Sony might still be in the lead when it comes to total console sales this generation, but the Xbox One has now officially taken the top spot on the NPD Group’s U.S. sales estimates for two consecutive months to round out 2014. After temporarily cutting the price of the Xbox One to $349 (which is now a permanent cut) and launching several bundles with the year’s biggest games, Microsoft finally found a way to catch up with its rival.
So how have the two companies reacted to the news?
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“Team is doing great work and I’m glad Xbox fans are enjoying the console,” Xbox head Phil Spencer said on Twitter in response to a congratulatory tweet from a fan. Another user responded to a tweet from IGN’s Ryan McCaffrey, saying that Microsoft was going to have to focus on software to keep up its momentum.
“I’m happy betting on our software teams, both [platform] and studios, really proud of the work they’ve been doing,” Spencer responded.
Spencer acknowledged that although this was a big day for the company in the U.S., the company needs to “focus on worldwide value” in the coming months and years. He also noted the PS4’s continued success alongside the Xbox One, which he believes “is a good thing for the industry.”
Sony’s executives have been decidedly quieter in the wake of the NPD results, but GamesBeat did manage to stir up a response of sorts:
“PlayStation 4 was the top-selling console in the U.S. and globally in 2014,” an SCEA spokesperson told GamesBeat. “And [it is] the fastest selling console in PlayStation history with 18.5 million sold through after just 14 months in the market. We are humbled by this success and want to thank gamers worldwide for helping us achieve holiday sales of more than 4.1 million across 123 countries and regions. We are looking forward to another momentous year in 2015 and bringing an epic line up of titles to PlayStation fans around the world.”
Sony declined to answer any questions regarding whether or not it would be lowering the price of the PS4 to match the Xbox One.
Seems like another clear-cut victory for the Xbox One, and if Sony doesn’t respond in turn, January might look very similar to November and December.
