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How Did Xbox One Close The Gap On The PS4?

When the PlayStation 4 was first announced back in February, everyone loved it. They started to love it even more as developers everywhere began praising Sony's new console to high heaven.

Then came the agreeable price, a promising launch lineup, and a variety of other features that really went over well with the gaming populace. The Xbox One debuted to largely negative headlines generated by policies many consumers found downright offensive, such as the DRM crap, mandatory Kinect, etc. Of course, Microsoft rescinding those policies certainly helped their cause, so that's part of the reason why the Xbox One has been catching up to the PS4 since summer.

We've finally reached the point where some analysts are expecting the Xbox One to outsell the PS4 in the US during the holiday season. Granted, it'll still be close, but the way things were looking around April or May…it was not gonna be close. So, the question is: How has the Xbox One managed to close the gap in the past few months? There have been more Xbox One pre-orders tallied in the US since late August, and don't forget that the price remains $100 more than the PS4. What's going on?

Well, it took a while for gamers to warm back up to Microsoft after the initial announcement debacle, and one could make the claim (especially now after Driveclub was delayed) that the Xbox One launch lineup is a little better than the PS4's. Furthermore, more advertising has been kicking in big time for Microsoft's console; I'm starting to see it everywhere now. Lastly, as Microsoft has a stranglehold on the casual/mainstream market, and that market doesn't respond as quickly to breaking news in the industry, that group is just now jumping on the Xbox One bandwagon. Many of the hardcore are still very much on board with the PS4, as indicated by at least one recent consumer study , but that's not exactly the majority.

Well, regardless, it'll be quite the war.

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WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
10 years ago

I'm not all that convinced that they have closed the gap as much as it appears, they are a shifty bunch and would probably buy up any remaining stock of their own.

Also they have been on an apology tour, spending millions to repair the damage they did.

Bonampak
Bonampak
10 years ago

Even if that theory is true (that they buy any remaining stock themselves) and that they're spending millions trying to rebuild their tarnished image, none of that discredits the possibility that MS is on the road to recovery or catching up.

I think people here are underestimating the fact that MS hit it big with the 360 this generation (mostly in NA). The 360 pretty much has dominated the hard core home console arena here in the US. With most retailers and game companies showing unmistakeable favoritism towards MS' console. As a Sony fan, this is a bitter reality that I've had to come to terms with this gen.

Almost every kid in America owns a 360 (notice what this means – brand loyalty at an early age). Minecraft was a huge hit. And most CoD players are underage on the 360.

Hate to admit it, but America is Xbox Land. And it would not surprise me if the Xbone hit it big this xmas season.

DarthNemesis
DarthNemesis
10 years ago

@Bon you forget the 360 was cheaper and launched a year first. The Xbox has no loyal fans outside of the Halo cronies. The people that bought the 360 were COD fanatics and are already shown to be moving on tot he PS4 judging by how many pre orders COD Ghost has for the PS4 over the X1. Those kids parents bought the 360 because it was affordable. The fact of the matter is that the same online experience will be available on the PS4 too and at a cheaper price than the Xbox this time around. Online gaming is what kept the 360 going, not the system as a brand.The gap is actually increasing as I mentioned before, the PS4 games are all outselling every X1 game.


Last edited by DarthNemesis on 10/26/2013 7:24:55 PM

Shepherd Book
Shepherd Book
10 years ago

Ben,
I am not so sure that the XBOne has caught up that much, in preorders. That being said, I fully expect the PS4 and the XBOne to sell out this holiday season. I guess it comes down to how many units are made available to the public. That will determine which console sells the most.
If I were a betting man, my money would be on the PS4 for worldwide sells and NA sells.


Last edited by Shepherd Book on 10/25/2013 10:47:58 PM

richfiles
richfiles
10 years ago

Exactly. It doesn't even MATTER who is more popular right now. As both systems will launch with limited availability, The company that can literally spit more out by Christmas WILL have the higher sales. We will see the first TRUE sales figures once systems start sitting on shelves for more than 30 minutes at a time.

ulsterscot
ulsterscot
10 years ago

I guess there are still a lot of people with 720p resolution TVs who just couldn't take full advantage of the ps4

wiiplay
wiiplay
10 years ago

Well, my TV goes up to 1080i, but it's native 720p.

Your comment makes me feel sad and outdated. 🙁

AcHiLLiA
AcHiLLiA
10 years ago

You don't see a difference between 720p/1080i broadcasts. That said, no drastic change between 720p vs. 1080p broadcasts unless if you have a 37" or higher HDTV.


Last edited by AcHiLLiA on 10/26/2013 2:20:41 PM

Axe99
Axe99
10 years ago

@ Achillia – I only game on my 32" screen, but there's a substantial difference between 720p and 1080p – 1080p just 'pops', while 720p looks a little fuzzier (although much better than the old 480p, of course :)). I game on PC on the screen, so I can see the difference within each game, and it's definitely there. Distance from screen is about 6'.

That said, there's a lot more to next-gen than resolution, lol ;). MS has deffo caught up, but I think it'll start level-ish in the US (and behind WW) early, then split it's audience, heading after the casuals while the more gamery gamers focus more on the PS4. Will be interesting.

Neo_Aeon666
Neo_Aeon666
10 years ago

@ Axe

Unless you game on a 32 inch CRT i'll have to tell you that it's normal that 720p looks fuzzy on a 1080p LCD/LED display. Your screen probably has a native 1080p resolution and don't forget LCD/LED displays can't go down in resolution. It's not projection based like CRTs, the number of pixels in a LCD/LED can't be reduced to fit the resolution. That is why you see 720p as *fuzzier*. Your screen is trying to fill useless pixels. One with a true 720p only screen will not see any of that fuzziness.

Delsin Rowe
Delsin Rowe
10 years ago

Fanboys gotta fanboy. The Xbox fans weren't going to abandon their Gamerscores even if MS kept all their policies in place. All that outrage really didn't mean much in the long run.

Mog
Mog
10 years ago

Because they took those ridiculous rules back

Akuma_
Akuma_
10 years ago

Caught up?

uhhh not sure I agree with you on that, a large lead in ps4 pre orders will also disagree agree with you.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
10 years ago

That lead has dwindled significantly.

DIsmael85
DIsmael85
10 years ago

So if the article you posted the other day is any indication to go by (VGcharts was your source) then what is this number meaning:

Pre-orders:

PS4: 725,000
XboxOne: 525,000

Considering those pre-order numbers going into November and knowing that you can't really reserve the consoles much at most places I don't see how this means Xbox is gaining ground when those numbers are for NA alone. I suppose we'll see next year when the console is readily available for most consumers and not the hardcore.

Underdog15
Underdog15
10 years ago

Well, the differences was more than double at one point. So yeah… the gap has dwindled significantly.

DIsmael85
DIsmael85
10 years ago

Articles like this should only pop up when we don't see a 2:1 ratio. It's a no brain-er of course the Xbox One will sell out this holiday, but if Sony continues to push console after Xbox One releases on the 22nd folks who can't find Xbox One will take the less expensive alternative because it's available. It'll be Xmas time.

Temjin001
Temjin001
10 years ago

wait a minute. step back through this. it wasn't as if analysts were making statements immediately after the XboxOne revealed so we don't know what they were thinking in the first place. It was the net geek response from gamers like us that created the applause at E3 and lit up forums. Analysts sat in their cubicle at some building waiting around until things were on the immediate horizon. Only until recently have they made these statements. Statements that I'm sure were made after looking over shipments and launch dates and software etc.
I do think gamers, in general, have warmed up to the XboxOne, but I don't think any gap has closed by much. One way or another both systems will likely have more demand than there is supply going into the holidays. I still believe the gamer core have about a 2:1 PS4 preference over XboxONe.


Last edited by Temjin001 on 10/25/2013 11:14:00 PM

Xombito
Xombito
10 years ago

I don't really go by analysts predictions. They're often wrong. I think the price difference will in over the casuals. They don't care about gamerscores or anything like that. But they'll look at the cheaper price.

Kryten1029a
Kryten1029a
10 years ago

How much of the Xbone bounce is the "exit poll" effect where people say one thing and do another?

Corvo
Corvo
10 years ago

Disagree with the analyst but I'm no longer in the state of mind of caring about this subject. Ps4 is PS4. Xbox 180 is xbox 180. Regardless of what sells more, my third party games better not be screwed over by xbox. Mainly speaking of Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy. And just kind of a funny statement, didn't like 300 analysts say we were all going to die last year?

Yeah, analysts are just as insane as me not liking skyrim but liking colonial marines.

AcHiLLiA
AcHiLLiA
10 years ago

yah I'm worried about that too considering the fact both parties utilize blu-ray. PS4 has the edge on specs though.

THEVERDIN
THEVERDIN
10 years ago

I thought I heard somewhere that there are already making the games on Xbone development systems for both PS4 and the Xbone so we're going to get the ports again

PC_Max
PC_Max
10 years ago

Not sure why anyone would be surprised. Just read the forums and see all the posturing they were doing and now see all the excuses and forgiveness. Besides, they are too invested in the achievements made on Xbox so it would be a waste to give it all up. Consumerism at its best.

Really I could careless. When I do get on board in a years time, I am sure there will be plenty of a variety of games to choose from on the PS4 for me. Thats all I care about. And I am sure by then I will be able to enjoy another Cage game or Naughty Dog. Not forgetting Infamous Second Son and The Order (hoping its as good as it looks).

So ignore the polls and such. Numbers and published just to really create news and debate. Its the machine and its contents one should focus on. And not the critics or the pollsters…. or the fanboys. Sony is already here and ready to entertain.

Keep playing!

PlatformGamerNZ
PlatformGamerNZ
10 years ago

yeah i guess you can say that sony have the consumers with brains(aka the core gamer (mostly)) and M$ still seem to be able to brain wash the idiots and thats the way it is it seems not that any of us here like that but it is how things seem to be urg face palm.

happy gaming =)

___________
___________
10 years ago

pretty simple really.
M$ actually advertises their stuff unlike $ony, they offer better value for money, and has a far better launch lineup.
not only in the amount of games but also in variety too.
you have ryse, finally a game set in ancient roman times something people have been begging for years!
dead rising 3, sorry but if joining a flashlight and gem and creating a lightsabre to slice through hundreds of enemies does not put a massive smile on your face than theres something seriously wrong with you!
than forza 5 not only a round and round in circles round a boring sterile track game, but its nice to see a game actually indulge in the car passion as well.
one thing all racing games could learn from, people dont buy these games just because they love driving, but also because they love the cars.
its about f*cking time we got a game that actually acknowledged that!
and surprise surprise not a shooter in sight!
well first party of course.
$ony, well, you have KZSF, yay a shooter, and a shooter from a franchise which has always been pretty meh.
and knack which has really disappointed me.
i had such high hopes for it just because of whos making it, i mean JP studio always make quirky fun games, and mark, well, spyro, R&C, J&D, sly, crash bandicoot, this guys NEVER made a bad game!
so i had such high hopes for knack, but it just feels so simplistic and boring.
ive always looked to knack as the re envision of crash bandicoot, and the title that will really blow everyone away especially as no ones really interested in it, but now im starting to think i over judged it.

Shepherd Book
Shepherd Book
10 years ago

I have seen the "Perfect day" commercial on many, many shows but I haven't seen one XBOne commercial, so where is all of this advertising going?

Dead Rising 3, more freaking zombie, really because there aren't enough zombies everywhere already. Sorry mate, zombies are played out except for those without any imagination. You can have Forza, I don't really care.

Let's talk PS4. I am really looking forward to Knack. It will be the first game I get and play, but even if I didn't have Knack and purchased no games at all, I would still have Res0gun, Warframes, War Thunder, DCOU, Blacklight with Planetside 2 and Helldivers following close behind. All of that without spending a dime because I am a PS+ member. And I don't care of some have been available on the computer because I and the majority of us, don't play computer games, so they are all new and exciting to us.
One last thing. According to VGChartz, yes I know they usually under count for PS, but for these purposes we shall use their numbers, Killzone: SF alone has as many preorders as Microsfts top three exclusives for the XBOne.

The XBOne will sell well, only a fool would argue that but don't think that it will maintain the lead when Sony has been singing all the right notes from the first announcement of the PS4. Both will sell out but I believe Sony will have more units available.


Last edited by Shepherd Book on 10/26/2013 1:48:29 PM

___________
___________
10 years ago

zombies are played out, but FPS are not.
right, whatever!
at least dead rising 3 is actually fun!

Gabriel013
Gabriel013
10 years ago

I think there are just a lot of people who have to buy XBox out of misguided brand loyalty.

It's not only them though, Sony has the same sort of followers.

Hardware capabilities are almost secondary.

slow and smart
slow and smart
10 years ago

Maybe the casual gamers did wake up,
plus they changed some of their stupid decisions.
And when one sheep is over the fence…..
We also have to wait if all of this is true,M$ is pulling all strings as they always do,or the first assumptions of sales of the two systems where not that realistic who knows,we just have to wait till concrete numbers of the SALES

Nas Is Like
Nas Is Like
10 years ago

They caught up by reversing all policies they "strongly believed in".

Cho_Quin
Cho_Quin
10 years ago

The way I look at it its pretty clear. Xbox one is for the super casual gamer, for the ones that want an entertainment system and search for the one with the best publicity.

PS goes for the gamer. There are less gamers than casual folks

ulsterscot
ulsterscot
10 years ago

The fact that COD Ghosts is only running at 720p on the xbone compared to the 1080p on the ps4 and pc should have xbots converting on mass.

Fabi
Fabi
10 years ago

From what's buzzing, that might end up being another scandal for MS. Some gaming journalists are having a hard time staying shut mouth about it, even though MS has an embargo and doesn't let them compare the PS4 and Xbox One versions.

xnonsuchx
xnonsuchx
10 years ago

I still haven't seen some of the Xbox 360 fanboys who said they'd never buy a device w/ a Blu-ray drive say they won't get an Xbox One because it has one.

ProfPlayStation
ProfPlayStation
10 years ago

The people who are closing the gap for Microsoft are the people who don't follow every twist and turn of the games industry. It was less than a month between the initial disastrous unveiling to their reversing the policies that made everyone angry. For something as huge as this, that's turning on a dime and actually quite impressive. Microsoft has also been starting a media blitz leading up to the launch–I saw part of it while going to see "Gravity" the other day. The people who are learning about it from commercials aren't going to care about what happened back in May.

That said, I still think the PS4 has the upper hand. PS4 sold out 4 months ago and will be sold out through the holidays. Xbox One took this long just to *start* catching up. Then there's the issue of the price. That $100 difference matters, and will keep the PS4 in the lead, no matter how hard Microsoft tries to tell us that we want Kinect.

And remember, Wii U sold out at its launch. A successful launch isn't a forecast for the future.

richfiles
richfiles
10 years ago

I'll be the first to admit that I want a Wii U badly! I just plan to get a PS4 first, then the Wii U. I think the Wii U is still priced a bit high for the hardware it has. What it needs is a killer game. A new Zelda, for example. I'll eat ramen for 3 months to make sure I can get one then! XD

I already want one now, because I can name 4x more games I want that are out now than the PS4 has in it's whole lineup. It only has that advantage, because it's been out a while now.

I think there are a lot of people who probably feel the same…

The cost to features ratio is not there yet, and people are saving for the next Sony or Microsoft console. Only after their wallets recover, and a couple more KEY titles get released, will they consider a Wii U.

Wii U will not sell like the PS4 or Xbone, but I don't see it being outright bad. It'll also be the first to see the heavier price drops, and thus will likely become the de facto consumer console, just as the Wii did… Though not nearly to the same scale.

That's what I see.

It's not that I don't want a Wii U… I have SERIOUSLY considered getting a Wii U NOW and canceling my PS4 preorder, simply because The launch lineup of the PS4 doesn't entirely catch my eye… I did decide against it, but It was only because I think I can get a Wii U fairly soon after the PS4.

Cideus
Cideus
10 years ago

Where I work, we have 119 PS4 preorders to 45 Xbox. We have been converting almost everyone in our store just by laying down the facts. Most people would first say they were getting Xbox because they had a 360, I told them to go home and research a bit before making any final decision, and they came back ready to switch.

johnld
johnld
10 years ago

wouldnt count out microsoft counting their own preorders for systems that they will give away to pad numbers. we know theyll give out alot of systems like before

DrRockso87
DrRockso87
10 years ago

The problem is Microsoft has succeeded very well in damage control. They have a solid lineup for Xbox One this Holiday (mostly due to gutting the 360's lineup which looks like garbage compared to PS3). They 180'd almost every draconian policy they have on DRM, Kinect, etc. Plus, people invested too much in Xbox to simply switch. Many will but many will stay.

Sony on the other hand, are the competitors in North America. They've been pretty good at marketing their console but sadly, I think they haven't really shown off enough games that are true system sellers. Sure, inFamous, Killzone, The Order, etc. All look fantastic. But What else is there? Indies are awesome but many people aren't as interested as I am. They need to announce Naughty Dog's project, Media Molecule's project, and Sony Santa Monica to stir up excitement while keeping plenty of announcements for E3 next year.

Regardless though, I think Sony will declare victory in North America (nonetheless Japan and Europe) this Holiday season (including Japan's February release) but after that, it could be a different story for North America. We need to see Sony's heavy-hitters for them to sink Microsoft.

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