Xone fanboys, a console without Kinect that cannot do voice commands and no longer an all in one console!

In fact the Xone is now a more weaker (40% weaker 1.84 vs 1.31 tflops) and a more uglier PS4.

So why do you bash the Ps$?

[frenchtoast]

@Lukas - You nailed it

@andibandit - I don't now what you read, but it seems like you didn't get the point of his post. EVEN last generation, Sony had a HELL of a lot going for them compared to MS. They had a successful platform in the PS2 (considered one of if not the best console of all time), they had supported the PS1 for 10 years already, and were on their way to supporting PS2 for the same amount. They had significantly more and better exclusives on their previous platforms. All this would have helped the PS3 sell (which it did, of course price was an issue, which is why it wasn't as popular as PS4 is now).

In comparison, the only real exclusives Xbox had was Halo and Perfect Dark, and they gave up on their console after 3 years. With Xbox 360, for the past 4 years, there were no decent exclusive games available for the system, yet Sony has supported PS3 with games like Last Of Us, and Beyond Two Souls. Then there was the RROD fiasco (2 of my 360s died and I had to buy a third). Things like this stick in people's minds which is why the brand matters. If you damage the brand, your products won't sell as well, and that is what MS did with Xbox One announcement.

[XB1_PS4]

The AAA exclusives are shit at the moment. I'll buy a PS4 when they have something other than Infamous that's worth playing.

[Lifendz]

Hype, not performance? If I find 20 bucks on the street I have 20 bucks thanks to luck, but does that matter? I have the money and could care less. Just wait till the games start coming in steadily. MS is done.

[chrismichaels04]

Bitter fanboys speak loud....but real gamers' wallets speak loudest.

Xbox fans are hurting right now over the massive sales gap currently between the PS4 and X1, so now they have resorted to bashing the PS4 to make themselves feel better. Its quite sad really. At the end of the day, the PS4's success speaks for itself.

[lfc_4eva]

@Heavy

I think its a little unfair to label people as fanboys just because they have a different point of view to your own.

You clearly enjoy Playstation and that is totally fine. You can praise it's virtues and again that's totally fine.

Just remember this forum of views is meant to wide ranging so you really should be more accepting.

[kreate]

I did not know ps4 had hype.
I just thought ps4 sold well cuz Microsoft screwed up the birth of x1.

[Xb1ps4]

i have to agree the denial is very strong around here.. you go on to saythat the ps4 is a amazing system, while i think its a great system, what has made itso amazing since launch? the specs that hasnt proved its 50% more powerful?

im sorry but the "entertainment" side of the xb1 is what has won over my living room with the hdmi pass and the xbox on and it turns my tv stereo and cable box on.

is the snap feature not gaming related? how many of you put down the controler to serch the web for some help in a game... how bout the suspend feature for the games.. the bs is strong with you that the ps4 primary focus is games as if the xb1 doesnt hav gam features that leave you wondering why the ps4 cant do it..

ps4 sold by hype plain and simple all they had to do was say 399 and a video on how to share gams.. think about it you are arguing on who has the most games! lmao.. considering that sony owns more studios than ms and nin combined yet every year by the end they all have just about the same amount of exclusives, go figure..

and i dont count indies as a on up either cause if indies are so great the vita would be doing much better.

[UltimateMaster]

If it's all about hype. Then shouldn't Xbox marketing strategy of commercial adds work?

[Kaneda]

PS2 vs Xbox - PS fanboys - we got more exclusive games. Xbox - we got more quality games.

PS3 vs Xbox 360 - PS fanboys - We got home entertainment system and quality 1st party games. Xbox 360 - We got more exclusive games (early stage of Xbox 360 life)

PS4 vs Xbox One - PS fanboys - We got game system, who cares about home entertainment system. Xbox One - We got home entertainment system with exclusive games..

and cycle will continue...

[HeWhoWalks]

More exclusives? Sunset Overdrive & The MCC. Merely ONE more than PS4 (that's not also on PS3). If I've missed one, tell me, but the exclusives will do little to nothing to the PS4's lead. Hell, Destiny will do more than any exclusive this year, and we already know who's gonna benefit more there.

OT: Shame that we have articles like these, when I don't recall this type of smashing of the Wii last gen (though in fairness, neither system sold off hype, alone).

[Prime157]

Do Ryse and DR3 count as exclusives now? How about Titanfall?

If any of those count as exclusives then PS4 can count games like Warframe, blacklight, DCUO, Planetside 2, Don't starve, outlast,... well, I know there are a ton more, but that's just a quick list.

True console only exclusives vs brand exclusives vs PC has em, but the other doesn't exclusives.

Wish I had more time or I'd make that list. However, that doesn't pay my bills.

[gootimes]

I agree that it has some to do with hype, but I think Sony has also proven to bring amazing first party games and support their consoles long term. People understand the quality of Sony studios and consoles I think and are willing to buy a product that will be supported by their first party studios long term with arguably the best quality first party games.

Also people understand that as far as third party games you can't go wrong with the PS4, while the X1 could be a bit off on performance or res on certain games...

People also see the way Sony treats indie studios, and in turn garners support from those talented and creative devs. And I think people see Microsoft has having the same attitude as much of their fan base has in that indies are "not good games" and indie devs are not as good either, and just a nuisance. People see that as PS4 having the upper hand in that area as well, due to respect for ALL devs.

I am not knocking the X1, I think it has it's benefits as well, but I think people leaning towards the PS4 and it is not based off of hype alone. Also the PlayStation brand has been around much longer and has a fan base that knows Sony supports their fans and consoles. While Microsoft has a history of indecisiveness, money hatting, anti consumer policies, and poor game support through consoles later life.

[Aceman18]

I see I got marked for trolling just for stating it has sold well because most wanted in on next gen and the fact that most trust that Sony will deliver the games Like they always do.

Some ppl on this site have some seriously deep rooted issues if that found that trolling lol.

[Genki]

"Literately" eh...

I guess the term 'literal' doesn't mean what it's supposed to anymore.

[showtimefolks]

PS brand is in business much longer so more people are aware of it, sony did an amazing job revealing the console than at e3. Since than IMO sony has done an excellent job

by comparison MS did a bad job and now are catching up to sony, they are always 2nd. Its like sony announces something than MS say oh xbox one does it too

I thought under phil spencer but not really he has the same mindset as others and that's not to invest but instead buying timed exclusives

think about it some of sony's biggest studios are working on ps4 games and we don't know about them yet the console sold 10 million

what makes anyone think ps4 will slow down at anytime

also this has been said before many time, when MS had all the indie support we kept hearing from xbox fanboys that we have indies and now that sony has gone hard after indies its stupid/doesn't matter and these are not AAA games

give me a break, unless sony screws up big time and i do mean big time than MS is competing with wiiu for 2nd place. Neither Nintendo nor MS have any shot at #1

to some of you young ones this feels like ps2 all over again

[Codewow]

Wow the amount of dislikes you received just proves to me that Gaming is a tainted hobby. Almost to comparable to politics.

[medman]

Ape007
"i expect Xbox one sales to get a major boost this year due to more exclusives" hahahahahahhahahahahaha...than ks for the laughs, I needed that.

[colonel179]

It's just like the Wii, it has sold with pure hype. However, unlike the Wii, when all the hype dies, the PS4 will definitely have the games, performance and support to continue gaining sales.

The Wii died because once the hype was over, there was nothing else going for it.

[lifeisgamesok]

Yes! This is what I've been explaining. The PS4 lineup doesn't warrant 10 million sales I'd say the Xbox One has been dominating as far as exclusives go

Sony has no answer for Halo, Sunset, and Horizon 2 this year and Titanfall is great

People are just now realizing that it won't be easy for Sony this gen like they thought

It will be a war and the PS4 is disappointing many with the lack of titles that aren't multiplat

[Majin-vegeta]

The PS4 lineup doesn't warrant 10 million sales

Who the hell are you to dictate what warrants a PS4 sale??Apparently people are liking the games cuz well you know 10 mil consoles have been sold.

[Eddie20101]

It's your opinion but popular opinion says different.

You can spout the same old Sh8t day in and day out it doesn't make it fact. Just your opinion.

[GW212]

Ps4 is better hardware and a better GAMING machine, pure and simple. MS took a risk and tried to become the all in one media console. Them dropping kinect shows that the risk failed. They can still come back but they are firmly behind right now and won't see any possibility of day light until at least 2016.

[DarXyde]

This is an amusing post.

"Yes! This is what I've been explaining. The PS4 lineup doesn't warrant 10 million sales I'd say the Xbox One has been dominating as far as exclusives go "

This reeks of subjectivity. Next.

"Sony has no answer for Halo, Sunset, and Horizon 2 this year and Titanfall is great"

That's strange. When everyone was talking about Destiny, the XBOX die-hards were saying that Bungie as a development team have fallen off, mentioning that Halo has been the victim of a slippery descent into mediocrity, thus Bungie is has lost their magic. Here's the kicker--unless I'm mistaken, 343 Studios developed the most recent main entry in the series (Halo 4) who are developing Halo 5 for XBOX One. So how exactly is Halo NOW unmatched? There are reasons to believe that Destiny will be better than Halo 5 and the PlayStation 4 version seems to be regarded as the definitive version. Multiplatform perhaps, but your argument is that Sony has NOTHING to answer Halo with. I guess we'll see when the time comes and reviews are in. Not sales--Halo versus a new IP isn't exactly a fair assessment. Let's just see what the general consensus from users and media outlets are.

Sunset Overdrive is largely unproven. It could easily become monotonous. It's Insomniac so I'll have faith, but Fuse wasn't exactly their best work. Neither was Into the Nexus, sadly.

Forza Horizon 2, well, it depends on the racing experience you're looking for.

Sounds to me like you want Sony to just copy Microsoft and answer their franchises. No, Sony is actually one to take risks. Your lovely God Spencer even commended Sony for placing faith in franchises that aren't million sellers.

"People are just now realizing that it won't be easy for Sony this gen like they thought

It will be a war and the PS4 is disappointing many with the lack of titles that aren't multiplat"

XBOX One has a lot more to prove after their reveal debacle. Just about anything they do now is amazing by comparison. Also, contrary to popular belief, Sony has consistently announced more games with Microsoft opting to just go in-depth with games we've already known about with each successive conference. That can change at any time, but I want you to think about that. Don't worry about quality either; PlayStation 4 games have been better received and in larger quantities. How exactly is the PlayStation 4 a disappointment?

How did you EVER end up with one bubble? I wonder...

[tlougotg]

lol are you %ucking kidding me? Sunset lol ppl hyping that up only bcus of the lack of games. Tlou remaster alone crushes anything you mention and its already out lol. You sound really hurt man take care of that plz.

[3-4-5]

Good First impressions = lots of initial sales

From here on out though, good, fun games need to keep heading to PS4, for that lead to stay a lead.

[BX81]

I agree it has a lot to do with hype and e3, but the ps4 is an excellent system you can't deny that. So it's not only hype it's also the fact that Sony makes quality systems and has great games.

[Gantrfaxx]

And i wonder how many Millions did Xone sell thanks to unrealistic hype.

[garos82]

This stuff is why Playstation will continue to dominate this generation.
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

You can't possibly tell me PS4 doesn't bring anything new to the table.

Playstation is gonna kick ass this generation.

Mark my words

[legionsoup]

Articles like this being approved are the reason this site is a joke.

I don't care which system you support, if you agree with it or disagree. When the mods here let pure flame bait hit their site, it's just kinda sad.

[MazzingerZ]

Pointless getting both at launch so people get the one that so far looks the best investment for their hard earned cash, SONY has shown gameplay for many coming games while MSFT only CGI...just want to give the impresssion they are on par with SONY regarding 1st party games which we all now are not even close

[HanzoHattori]

I don't even think Microsoft has sold through 5 million. What other reason do they have for not being forthcoming with current sales numbers other than disappointment?

[sjaakiejj]

It's pretty simple really, PS4 is a more powerful system that was, since the first presentation, well received by the press and consumer due to their understanding of what gamers wanted.

Microsoft on the other hand slapped press and consumers alike in the face with their DRM ideas (that they later removed, but damage was already done), forced bundling of Kinect, high price point and clearly weaker visuals (e.g. resolution) than the competition.

Other than hardcore fans of the Xbox brand, the Xbox One just doesn't have a lot of appeal to the average consumer.

[andibandit]

@frenchtoast

let me just illustrate what I meant

" it has nothing to do with 20 years of the PS brand that many people grew up with"

20 years that included the year 2006.....Sony went on stage at E3 and told the world "go get a second job to buy our 599$ ps3" and they topped it off by demoing a bunch of uninspiring games.

The following years were like echoes of 2006 and Im not even gonna go into details about it.

[frostypants]

"they literately kicked butt at the show "

So they kicked butt by demonstrating keen reading skills?

[mezati99]

that's right you just keep telling yourself that

[iamnsuperman]

I can see the reasoning but hype is a product of other reasons not a reasons in itself. The last generation went on for a long time which added to the hype for a next generation system but why the PS4 is unusual is because of careful planning and a correct price point. It is cheaper than the Xbox One and the third party issue of them, generally, performing better on the PS4 made hype. Then the launch went off with little to no issues which the Wii U and the One stumbled last year. These generated the hype and in particular for the PS4.

[scark92]

If people are regretting on buying a Next Gen Console and are complaining that there are no games, that is your fault on buying the system, you could have waited, simple as,
I know this gen is going to be great, some of my favorite games are getting sequels and new IP's are showing up, its an exciting time to be a gamer.
The games will come, compare last gen consoles Launch til now and you will see a great difference.

[Eonjay]

It is not that complex. The PlayStation Brand always had a stronger global following. It is outselling the Xbox One at about the same rate as the PS3 is now outselling the Xbox 360. And it was outselling the 360 for years now. What we are seeing is a good marketing push, combined with the status quo.

[2pacalypsenow]

So positive word of mouth is now hype?

[NewAgeisHere]

Lol...nailed it.

[HanzoHattori]

One of my nephews and my brother used to be "Oh Xbox Xbox Xbox" until I took my PS4 to his house and let him play Outlast, Infamous Second Son, and Just recently, He's gotten a taste of TLOU Remastered. Only 4 hours in, "I want a PS4." It has nothing to do with hype. People have been seeing for themselves what the Playstation 4 has to offer. I've played gears of war, and Halo and I didn't really see what was so spectacular about those games. They are good games, but they aren't "mind blowing" by any stretch of the imagination. I never once tried to convince my nephew or my brother that Playstation is better than Xbox, I let the system and the games do all the talking for me. Now I'm trying to get my brother and nephew to experience P.T. Yeah it's only a Demo, but that demo provides an experience unlike anything currently offered by the Xbox One, and that in itself is one of the reasons the PS4 has sold 10 million consoles.

[SG1_dapunisherX]

nothing wrong with that ..wii u and xbox need that ps4 hype lol but I doubt it was because of the hype. ps4 is great system with full of great series/ new ip

[DeadlyOreo]

I'd say it's more to do with the fact that people have more faith in the Playstation brand, the Playstation brand is much bigger than the Xbox brand. It's just that the majority went for the 360 last gen because it was out a year earlier, was cheaper and the PS3 launch didn't go too smoothly. This gen is just what was naturally going to happen if both launched side by side.

[danny818]

Xbox is a great system and will sell tons by this year. Now, the wiiu on the other hand. Just to put it to perspective, wiiu is at 6 or 7 going on its second year. X1 is sitting on 5mil and its about to reach its first year. Let that sink in. Now, all 3 consoles will kick but this wintee but who ever has the best quality will rule them all

[BitbyDeath]

Most of this year Wii U has been selling more than Xbox worldwide. If Xbox sold last year what they had this year then they'd have around 3 million shipped in total.

Or put it this way, last year Xbox shipped just under 4 million consoles, they are now around 5.5 million shipped meaning in the past 8 months they have shipped roughly 1.5 million.

Let that sink in.

Wii U isn't doing that bad.

[danny818]

Its an older console. Every system needs its time. Now xbox and ps4 will start getting 1st. Party exclusive this winter and 3rd parties. Something wiiu doesnt have. So wiiu is just a gamecude 2.0

[ps5fanboy]

Wtf?

That's all worth saying on that bs headliner.

[uth11]

I think there was just a pent-up demand for new consoles after how long the last generation was.

Even the Xbox One's sales are pretty good if you compare them historically and not to the PS4.

[iceman06]

I agree with this. Combine that with a lower price point, a flawless launch, and great planning and marketing and you have the PS4's success.

[GribbleGrunger]

It's not hype, it's:

Better design
Better hardware
Better exclusives
Better Multiplats
Better Indies
Better FTP
Better social features

Ignore them all you want, it won't change reality.

[user7402931]

^^^^^^^

[ps5fanboy]

Hear hear.

[DigitalRaptor]

You said it mate.

Add "Better diversity" to that list.

Add "Better messaging" to that list.

Add "Better treatment of consumers" to that list.

Sony smashed it out of the park because they are back with a bang after a slow and chaotic generation against a console that had more going for it at one point in time. It's not JUST because they have better games either. It's cause their have more of them coming from all different angles. The only ones trying to adjust reality are those that are a little bit mad that the Xbone is not beating the PS4 this gen, and those that are VERY SLOWLY coming to the realisation that Xbox will never be a superior global brand than PlayStation.

They have more that gamers desire so far, and will ALWAYS have what we value.

[PS4OUR]

And therefor 10 million people saw better value in the system because of the points you stated

+

the fact MS with Xbox One tried to implement anti consumer policies made the decision all too easy.

[MasterCornholio]

Pretty much. The Xbox One is still a nice system though and I respect those "rational" people who buy one.

P.S What I mean by rational is everyone excluding crazy fanboys.

[johndoe11211]

I don't think you understand. Some people here live in an alternate reality than ours. In that reality being five million consoles behind is no big thing and that gap can disappear with the release of 2 good exclusives.

In that reality stealing a 20 year old multiplatform won't piss people off and give your product a bad name, no, somehow it would encourage people to spend $400 to buy a "timed" exclusive.

In that reality a console that has never sold well out side of its two main markets will suddenly sell millions when it goes on sale outside of those markets EVEN THOUGH it's getting raped in its two main markets.

The author of this article (like a lot of people that live in that reality) Can only see what is in that reality. The ps4 selling well has nothing to do with the fact that we've been stuck with last gen systems for eight years.

It has nothing to do with the fact that it has way more advanced features than its predecessor nor does it have anything to do with the long list of games that have been released thus far. Nope, all that doesn't really exist. The only thing that exist in their little reality is "hype". I refuse to even click that article.

[CaptainPunch]

Are you really putting down better indies as a selling point? LMAO

Btw who are you to determine anything better besides the obvious choices like design and hardware. Anything other than that is up to people to decide.

[DigitalRaptor]

Are you telling me that Microsoft has more creative, diverse and larger scale indie games than Sony?

What indie games does Xbox One have to match No Man's Sky, RiME, SOMA, WiLD, The Tomorrow Children, Everybody's Gone to the Rapture, ABZU, Dreamfall Chapters and The Vanishing of Ethan Carter?

Get real.

[garos82]

you wot m8?

[dafegamer]

"In fact, one could argue that Titanfall is the best exclusive piece of next-gen software to date (going by its Metascore), and it’s on the Xbox One side. And yes, we’re aware the game is available on Xbox 360 and PC"
Wrong, The Last of Us is the highest rated next-gen piece.
If he counts Titanfall as Xbox exclusive, then we could as well count TLOU then.
Both Nextgen console are yet to have exclusive heavy hitters.
I have no idea why people say that Xbox One has superior exclusive titles

[alb1899]

TLOU is a old game.......it just can be compare to the halo bundle.
I don't think anybody bought the ps4 to play a game they finish one year ago!
TITANFALL is the most entertain game of the generation right now.
XONE has more value for my money than ps4 until now
A game that you finished is Remastered and it makes you buy a 400 console?
Wao!
I understand the one that already had the console and have nothing to play like is the case.

[dafegamer]

First: Titanfall isn't a next gen game, it's on old gen as well.

Second: TLOU Remastered can be sure compared to the Halo Bundle. By your own logic, the Halo bundle would have a couple of "old" games too(If you ignore that those games are remastered for the new Generation

[Torgul]

Because it was a remastered?

[dafegamer]

If he counts Titanfall xbox exclusive( a game you can play on your old xbox 360)you sure as well can count the Remastered version of TLOU as playstation exclusive. The author ignores the fact that you can buy Titanfall on old hardware,
making it look like Titanfall is a Xbox one exclusive

[starrman1985]

PS4 got most of it's success from the Xbox One's E3 last year! I used to work at a big game retailer and after E3 last year almost everyone decided to ditch the X1 for the PS4.

I'm not saying that the PS4 didn't draw people over based on it's actual properties though, it's a brilliant machine but MS's downfall helped push Sony up.

[MAULxx]

Your comment is spot on and reflects what I was going to post. Well said bubbles for you.

[chaosx]

Hype and a fear of lose sales approach, just helped Sony in a big way. The PS4 sales put Sony bacon track , so Hype is great .Making people feel like they could miss out on getting one, really affected the consumer based American market.( Stocks are in short supply better cue up for your cabbage patch kids) But the reality is the lead will slowly dwindle as the years go on.

5 million xb1 units to china will close the gap and also xb1 is starting to ship in more than the 13 countries it started in.
People will purchase there second console this holiday season based on games and XB1 has some pretty awesome games coming that will draw customers back and get 360 users to upgrade.
Sony will keep on trucking , but they won't hit another gear until they have an Uncharted or The Order to push.

[Majin-vegeta]

http://youtu.be/_n5E7feJHw0

*Titanfall will close the gap-So much for that
*Price cut will close the gap-Lol nope
*H:MCC-Will close the gap-Lol no way in hell
*5 million in china will close the gap-Highly doubt it China is PC central.

Whats next updates will close the gap?

[jnemesh]

Mmmmmmm....Sony bacon!

[hello12]

PS4 Sold 10 Million Thanks to Hype, Not Performance.

I agree it was mostly hype. And to be honest Microsoft can only blames themselves for that. They marketed the console to the wrong audience thinking it would mean more sales. Don Mattrick was thinking like someone who doesn't game.

Performance. You can't even count resolution at launch anymore because we know the devs had only use of 90 per cent of the gpu in the x box 1. I'm not seeing the 50 per cent more powerful console in action yet. I know the reasons for that. On paper the PS4 specs give you the impression its 50 per cent faster, but the reality is its more like 10-15 per cent better at the moment. If devs were utilising more than 14 CU's for the games you see that power. But 14 is better than 18 if you want balance.

Captain@ just ignore the fact xb1 games were only using 90 per cent of the GPU for nearly a year. While the PS4 games using 100 per cent of the power of the GPU.

A person informed me too a while ago. The new code given to the Diablo devs was a sdk to gain access to the kinect reserve.

Killer reserves of first party studios? Did you watch E3 and Gamescom?

PR i agree with. Sony kicked Microsoft ass before launch.

great service with PS+ maybe?

[SoulWarrior]

Let's not forget far superior PR, Sony salving their reputation from the shaky start of the PS3's life, most multiplatform games performing better, great service with PS+, killer roster of 1st party studios.

And significantly not having a console reveal that was a complete disaster, it's not just 'hype' lol

[SilentNegotiator]

Whatever makes you feel better that your favorite piece of plastic got outsold.

[Kevlar009]

I'd say about a million or so of current PS4 sales is hype, but tbh out of the 3 consoles PS4 is your safest bet, in terms of games and brand reliability. If you were a general consumer from the last 9 months who knew they wanted a current gen consoles chances are you went with PS4.

Btw I think it's hilarious the PS4's online AD campaign is basically saying "It's tough having to wait for the games you want post launch, so here's an inspiration quote to make you feel better".

[beereal360]

This is dead on. It's not great at all neither is xbox one I'm definitely thinking about pc gaming or maybe a steam box.

[EvilWay]

They are doing so well because Microsoft shot themself in the foot with the DRM and kinect B.S. Microsoft killed them at E3 last year until the DRM stuff came out. Sony had a good conference as well but it was full of a lot of lies and promises, of features that are going to be at launch, that still aren't there or just came out, etc..

Sony has done nothing really great with the PS4 so far. All they have is a couple graphically impressive exclusives (Killzone and Infamous) a remake of the best last gen game, and a crap ton of indies. Sony has done a decent job but nothing impressive. Their console is more powerful but it lacks almost everything else; features, UI sucks, etc..

Microsoft has really turned things around since Phil Spencer was promoted to head of Xbox. He has gotten XBL on track, and got some good exclusives. Microsoft still has a lot of work to do but this is a good start. They need to improve the UI a bit, get some more great exclusives, and keep giving us good games with gold.

Sony really needs to watch it, because it doesn't look good for them in the games department for this holiday or next. They seem to be on cruise control and the tables might turn if they keep this up.

Exclusives;
PS4
2014
- DriveClub
- LBP3 (on ps3)
2015
- BloodBorne
- The Order 1886
- Ucharted (possibly)
- PlanetSide 2
No release dates
- H1Z1
- Deep Down
- Everybodies Gone to the Rapture(maybe)
- Shadow of the Beast
- Rime
- Until Dawn

Xbox One
2014
- Sunset Overdrive
- Halo MCC
- Forza Horizon 2 (360) definitive edition
- Project Spark (not sure at this point)
- D4
2015
- Fable Legends
- Tomb Raider
- Quantum Break
- Halo 5
No release date
- ScaleBound
- Gears of war 4
- Phantum Dust
- CrackDown

[VJGenova]

Bloodborne please! Seriously might buy a PS4 solely for that game.

[DeadlyOreo]

Hints of fanboyism.

Playstation have offered plenty, and it's like you've missed some games off of that Sony list.

And please enlighten me on how the UI sucks? Haha, have you used it?

[EvilWay]

Yes I have used it. It is very bland and it is still slow

[impet25]

if u think gears will be out in 2015 u must be smoking considering development of games does not take 1 year lol.

[EvilWay]

It is under the no release date category. Thanks for actually knowing how to read

[Majin-vegeta]

I love how you dont mention GG XRD or Samurari Warriors 4 *Facepalm*

[Baka-akaB]

Everyone would agree with that load of drivel . If not for the simple fact that around 30 millions of games were sold on ps4 . I dont care if it's indie , retail , digital , ports , multi or whatever ...

Point is the console didnt just sell then remained there as a paper weight , it shifted tons of games so far

[Master-H]

Tlou R, Infamous Second Son, MLB The Show 14/15(next year), Guily Gear Xrd , Samurai Warriors 4, Ratchet and Clank Remake, Tear Away Unfolded, Wild all would like a word with you.

And since you mention Tomb Raider, let's mention all of ps4 timed exclusives as well, No Man's Sky, Hellblade, Abzu etc as well.

Biased fanboy, posts every xbox game he can think of even the potential 2016 ones (gears of war) and purposefully skipms on the ps4 games list lOL

[Patrick_pk44]

Did you intentionally leave out PS4 exclusives?

PS4 runs smoother and faster then the Xbone UI. And if you find it difficult to use the PS4s UI you should go to your doctor to have a check up on your head.

None of the Xbone exclusives look threatening.

[CorndogBurglar]

Its actually very simple.

1. The PS4 IS more powerful, and DOES perform better than Xbox One. That is not an opinion. Its a fact.

2. Microsoft screwed themselves royally and made a whole lot of gamers mad when they revealed the Xbox One.

These are the two reasons PS4 is blowing them out of the water in sales. This isn't rocket science. The Xbox One reveal made a LOT of hardcore Xbox fans mad. So mad that they jumped ship to Playstation. I know I'm one of them. Would you call that "hype"? I wouldn't. I would call that Microsoft shooting themselves in the foot and giving customers to Sony.

Sony positioned themselves as the knight in shining armor after Microsoft made themselves out to be the evil, mustache twisting villains of the video game world. Not only that, but they actually defended their decisions for a while and ridiculed a lot of their fans in the process. So it really shouldn't be any surprise that a lot of Microsoft fans left for Sony.

[PrinceOfAllSaiyans]

Hmmm well when I do play my PS4 its so much fun I got a backlog with TLOUR, TLOU Left Behind, and my MLB 14 The Show franchise. Not to mention InFamous First light and Destiny in a few weeks.

Its my favorite console that I've ever owned and I owned every console since the PS1 era (except a WiiU). Just imagine when it starts to get all those Sony exclusives and JRPG's.

[dillhole]

I loved my PS1.
The PS2 was unstoppable.
Despite bad press I got a PS3 early -it got better and better.
So I bought a PS4 and I am not disappointed.

[SmielmaN]

Here here! Simple and accurate.

[FayZ_]

people fall for hype every time, watch dogs sold well and it's a terrible game.
Same goes for the PS4, congrats to sony for fooling the idiots.

[CorndogBurglar]

So what are you trying to say, exactly?

The PS4 actually ISN'T the more powerful system? It actually DOESN'T outperform the Xbox One? None of the reports are true? Its all just Sony tricking everyone?

Open your eyes, man.

[Dfooster]

And I guess the developers are also playing along with this little charade Sony cooked up by not releasing their multiplatform games at 1080p on the Xbox one?

[Rimgal]

With a title like this I'm pretty sure most people here wont even bother to click on the link to read your article. But I did and most of the time I stay away from articles like this, because everyone is entitled to his own opinion, and I don't have a problem with that. What I do have a problem is with this...

"Based on all the evidence, there’s really no other way to explain it right now."

What evidences? What you said it's just your opinion, nothing else, and your opinion it's not a fact.

[CervantesPR]

The PS4 messaging was straight forward and right from the start. It was focused on games and didnt flip flop around like the competition did. The xbox one is LITERALLY the Xbox 180 and the PS4 JR. The power difference is also a big factor for the consoles. The xbox one is just the inferior product no matter how you look at it,especially when the games that it has run at lower resolutions/framerate and are mainly 1 time deals or timed exclusives.

[reaperofsouls]

troll article if ever i saw one!!

[mcarsehat]

It has simply sold 10 million due to its price being lower and he promise of things to come. There still isn't a game on the PS4 that is making people buy the console. But will there be?

The game that made be buy a PS3 was Uncharted 3, Uncharted bloody 3!!

No game helps sell a console until way toward the end of their life cycle. Now that the Xbox One has had a price drop, the PS4 is only selling more because of hype with the Xbox just selling because of people saying "It's not as bad as people are making out. Oh you actually CAN play games on it" ETC.

Yes, anyway, hype hype hype In 1080p 60fFPS

[SaffronCurse]

Not all of it is from Hype. Alot of people were just sick and tired of Microsoft in the later years of the 360.

[hiawa23]

Sony knows damn well why the PS4 is selling, and a lot of it is word of mouth, but MS helped by what they tried to do before they were forced to course correct and many gamers have not forgiven them, and also forcing Kinect on many. Sony knows why their console is outselling MS, there statement was a huge dick slap to MS. The was the whole idea...

[Majin-vegeta]

Lol whatever helps you sleep at night OP.

http://cdn.meme.li/instance...

[cyclindk]

I would say this of ANY product... hype doesn't generally last long POST launch of anything if it isn't justified, but admittedly positive word of mouth benefits any product AND is usually .... due to a legitimate positive experience to begin with ... so the argument here is... what exactly??

And.. unfortunately for Microsoft, the "bad press" they were getting ... was/is because of all the issues with the product... you can't just SAY this product has 'positive word of mouth' and 'this product has bad press' and not at least HINT as to why both of those things are happening.

[Black_Adam88]

basiclly this person is butt hurt that his fanboy invested console is not selling the most....why does that even matter...where is the source of this fanboy rage? would any extra money or value be added to your life if what ever your favorite game platform was selling more? the only thing to care about is that both sony and microsoft are working on games and are both selling pretty well and are providing each other with good competition and that means better games for us to choose to buy or not. this is a prime example of not being able to grow up.

[S2Killinit]

I donno, they been performing since they entered this industry. unlike others, who had lapses of performance (namely from the second half of each and every generation) not naming names, but you know who they are.

Playstation; best value in console gaming. Period.

[quenomamen]

Funny, it has enough performance to run most games at what theyre where designed ? While others can only under perform. But the hell do I know I only looked up the definition of the word.

[Baka-akaB]

It selling games and a lot so far ... so at some point "just hype" doesnt work as an excuse .

Solely relying on hype , at some point sales decreases .

You have a perfect example of that in Japan , where without essential games , the PS4 went down in sales

[StormLegend]

"PS4 Sold 10 Million Thanks to Hype"

Yea right me and other people bought PS4's because we know Sony delivers the games!!! unlike Microsoft they can't even make games they buy Timed Exclusive 3rd party games just to compete with Sony..

[ainTgoTTime2bleed]

If the ''hype'' thing was true then the xbone would be reaching $40,000 millions in total sales right now and Titanfall at $30mil...lol

[Tedakin]

I actually agree. I don't think anyone bought a PS4 to play Killzone. It's launch window hype. Remember the Wii? Couldn't find one for 2 years and what was anyone playing on it.

[KakashiHotake]

Here's why I think the Xbox One is dragging so far behind. For starters Microsoft lost a lot of the hardcore gamers with their own selfish antics. Also they created an inferior product, people are a lot more tech aware today than they were in any previous gen. And last, but not least and this will probably piss of a lot of Xbox fans, but the Xbox One is down right ugly, because of that the casuals don't want it either. The DVR build is ugly and the Windows 8 inspired UI is ugly ( no one hardly likes Windows 8 either. )the power brick is ugly, when it was bundled with the Kinect that too was ugly as well as the price. Fans may argue that you play a console for games and not looks, but you'd be surprised how looks determine what people often choose. Not just games either, people make these kind of choices in almost every life decision be it a car, a house, a date, etc. When you see an Xbox one next to a PS4 the decision is very easy to make. It's almost like choosing a date for the prom. If you could choose to date the more popular beautiful girl or the one with buck teeth and giant glasses, you'd be a fool to take the latter.

[ftrain]

I don't even know why this is here. It's obviously just a butt-hurt fanboy that can't stand that the competition is selling better than his preference. If only we could all blame everything that didn't go our way on hype. Open your eyes because PS4 is better for many reasons and then you can see why it's selling so well.

[ktorc]

...but but the XBOXONE cooming with many extra super secret souces ...and DX12

[OC_MurphysLaw]

OK this article surely is just going to bring out the worst in people.

That said if we look at the PS4 its success so far really has been more around its price point the promises of next gen vs really giving us something that can't be done on say a nice PC rig these days.

It is a great piece of kit but its not revolutionizing gaming which I feel many are expecting when they are buying in to next gen.

[AceofStaves]

So much salt and bitterness in this article. It's hilarious.

Why is the PS4 outperforming the XB1,even after XB1 changed policies/offered a Kinectless SKU? Because the reality is that Playstation is a much stronger brand globally than XBox. The 360 was such a success in North America and the UK because it launched much earlier and was cheaper. This enabled it to build up a community of users that grew through positive word-of-mouth.

This generation, with XB1 and PS4 launching at the same time - and this time with Sony as the cheaper option - the situation has reversed. Sony now has the benefit of positive word-of-mouth. Add to that, Sony's history over the past two decades or so of producing quality exclusive titles, and it's no surprise the PS4 has dominated this gen of consoles so strongly out of the gate.

It will be interesting to see how the rest of this gen unfolds once the heavy hitters for both systems are released and what role, if any, China will play.

[Predaking77]

You got to be a fool to think that the PS4 has reached 10 millions just because of hype, for real.

Sony has the most powerful console at the best price. That is a winning combination. Most of the time the most powerful console in a generation is not the cheaper.

Also, the PS4 has been praised by the developers community for his power and easy structure to develop games.

Sony has also made a hit with social and streaming features such as the playroom.

Saying that the PS4 has sold that much because just because of hype is the most idiotic, ignorant, full of hate and envy comment a person can make.

Titanfall was the most hyped game in history and did not lived to the expectations.

[RosweeSon]

Yeah hype indeed and when that power you mentioned kicks in, game over GTA5 will be epic even if it's a re release but then uncharted 4 and hopefully a new god of war and gran turismo, metal gear solid 5, gonna be a great time to be a ps4 owner if your not already ;)

[Muzikguy]

This is still on people's minds?! PS4 is a better GAMING machine, that's why it sold more. It was also $100 cheaper in the beginning. It also has better games (for some people). There are tons of reasons why it sold more. I can't believe this is still being talked about...

So if MS ends up in 3rd (doubt it) this gen, we will still see articles about hype and bad messages at the launch of the systems?! Give it a rest already, MS are still messing up in the eyes of some fans.

[cell989]

looks like the xbox defense team is at full force right now. Look if you love the xbone and its your system of choice, COOL youre happy, move along. Why do you even have to mention PS4 in your sentences to boast about your beloved xbone console.

Theres a reason 10 million PS4s have sold so far versus half of that for the xbone. what does that tell you as an xbox supporter?

[Exies7]

For the same reason that you mention XB1.

[SonyPS4]

PS4 needs more games that are not cross gen or remastered last gen content.

[fanboysmackdown]

And the trolls and fanboys came out in droves. Being neutral, I say mostly hype. I bought both systems day one and I know I could have waited one year to buy both because there are no real next gen games yet. Infamous was so so, Titanfall is fun but the graphics ain't next gen and PS4's best title is a PS3 title. X1 got horrible press and it deserved it and PS4 got great press and it deserved it. Almost a role reversal of last gen. In the long run they'll both have kickass games and that's all I care about.

[Exies7]

Sure, I bought mine out of hype and yes, I've been disappointed in it but I can't really say the xb1 is offering anything better atm.

Despite sales, they're both equal in my mind. Equally disappointing and all.

This gen is entirely about hype.

[jts1891]

Anyone who buys a console within a year after launch and expects there to be a boatload of games is going to be disappointed. I can't think of a single generation in recent memory that actually had more than 1 or 2 great games during that tiemframe.

[Exies7]

Never said "boatload of games", just a handful of good ones would be nice.

Baka-akaB,

What the XB1 and PS4 has to offer in terms of games and exclusivity is entirely subjective and up for debate. I'm glad you find the titles good, truly. I'm very glad you're enjoying the console.

But for me, and probably a lot of other gamers, nothing has really justified its purchase. They're both lackluster.

And nearly every title that has come out on PS4 or XB1, that is worth getting, is also on PC.

It's not about time frame, or waiting to purchase the consoles, it's about both of these companies clearly being afraid of any real risks. Gaming has gotten expensive, so now we have rehashed idea after rehashed idea.

[Baka-akaB]

well that handful is definitively there ... it just doesnt fit your taste . Wich is something you might have thought about , beforehand

With most title released thus far announced for a while , the only unexpected changes were the delay of Driveclub and Watchdogs ... with WD still released months ago .

So each of us could tell , if the first year was going to be interesting or not , according to our own specific tastes .

@jts1891

That would be the dreamcast , it had a quite big array of launch titles being classics . It launched with SOul calibur , Sonic Adventure , House of the Dead 2 , PowerStone , Virtua fighter 3 , Sega rally 2 , Ready 2 Rumble

[jts1891]

He fails to mention the obvious fact that the PS4 is simply a better machine. It's smaller, quieter, and it runs cooler during gaming than the X1. It's more powerful, and multi-plat titles look noticeably better on the PS4. You can call that 'hype' if you want, but that's stretching the term.

[fanboysmackdown]

It's smaller and quieter? Those are some of your reasons the PS4 is better? How frickin' lame. Last I checked I didn't hear much noise coming from my X1 nor did I have much of a problem fitting it in my entertainment center. If you're gonna post something, try using some wit.

[Kingdomcome247]

There are a lot of reasons one could name in arguing that the Ps4 is the superior system. Noise factor isn't one. We have both systems in my house, and the Xbox One is less noisy, I don't think I've heard a noise from it in 8 months. As far as temperature they are about dead even. The Xbox runs cooler than the Ps4 at times, and vice versa.

http://www.gamefront.com/ho...

[Gantrfaxx]

And i wonder how many Millions did Xone sell thanks to unrealistic hype. :D

[Gantrfaxx]

double post.

[windblowsagain]

Hype gets you so far. To get people to look at your product.

But lets look at last gen.

360 releases 1 year early and then breaks down/ again and again.

PS3 comes out. The abuse out of the gate from media was unreal. Never seen anything like it.

MS were worse then Monkeys, the shit they were throwing.

The Wii sold with some hype, but mainly due to bringing none gamers into the fray with easy playing games.

[HacSawJimThugin]

I just love the more powerful console statements lol. Marginally better is more appropriate language not more powerful. Powerful is purely subjective not fact. I can say the Xbox One is more powerful than the PS4 due to its multitasking capabilities. Even with its " more powerful" (I mean marginal) design the PS4 can't run. 3 OS systems like the XB1 can.

Call me a fan boy or whatever else you want but all of the comparisons of multiplatform games we have seen thus far are marginally better on PS4. A far cry from more powerful.

[stragomccloud]

Pretty much.

[incendy35]

Very true, I bought one due to the hype. I rarely ever use it though. Played Resogun at launch, Second Son this spring "hated it" and replayed the Last of Us.. but beyond that I never even turn it on.

[HanzoHattori]

Why would anyone post a comment with the sole purpose of trying to convince people you own a PS4? Your comment history proves otherwise.

[incendy35]

Haha, everyone knows I have one. I even do reviews and game with some folks here. You must be new.

[NotanotherReboot]

It really boils down to one major factor: the general consumer just wants to shoots things. With games such as Killzone and resogun, the PS$ appeals to these gun heads, whereas the one appeals to those who like more lighthearted games: Plants vs aliens, viva pinata, Milo etc.

The playstion brand has always been associated with shooting; this was a giant magnetic pull for the dudebros. Their hit series spyro for the ps1 had a character thatshot fire and a cod dev admitted this was the inspiration for cod.

[PS3and4_HAS_GAMES]

Damn sounds like alot people are mad because of Sony's success. Y'all just mad cause sony played their cards right and blew the competition out the water. Last gen Microsoft had the early lead and 54% of their consoles were defected so what would you call that? Plus we all know the only game xbox 360 had was halo...and the wii out sold both consoles last gen and we all know their games were shiddy.

[BattleAxe]

The PS4 is a nice machine, but the way that PS4 fanboys blindly praise the system while denouncing everything else is nothing short of plain stupid.

Here's why the PS4 is ahead of the competition:

1. massive hype
2. focused message on gaming to their consumers
2. impressive hardware specifications (as expected with Sony)
3. padding the lineup of games with loads of indie titles and remastered titles
4. $100.00 cheaper than the Xbox One at launch

Whats missing are the blockbuster AAA 'next gen' games. And no, The Last of Us doesn't count. The PS4 is still missing basic playback features that the PS3 has, and the last main item that I absolutely despise, is the fact that you need a subscription to play online with games that you purchase. It's a shame that people are so easily fooled, but then again I guess it's not such a surprise. After all, look at how many people were suckered into buying a 360 last gen.

[HollywoodLA]

Really? You mean pricing, advertising, and hyping your product ISN'T a legitimate strategy to win? ...Sure worked well this time lol.

SONY: 10 MILLION

Microsoft: too afraid to list a number

Welcome to the REAL WORLD, fanboys.

: )

[Macdaddy71]

This been the best write up to date, Sony is riding off last year, n MS did hurt there self...but when they are games only on the X1 that all the 360ers got to play X1 will sell in time,
If your a real gamer you will own both system, if not your Not a true gamer....yes I said it I own both

[funkybudda]

Real gamer owns a gaming PC AND the best console that's in PS4. Why would you want Xbox One when most of their exclusives are timed or eventually make it to the PC?

[TKCMuzzer]

Rubbish, most people can only afford one console but are as much of a gamer as you or I. People need to open their eyes, you ride a wave of hype for a while but there has to be something substantial when it's into it's ninth month.

It's all about consumer confidence but you still need a product to back that up and Sony have both. The icing on the cake is that Sony support their consoles with exclusives, it's their strongest asset, they back it up and have done for years, that in turn produces consumer confidence, then more sales.

For all those out there, you can be a real gamer without owning all the consoles, buy to fit your budget.

[mokkeyrg2]

nailed it on the head say no more.

[Grave]

Hype AND performance. Sony killed it at E3 last year and educated gamers know which system has the superior hardware.

Also these lists:
#1 http://www.ign.com/wikis/xb...

#2 http://www.listwar.com/rele...

It's not subjective, there are a few differences between the two consoles. I am mainly a PC gamer, but also play on consoles. Choosing to get a PS4 first was a very easy decision = lower price, superior hardware, and great games.

[TKCMuzzer]

You can't create hype without something to be hyped about. If the PS4 was not a good console it would not sell, the fact is that gamers word of mouth is helping it's sales. The reason for this? gamers actually like it.

It's almost as if certain people don't like that the PS4 is selling well and are trying to justify why the Xbox One isn't keeping up. Just get over it, Sony played their hand and Microsoft screwed up, it's as simple as that.

I want a next gen console do I:

A: Get a PS4 priced at £349 (UK), primarily for games with a company who have a great record of supporting their consoles with exclusive first party games...

B: Get an Xbox One for the same price (more expensive at launch) that is not as powerful, has a slight identity crisis and is supported by a company that not only failed to judge what their own fan base wanted but tried to tell consumers what they wanted. The same company that has failed support the Xbox 360 over the last couple of years providing very little in terms of exclusives even though they take £40 a year from most of it's users.

There you have it, that's why the PS4 is selling more, consumer confidence....

[Petebloodyonion]

I think that what the author meant was: I don't see software as the reason why the ps4 Sold 10 millions.

In that regards I agree with him.
Actually both consoles are pretty weak in term of next gen software demonstrating the power of both consoles.
Most of them are just the same PS3/360 games with a resolution boost and better framerate.

http://n4g.com/news/1381965...

Indy games already released on Steam that could easily been release on ps3

and remastered title.

Honestly now it's not about better Ai, more polygons, more enemies on screen. It's about hitting 1080P! Heck a dam 8bit games is now next gen if it can hit 1080P.

I do think that's Sony's success is due to many factor and not just pure Hype

1) The initial perception compare to Xbox one
Sony made it clear, MS message was a disater

2) the PS Brand
It's reliable, it's respected, it's well known

3) The timing
It's been a long time since there was new alternative to ps3/360

4) The Price
Quite low for a new product and cheaper compare to the main competition

5) No Kinect or Wii pad.

6) Media exposure
Ps4 nicely controlled the media exposure in 2013-2014

[_FantasmA_]

Lets see. Sony has a great record with the PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP in bringing a variety of high quality exclusives across 20 years. M$ has abandoned both their systems, one of them after just 4 years and the other was rushed out the gate and was almost guaranteed to fail and need several replacements. Paying to use your own internet and nothing else, while providing the bare minimum in games and variety and treating customers like dumbasses added further insult. So, no its not hype. People just finally woke up.

[D-riders]

Ape07 still banking on that huh. Xbox has a problem and it ain't games

[Kingdomcome247]

Hype is generated by something, and that something is typically performance. As I've stated we have both consoles in my house, but currently the Xbox One is the one that I actually own. I've accepted that it's less powerful, and will in all likelihood never take the sales crown. I, still enjoy it for what it is. I, will at some point purchase a second Ps4 for our house to allow me to play it whenever I want, until then it is what it is. People could enjoy their purchases more if they didn't constantly feel the need to measure them against a product that is clearly dominating it.

[CultOfPersonality]

It is down to performance, I got a ps4 at launch and got an X1 last week and while the x1 is a good console the installation times for the games are a joke! Hence ps4 better performance

[Reaper29r]

Honestly I think even if the XB1 was equal in terms of power the PS4 would still be in the lead, though it just wouldn't be as wide as it is now. That being said, I don't think it's due to any hype per say. A good majority of that lead has to do with the people that jumped ship due to MS's DRM policies and Mattrick and Nelson's deal with it attitude and in turn those consumers convince their friends to get PS4s. People who were pretty loyal to Xbox (up to that point) still can and probably will go back to MS once MS starts cranking out the exclusives they love. Last gen I'm pretty sure MS kept the lead it had due to it's games, at least in North America. Sure people love Uncharted, God of War and all that. But they also love Gears, Halo, Fable etc.. those games sold like crazy. And CoD had so much timed content and advertising done for Xbox might as well have been exclusive (ala Destiny). I think once MS starts rolling out their main AAA games, that gap will shorten substantially. Software is what sells consoles. The former fans (I forget where but read about 30% of PS4's current fanbase) will feel the call of those franchises and come back. If hardware was the main factor, PS3 would have dominated last gen. Instead it took them majority of the gen to catch up. Best thing Sony can do is try to use the momentum to keep pushing ahead of MS. A delay in games and updates will lose the momentum, and MS if they keep going the way they're going now, will steam right past them (specially with China about to open up to them). In the end though it comes down to what kind of games and franchises you like more, and that's what should make your decision. Not some resolution bs.

[madpuppy]

"PS4 Sold 10 Million Thanks to Hype, Not Performance"

whatever lets you sleep at night, man.....

[gigoran]

So EVEN THOUGH the PS4 IS technically superior (as has been proven time after time with cold hard evidence, facts if you will) it only sold better because of "hype"?

Did I mention there are actual FACTS that prove the PS4 is the superior machine technically? Ya know, that is kind of something that helps people make a decision about which console to purchase.

Either way... the fanboyism of this writer is SCREAMINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG obvious!

[Harpers_Ferry]

Anyone who thinks you can ride to 10 million on hype alone has no idea how product sales work.

[TWB]

I do think that 8th gen consoles have been selling this well (both in general) because of the overhype which was caused by a bit too long 7th gen.

[Claudinho69]

Somebody is but hurt

[madpuppy]

IDK if you did it on purpose or not but, your comment is quite Shakespearean.

"Somebody is but hurt"

Let us not fret the slings and arrows of mad men, Tis true, they are but hurt for supporting a weaker console thusly.

[Claudinho69]

that works

[Many-hat5]

As mentioned above by Reaper29r, many,including myself,didn't buy PS4 primarilry because of it's supposed 'raw power' superiority - it wasn't even known for sure at the time, that it was superior.I purchased the PS4,because MS did such a poor job,pre-lauch.The DRM bullshit being the deciding factor for me. To date, neither console has anything to shout about,IMHO.Both MS and SONY chose relatively cheap options for hardware and that's why we still have this 1080/60 debate.Okay,Sony made a slightly better choice with memory and GPU aspects, but that difference isn't enough for 1080/60 as default,right? I have a good PC gaming rig, but I just prefer the more casual couch playing approach of consoles -it just seems more immediate to me. Bottom line,it may be true that hype sold a lot of PS4's, but that hype was borne of real differences in the attitude towards gamers, and Sony won that one hands down.But it's been downhill since IMO.

[CaptainCamper]

PS4 Sold 10 Million Thanks to great marketing.

[DARK_SOLDIER101]

PS4 Sold 10 Million Thanks to Hype, Not Performance

this is right , those consoles are under Expectations !!!

[csreynolds]

"Look kids! A Troll!!"

Lol at this article, man...

[chikane]

don't worry shitbox fan China is gonna save your box soon.... no not really

and hahah the ps4 is selling better cause is the better system overall get over it

[My_Outer_Heaven]

Why are people forgetting the past? It's pretty darn obvious why PS4 is selling better.

Sony became a more trusting company during E3 2013 when they explained Sony's intent and what they stood for. They assured us that gamers come first, they didn't try to enforce DRM and they let us still trade games in.

Sony made the PS4 console powerful enough to handle games with decent resolution and frame rates and they showed they care about developer support. They forced MS to change their policy's, MS have made an underpowered console and they bet way to much into Kinect which cost them in the long run.

[stormswrath]

It wasn't hype that made me lay down my hard earned money on a destiny bundle. I did alot of research as to what first and second party exclusives each console has coming to it and potentially coming. I also paid attention to which system gave me more value for my money such as factual numbers representing what each system can do and the power they have. I watched e3 and gamescom press conferences to see which company was pushing new ip's and talking the way I want to hear a brand speaking to their potential consumers. I am not a fanboy in any way and I will eventually get an Xbox one, about 3 years down the road, so I can play the exclusives on it I want but for me the ps4 is the system I want right now after alot research and thought not hype.

[xDHAV0K24x]

u got it cuz of brand name, loyalty, their history and promise to deliver great games. NOTHING to do with money.

[Petebloodyonion]

"It wasn't hype that made me lay down my hard earned money on a destiny bundle"
I guess it was because you played hours of Destiny and enjoyed the product.

FYI Hype is actually that:Making you buy stuff in preparation for something not out yet.

[MasterofMagnetism]

How about the fact that it's a quality product. If it wasn't than word of mouth would stop and the hype would die down very quickly.

[kingvendrick]

Its simple really.

Sony made a sexy a$$ games console.
MS made an ugly a$$ cable box that also plays games.

No contest.

[Artemidorus]

Finally it's taken months to read a fair decent article.

Playstation 4 will provide it's own decent games in time with many copy cat features from other consoles to make it a big seller in time.

It was cheaper and provided slighty better hardware. The mainstream ill educated jumped on it and provided them sales.

The mainstream now see Xbox One as second and most likely unaware of any changes due to beliving the hype of Playstation from the start.

[Jamietomp]

I actually agree with it being more to do with hype, yes I admit that the PS4 is a powerful system, more focused on gaming than the XB1, but I don't personally believe it is much better than the PS3, call me crazy if you wish but lots of PS4s were only sold because of how good of a first impression it was given, Sony were advertising it as an extremely good, powerful gaming system, to give the perfect gaming experience, and all that kind of stuff, they even had me convinced about buying one, but then I played my uncle's PS4 and I just sat there thinking "Is this it? Is this the so-called 'amazing' PS4 that was getting so hyped up? Wow..." They just hyped it up loads so people expected it to be great and it made lots of people buy it.

[Rumb13stiltzkin]

I have to agree.

I can't imagine many people bought PS4 for what is currently available. I think it's much more likely that people bought the console because they're excited for what's coming down the line.

I have a buddy who bought Xbox One the day it launched. I asked him what he was playing, and he said "nothing" - he bought it for Titanfall. So after the newness wore off, the console collected dust for four months.

Maybe the PS4 is a great console, but I just don't see anything available on it right now that justifies 10 million sold. Based on that, I have to agree: It's just hype.

[bez87]

Word of mouth, and positive energy always works, but I honestly think the reason PS4 is selling well is because people aren't thick, PS4 is and always will be a more powerful console the hardware says so, you can't change that, so when someone is stood going which one should i get, should i get the underpowered machine which is taking dives just to reach 1080p, or get the machine which is running smooth and has better hardware for the same price?? If someone is on the fence there going to choose the better deal.

Not only this but Sony came out and had a clear message with what the PS4 does, it's sleek, stylish, compact, packs a punch and is simple, it plays games. That's what every ordinary gamer wants, a good clear message, X1 is just a mess Phil is doing his hardest to pull back but the X1 was built with media in mind more than gaming, it confuses people.

[headshotfrosty]

Let's see. Hype, fanboy logic, better specs, loyal Sony fans, bad X1 PR, weaker X1 machine. Sony did most things well however IMO it was MS blunders that added to the hype that added to curiosity which leads to sales. Who is confused by why Sony is selling more? BTW I don't own a PS4 but an X1 in fact. I love it too. But it's clear MS and the mixed messages and lack of forethought has hurt their public image. They can rebound though. Kudos to Sony.

[SpinalRemains138]

Haha.

Its not like SONY has been developing an outstanding, trusted gaming ecosystem for 20 years or anything.

Must be hype.

[Buff1044]

Hype or no, the PS4 sold a ton. Same with PS2... the lineup wasn't so hot initially, but it was a game system and DVD player combined, and low stock drove up the demand. Basically, who cares how you sell it, as long as you sell it?

[Jag-T1000]

Nothing on ps4 lineup can make me go and pick one up. Where is motorstorm, god of war, or a new resistance game?

[unicron7]

Wow. So much butthurt in this article.

[rapidturtle]

I just sold my PS4, and am going to pick up an Xbone. The game that made me do it is HALO. That Masterchief collection looks to be awesome.

[asadachi]

Another dumb article because there is a lot of truth behind the hype and not everyone invests blindly without thinking first. To me, the debate between the xbox one and the ps4 is like comparing a porche to a ferarri. Both are amazing cars that everyone would love to have, but if you had to choose between a porche and a ferarri and they were the same price, you would choose the ferarri because it is a known higher performance vehicle. The ps4 is the ferarri in this case and most people have accepted that it is just a better performance system.

[busytoad]

Ps4>pc>wii-u>Vita> 3ds>atari>nintendo 64>turbo graphix 16>Shiny rock>xbone.

[Dfooster]

Errr they sold 10 million because they were better than the other options.

[ILLINOIS]

PS4 is the best home console ever and it isn't even close. Why does this make xbox1 fans mad? Does MS pay you money? Sony doesn't pay me money. I just call it like I see it. 2015 will be the best year ever for gaming and it all will happen on the PS4.

[xDHAV0K24x]

what u eat don't make me sh**

[DoubleM70]

I over heard a conversation my wife and next door neighbor were haven. They were talking about gaming consoles. The neighbor said and I quote " I herd the PS4 is better than the Xbox". I intervened and I asked her why you say that? She said well that's what I herd. What I'm getting at is Sony did a very good job with Hype and PR appealing to the average consumer.

[ITPython]

Hardware advantage = PS4
Exclusives advantage = PS4
Multiplat games performance advantage = PS4
Online services advantage (PS+) = PS4
Price advantage = PS4
Console physical size advantage = PS4
HDD swap/upgrade advantage = PS4
Social media advantage = PS4
Media sharing advantage = PS4
Upcoming features advantage (SharePlay, PS Now) = PS4
Significantly improved controller vs last-gen = PS4
And last but not least, Positive word of mouth advantage = PS4

Yeah, sure looks like it was 100% hype to me.

[Foxmann250]

PS4 Is Selling Well Mostly Thanks To:

- Their support of PS3 late in its life vs the competition
- A diverse group of first party studios vs the competition
- Better first impression to the media
- Slightly more powerful hardware for a cheaper price