When PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S launched in November 2020, few anticipated console shortages that would still be around mid-2022. The quick explanation for limited availability is chip shortages, but the reality is extends to limited manufacturing in general due to the pandemic, scalpers, and cryptocurrency mining.
Despite the constant shortage of what are now current-gen consoles, all three platforms, Nintendo Switch especially, have seen record sales. The Xbox just broke its own hardware sales records, both in units and dollars, surpassing figures from more than a decade ago. And according to Microsoft, the Xbox Series X|S has even surpassed the sales of the Playstation 5 of Sony during the last two fiscal quarters.
With the details shared during a corporate meeting and later tweeted by the Corporate Vice President of Communications of microsoftFrank X. Shaw, Xbox Series X|S it has led the current-gen console market share for two consecutive quarters in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Western Europe.
Although this leadership does not include the Nintendo Switch, it is still noteworthy. Although microsoft has stopped giving specific sales figures, the PS4 far exceeded the Xbox One throughout the last generation of consoles. That trend was expected to continue with this ninth generation, and in fact the PS5 achieved incredible sales figures in 2021, surpassing the lifetime sales of the Wii U in just one year.
However, it appears that the current sales leadership of microsoft it might not be just a fluctuation, but rather the precursor to a possible power shift from Sony to Microsoft in this generation of consoles. Although Sony has recently announced a renewal of its subscription service for the month of June, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate it still seems like a cheaper proposition than PS Plus Premium for many gamers.
It gives access to all of Xbox’s first-party titles at launch, while many of the games offered through PS Plus Premium can’t even be downloaded. According to Shaw’s tweet, the number of hours played by Xbox Game Pass subscribers has increased by 45% and more than 10 million people have streamed games with Xbox Cloud.