As is tradition, this console generation got off to a sluggish start. First there was the Wii U, with its moderately enjoyable launch line-up swiftly giving way to a software drought that it has yet to recover from, and then the Xbox One and PS4, which have been mired with underwhelming early releases and remastered editions of barely-old games.
However, while the Wii U continues to struggle, both the PS4 and Xbox One have recently begun to finally hit their stride, with Destiny proving to be a hugely popular (if very flawed) reason for many to jump aboard the new console generation, and games such as Alien: Isolation, Forza Horizon 2, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Driveclub continuing to hold our attention. Yesterday it was reported by Wedbush Securities Analyst Michael Pachter, who is well-known for his opinions on the gaming industry, that the Xbox One had managed to outsell the PS4 in the US in September which, considering that was the same month in which Destiny dropped, is huge news for Microsoft.
While Pachter states that he has data in his possession which makes him confident in his claims, there has yet to be an official announcement from Microsoft or Sony regarding their sales for the month. Pachter believes that Microsoft’s decision to give away a free Xbox One game with the console saw its sales reach 325,000 units, compared to the PS4’s 250,000. This is despite Sony putting their full weight behind Destiny, a multi-platform title, so much so that it could have been mistaken for a first-party exclusive. The Xbox One is still behind in overall sales for the year, but if this is true then that means the playing field could be on its way to being leveled, with Sony’s position atop its throne being rocked considerably.
But if the reports are true, can the Xbox One widen its lead on the PS4 and continue to surpass its sales? Here’s a look at the things Microsoft can do to overtake Sony’s PS4, and the things they are doing that are holding them back.
The Continued Focus on Graphics
A big problem for Microsoft at the moment is unenviable comparisons being made between the Xbox One and the PS4’s power. It is common knowledge that the PS4 is the most powerful console, and Microsoft hedging its bets on the Xbox One’s entertainment features being more popular than graphics has proven to be an unwise decision. At the moment, this is a large reason why the Xbox One is being seen as the lesser console, though Microsoft is entirely to blame for this.
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The fact is that the Xbox One is never going to be as powerful as the PS4, yet Microsoft is continuing its dying crusade to lessen the power gap in the minds of potential buyers. This isn’t going to work, as Sony has already won this battle and no matter how hard Microsoft vocally strives for graphical parity, they’re always going to be playing second fiddle.
What Microsoft needs on its side is ingenuity. While the Wii U has struggled to find its place in the current console market, the Wii garnered itself a huge following despite being considerably less technically impressive than its peers. This was because Nintendo gave the market something that it didn’t even know it wanted, and managed to separate itself from the “console war” between the PS3 and the Xbox 360. Similarly, the Xbox 360 managed to trump the PS3 because of its focus on the things that buyers wanted – namely, the ability to play easily and freely with their friends. The PS3 arguably had the better library of games come the release of the PS4 and Xbox One, but the 360 had managed to be the most popular console of the two by virtue of its more user friendly Xbox Live service.
Unfortunately for Microsoft, Sony has improved the PlayStation Network considerably so they can no longer be so reliant upon the Xbox’s social features carrying them to victory. The only perceived advantage the Xbox One had over the PS4 at launch was a stronger line-up of games and, err, the Kinect, which swiftly sank into irrelevancy. Microsoft are seemingly still reeling from the Xbox One’s tough start to its life cycle, focusing the majority of their energy upon trying to ensure that third-party developers make their games visually comparable to their PS4 counterparts, rather than crafting a unique selling point of their own. If Microsoft wants the Xbox One to carve out a market for itself, this needs to be the next step. Less focus on graphics, more focus on originality.
A Diverse Range of Games
The Xbox One has arguably been host to the first great game of this console generation in the form of Forza Horizon 2, but it wasn’t a system seller. Sunset Overdrive is shaping up nicely, too, but I’d wager that won’t be a system seller, either. In reality, exclusive system sellers only come by once every couple of years, and they’re either new installments in beloved franchises, or triple-A, big-budget releases made by established developers.
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However, games such as Forza Horizon 2 and Sunset Overdrive give the Xbox One a wide library of games that cater to a number of different tastes, making those who are on the fence about purchasing a brand new console just to play Halo 5 more inclined to do so. The same happened in the PS3’s last couple of years, with those who had yet to make the jump to Sony’s console in favor of sticking with the Xbox 360 finding themselves inveigled by the likes of The Last of Us, the Uncharted series, Heavy Rain, LittleBigPlanet and more.
While Microsoft will definitely need to come out with a big-hitter in order to rival the PS4, a range of unique and interesting software will ensure that those who choose to plump down their money for the console will have much more variety to choose from when they take the plunge.
So, Can the Xbox One Rival the PS4?
In terms of quality software, Sony and Microsoft are only just beginning to step up their game for their new consoles. The PS4’s larger initial user base certainly puts the Xbox One in an uphill battle, and while it could certainly settle for being a competent runner-up to Sony’s system, a company such as Microsoft won’t be content with being awarded this console generation’s silver medal.
Looking at both consoles’ immediate futures, there’s little in the pipeline that could potentially lead to the Xbox One overtaking the PS4 in terms of sales and popularity, but by steadily releasing a stream of quality titles such as Forza Horizon 2, Microsoft may court more users to its cause. If less of an emphasis is placed upon competing with the PS4 in areas in which it’s never going to triumph, such as raw power and visual prowess, the Xbox One could excel beyond its current position as the maligned underdog . If Microsoft does this, then the gap between the PS4 and Xbox One could be reduced dramatically over the next two years.
