PlayStation is undoubtedly this generation’s gaming pioneer. The hit console is a fan favorite with an incredible array of titles and immersion features that stand second to none. It has made a name for itself and is rightly demolishing its direct competitor, Xbox Series X|S, by outselling it by a 3:1 ratio.
Earlier this year, an Executive from the console’s parent company stated that the PS5 was entirely in stock everywhere and was ready to purchase. This wasn’t the case earlier due to the infamous global silicon chip shortage, which severely affected the console’s production, and hence, availability also took a massive hit.
This holiday season, the console recorded excellent propulsion in its sales numbers. The console shows no signs of stopping anytime soon, and if this continues, the latest console might top PS4’s lifetime sales number of 117 million.
Sony’s PlayStation Cements Its Dominance Against Microsoft’s Xbox by Recording 50 million Lifetime Sales
The console company published the sales figures for the PS5 on their official blog here, and Jim Ryan, President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, had this to say:
Achieving this PS5 sales milestone is a testament to the unwavering support of the global PlayStation community and their passion for the incredible experiences created by the talented developers from PlayStation Studios and our partners,
The fact that the console reached 50 million in terms of lifetime sales has made its target of 25 million units in sales during the current fiscal year ending in March 2024. Just before the holiday season, the PS5 also received a makeover, which reduced its form factor by almost 30 percent. While the difference is noticeable regarding size, it isn’t as drastic as other consoles and their slim models released by Sony earlier.
The news of the console’s excellent sales comes after the sales numbers in August 2023, merely four months ago, were not looking as promising as they are. The target of 25 million units sold in the current financial year was not expected to come easy, with the company calling it a “high target and not within easy reach.”
The PS5 also enjoyed a lot of momentum this year thanks to its marquee exclusive release, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. The title was released in October and immediately overtook the gaming industry. Insomniac’s terrific work with the narrative, gameplay mechanics, and character development made the title unmissable, with so much going well for the Japanese video game console and its parent company. It makes sense to ask: has Microsoft already lost the console war?
Xbox Suffers Yet Another Defeat Against Sony PlayStation
The rivalry between the two gaming giants is as old as the sixth generation of consoles from 1998 to 2005. Both entertainment titans have emerged as mammoths in the industry and have become forces to be reckoned with.
Microsoft’s first gaming console sold reasonably well, considering it was the company’s debut with gaming consoles. It has over 24 million units in its lifecycle. However, it was no competition for the titan that was PS2 which remains the highest-selling gaming console to date with a whopping number of 155 million units sold in its lifecycle. This was not only because Sony was more experienced but also because of the PS2’s titles.
The PS2 had the best video game title lineup for its time. Ratchet & Clank, Jak, and Daxter made it an indispensable name in home entertainment. Not to mention, all PS1 games were compatible with the PS2.
Then came the seventh generation, 2005 onwards, which saw Microsoft taking giant leaps with online gaming and titles like Halo 3. This was a time when both consoles stood toe-to-toe against each other. The sales were also incredibly close as the PS3 sold 87.4 million units compared to the 360, which sold 84 million. But since numbers indicate popularity, PS3 won this generation by a measly margin.
Then, game generation eight, with PS4 and Xbox One, this time, the PS4 cutting-edge features. With a unique new controller with a gyroscope, a built-in speaker, a touchpad, and a video game lineup that can beat every other console in its time. The PS4 sold 117 million units worldwide compared to 58 million units for the Xbox. All of this suggests that Microsoft has to pull off something huge to mark its first-ever win in what has primarily been dominated by its rival.
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