Click to Skip Ad
Closing in...

PS4 sales are significantly stronger than anticipated

Published Apr 17th, 2014 7:25AM EDT
Sony PS4 Sales 7 Million

If you buy through a BGR link, we may earn an affiliate commission, helping support our expert product labs.

Sony on Thursday announced it sold more than seven million units PlayStation 4 consoles as of April 6, 2014, beating its own expectations for fiscal year 2013 – the company planned to sell 5 million units during the period.

“The response from the global gaming community for PS4 has been overwhelming and we are truly humbled that gamers are selecting PS4 as their next generation console of choice,” said Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “The PS4 journey has just begun, and although we are still facing difficulties keeping up with the strong demand worldwide, we remain steadfast in our commitment to meet the needs of our customers, and surpassing the wildest expectations of gamers by delivering new user experiences that inspire and engage. We look forward to unveiling many of these experiences to our fans in the coming months.”

In addition to announcing the new PS4 sales milestone, Sony also highlighted PS4 game sales. The company said that as of April 13, 2014, more than 20.5 million copies have been sold, hinting that even more PS4 titles are coming this year – according to Sony, there will be approximately 120 titles available to gamers this year, including upcoming titles.

Finally, the company also advertised the PS4’s social features, saying that PS4 owners have pressed the Share button more than 135 million times, with 4.9 million gameplay sessions having been broadcast.

The full press release follows below.

PLAYSTATION®4 (PS4™) SALES SURPASS 7.0 MILLION UNITS WORLDWIDE
PS4 Furthers Global Momentum as Gamers Embrace Its Breakthrough Gameplay and Innovative Sharing Capabilities

Tokyo, April 17, 2014 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that the PlayStation®4 (PS4™) computer entertainment system has cumulatively sold through more than 7.0 million units*1 globally as of April 6, 2014 (JST), demonstrating the rapid growth of the PS4 platform.

“The response from the global gaming community for PS4 has been overwhelming and we are truly humbled that gamers are selecting PS4 as their next generation console of choice,” said Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “The PS4 journey has just begun, and although we are still facing difficulties keeping up with the strong demand worldwide, we remain steadfast in our commitment to meet the needs of our customers, and surpassing the wildest expectations of gamers by delivering new user experiences that inspire and engage. We look forward to unveiling many of these experiences to our fans in the coming months.”

PS4 software sales also remain strong with more than 20.5 million*2 copies sold in retail stores worldwide and through digital downloads on PlayStation®Store as of April 13, 2014 (JST). PS4 owners will be immersed in a broad portfolio of breakthrough games, across all genres, with approximately 120 titles*3 available or coming in 2014. The PS4 system’s games portfolio will continue to expand with highly anticipated titles such as Destiny (Activision), The Elder Scrolls Online (Bethesda), Alien: Isolation (SEGA), NBA 2K15 (2K), Watch_Dogs™ (Ubisoft Entertainment), #DRIVECLUB (SCE WWS), MLB 14: The Show (SCE WWS) and The Order 1886 (SCE WWS). The independent development community continues to deliver innovative new titles for PS4. Upcoming games for 2014 include N++ (Metanet Software), GALAK-Z: The Dimensional (17 Bit Games), Transistor (Supergiant Games), Secret Ponchos (Switchblade Monkeys Entertainment), The Witness (Thekla, Inc.), Octodad: Dadliest Catch (Young Horses) and Daylight (Zombie Studios).

The integrated social capabilities of PS4 continue to be wildly popular with gamers. More than 135 million shares*4 have been captured via the “SHARE” button on the Wireless Controller (DUALSHOCK®4). Broadcasting via video streaming platforms Twitch and Ustream continues its explosive growth with more than 4.9 million gameplay broadcasts*5 and nearly 90 million spectate sessions*6. PS4 owners are also utilizing broadcasting features only possible on PlayStation®. Interactive streaming, which allows spectators to join sessions or interact with broadcasted games and affect gameplay by increasing or reducing obstacles and challenges, is exclusively available in popular titles out now including DYNASTY WARRIORS® 8: Xtreme Legends® Complete Edition (TECMO KOEI GAMES CO., LTD) and Dead Nation: Apocalypse Edition (SCE WWS).

The PS4 system is currently available in 72 countries and regions*7 worldwide.

###

*1Number of retail sales to consumers is estimated by SCEI. PS4 sales data in Japan collected 2/22/2014 –4 /6/2014. PS4 sales data in North America collected 11/15/2013 – 4/5/2014, in Europe and Latin America collected 11/29/2013 – 4/5/2014, and in Asia collected 11/29/2013 –4/6/2014.
*2Number of retail sales to consumers is estimated by SCEI. PS4 sales data in Japan collected 2/22/2014 –4 /13/2014. PS4 sales data in North America collected 11/15/2013 – 4/12/2014, in Europe and Latin America collected 11/29/2013 – 4/12/2014, and in Asia collected 11/29/2013 –4/6/2014.
*3Number of titles based on information available as of 3/31/14. For more information, please visit http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/03/26/ps4-games-in-2014-the-ultimate-list/
*4Data as of 3/31/2014.
*5Data as of 3/31/2014.
*6Data as of 3/31/2014.
*7As of 3/31/2014.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.