With the next-gen consoles launching in just a few month's time, analysts are beginning to predict which console will be the top-performer in terms of sales. And while the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 both have their own advantages, a new report from analytics firm DFC Intelligence points two the PS5 winning the next console war pretty decisively.
According to the report, Sony's PlayStation 5 will outsell Microsoft's Xbox Series X by about double by the time 2024 rolls around. The report cites "consumer brand focus" as one of the reasons for the potential sales disparity, saying that Microsoft is doing its best to win back consumers with the Series X, but that it's simply too far behind PlayStation.
The report goes on to say that there's nothing that the Xbox Series X can do to change that perception, effectively making it a lost cause. Microsoft has put a heavier emphasis on consumer-first strategies as of late, putting more focus on Xbox Game Pass, but that may not be enough when all is said and done, at least, as it stands.
The report maintains that the PS5 will be the next PlayStation console to sell 100 million units, which the PS4 has also achieved. There is precedent for such a large gap between the consoles, and even now, it appears that the PS4 has sold double what the Xbox One has. It is worth noting, however, that Microsoft no longer announces Xbox sales numbers, so those are simply estimates.
This isn't the first report to suggest such a wide gap between the two companies' next consoles. Last month, Ampere Analysis also predicted a wide gap between the two, with the PS5 expected to outsell the Xbox Series X. It paints a troubling picture for Microsoft, though the company is slowly de-emphasizing console sales, opting to keep supporting the Xbox One with new games, despite releasing the Xbox Series X releasing this year. Simply put, console sales may not be as important to the company as they once were.
While early predictions paint a grim picture for Microsoft, they are just predictions, and if Microsoft keeps winning back fans with pro-consumer moves as it has been, it may be able to turn the tide in its favor. Of course, that all depends on how well it — and Sony — execute the next console launch cycle. If there are any hardware issues like overheating, it could spell doom for either company's system.
The Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 will launch this holiday season.
Source: DFC Intelligence (via WCCFtech)