Lately, there's been a lot of negative news about the Xbox One. One point however, seems to imply that the Xbox One is selling poorly, especially in comparison to the PS4. There are knee-jerk reactions from some people, saying things like "MS needs a price drop immediately", or "MS should stop including Kinect with Xbox One". However, when you look at the actual numbers, things are looking very good for MS's newest console.
First of all, before the new consoles were released, Sony announced a sales goal of 5 million PS4's by March 31. They have already exceeded that number, even before PS4 launches in Japan. There is no question that PS4 is a runaway success. But, if you look at the Xbox One's sales numbers, it is nearly at 4 million. With Titanfall releasing in March, there's little reason to doubt that Xbox One will reach 5 million sales by March 31, thus equaling Sony's benchmark for success.
A recent articled showed that PS4 is selling faster than PS1, PS2, and PS3 did in their early lives. Here's the article from Dualshockers:
http://n4g.com/news/1459384...
As you can see, PS1 was at 1.77 million after 10 months. PS2 was at 3.52 million after 7 months (albeit in one territory). PS3 was at 3.5 million after 4 months.
With Xbox One currently approaching 4 million after just three months, it's clear to see that it is ALSO outselling each of the previous Playstation consoles. Plus, it's doing it without the help of it's top two system selling exclusive franchises - Halo and Gears of War.
So, where's the problem? If anyone had said back in October that the Xbox One would be outselling all previous Playstation consoles, and would be approaching 4 million sales after just 3 months, any reasonable person would have declared that a resounding success. Well, that's exactly the case.
Much of the Xbox One's success is lost in all of the high fiving and chest thumping going on regarding PS4's success. But there's clearly no reason for MS to panic. Outselling three of the best selling consoles of all time (even with a $500 price tag) should be celebrated, even if PS4 is doing it also.
Before anyone comments about how much more the PS4 is selling, I know. There's no dispute that PS4 is well ahead at the moment, nor is there any question that PS4's Japan launch will add to it's already impressive numbers. However, PS4's success in no way mitigates Xbox One's success. I just think it's unfair to deny the Xbox One the accolades it deserves simply because it happens to be trailing it's main competitor.
PlayStation wowed gamers from day one, but developers managed to push the console much further - TechStomper tracks the progress made over the PS1's years at the top through five games that show how programmers and artists unlocked the legendary grey box's potential.
Look, I loved my PS1. Graphically though N64 delivered a better overall experience. The difference that gave PS1 an advantage was CD storage PS1 had some beautiful cut scenes, but in terms of graphical power N64 hands down was better. PS1 had WAY more GAMES though. I think Developers preferred the tstorage over squeezing everything onto a cartridge with VERY limited space!
GameCube same thing Nintendo went with storage that was limited, but had games using multiple disks. RE4 is one port that clearly showed GC advantage. Rouge Squadron 2 and Luigi's mansion were beautiful launch games. Again PlayStation didn't Limit developers storage space. Nintendo's mini discs were expensive, and developers went with PS2! PS2 I am pretty sure has the largest game library of all consoles. Maybe not if you in include the vast amount.of.shovel wear on current consoles.
After that ugh, Nintendo seems to have given up on graphical power. Switch 2 games look really good, but I am usually going to buy ports on PS5/Series X.
N64 had some stunning games, but a lot of the library ran poorly. PS1 games tended to hit a playable 30 more often, albeit with less complex geometry and less/no filtering of textures, and the inherent flaws in how PS1 rasterises graphics.
I played loads of both back in the day and I definitely preferred the solid geometry and smooth textures of N64.
PlayStation 1 Devs were so innovative back in the day utilising so many techniques to achieve the best results. I think this article needed to focus on the games that used pre-drawn backgrounds like Resident Evil, In Cold Blood and FF8 to produce visuals that surpassed anything at the time.
I think you are right and I might add in an honourable mentions to at least discuss pre-rendered backgrounds in the visual history of PS1. It was hugely important and should have been in there.
I was going to include Resident Evil for 1996 but I wanted to talk about a second-generation 3D engine versus Ridge Racer, and I also wanted to talk about Lara's animation.
I was also going to put FF8 for 1999 on the list, even wrote a sentence. But then I figured that Driver would say more about how far programmers (and artists) had come in getting the most from the console.
Could even do an 'alternative PS1 graphics' history. Focus on atypical presentations, like pre-rendered, 2D, BSP engines etc.
A grotesquely brilliant odyssey of feline eugenics, Mewgenics pairs deep DNA-driven mechanics with biting wit.
WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass introduces a battle pass system that could push the game’s total cost to $675, sparking major backlash from fans.
Okay whatever you want to believe.
I think the key think is lost market share. Microsoft have lost a lot of the lead they got with the 360 in the US and parts of Europe. In the UK it isn't doing well in comparison and the US is an almost even split. This is vastly different to what is was last generation. One reason why the One isn't doing fine is because of the massive loss in market share (I think there are more gamers now than there was when the PS2/PS1.....were released; especially day one purchases which is key factor you have ignored). It has sold well but its competitor has sold a lot more in key regions (to Microsoft) in the same time (which is the concern Microsoft need to rectify soon). We saw it with the PS3. The PS3 never recovered its lost market share in the US and UK and it did suffer from that.
Something to consider is how the rate of sales is slowing.
In January it sold less than the 360 did in its first january... yes the xbox one had a good start but if a good start is followed by a blasé life then yes sales look terrible for xbox one.
"With Titanfall releasing in March, there's little reason to doubt that Xbox One will reach 5 million sales by March 31, thus equaling Sony's benchmark for success."
Don't do that. You can't make the claim that Titanfall is a system seller just because of the hype it gets here.
"With Xbox One currently approaching 4 million after just three months, it's clear to see that it is ALSO outselling each of the previous Playstation consoles. Plus, it's doing it without the help of it's top two system selling exclusive franchises - Halo and Gears of War."
How Xbox One is doing compared to older PS consoles is irrelevant and being used as a talking point to bolster the perception behind the Xbox One's sales. I'm with you that the Xbox One isn't failing in sales, it's just being beaten by the PS4, so don't compare it to older PS consoles. Compare it to older Xbox consoles if you want to remain in context. Also, Halo and Gears are irrelevant. Each new gen means a clean slate. There's no guarantee that Halo and Gears are going to move systems this gen.
"So, where's the problem? If anyone had said back in October that the Xbox One would be outselling all previous Playstation consoles, and would be approaching 4 million sales after just 3 months, any reasonable person would have declared that a resounding success. Well, that's exactly the case."
Why would anyone be talking about the Xbox One in context to Past Playstation consoles? No one even cares that the PS4 is outselling Past Playstation consoles. The talking points are that the PS4 is taking over pretty much everywhere, an idea that would have been inconceivable during the early years of the previous generation even though Playstation is definitely a stronger brand in gaming than Xbox.
"Much of the Xbox One's success is lost in all of the high fiving and chest thumping going on regarding PS4's success. But there's clearly no reason for MS to panic. Outselling three of the best selling consoles of all time (even with a $500 price tag) should be celebrated, even if PS4 is doing it also."
No, the Xbox One's success is lost in all of its own failures. The Kinect, Resolutiongate, poor marketing and sleazy tactics. The PS4 is selling itself and no one is worried about it. And no, the fact that the Xbox One is outselling Past consoles shouldn't be celebrated because those consoles aren't competing with it in the Present. When the Xbox One sells over 100 million consoles, then it can celebrate being more successful than the PS1 and currently the PS3. When it sells over 152 million consoles, then it can celebrate being more successful than the PS2. Currently, all the PS4 and Xbox One can say right now is that more people are buying them than people that bought PS1, PS2, or PS3 in the early months. That can easily be dismissed due to timing and the market's temperament at the time.
The Xbox One isn't failing in sales, that's just a plain fact. It's just not as wanted as the PS4 is, that's also a fact.
People seem to be out to get the Xbox One and I just don't understand it, If you don't like it, piss off. We who have it are perfectly happy.