Tag: console sales

  • CEO Asha Sharma hints at Xbox exclusives despite slow sales

    CEO Asha Sharma hints at Xbox exclusives despite slow sales

    Key Takeaway

    – Microsoft plans to increase third-party Xbox exclusives
    – CEO admits underinvestment in key franchises and new IP
    – Historical Xbox exclusivity success faded after Xbox 360 era
    – Xbox install base is dwarfed by PlayStation, limiting leverage
    – Hardware shortages and weak sales make exclusivity deals unrealistic

    Microsoft Brings Back Old Exclusives

    Microsoft granted some supporters’ wishes by reintroducing Xbox exclusive games like Gears of War: E-Day. While the shooter is a first-party project, CEO Asha Sharma has also hinted at greater third-party exclusivity. Still, that may be unrealistic when considering the component shortage and lagging console sales.

    Memo Reveals New Strategy

    As news of impending layoffs broke, Sharma and Chief Content Officer Matt Booty made the surprising reference in a memo to employees. The executive acknowledged that the company hadn’t invested enough in its valuable franchises. She also said that “a reliable pipeline of first- and third-party exclusives and new IP are critical to our success.”

    Third Party Games Showcased

    The CEO mentioned that some third parties had already appeared at the Xbox Games Showcase. It’s unclear which candidates would meet the criteria, as Microsoft owns the studios developing Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution. Nevertheless, the comments have reminded some fans of the Xbox 360 era.

    History of Exclusives

    Microsoft offered third-party Xbox exclusives regularly on its first three consoles. The original system boasted the popular Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, developed by BioWare and published by LucasArts. The trend continued with titles including Mass Effect and Dead Rising on the Xbox 360.

    Decline in Success

    During the Xbox One lifecycle, that success began to fade. Rise of the Tomb Raider launched as a timed exclusive, but failed to perform as well as the prior multi-platform game. The number of releases then dwindled in the Series X and Series S generation. That said, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl thrived before it arrived on the PS5 a year later.

    Install Base Problem

    The problem for Microsoft is that the Xbox console install base is dwarfed by its PlayStation rival. Increasingly, games like Phantom Blade Zero will, at least initially, skip their systems. Publishers also now realize the potential for multi-platform profits. Even Sony has lost former third-party exclusives from the Final Fantasy series.

    Hardware Shortages Hit

    Another issue Sharma highlighted in the memo is that the manufacturer is struggling to produce enough hardware to meet demand. The storage and memory shortage has hit Microsoft particularly hard. Whether demand is high is debatable, although there have been signs of a rebound in console sales.

    Future Looks Bleak

    Considering these challenges, it’s difficult to imagine any partners willing to turn away the PS5 or Switch 2.


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  • PS5 Price Rise Hurts PlayStation Sales in Japan as Xbox Gains

    PS5 Price Rise Hurts PlayStation Sales in Japan as Xbox Gains

    Key Takeaway

    1. PS5 price increases in Japan led to an 80% drop in sales for some models within a week, with the digital version seeing a slight increase due to its lower price.
    2. The traditional PS5 with disc drive and Pro model experienced significant sales declines, indicating consumer reactions to higher prices.
    3. Nintendo’s Switch 2 continued to dominate the Japanese market, with Sony’s sales struggling further behind.
    4. The region-locked digital PS5 remains more affordable and slightly boosts digital sales despite overall declines.
    5. No budget-friendly PS5 options are available outside Japan, with some retailers continuing to sell at original prices, potentially affecting global sales trends.

    Significant price hikes impact PlayStation 5 sales in Japan

    Analysts have been speculating about how the recent major increase in PS5 prices could influence PlayStation sales. According to sources from Gematsu, Famitsu has shed some light on how this situation’s unfolding in Japan. During the week ending April 5th, some PS5 models sold up to 80% less than the week before, indicating a sharp decline in demand. Interestingly, the digital version of the console, which is region-locked, helped to slightly soften the blow by maintaining some sales.

    Price increases and their effect on sales figures

    As seen in other regions, Japanese gamers learned about the price hike of the PS5 and PS5 Pro models on April 2nd. The standard disc version got marked again at ¥97,980 (about $616). Meanwhile, the digital-only version, released last November and region-specific, still costs ¥55,000 (roughly $346). The PS5 Pro’s new pricing now stands at ¥137,980 (~$887). These hikes have already started to influence purchasing habits, despite some data being collected before the official announcement.

    Changes in console sales and market reactions

    Even with the increases, some sales data show a clear decline. The PS5 with an optical drive dropped from 2,801 units last week to just 558—a concerning trend. Similarly, the PS5 Pro sales plummeted from 4,662 to only 840 units. Conversely, the digital model still sold a surprising 12,141 units, perhaps bolstered by its lower cost and regional restrictions that keep demand within a limited scope.

    Nintendo’s Switch 2 remains dominant

    The Switch 2 continues to lead the market by a sizable margin, posting 59,543 units sold in a week. Sony seems to be falling behind in the race thanks to the price hikes, with the Xbox Series X almost matching Sony’s figures. The lower-priced, region-exclusive PS5 model is seen as an interesting bargain by some, given it only allows access to Japanese PSN accounts. Despite that, the console’s initial hesitation with buyers may be caused by ongoing memory shortages and other supply issues.

    Market-specific issues and future expectations

    For gamers outside Japan, there’s no budget-friendly PS5 variant available. Some retailers still list the original and Pro models at their initial prices until they run out of stock. However, there’s anticipation among fans regarding how this price increase might further affect global sales. As of now, the increasing prices seem to be dampening enthusiasm, especially for the more expensive models, and only time will tell if the trend continues across other regions.

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  • Xbox Series X and S Sales Below 30 Million, Insider Reports

    Xbox Series X and S Sales Below 30 Million, Insider Reports

    Key Takeaways

    1. Analyst Welfare estimates Xbox Series X and S sales at around 37 million units, while leaker KeplerL2 suggests the number is below 30 million.
    2. AMD’s fiscal report indicates over 100 million current-generation consoles sold, with PS5 sales accounting for 75 million and Steam Deck sales around 4 million, leaving an estimate of 21 million Xbox consoles.
    3. Conflicting sales data from manufacturers and publishers contributes to confusion, with Take-Two Interactive reporting at least 94 million current-gen consoles sold, including around 27 million Xbox units.
    4. VGChartz reports over 32 million Xbox Series X|S consoles sold, indicating a potential middle ground between the conflicting estimates.
    5. The PlayStation continues to lead in console sales, and analysts expect the gap to widen as Xbox struggles in the market.

    Recently, different insiders have provided varying estimates on how many Xbox Series X and S consoles have been sold throughout their lifetime. Analyst Welfare stated that Microsoft has sold roughly 37 million units globally. However, due to a slowdown in sales, some gamers are skeptical about this number. Notably, the well-known leaker KeplerL2 argues that a more precise estimate is actually below 30 million units.

    Conflicting Reports on Sales

    KeplerL2’s claim is based on a fiscal report from AMD for the fourth quarter of 2024, which mentioned that over 100 million current-generation consoles had been sold. The report tracks how many chips are sold for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and even the Steam Deck. Earlier in 2025, Sony announced that it had sold just over 75 million PS5 consoles by the end of 2024. By taking 75 million away from the 100 million total and estimating around 4 million Steam Deck sales, it leaves 21 million units sold for Xbox consoles.

    Confusion Among Estimates

    A lot of the misunderstanding comes from conflicting information shared by manufacturers and game publishers. In February 2025, Take-Two Interactive announced that at least 94 million current-gen consoles had been sold by the end of November 2024. The PS5 made up 65.6 million of those sales as of September. If we factor in additional sales up to the end of November, Microsoft could have sold around 27 million Xbox Series X|S consoles.

    KeplerL2 concludes that the most hopeful estimation for Xbox console sales is even lower than Welfare’s 37 million prediction. However, the reality might be somewhere in between the two figures. VGChartz gathers data from various retail sources for its rankings. Its latest report shows that over 32 million Xbox Series X|S consoles have been tracked in sales.

    The Future of Console Sales

    Fans closely follow KeplerL2 due to his leaks about consoles under development, including specifications for the PS6. Because of this, some of his critics believe that analyzing sales might not be his strongest suit. Nevertheless, it is evident that PlayStation’s lead over the struggling Xbox consoles is likely to widen in the coming months.

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    Xbox Series X and S Sales Below 30 Million, Insider ReportsXbox Series X and S Sales Below 30 Million, Insider Reports

     

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  • Nintendo Switch 2 is Fastest-Selling Console in Japan History

    Nintendo Switch 2 is Fastest-Selling Console in Japan History

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Nintendo Switch 2 sold 1,538,260 units in its first month, making it the fastest-selling console in Japan since 1996.
    2. Sales numbers are likely higher, as they do not include direct sales from Nintendo’s My Nintendo Store.
    3. The Switch 2 sold 947,931 units in its first four days, outperforming iconic consoles like the Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2.
    4. Priced at 50,000 yen (approximately $334), the Switch 2 is heavily subsidized in Japan, contributing to its strong sales.
    5. Globally, the Switch 2 sold 3.5 million units in the first four days, setting a record for the fastest-selling console launch in gaming history.

    The Nintendo Switch 2 is taking the Japanese console market by storm, breaking records and impressing everyone in the gaming world.

    Sales Records Broken

    As reported by Yomiuri Shimbun and sourced from Famitsu, the Nintendo Switch has achieved an incredible sales figure of 1,538,260 units within its first month, making it the fastest-selling console in Japan since Famitsu started tracking sales back in 1996.

    In comparison, the Nintendo Switch 2 has outperformed the Game Boy Advance, which sold 1,367,433 units in its launch month in 2001, and the PlayStation 2, which managed 1,134,862 units around the year 2000.

    Impressive Figures

    Dr. Serkan Toto from Kantan Games commented, “This number does not include sales made directly by Nintendo; so, the actual figure is probably much higher.” If sales from Nintendo’s My Nintendo Store are included, the total number of units sold could be even more remarkable.

    The debut of the Switch 2 has created a huge cultural impact in Japan. Nintendo has maintained a stronghold in the gaming sector and appears to be gaining strength. For context, the original Nintendo Switch sold 556,633 units in its first month in 2017, indicating that the Switch 2 is selling three times quicker than its predecessor.

    Stunning Achievements

    Famitsu’s sales records also show that the Nintendo Switch 2 managed to sell 947,931 units in Japan in just the first four days. Additionally, it has outperformed other legendary consoles like the Nintendo DS, which recorded 1,268,846 units, and the PlayStation 2, which held its record since 2000.

    That being said, it’s important to note that the Nintendo Switch 2, similar to some of its competitors, is heavily subsidized in the region, being priced at only 50,000 yen, roughly $334, compared to the global price of $450 or more in many areas Nintendo serves.

    Global Impact

    These figures only represent Japan. Worldwide, the Nintendo Switch 2 has sold an astonishing 3.5 million units in the first four days alone, marking it as the fastest-selling console ever and the largest console launch in gaming history.

    The expectations have been raised. The Switch 2 could potentially exceed 15 million units sold globally by the end of 2025, surpassing the debut year of the original Switch and overshadowing the first-year sales of the PlayStation 4 and 5, which totaled 7.5 million each.

    The key question is: will the Switch 2 keep up its strong sales momentum through the holiday season, or will there be a decline as the year comes to a close?

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  • Switch 2 Set to Break Launch Day Sales Record in Japan with Pre-Orders

    Switch 2 Set to Break Launch Day Sales Record in Japan with Pre-Orders

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Switch 2 is projected to launch with over 1.2 million units in Japan, surpassing previous sales records for consoles.
    2. Japan’s unique sales strategy includes lotteries for console reservations to manage high demand and prevent disorder.
    3. Initial lottery results show approximately 517,987 units secured, with an additional 281,426 available in a second round, totaling about 1.2 million consoles.
    4. The Switch 2 is expected to significantly outperform previous consoles, with the original Switch selling 330,000 units in its first weekend.
    5. Nintendo forecasts selling 15 million units of the Switch 2 in its first fiscal year, which may be conservative given the strong pre-order numbers.

    If the pre-order lotteries for the Switch 2 are any sign, the handheld is set to smash launch week console sales records in Japan. Based on surveys of those who entered the lotteries, we can estimate how many consoles will be needed. A well-known Japanese YouTube channel reports that over 1.2 million units could be available at launch in the country. This amount would far exceed the previous records held by other Nintendo and Sony consoles.

    Unique Sales Strategy

    To prevent disorder, Japan opted for a different strategy in selling the system compared to other areas. Besides the Nintendo Store, various retailers in Japan also organized lotteries for customers to reserve their consoles. After witnessing 2.2 million entries in its lottery, Nintendo acknowledged that they wouldn’t have enough consoles to fulfill the demand. Surveys of the lottery entrants reveal just how many fans were left empty-handed.

    Lottery Results

    In the initial lottery round, it is estimated that gamers secured 517,987 units. Those who didn’t win had a second chance in another round, which distributed an additional 281,426 consoles. When we consider the pre-order sales from other retailers in Japan, the projected launch day total for the handhelds rises to 1,227,670. However, this inventory likely won’t be sufficient to meet the expectations of buyers.

    Outlook for Sales

    Even though these are just estimates, it would take a significant miscalculation for the Switch 2 not to outperform previous consoles. For instance, the original Switch managed to sell 330,000 units in its first weekend on the market in Japan. Comparative reports indicate that around 600,000 PS2 systems were sold shortly after its launch.

    If the Switch 2 maintains strong sales following its release date, it could set new global benchmarks for console sales. Nintendo has surprised some market analysts by forecasting that 15 million units would be sold in its first fiscal year. This figure seems rather cautious, especially considering the handheld’s pre-order numbers have surpassed expectations.

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