Xbox sales show no signs of recovery, game developers reassess the console’s viability

PlayStation and Nintendo consistently outperform Xbox in sales

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Published onApril 5, 2024

published onApril 5, 2024

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Xbox sales have been consistently low over the past few years, with PlayStation, Nintendo, and PC emerging as the preferred gaming platforms. If we look at theXbox vs PlayStation sales, the former has sold just 180 million units, while the latter has sold over 506 million units.

Even though Microsoft doesn’t officially share Xbox sales figures, it comes to public knowledge sooner or later.

Xbox sales have fallen by over50%in Europe, a region where PlayStation commands more than80%of the market. Europe has never been a favourable territory for Xbox. In the US, PlayStation has a57.5%share compared to Xbox’s42.5%. Worldwide, PlayStation stands at70%while Xbox is at30%!

Owing to the increasing losses, game developers have started reassessing their investments in a console that ranks fourth in terms of the user base, after PlayStation, PC and Nintendo. Why pump millions into a game for Xbox when the user base is dwindling, right!

Why are Xbox sales declining?

Xbox isn’t what it used to be.Microsoft’s plans to release Xbox-exclusive titles on other consolesaffected the sales. More so, Xbox hasn’t had any significant developments in the console segment.

Besides, in the past few years, PCs emerged as a preferred gaming platform, which led to a decline in Xbox sales.Compact gaming laptopsbecame the go-to device for gamers!

When Chris Dring, Head ofGamesIndustry.biz, talked about the recent GDC(Game Developers Conference)in apodcast available on YouTube, he discussed the apprehensions game developers have towards Xbox.

When asked about the recent decisions at Xbox and the console’s future, Chris said,

Experts across the industry believe that if Xbox couldn’t turn the tables in the next few years, it would be too late to recover.Sony and Nintendo are already beating Xbox, and at this rate, Xbox may be out of the picture in a decade or two!

What’s next for Xbox?

As was expected,Microsoft plans to bring AI to Xboxafter successful integration across its native products. Recent reports also suggest thatMicrosoft is working on an AI chatbot for Xboxthat is capable of customer support and dealing with refunds.

This may help Xbox recover after a prolonged period of declining sales, but a lot more needs to be done!

For instance, Xbox should plan a well-timed release of a new console, just as thePS5 Pro launch coincides with that of GTA 5. Besides, AI should be employed in the content moderation system. The recentbanning of Xbox accounts through Minecraftmakes it amply clear!

As for the future, leaked images hint that thenext Xbox console will be all digitaland won’t feature a disc drive. This, too, was expected, given that90%of game sales last year were digital.

Xbox’s future does look uncertain but the possibility of it going obsolete is bleak. In the last few months, Microsoft may have been more devoted to game development and publishing afteracquiring Activision Blizzard. While this signals a shift in approach, Microsoft wouldn’t concede this early in the console war!

What do you think about the decline in Xbox sales? Share with our readers in the comments section.

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With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier

Xbox sales show no signs of recovery, game developers reassess the console’s viability

Why are Xbox sales declining?

What’s next for Xbox?