Support NeoGAF

[Bgamer90]

People need to quit with the "price went back up" excuses. First of all, that "back up" is only the same price as PS4.

But it being cheaper is a big reason why the system did better in November and December.

Secondly, the price was only up 11 days. The other 2/3 of the month had the price $50 cheaper.

Still doesn't change things for people who still believe the system is $400 and are waiting until later to get a system (whether PS4 or XB1).

Lastly, what's the excuse for February, which has shown PS4 leading X1 on Amazon's Best Sellers list since the first day.

Ehhh... don't think anyone has an "excuse" for February. Seems like many think the PS4 will get this month due to it having a major game.

 

[chicagocubsfan]

If I don't mistake in Feb. and March Sony will have The Order and Bloodborne, and MS won't have any AAA exclusive.

So even if Dark Soul games weren't big sellers I think PS4 will keep selling more than XBO in US until at least mid April.

And does WiiU have any big release until then?

Sony also has MLB The Show 15 in March which did really well last year.

 

[TomShoe]

When are people expecting Xbox One to go back on top? It can't be until their next big exclusive, right? I haven't heard anything concerning Quantum Break...

 

[Manmademan]

To the responses above, I guess I over estimated the difference a cheaper price can make, and underestimated the PS4's demand. On reflection, with The Order and Bloodborne releasing over the coming months, I suppose it would be difficult for the Xbox One to claw it back, even with the cheaper price.

If "cheaper price" were THE driving factor, the gamecube and Dreamcast would have blown out the Xbox and PS2.

It matters, but only to a point- especially with early adopters and hardcore fans who are making most of the purchases right now. A system with excellent support and a healthy ecosystem can outsell it's competition at a higher price.

 

[VinFTW]

Probably Remasters. I can't imagine Black Tusks new sequel will be out in time.

Hopefully not! Gears deserves a 3 year dev time, especially since its a new studio with a proven IP being transitioned over.

Don't want a Halo 4 repeat.

 

[Lynn616]

The X1 was less than $350 during the holidays, and on top of that it came with multiple games and gift cards.

The X1 bundle just by itself at $350 is still not nearly as appealing as a $399 PS4. This is exactly why, in my opinion, the worse case scenerio for MS is a $299 PS4. At that price, I assume they'd need be at $199 to stay on even ground (or maybe $250 with a couple of games thrown in). They've backed themselves into a corner

Didnt you say the X1 sales would collapse in January even at $350? Beating last years number is not a collapse.

 

[shadowsdarknes]

So the Xbone was $50 less with a free game much of the month and it still lost? I have to wonder what their next move is or if the sales are still good enough that being in second doesn't matter.

An aggressive console redesign with a new marketing campaign and Halo 5 can be pretty powerful.

 

[thuway]

I think the point no one has brought up here is:

Are consumers less reactive to Xbox One's current price drop because of the holiday promotions? The holiday promotions were incredible, I don't seee how consumers could have confidence paying $399 or even $349 for a base model because of it.

Could the holiday promotion have hurt the sales of the Xbox One during it's first "price drop"?

 

[RBK]

People need to quit with the "price went back up" excuses. First of all, that "back up" is only the same price as PS4. Secondly, the price was only up 11 days. The other 2/3 of the month had the price $50 cheaper. Lastly, what's the excuse for February, which has shown PS4 leading X1 on Amazon's Best Sellers list since the first day.

It's not really an excuse, it is the truth. Truth is also the PS4 is the more in demand product even with $50 price cut.

 

[Purest 78]

People X1 sold alot of units in Nov,Dec. All those gamers are buying older games. Why is X1 winning software a surprise? X1 had more new gamers over the holidays, so it's obvious more older games would sale better. The fact that dying light and FC4 sold better on ps4, kinda proves that point.

 

[ZeroMaverick]

Master Chief Collection being a flop in terms of online gameplay probably hurt Microsoft. I wanted to buy an X1 just for MCC, but after all of the issues, I decided to wait until after E3.


Crazy though. Sony had nothing in January and nothing during the holidays to set it apart, was $399, and still managed to take January. Crazy.

 

[JayhawkerStL]

No, I think that would be absolute sales.

And when that attach rate leads to the second place console to garnering more software sales, it makes sense to bring it up. I was surprised to see the XB1 as the leading platform for most of the multiplatform titles.

 

[allan-bh]

Hopefully not! Gears deserves a 3 year dev time, especially since its a new studio with a proven IP being transitioned over.

Don't want a Halo 4 repeat.

They have Halo 5. I doubt they will launch Gears 4 at the same year.

 

[gtj1092]

Well I said ONE of but yes as a matter of fact, how else do you have claim Vita still getting games?

Also it isn't just the monthly tie, xbox has always had higher attach rate. Each platform has its strengths.

Isn't the difference less than one game. You hype up x1s attach rate every npd like it's so much higher than ps4s and making up the difference in total software sales.

 

[Elfstruck]

PS4 came out on top even while staying at 399$.
Judging by MS pr they didn't do to bad either.

i wouldnt trust MS PR though. :|

 

[thuway]

I wonder how the exclusives such as Forza Horizon 2, Drive Club, LBP3, and Sunset Overdrive are doing.

 

[TheDarkKnight774]

Side note, are most expecting the Xbox One to take back the lead in February?

It wouldn't surprise me.

 

[ZeroMaverick]

I think the point no one has brought up here is:

Are consumers less reactive to Xbox One's current price drop because of the holiday promotions? The holiday promotions were incredible, I don't seee how consumers could have confidence paying $399 or even $349 for a base model because of it.

Could the holiday promotion have hurt the sales of the Xbox One during it's first "price drop"?

I think you're right.

 

[allan-bh]

Crazy though. Sony had nothing in January and nothing during the holidays to set it apart, was $399, and still managed to take January. Crazy.

They introduced a new offer for PS4 in january.

 

[Plinko]

In just a few days on Feb. 20, Wii U fans will get the chance to experience Kirby and the Rainbow Curse. A few months later in May, gamers will get the chance to play one of the more anticipated titles of the year in Splatoon.

3 months later. Come on, Nintendo.

 

[Moneal]

I think the point no one has brought up here is:

Are consumers less reactive to Xbox One's current price drop because of the holiday promotions? The holiday promotions were incredible, I don't seee how consumers could have confidence paying $399 or even $349 for a base model because of it.

Could the holiday promotion have hurt the sales of the Xbox One during it's first "price drop"?

I would bet they did. I plan on getting a one next holiday, and won't even think about one till then just because ive seen what they will do to win the holidays.

 

[Mifune]

I hope Microsoft introduces a new XB1 bundle. I know it has sold really well, but I'd like to pick one up at 350 bucks, and have already played both AC games (and didn't really love either of them).

 

[vinnygambini]

good to see wiiu flopping. ninty needs to understand the console sucks. either get with the times or get out of gaming

 

[TomShoe]

I think the point no one has brought up here is:

Are consumers less reactive to Xbox One's current price drop because of the holiday promotions? The holiday promotions were incredible, I don't seee how consumers could have confidence paying $399 or even $349 for a base model because of it.

Could the holiday promotion have hurt the sales of the Xbox One during it's first "price drop"?

That's what I'm thinking. If you wanted an Xbox One, November was the best time by far to get it. Now you're just throwing away money.

$349 isn't all that appealing anymore because it's been much lower. Not to mention Sony's stacked lineup for the coming months.

 

[Freeman]

When are people expecting Xbox One to go back on top? It can't be until their next big exclusive, right? I haven't heard anything concerning Quantum Break...

Halo 5 is my guess, unless they cut the price even further. But Sony should be better prepared this time compared to last year.

 

[jond76]

Hooray for Dying Light! Success well deserved

 

[TsuWave]

congrats to sony.

 

[Patapwn]

They have reason to do it, specially in the US, historically they drop the price of their console before 2 years. At some point it makes sense even if its are selling well.

I think E3 is the time for it, they could also introduce another SKU at 399 with 1TB HDD.

No way sony drops the price at E3. I don't think they've done a price drop there in a long time. Maybe later in the year with gamescon or near the holidays to take MS by surprise

 

[John Harker]

The issue is that the attach rate itself is an ancillary statistic for nearly all of the uses you mention -- meaning, given the rest of the data available, there are better ways of determining these decisions based on demand for specific genres, for example.

If we ("we" as in publishers) only observed attach rates, this would be a great point -- but given the richness of the data, it absolutely should not be one of the most important statistics looked at by publishers.

Oh I agree with you, it's just what is publically facing data.

And given what little other information forum goers have and do not have access to, I just didn't want to see the significance of MS mentioning it to be dismissed out of hand as "spin" when in reality, people should pay attention to it.

 

[LOCK]

3 months later. Come on, Nintendo.

Mario Party is in March.

With Amiibo's

>_>

 

[Dragonborn]

Didnt you say the X1 sales would collapse in January even at $350? Beating last years number is not a collapse.

I said they'd collpase at $399, iirc (I could be wrong), which seems pretty true given the quick price cut after the price hike.

 

[AmuroChan]

What's the narrative behind the PS4 selling more digital games?

Well, they have a far bigger digital library for one with all the Indie and PSN games.

As for anecdotal evidence, the XB tends to skew to a slightly younger audience than the PS from my observation. And that younger (high school age) audience is still primarily buying physical copies at Gamestop and other outlets whereas a lot of older gamers have moved on to purchasing games mostly digitally. Most of my friends are in their late 20's and 30's and I would say that almost all of them are PS4 owners and buy games digitally whereas I have two younger cousins in high school and they and their friends are all XB gamers and buy all their games from Gamestop because most of them don't have credit cards. Again, this is just from my own personal observation.

 

[bananafactory]

I think part of the problem with the Xbox is that many people had been holding off buying one last year and jumped in on the holiday bundles/price drop. Now that initial boost has worn off it seems MS hasn't managed to drum up enough consistent demand to remain on top, even at the lower price.

I don't know what Sony did (and it seems they don't know either) but people have shown they buy PS4s all year round.

 

[allan-bh]

It's funny that we don't have numbers. Still people are saying that PS4 sold well and Xbox One is doomed again.

 

[Chobel]

NPD doesn't track digital sales and PC sales are almost all digital.

360 launch was 1 year later.

Not sure how the witcher being popular in PC means it will also be popular in consoles (XB1 specifically)?

 

[ZeroMaverick]

They introduced a new offer for PS4 in january.

Are you talking about TLOU? I guess that would push some people to buy, but I feel like the people that are buying current gen consoles are still those migrating over from last gen. Who can really know?

 

[Bgamer90]

Of course, anything is possible. It was just pretty unlikely when you actually analysed the situation. You actually argued in favour of the possibility continuously, dismissing the much stronger position Sony was in after the holidays with arguably two big games at the beginning of the year (in addition to the great line-up of games they have this year), and MS's mistake of bringing the price back up.

Btw, I didn't say that you were sure it would happen. I said that you believed it would happen.

I didn't. I simply said it was possible and stated why. I also added that I would have needed to see the gap in December to make a better prediction (since December NPD wasn't out yet).
It wouldn't have made sense for me to (constantly) say it was stupid for MS to increase the price if I felt that there was a greater chance (over 50%) for the system to win January NPD.

On top of this, I said that Sony would more than likely get February and March due to the system's exclusive games back then; I was only talking about January -- not multiple months and/or the whole year.

 

[tapedeck]

Was fully expecting PS4 to win Jan, Xbones price was raised back up for the first half of the month.

 

[hawk2025]

Oh I agree with you, it's just what is publically facing data.

And given what little other information forum goers have and do not have access to, I just didn't want to see the significance of MS mentioning it to be dismissed out of hand as "spin" when in reality, people should pay attention to it.

Cool, cool, I agree completely then

 

[Links_fantasy]

If Rare announces Banjo Kazooie 3 at E3, I could see that being a Christmas release. That and a slim Xbone would get me to consider an Xbone. Now that Kinects dead I'm hoping Rares output will greatly increase and not with those crappy Kinect sports games.

 

[Shin-Ra]

Are there any laws in the U.S. about how long you can run a "price drop" promotion when that's been the standard price for the overwhelming majority of the last three months?

 

[Cornbread78]

Only 7 pages in 2 hours? Must be back to normal NPD like last year..

 

[Freeman]

Not sure how the witcher being popular in PC means it will also be popular in consoles (XB1 specifically)?

It will. W3 will sell much more than W2 guaranteed. Not on the X1 specifically, unless there is a bundle.

 

[specialK]

this generation belongs to Sony

 

[N.Domixis]

Only 7 pages in 2 hours? Must be back to normal NPD like last year..

They are boring because amazon spoils it every month.

 

[Zophar]

I think part of the problem with the Xbox is that many people had been holding off buying one last year and jumped in on the holiday bundles/price drop. Now that initial boost has worn off it seems MS hasn't managed to drum up enough consistent demand to remain on top, even at the lower price.

I don't know what Sony did (and it seems they don't know either) but people have shown they buy PS4s all year round.

Of course they know. They release titles throughout the year instead of cluttering up September - December.

 

[Dragonborn]

I also don't think MS is going to take another month till whenever:

1. Halo 5 Comes out

or

2. Maybe another $50 price cut

Sony has The Order out this month, they've got Bloodborne + Hardline advertising coming next month. Batman coming in to hold them through the summer, as well as Until Dawn sometime in there. They should be able to keep the lead for the next few months, easily.

 

[John Harker]

Isn't the difference less than one game. You hype up x1s attach rate every npd like it's so much higher than ps4s and making up the difference in total software sales.

If you're hyped up, you're hyping yourself up - bringing up facts and perspective into a conversation is simply what it is. There's no emotion in facts. You're able to get excited about it or not any way you like.

 

[illmatic22]

good to see wiiu flopping. ninty needs to understand the console sucks. either get with the times or get out of gaming

They need to improve in a number of areas (everbody does), but cheering for them to fail? C'mon. Nintendo out of gaming is NOT a good thing. Thankfully, that ain't happening any time soon.

 

[Donthizz#]

Was going to pick up dying light then heard it has trophy glitches, not going to pick it up until they patch it. Congrats to Sony.