Why impressive console sales in 2013 is great for games industry

There has been some impressive console sales in 2013 what with Microsoft recently posting a message to all the Xbox One fans with a distinct message of thanks and also confirmed that the Xbox One has sold over 3 million units to consumers at the end of 2013 in 13 countries. Sony has also sold a high number, if not more for the same period since releasing in November.  However, it has to be said,  the Xbox One has done remarkably well considering it was doomed a failure by some sections of the gaming community with its more expensive pricing versus the PS4 which seemed to do no wrong despite dropping in an charge for Online play for the first time. Microsoft came up against it with the inclusion of Kinect, having less powerful hardware and the classic Always Online original policy which was dropped after the media backlash. With both the PS4 and Xbox One releasing within the same time frame, it has been a real battle for supremacy – with the PS4 being slightly ahead if the latest rumoured totals are to be believed (4 million  PS4s versus 3 million  Xbox Ones according to VGchartz estimated data).

The real test lies ahead now for both Sony and Microsoft as the holiday period is over and the inevitable gaming drought rears its ugly head. At the end of the day it’s software that will determine sales and with some great games on the horizon for both systems who knows what the outcome will be. Either way, as console launches go, this has to be one of the most interesting and proves that the gaming industry, and more specifically the console market is still booming.

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Looking at the months ahead and there are several games on the horizon that peak the interest, most notably Watch Dogs which was delayed from being a launch title,  but also will be multi format spanning across generations with appearances on PS3 and Xbox 360 as well. Thief is on its way for both systems as well as PS4 exclusive from Sucker Punch Infamous Second son and the much touted racer, Driveclub. Square Enix also plans to release their Tomb Raider Definitive Edition on both consoles as well. Microsoft does have the eagerly anticipated TitanFall which is heading exclusively to the Xbox One/360 and PC.

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Either way, it’s good news all round regardless of what system sits in your home because competition is healthy in this industry as it means both companies won’t rest on their laurels to maintain their distinct edge over each other and stave threats from the tablet and mobile market.  For now though, Microsoft  has performed very well to rise from all the bad PR it  endured since announcing the console last year. It was expected Sony would lead ahead quite dramatically with its tactical pricing, and this has panned out. What the future holds is anyone’s guess and simply enforces that gaming is very much a booming entertainment industry as the first months sales figures so boisterously prove.

Written by: Rob Cram

Rob Cram has hundreds of video game reviews, thousands of articles under his belt with years of experience in gaming and tech. He aims to remain fair and free from publisher/developer influence. With his extensive knowledge, feels his gaming opinions are valid and worth sharing. Agreement with his views are entirely optional. He might have a bias towards cyberpunk.