Both the PlaySation 4 and the Xbox One have been hits but now we have enough data to declare a clear winner in the early rounds: It’s the PlayStation 4. GameSpot has written a very thorough post outlining why the PS4 has outsold the Xbox One ever since its launch late last year while also noting that Sony’s console has some distinct advantages over Microsoft’s going forward that could help it win for years to come.
The biggest deciding factor in GameSpot’s estimation is also the most obvious one: The price. Because the PS4 is $100 cheaper than the Xbox One, Microsoft needed to come up with a compelling reason why gamers should throw down more money for a console with very similar overall specifications. Unfortunately, Gamespot writes, Microsoft’s bet on Kinect as a major differentiator hasn’t panned out so far. While the ability to manage your home entertainment hub through voice commands is a nice feature, it isn’t one that most gamers have found to be worth $100 so far, especially when its accuracy has been spotty.
Other potential advantages for Sony include its planned feature that will make PlayStation 3 games playable over the cloud on the PlayStation 4 console; a bigger library of free games that PS4 owners get with their subscriptions to PlayStation Plus; and a very strong stable of studios that produce games exclusively for the PlayStation, including Naughty Dog, Guerrilla Games, Sucker Punch Productions and ThatGameCompany.
Add it all up and it looks like Sony is well positioned to keep its lead for the foreseeable future unless Microsoft cuts the Xbox One’s price or unless it comes out with a truly must-have Xbox One game on par with the first three Halo titles. That said, just because Sony’s winning right now that doesn’t mean Microsoft is losing. There’s no shame in coming in second place if your console and your games are still selling incredibly well. After all, Microsoft would much rather be in the position it’s in right now than the position Nintendo is in with the Wii U.
