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Earlier on in the console generation, the Xbox Series X/S systems appeared to be doing fine, continuing sales at the same pace as the Xbox One generation, while Sony ate up the majority of marketshare with the PS5. Now, analysis shows that the Xbox Series X/S systems have fallen behind the Xbox One in sales.
According to Circana analyst, Mat Piscatella, the Xbox Series X/S consoles have sold approximately 32 million units worldwide since 2020, falling behind Xbox One sales over a 52-month timeframe by just shy of 20 percent. That means the Xbox Series X/S consoles are selling at a slower rate compared to the Xbox One over the first five years of the console generation.
If you've been scratching your head wondering why Microsoft isn't investing in exclusive games anymore – this is why. With sales slowing by a further 20 percent, it makes more business sense for Microsoft to adopt a multiplatform strategy moving forward, allowing for the PS5's massive marketshare to work in Microsoft's favour, rather than against it.
Surmounting the gap between the two platforms would take too long, cost too much money and Microsoft Studios would run the risk of becoming ‘irrelevant' in the wider gaming landscape in the meantime, causing talent to leave and forcing Microsoft into an even tougher position long-term.
On the other side of the aisle, the PS5 is doing great, outpacing the PS4 in sales by 7% during the first 52 months of this console generation. That number is expected to grow later in the year when Grand Theft Auto 6 drops.
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KitGuru Says: With Xbox console sales being dwarfed this much, Microsoft's new Sega-like strategy makes the most sense. If Microsoft wants to continue making Xbox hardware, it will need to leverage Windows with open access, allowing users to install apps like Steam, which would then in turn allow ‘Xbox' gamers to access PlayStation titles releasing on PC. In the future, the ‘Xbox' system could serve as the minimum PC requirement guideline for game developers.
