Xbox One vs. PS4 vs. Wii U: Microsoft Still Trailing Behind

This generation’s console war has been in full swing for almost nine months, and the trajectory seemed clear from early on: Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One were clobbering Nintendo’s Wii U just about every month. But lately, the tides have started to turn. We now have July’s sales numbers, and the shifting pattern seems to be continuing, which means things are getting more and more interesting.

[BrandanT]

DRM and a lack of focus on games leaves bad impression for awhile

[LOL_WUT]

Um no, i'll give you the DRM but not the lack of games. It's too bad that Phil has to correct all of their previous CEO's mistakes but he's getting there and so far has done an excellent job. And mark my words X1 will be hitting that second spot soon enough ;)

[BrandanT]

I'll give you that. They are doing a great job rectifying those problems.

[GrandpaSnake]

lack of games is subjective.

[SilentNegotiator]

Xbone has sold almost 5 million in 9 months, where Wii U sold almost 7 million in 21 months. Once the Halos and such start releasing, it's going to make 2nd place, no problem.

[Kayant]

"It's too bad that Phil has to correct all of their previous CEO's mistakes but he's getting there and so far has done an excellent job." - It's a mixed bag because rise of tomb raider exclusivity, the NFL deal which he was a big part of - http://www.xbox.com/es-CL/P...

And all the timed exclusive deals with DR3, PVZ:GW, Ryse.

XB1 will most likely come out second at the end of the generation.

[frezhblunts]

SOrry LOL but I do not think xbox one will pass Wii u sales, Wii u still haven't brought out the big guns, I brought my wii u for super smash bros and I think they will make a lot of money on that hype:D.

[Docknoss]

With MS opening up 6 new game developing companies and that's not even counting black tusk. In within three year's time xbox will have a whole jubilee of exclusives.

[sonarus]

What's the excellent job Phil has done aside from unbundling Kinnect? Consoles take years and years of planning game development is usually like 2yrs. Whatever wrongs kotick has done even Steve jobs couldn't fix it in the few short months since spencer took over.

Xbox 1 has been hovering at 5million since forever. They announced 5 million shipped in April we are heading into September still 5 million smh. Sony was at 7 million sold in April at 10 million now. So in the time sony sold 3 million consoles, Microsoft was still struggling to clear overstocked inventory? That seems really rough and I hope there is more to the story. Spencer will do his best to right the ship but it will take time and ps4 lead will continue to grow in the meantime. Scenario not looking so great for Microsoft this generation at all

[medman]

@lol_wut
I'm a gamer who always buys multiple consoles, and at the moment own a ps4, ps3, and 360. In 2015, the wii u is next on my list, as they are coming with some great content in 2015. The xbone falls next in line after the wii u if I buy another console in 2015, which is doubtful. I know I'm far from alone in this thinking.

[GordonKnight]

At the end of this gen Nintendo will have made the most money and have more quality exclusives than MS & Sony.

That's the true winner in my book.

I'm just glad with TV has the Wii U, PS4 & X1 under it.

I'm set for the gen.

[Boody-Bandit]

@sonarus

+well said

What I find odd is some act as if Spencer just walked in off the street. That he wasn't in on the initial vision of the XBOX ONE. That he didn't have a voice during the development of the XBOX ONE and their initial anti consumer policies. His voice may not have been the loudest in the room but he WAS involved.

He was only put in charge because he is the best fit to appeal to the consumer. Considering what MS had to work with as a replacement for Don, Phil was without question the best choice. I couldn't stand even looking at Mattrick. That guy always came off as a condescending pompous @zz suit.

So anything was an upgrade from him. I just think the damage is done this generation. MS needs to focus all of their energy on rebuilding consumer confidence and being less greedy overall. They need to learn from their mistakes this generation and rebuild those bridges to put themselves in a good position for the next generation.

I can't see anything slowing down Sony this gen. Is it impossible? No. But I don't see how it can happen other than Sony going belly up or MS practically given away XBOX ONE units.

Just like you pointed out about the disparity in sales from April until now. MS also made it known that they drastically slowed down production XBOX ONE units to a crawl. They are now focused on China but I don't see that country having much of an impact for any of the console manufacturers.

[mikeslemonade]

Doesn't really matter who is 2nd place when PS4 will likely beat each console by more than 3:1. If one console is 33 mil and one is 30 mil while PS4 is 100 mil it won't matter who got 2nd place.

[UltimateMaster]

And the Wii U found enough momentum to surpass the Xbox One.

Maybe the Xbox Brand wasn't as popular as everyone tough it was.

25 million people bought the kinect, that can slash some of the hardcore base of around 1/3 of it's fans being casuals.

On top of that, you'd need to count the near endless RROD Xbox 360 from the first 4 years of it's making inflating it's numbers, and pissing off their fans.

Yeah, overall, I'm not too sure how many real die-hard fans there are of Xbox as a brand.
Nintendo's fan base is not to be in question when you see the number of 3DS they have sold.

[cfc78]

After Microsoft's decisions this gen not even an advert with Sylvester Stallone will help and we all know how he likes a come back.

[Boody-Bandit]

That was one of the most motivating speeches I've seen in a movie and I'm not even a Rocky fan.

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[badz149]

I don't know about you guys buy why is the article pic just put the DS4 to represent the PS4 while the other 2 are the whole console? Hmm...I'm a pretty particular guy, so it bugs me to see it like that LOL.

[frezhblunts]

Doesn't xbox one have more games than ps4? I have a ps4 and honestly there are no games. I have infamous second son, last of us and pvz

[eferreira]

ps4 has a bigger game library. There's lots to play on both systems. If you can't find anything maybe you should widen your gaming preferences.

[CaptainObvious878]

How can you possibly think that?

Every time an ms fanboy spews that rhetoric there are counted with facts, so there should be no excuses.

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

As you can see from the list the PS4 has vastly more games than the xbone and that includes more retail exclusives.

It's a very different story to what the ms fanboys have been trying to convince you, eh?

[ChozenWoan]

thanks Cap for the link, bookmarked and +1 to you.

[Axios2]

Really, I would never have guessed that a product selling in 1/8 of the Countries of another product would be behind.

I thought the less places you sell meant more sales.

Why would anyone expect to sell more cookies in 100 classroom compared to 13 classrooms especially if some cookies come with milk (Kinect 2.0) and are more expensive.

I don't think I can dumb this down any further?

@ Evilsnuggle, you mean like what's happening next month in 29 more Countries? YOU need to learn how business work, companies order hat they can sell. The ONLY reason a company SHIPS products is because a retailer oder that product to meat demand. If demand slows, so do the orders, simple.

[iamnsuperman]

You have dumbed it down too much. There are two issues overlooked.

1. Despite, officially, your cookies are only allowed in 13 classrooms they are still available in way more than that (especially with how the EU works).

2. The person who is selling the 100 cookies is selling better in classrooms than the other guy (who is currently selling in 13) used to. It doesn't really matter how many classrooms you sell in if the classrooms you were dominating in are now not dominating at all (even losing the biggest share). That shows a trend change. The guy selling in 13 classrooms sold his cookies as a product for one possible two of the classrooms and yet still doesn't dominate. Trends are important. As we learnt with the 360 and the PS3 in the US last generation when the share gets bigger and bigger it is impossible to get it back because of the snowball effect (i.e. my friends bought that I will buy that then affect). This is going to be even worse in those cookieless classrooms. I don't think there is a single region in which the One is outselling the competition. That is worrying

[ShowGun901]

I don't know why you got disagrees, you are completly right. Of the 13 countries the x1 is selling in, the ps4 is winning in all of them... Fact.

your console isn't the most popular. Only xbox fans in America should be having problems with this (maybe their British fans also). In virtually the rest of the world, the PS3 was more popular than the 360 anyway... I dont see how much has changed, except for on M$'s home turf.

[DJustinUNCHAIND]

That still doesn't change the fact that those countries will have an impact.

Maybe not a huge impact, but to pretend that it won't affect sales is just delusional.

[GamersHeaven]

It is not Sony's fault M$ could of have done the same thing instead they stuck with those countries because 360 sold better there last generation.But as you know they're getting spanked in all 13 countries so even if Sony decided to release in the same amount of countries or M$ vice versa it wouldn't have mattered either way because PS4 is the better selling console end of story.Swallow your pride admit that to your self maybe you will feel better about the truth of being in last place.

[strangeaeon]

Sure, but you have to admit that releasing in more territories wouldn't hurt, you guys are acting as if 29 more territories=5 more units per month sold. Yes the X1 would still be outsold but not by as much.

[BiggerBoss]

"I don't think I can dumb this down any further"

You got that right man, it was a pretty dumb comment.

People constantly explain to you how your argument is wrong, but you continue to spew nonsense. Xbox selling in more countries will definitely help their sales, but it won't close the gap in sales compared to the ps4. Until the Xbox one outsells the ps4 in a SINGLE COUNTRY (which it hasn't) the gap in sales will continue to expand.

[I_am_Batman]

@Axios2 & Superman: Do you guys realise that it's actually harder to understand what you're trying to say when you're talking about different types of cookies and class rooms instead of consoles and countries?

All I was thinking the whole time was why don't they sell the cookies in the main hall of the school and when did cookie dealing become such a highly-competitive business in schools. And now I want to eat some cookies.

What were we talking about again?

[iain04]

Ha ha ha. Bubble up vote for causing me to wee laughing.

[Evilsnuggle]

Axios2@

I don't think you understand . Microsoft has ever opportunity to sale in as many countries as they want to . Also Microsoft has the X1 units in stock to send to as many country as they want to .
Microsoft has stop or slowed down the manufacturing of x1 . Because of lack of demand or lack of sales.

Don't you understand that if there was a demand in these other countries. Microsoft would send the X1 sitting on shelves and in warehouse to these countries. This delusion is getting ridiculous from xbox fan boys . If there is demand for X1 in all these many countries . And Phil Spencer is not sending or selling xbox-one in this countries or to these customers then he needs to be fired right now. Microsoft is a multi billion dollars company they know how to judge demand for their products and how to run a business.

http://www.gamespot.com/art...

http://bgr.com/2014/04/25/x...

[ShowGun901]

"Phil Spencer is turning xbox around!"
"Phil Spencer isn't selling to countries that are begging for xbones!"

these 2 statements are incompatible, especially, as you said, there are literally thousands of x1s sitting around (thats why they're slowing production)... why not ship them to all these countries that are begging for xbones? if its so easy to level out the gap in sales, why hasn't M$ done it? wouldn't that be better than releasing the kinect-less SKU?

because they're not going to matter sales wise. or Phil has no idea how to run his business. take your pick.

[PS4isKing_82]

@axios2 Why are you so upset over which is selling more? Just enjoy your console and games. I enjoy my wiiu as much as others enjoy their Xbox or ps consoles and it isn't exactly settin the world on fire sales wise. But who cares when the games it offers entertains me and makes me happy? That's the only point any gamer should concern themselves with.

[strangeaeon]

People just can't take the constant online bullying and ridicule from a certain fanbase. This fanbase makes it nearly impossible to speak enthusiastically about your console of choice without being crapped on. All this chest thumping over sales has gotten way out of hand.

[calis]

"Why would anyone expect to sell more cookies in 100 classroom compared to 13 classrooms especially if some cookies come with milk (Kinect 2.0) and are more expensive.

I don't think I can dumb this down any further? "

That is the dumbest thing I've ever read here. And there has been some really dumb stuff said.

Microsoft are not withholding the X1 in countries that they have been selling well in, in previous generations. They are not selling consoles in countries where they have traditionally not been a strong seller.

[Kayant]

Exactly there is a reason they dropped 11 counties iirc after the DRM reversal when demand went up.

The countries MS will be releasing in add little all together in terms of monthly sales due to the sales of those markets being small in addition those are places where the Sony brand is a lot stronger already. It will help but changing the current trend of matching PS4 or passing it isn't going to happen.

[Automatic79]

@Axios

No matter how many times you try to tell people the obvious they continue to piggy back off each other because they think they know it all.

For example Sony said worldwide numbers tallied 10 million. That means that all 100 territories that Sony is in has helped boost there sales.

Xbox one in 13 territories has 5-6 million sold. Once September comes around and they hit 44 markets then of course those numbers will grow.

I guarantee people on this website will disagree because of course I am saying something logical. They will spin it 100 ways around and try to knock me.

The biggest excuse a certain team use in here is that PS4 is outselling in all 13 territories. Well the first obvious was that PS4 sold at a lower price but no one will throw that out there because they want to feel there system is superior and want to make everyone feel inferior. The sad part is the same people knocking you are the same who backed PS3 for the entire last gen and continuously are now back peddling on all the things they stood for just to knock rest. (For example the sales don't matter lines I heard all throughout last generation) some how now its front and center topic of all PSfans. Its like you can't talk about great games anymore due to some sales talk. Lol

As for me I own an Xbox one and will get a WiiU and PS4 within time and especially for the latter when more titles show up. Overall enjoy your system of choice. I guarantee you that the same team that hates on X1 selling over 5 million are going to hate when they reach 10 million.

[CaptainObvious878]

Well both consoles have been the same price for a while now yet the PS4 continues to double the xbone sales weekly, so that was redundant bringing that up.

I don't think anyone's saying those extra 44 markets for the xbone wont produce a spike in sales, but they are saying after the initial release the PS4 will keep outselling it and continue to increase the sales gap. And that's bassed on sound historical sales figures.

"As for me I own an Xbox one and will get a WiiU and PS4 within time and especially for the latter when more titles show up."

Nice subtle stab at the PS4. You might get away with it with other people, but I see right through that bitter comment. Allow me to correct you.

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

It's actually the xbone that you're waiting for titles to be released on.

[KaladinStormblessed]

More excuses, the xbox sold at a higher price? Price obviously doesn't really matter that much, though the higher price for slightly weaker tech doesn't look quite so juicy. The WiiU is 100$ cheaper than ps4 yet ps4 is still dominating. And don't tell me WiiU is weak because I don't care I buy my consoles to play fun games not for the most "power".

[Benjaminkno]

I predict Ps4 reaches around 14 million, WiiU breaks 10 mill., and Xb1 at 8 mill. by the end of the holiday. Of course I'm just tossing numbers around, but it'll be interesting to see WiiU try to minimize Ps4's momentum. And I haven't done any research on upcoming software releases, so I could be completely off.

[BiggerBoss]

Being that Ps4 sold 4.2 million in 2013 (launch sales), then went on to sell 3 million more to 7 million total by April (4 months), and then 3 million more to 10 total in august (4 months), I don't think 14 million is an unreasonable total since there's 4 more months in the year. Depending on how well holiday sales are, we could even possibly see upwards of 15-16 million ps4s by the end of this year.

[GrandpaSnake]

i would like to take a long shot here and say the xbox 1 will probably sit around 7-8 million by the end of this year.

[vikingland1]

Mmmm cookies :)

[kingvendrick]

People still using the lack of countries launched argument lol. Just face it, xbone is languishing in 3rd place, it ain't looking good for MS.

PS4 is killing it 'without games', whats it gonna be like when the bombs start to drop.

At this rate MS probably gonna finish in last place, again.

PS4 the win.

[Kevlar009]

There won't be much action for another month, but as soon as October hits things will get interesting. Xbox is banking huge on the Halo MCC, and if they can persuade people that CoD is best on X. I don't see MS breaking the trend of PS4 being the choice for 3rd parties, I just don't, which will give PS4 the edge.

Without 3rd parties Nintendo is hoping they can lure in people who want more colorful games and games only coming to WiiU. Bayonetta 2 and/or Hyrule Warriors could become a surprise hit (like a million+ each over 2 months), Smash will sell millions in a few weeks, with a few curve balls like Toad Tracker.

If each console sells well it will paint an interesting picture for the console generation. If the Xbox can begin to catch up then I believe it will pull in strong until the end, if the WiiU hits a PS4 type of buzz where it sells itself then Nintendo will be in a great spot, and if PS4 gets any crazier then it will not only be the best selling console 100%, but show console gaming is as big as ever.

[GrandpaSnake]

they are already taking the proper steps to try and win over the majority of COD fans. It's just not easy to win over customers anymore with dlc especially when both consoles are doing it this time. people who buy it on ps4 will be many as well.

[Brettman2008]

I think Destiny will do big things for PS4 sales. Sony is pretty much marketing it as an exclusive so the game should be the biggest seller on PS4 and the Destiny PS4 bundle should sell strongly.

[ScorpiusX]

Personally think Nintendo is up a creek w/out a paddle due to the lack of 3rd party games. It's nice they have Mario and their other house franchises but how many iterations can people play of the same game. As for this console race it barely just begun.

[KaladinStormblessed]

Iterations of the same game? You mean basically every game to come out for any console besides new IP?

[ScorpiusX]

People need to get over the reveal concepts that were discussed that day but never brought to fruition as release date arrived.

[Spotie]

No, they don't. Forgetting about stuff like that is all a company needs to bring those very things back. Especially when they tried so hard to justify the stuff they eventually decided to drop. Especially when they blamed consumers for not really understanding that stuff.

[ScorpiusX]

I have moved on and a bright note most of those concepts were actually interesting. As for consumer the majority are a massive pain of self centered entitled egos .

@capt. The way I see it no harm no foul, I have forgotten cause nothing happened. But to each their own .

[CaptainObvious878]

Yeah, just like I caught my neighbor making plans to steal my money in my safe. But the plans never came to fruition because I locked my front door, so all good.

I'm letting him baby sit my son this weekend. It's so good when you can forgive and forget.

[S2Killinit]

LMAO best comment of the month.

Seriously though i think there is more to MS's bad image than just the reveal (of not just the console but really a reveal of what they thought about gaming and gamers)

MS has built a reputation of supporting their core gamer base for half a generation, the second half they switch focus onto casuals. That is part of the reason i went with PS4. Playstation is a longer investment.

[bohemian 23]

Lol, what a joke article.

[Illusive_Man]

Why are we still talking about the 2012 Reveal? Today's Xbox is nothing like the one introduced by Don't Mattrick.

[CaptainObvious878]

But it's still severely suffering from the consequences of the reveal.

[Macdaddy71]

Lol. I own both system n the ps4 has nothing over the X1, when all the 360 gamers move up to the X1 things will change

[XxGrim_Reaper05Xx]

Those 360 gamers you speak of bought a ps4. :3

[phantomxll]

1080p blah blah blah 60 frames per second blah blah blah blah.
Awesome! Cant wait to hear more!

[thexmanone]

Who cares, Does that mean I wont be able to enjoy my Xbox one, since sales are not up to PS4. It sure does not make the PS4 better to me since its selling a little more right now. I sure wish it was like to old days when peopled cared about games and not numbers or rez/framrate.

[Digimortal]

Couldn't say it better myself. I'm a Wii U only owner for the time being and I've having a damn blast with my console. Sales don't mean nothing to me as a Gamer. It's just there for bragging rights and something to use as a leverage for a so called console war. Games are the most important aspect with a console and Nintendo is delivering that without a problem, sure we may not be getting 3rd party games from Ubisoft, EA and now Activision but we still are getting 3rd party games from other devs and that's fine with me.

[greenlantern2814]

This generation of consoles will likely play out like the 6th did with PS4 out in front XB1 in 2nd place by a couple of million. Then the Wii U, and Nintendo can only blame themselves for squandering their year long head start and not properly marketing the system.

[AJBACK2FRAG]

That's exactly where it belongs last place.

[Realplaya]

Why is everyone so convinced that the XB1 is destined to beat out the Wii U?

Facts are facts if I had $2000.00 to spend on a new devices to go with my TV. I am going to pick up a Wii U and PS4.

1. For one Multi plats play better on the PS4

2. PS4 and the Wii U at this moment have more and better 1st party games outr and on the horizon.

3. Exclusive games on the XB1 look like there timed and will eventually hit the PS4 maybe even the Wii U.

4. I can trust Microsoft as far as I can throw them.

5. People say wait until Halo comes out but that game is marketed towards fans of the series and just like with the Wii U will one game be enough to prompt me to purchase a system that right now is over priced? Also do people people not understand that the Wii U is home to some classics already and it gets better. This Chirsmas as a consumer I get smash, Bayo, Captain Toad, Hyrule warriors and many more.

6. 2015 lineup the Wii U once again has the upper hand Biggest game on the docket Xeno Blade and then one of the most wanted could come out Starfox.

7. Indie scene

8. Current install base. Due to the fact that PS4 and XB1 don't have a lot of compelling software other than Multi plat games Gamers who bought a PS4 are prob buying Wii U's and same with the XB1 and look for the trend to continue going forward.

At the end of the day Microsoft is in a bad way. There is more negative than positive hype. They dropped the price by $100.00 in the first 6 months and removed a piece from the system and now the sales are still not where it should be selling.

nintendo has room to grow since people can go to almost any major site and watch Nintendo directs there is some marketing and games on the Wii u are playable and the reviews are positive.
Nintendo then says you want a FPS here is Splatoon, and Devils third.
We don't have 3rd party support screw them come make a game on a budget for the Eshop and get paid better yet port your android or Ishop game and get paid.
So at this point with Christmas looming Nintendo is poised to come out on top from a financial perspective. Their no longer losing Money on Each Wii U sold, No thrird party support allows their own game sales to be big and they have a great attach rate.

Nintendo stay strong and do you.

[horndog]

I had no clue that MS was trailing behind. It's not like there's an article on it everyday. S/

It's a good thing it doesn't effect how much I enjoy the system