The console wars have concluded according to the overall statistics generated across Europe. It was already a fixed winner of the war for a long time. The result remains unchanged in 2023. PlayStation retains its throne as strong as ever.
Xbox Series X|S sales drop 27% in Europe, PlayStation 5 up 376%
According to a report, Xbox sales in the European market fell by a staggering 27% last year, while sales of its rival PlayStation 5 increased by an impressive 376%.
It’s worth noting that the statistics exclude Germany and the UK, as these two countries account for the majority of Xbox sales in Europe. But despite this, Xbox still ranks third in the UK, behind the PS5 and Nintendo Switch.
This decline in Xbox sales is due to the PlayStation 5, which benefited from Sony’s decision to prioritize restocking in Europe rather than focusing solely on the US market as it did the previous year.
While this strategy contributed to an impressive 376% growth in PS5 sales, it also led to a 20% drop in sales in the US. Similar declines were observed for Xbox and Nintendo Switch in the US.
Microsoft has faced an uphill battle to achieve console dominance, with its consoles never topping sales for a given generation. The Xbox One in particular fell far short of expectations, selling around 58 million units compared to PS4’s 117.2 million. Microsoft is estimated to have sold around 21 million Series X and Series S consoles, while Sony is estimated to have sold 46 million PS5s worldwide.
As the console market continues to evolve, Microsoft will be in an even more difficult position, especially with the rumored release of the PS5 Pro next year. There’s still time for a potential comeback, but Microsoft needs to recognize that its Xbox Series X and S are struggling to capture the European gaming audience and need something new.
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