It would seem that January was a very good month for Sony, as the NPD research group has revealed that the PlayStation 4 managed to outsell Microsoft’s Xbox One by a near 2-to-1 margin. Speaking to VentureBeat, Sony spokesperson Guy Longworth also confirmed that PlayStation 4 version of Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition saw a similar 2:1 sales ratio.
In response, Microsoft was quick to point out that Xbox consoles sold more games overall, being responsible for 47 percent of all software sales. While few would argue with the level of success that Microsoft has found with the Xbox 360, things look a little less rosy for Microsoft when directly comparing PS4 titles to their Xbox One counterparts. Call of Duty: Ghosts and Lego Marvel Super Heroes both sold more on the Xbox One than the PS4, but the same can’t be said for many other 3rd party titles. In addition the aforementioned Tomb Raider; NBA 2K14, Battlefield 4, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Madden NFL 25, and FIFA 14 all sold more on the PlayStation 4.
It’s been said that the console race isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. And while it’s certainly true that a single rough month isn’t going to mean anything in the long run, the situation could become a lot more interesting if Sony’s hardware and software success continues. The sales figures for March should be especially telling, as both Sony and Microsoft have potential system-seller exclusives on their hands, and both should end up moving a lot of hardware.
Should Microsoft be worried, or should Sony prepare for Titanfall? Let us know what you think in our comments section.