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EA: Microsoft catching up to Sony

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Ketchup

A year since the new generation console have launched and it seems that the first battle was won by Sony. The PS4 has been selling fast and furious, but EA’s Chief Financial Officer says that things are shifting in the market.

According to EA’s CFO, Blake Jorgensen, Sony jumped out with a lead thanks to a great pricing strategy, but Microsoft is catching up quickly.

… pricing actions that are taking place, particularly during this Christmas season, driven by Microsoft, around reduction plus a lot of bundled software, I think will continue to pull the consumer into the new consoles.

He goes on to estimate that after the holidays, the install base for the new generation consoles will be “north of 25 million”. Of course it will be interesting to see the proportion of which will be PS4 vs Xbox One, or even Wii U considering the resurgence of interest in Nintendo’s offerings.

Microsoft is continuing to drop their price for Xbox One, especially with the latest $50 drop in the US for the holidays, it has become particularly competitive. Most people can’t afford to buy both consoles, and with PS4 being cheaper for longer, it makes sense that it has been outselling the Xbox One. Now that they are on par in price, people must use another metric to make their purchasing decision, and we may all be surprised by what that is. Could the features of PS+ vs Xbox Live Gold be the tipping point, or will it be all about the controllers? Most likely, it will come down to what everyone’s friends already have – for those who want to play with each other, it’s important to all be on the same platform.

While I’m happy to hear that Xbox One is selling better than it has been, I’m really curious how the battle plays out in the long run. PS3 started the last generation behind but made a big comeback. Is it Xbox’s turn to be the comeback kid?

Last Updated: November 19, 2014

81 Comments

  1. HairyEwok

    November 19, 2014 at 09:33

    How much of those price drops do we get here in SA…. NONE! Q-Q

    Reply

    • Sir Rants A Lot is a DADDY

      November 19, 2014 at 09:42

      Hahahahaha. Price drops. SA. Hahahahahaha. I know we get long drops. But not price drops

      Reply

      • Captain JJ the valiant

        November 19, 2014 at 09:43

        There is great sadness behind that laugh. 😉

        Reply

        • Sir Rants A Lot is a DADDY

          November 19, 2014 at 09:44

          *cries*

          Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        November 19, 2014 at 09:47

        Yes we do, but only if you spoon with certain political parties.

        Reply

    • Trebzz

      November 19, 2014 at 09:56

      We get the bundles and get told that’s a great deal 😀

      Reply

    • e1ace

      November 19, 2014 at 12:00

      We did get price drops?

      The PS4 went from R6799 to R6399.
      Also the Xbox One is selling some great bundles with the price drop (Like the R6999 1TB with COD bundle, or the Xbox One with a free game for R5999 or R6299).

      Reply

  2. Admiral Chief Wang

    November 19, 2014 at 09:34

    All good and well, however, on to more important matters:

    Who wants a copy of The Witcher 2 Enhanced Edition?

    (CONVINCE me how MUCH you want this game, and it is yours)

    PC

    Reply

    • HairyEwok

      November 19, 2014 at 09:36

      Witcher 2…. Bah blasphemy, how dare you give away such gold, for shame on you sir, for shame…..

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Wang

        November 19, 2014 at 09:37

        I have all 3 games already good sir!

        You spit on my good nature with mockery? For shame!

        Reply

        • HairyEwok

          November 19, 2014 at 09:40

          T-T I own only witcher and here your talking about owning all 3, my heart is waving heavily now with the jealousy.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Wang

            November 19, 2014 at 09:41

            Hence why I want to spread the Witcher love!

          • Captain JJ the valiant

            November 19, 2014 at 09:41

            Hopefully not in the same way Geralt does.

          • Admiral Chief Wang

            November 19, 2014 at 09:42

            By ploughing?

          • Captain JJ the valiant

            November 19, 2014 at 09:42

            I suppose that’s one of the words used to describe it.

          • HairyEwok

            November 19, 2014 at 09:43

            If its non-death vaseline love then yes please share that love towards me. Show me thy good hearted intentions and make my day a happy day 😛

          • Admiral Chief Wang

            November 19, 2014 at 09:45

            But you mock me? Surely I should reconsider?

            😉

          • HairyEwok

            November 19, 2014 at 09:48

            Yes consider your reconsider to give me the game so i can be more pew pew with magic and less QQ. Also it would really be shitty if I skip witcher 2 and hop from 1 to 3.

          • Admiral Chief Wang

            November 19, 2014 at 09:49

            That seems like a valid reason. Pop me a msg on Steam and I shall give you your code

          • HairyEwok

            November 19, 2014 at 09:50

            T-T ohhhhh happy days…. EVERYBODY SING ALONG NOW, ohhhh happy days…

          • Admiral Chief Wang

            November 19, 2014 at 09:52

            I await your message

          • HairyEwok

            November 19, 2014 at 09:53

            It’s hard ok I’m at work installing steam on the work PC XD

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 19, 2014 at 09:55

            It’s hard? I didn’t think you’d be THAT excited about getting Witcher 2. :/

          • Captain JJ the valiant

            November 19, 2014 at 09:56

            getting steamy too, it seems

          • Admiral Chief Wang

            November 19, 2014 at 10:02

            My free games brings all the boys to the yard it seems

          • Admiral Chief Wang

            November 19, 2014 at 10:02

            Oh snap!

      • Captain JJ the valiant

        November 19, 2014 at 09:38

        I have two copies myself and just received a third which I also gifted.

        Reply

        • ReaperOfSquirrels

          November 19, 2014 at 10:01

          I also have two copies, one for PC and one for Xbox 360.

          Reply

          • Captain JJ the valiant

            November 19, 2014 at 10:03

            I have one for Steam and one for GOG. Hehe. I actually want to try my Xbox controller on it, is it any good with it?

          • ReaperOfSquirrels

            November 19, 2014 at 10:22

            I prefer playing it with the controller, but that might just be me finding the controls easier.

          • Captain JJ the valiant

            November 19, 2014 at 10:25

            I often like my fantasy games more with my controller, so I should maybe give it a try. Skyrim didn’t work so well for me, because I love my bows and I aim like crap.
            Thanks. I think I’ll give it a try tonight.

          • ReaperOfSquirrels

            November 19, 2014 at 10:34

            I have the same issue with Skyrim, I’m much better with a k/b and mouse on that one.

            Give it a shot with the controller, I know it’s not for everyone, but I personally prefer it *shrug*

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      November 19, 2014 at 09:41

      I’ve also got a giftable GOG copy.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Wang

        November 19, 2014 at 09:41

        Good Ol’ GOG

        Reply

    • Sir Rants A Lot is a DADDY

      November 19, 2014 at 09:43

      I’ve never played it.

      Reply

      • Captain JJ the valiant

        November 19, 2014 at 09:44

        That’s not being convincing.
        Also.
        I just started W2 the other day and I am absolutely loving it.

        Reply

        • Sir Rants A Lot is a DADDY

          November 19, 2014 at 09:44

          I’ve never played it or number 1 cc@Admiral_Chief:disqus

          Reply

          • Captain JJ the valiant

            November 19, 2014 at 09:46

            It’s definitely worth trying. Good fighting mechanics, great story, awesome game-changing decisions. W2 looks really good for its age also. It’ll be a nice way to prep yourself for 3.

          • Admiral Chief Wang

            November 19, 2014 at 09:47

            So what, you wants the precious?

      • Corrie

        November 19, 2014 at 09:46

        Whhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatttt? how did you not play The Witcher 2, Loved it so much I bought it twice, nice shiny EE retail box and a steam copy for achievements

        Reply

        • Sir Rants A Lot is a DADDY

          November 19, 2014 at 11:04

          Lol. Never grabbed my attention I guess

          Reply

  3. Sir Rants A Lot is a DADDY

    November 19, 2014 at 09:37

    Don’t think it’s so much to do with pricing alone.

    Sony got of to a better start due to having theirs available in more regions first. As people slow down in purchases of the PS4 of course the Xbone will start to catch up as its sales increase now that it’s available in more regions.

    At the end of the day it will all be about preference and who wanted what from the beginning.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Wang

      November 19, 2014 at 09:38

      I wan’t an eierdoos-een for my daughter

      Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot is a DADDY

        November 19, 2014 at 09:40

        Rather get the WiiU if you want her to have a console. FAR more appropriate for a kid (And fathers alike. We are all kids deep down inside)

        Then get splatoon!!!!!!!

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Wang

          November 19, 2014 at 09:40

          I want that Kinect for her to dance off to, allowing me more gaming time on my PC.

          Wife and daughter will be entertained!

          Reply

          • Sir Rants A Lot is a DADDY

            November 19, 2014 at 09:41

            Wii U has motion controllers and all that too. Far more enjoyable and more games than the one or 2 dance games of the eierdoos.

            Serials. Also. Mario Kart

          • Admiral Chief Wang

            November 19, 2014 at 09:42

            Indeed, also the Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii-U will be much cheaper

          • Sir Rants A Lot is a DADDY

            November 19, 2014 at 09:43

            Exacary! the motion controlled games burn off energy. They are all fun (especially for kids and well…. me….) and it keeps em busy.

            PS: Remember to teach her to use the arm straps properly on those remotes. I hear stories of TV’s and remotes man

          • Corrie

            November 19, 2014 at 09:49

            Seriously wish that R1000 Wii U special at Toys r Us would appear again

          • Admiral Chief Wang

            November 19, 2014 at 10:27

            Agreed, that would be epic

          • Corrie

            November 19, 2014 at 10:45

            I just mainly want to use that controller on my PC, don’t know why but I really really want to.

            But still the only negative is the R600 games

          • Sir Rants A Lot is a DADDY

            November 19, 2014 at 10:51

            And even then it’s still better value than PS4 or XBone in my opinion. Heck even new release PC games aren’t far from the R600 mark anymore

          • FoxOneZA

            November 19, 2014 at 13:24

            The Wii U motion controllers are noway near the freestyling Kinect. I’ve seen it in action at children’s parties and the kids themselves say the Kinect is better.

    • HairyEwok

      November 19, 2014 at 09:38

      Sadly Xbone tried their luck in Asia regions, the homeland of PS aaand yeah I believe they aren’t proud of that move.

      Reply

  4. Alien Emperor Trevor

    November 19, 2014 at 09:38

    You better hope so EA. You entered into a partnership with MS & not Sony, right?

    Reply

  5. Cadis Etrama Di Umar

    November 19, 2014 at 09:42

    Obviously when you’re in bed with Microsoft you’ll have to be optimistic about the situation

    Reply

  6. Hammersteyn

    November 19, 2014 at 09:46

    Asking EAs opinion on gaming is like going to a broker running a ponzi scheme and asking him for investment advice and here’s two reasons why.

    EA Access is only available on XBOX One and EA has signed a exclusivity with Microsoft for next gen games, that’s why TitanFall didn’t come the the PS(Like anyone really cares) so it’s no surprise that EA backs the XBOX One.

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      November 19, 2014 at 09:46

      Shhhhhhhh. That’s a secret.

      Reply

    • Captain JJ the valiant

      November 19, 2014 at 09:47

      I’m surprised EA doesn’t stand for Early Access, since their released games are supposed to still be in development.

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        November 19, 2014 at 09:48

        Don’t forget the other day they said they were thinking of releasing early access games too. The lulz.

        Reply

        • Captain JJ the valiant

          November 19, 2014 at 09:51

          Expect wire-frame characters and environments without textures.

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 19, 2014 at 09:54

            Are we still talking about EA or are we talking about Ubi?

          • Captain JJ the valiant

            November 19, 2014 at 09:57

            I don’t understand your question, is there a difference?

      • Hammersteyn

        November 19, 2014 at 09:54

        • Captain JJ the valiant

          November 19, 2014 at 09:58

          So what this says is that EA produces A+ games, not AAA games.

          Reply

          • HvR

            November 19, 2014 at 11:53

            EA’s definition of AAA = Alpha! Alpha! Alpha!

          • Captain JJ the valiant

            November 19, 2014 at 11:58

            Three alphas don’t make a right?

        • Weanerdog

          November 19, 2014 at 13:26

          Why hire a team of tester when the consumers will pay you for that privilege.

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            November 19, 2014 at 13:47

            And they are willing to pay, so sad.

    • CAE9872

      November 19, 2014 at 10:31

      I decided to buy Titanfall when it was 50% off on the store. And I can vouch it is a superb game. I haven’t played much, and I can see people saying it could be “boring” long term, but visually, mechanically, etc it is top notch. A true next gen game.

      Reply

  7. Brian Murphy

    November 19, 2014 at 09:59

    Yeah, no. The numbers don’t actually say that. He’s likely referring to the Xb1 not being outsold multiple times to 1 in the UK and the ~2-1 in the US, due to the price cut (and key titles) Though, Microsoft is still a non-factor in Europe, and Asia, which is an extremely large market. MS actually has zero chance to catch up to the PS4’s sales. Think about it, look at how much Sony had to fuck up last gen, just to break even with them at the end of the gen (Europe was overwhelmingly Sony, while the US went overwhelmingly Microsoft)? And look at how well Sony nailed it this gen, and how badly Microsoft screwed up (Europe is absurdly PS4 and Sony has a million+ lead in the US).

    As I’ve said before, Microsoft will sell consoles, it’s not going to fail. But, it just won’t catch up to the PS4’s lifetime sales. Then again, the real question is, after the holiday rush is over, can Microsoft sustain a higher baseline than before? Or are they going to drop back down to turrible?

    Reply

    • Captain JJ the valiant

      November 19, 2014 at 10:01

      Agreed.
      And we’re still talking sales to retail, not to end user. That’s like saying you had sex with someone when you actually just shook their hand.

      Reply

      • Brian Murphy

        November 19, 2014 at 10:03

        Yeah, EA’s spinning some hyperbole in an intentionally vague fashion (much like when Microsoft doesn’t win the week/month, and only comes out with a glowing praise of the Xbox division…Sony did it too during the PS3 era, and I believe they do it currently w/ the Vita). It’s not that the XB1 is failing, as I said, it’s just they (EA) put their lot in with Microsoft, and it hasn’t turned out the way they wanted. And saying so straight up is a poor business decision lol.

        As of Sept 30th, Sony had shipped 13.5m PS4’s. So, I don’t think EA should start talking shipped numbers lol. Frankly, Sony could announce 15 million sold (to consumers) at the Playstation Experience event in Early December.

        Reply

        • Captain JJ the valiant

          November 19, 2014 at 10:12

          The Xbox will forever be playing catch-up I think.

          Reply

          • Brian Murphy

            November 19, 2014 at 10:18

            I don’t think they have a chance, frankly. I think they’ll be firmly in 2nd place this gen while the PS4 goes nuts. It’s got the higher ceiling, and Sony is simply synonymous with ‘games’ in Europe. For example, the PS4’s sold over a million in Germany alone, and the Wii-U + XB1 are somewhere around the 300-350K combined, range, and that’s just Germany.

            The PS4 sales also may suck ass weekly in Japan, but when Dragon Quest Heroes comes out, and whenever a Japan centric genre comes out, you _know_ it’s going to fly through the roof. That Silver edition PS4 for DQH sold out in hours. Microsoft just doesn’t have that kind of base there, and continues to do extremely poorly in Asia.

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        November 19, 2014 at 10:04

        Great. I’m going to remember that next time I shake hands with someone. While I can’t decide if it’s preferable for their grip to be firm or weak, I definitely hope it’s not clammy.

        Reply

        • Captain JJ the valiant

          November 19, 2014 at 10:11

          All depends on the person I suppose.

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 19, 2014 at 10:12

            LOL

  8. HisDivineOrder

    November 19, 2014 at 10:10

    This has nothing to do with EA’s prominent advertising arrangement with Microsoft, right? 😉 Microsoft’s money pays for a LOT of Dragon Age commercials just like it bought a bunch of Titanfall placement.

    EA typically partners with the company that’s doing less well in the market. When Xbox 360 was ruling the roost, it wasn’t long before EA was buddy-buddy with Sony and giving it priority. Now that Sony’s ruling the roost, they’re favoring Microsoft.

    EA is a company that well remembers the old days of one company dominating the console space (back in the PSX and PS2 days) and wants to help the weaker guy catch up to keep balance. Otherwise, they might get in a position where they’re reliant on a company that won’t care about them.

    Reply

  9. CAE9872

    November 19, 2014 at 10:36

    Although the comment is 100% correct – if you drop $50 then you likely to sell more. BUT that deal is US only as far as I know and temporary at that (or so MS has insisted).

    So yeah in US I think MS will close the gap. But worldwide – hmmm not so much.

    The strategy by MS of course does prove one thing – they really do only care about US market to detriment of rest of the world.

    Reply

    • FoxOneZA

      November 19, 2014 at 13:26

      Looking at Vgchartz, the Xbox is still tanking in Europe. Looking at the dismal line-up for the PS4 this holiday that could change but MS has to do more and drop the price or increase the bundles.

      Reply

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