TapTechNews May 15 news, according to the market research firm NikoPartners, in the first quarter of 2024 (ending in March), the shipment volume of Sony PS5 was almost five times that of Microsoft Xbox Series X/S. Data released by Sony shows that PS5's shipment volume for the quarter was 4.5 million units, bringing the total shipment volume to 59.3 million units.
Unlike Sony, Microsoft did not disclose the specific sales data of Xbox Series X/S, but its first quarter financial report showed a significant decline in hardware revenue in the gaming division, down 31% year-on-year. Despite strong sales performance from Activision Blizzard games, Microsoft's gaming division achieved record revenue, but the decline in Xbox hardware is evident.
Both consoles were launched in November 2020. According to data shared by Take-Two (publisher of Red Dead Redemption) in February this year, by the end of last year, PS5 sales were already close to twice that of Xbox Series X/S. TapTechNews noted that market research firm AmpereAnalysis previously estimated that in just one year in 2023, PS5 sales were nearly three times that of Xbox Series X/S.
Last year, Microsoft openly admitted to being at a disadvantage in the console war. Since the launch of the original Xbox in 2001, Microsoft has always lagged behind Sony and Nintendo in console sales. Over the years, through the acquisition of blockbuster cross-platform games such as Minecraft and Call of Duty, Microsoft has become a major publisher on PlayStation and Nintendo platforms.
In February this year, Microsoft announced updates to its Xbox business, confirming plans to bring more first-party games to competing platforms. The first batch includes Pentiment, Hi-Fi Rush, Thief of the Sea, and Grounded.