While Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo have faced intense shortages, business seems to be picking up… At least, for some. While sales of the PlayStation 5 are exploding, the Xbox Series X and S are no longer dreaming so much. Indeed, Microsoft has announced a drop in sales of its next-gen consoles of 30% compared to the same period last year.
The news is hard to take, especially since the giant is doing relatively well in other sectors. Indeed, overall, Microsoft saw its revenues increase by 7% during this first quarter of 2023. So what is happening on the Xbox Series X and S side?
The Xbox Series X / S on the decline?
While they were launched in November 2020, it makes sense that Microsoft’s next-gen consoles no longer create the same excitement as when they were released (highly anticipated). The Xbox Series X / S suffer from a comparison with the PlayStation 5, whose sales break all records.
But remember that the PS5 has long been untraceable and that many players have had to fight to hope to get it in recent months. Now that Sony seems to have sorted out its inventory problem, it’s no surprise that sales are skyrocketing. For its part, the Xbox Series S did not experience the same stock problems. Unlike its big sister, the Xbox Series X, and the PS5. Since 2020, players looking for Microsoft’s next-gen console have been able to afford it for 300 euros. And no longer need to buy it.
We can understand that the unprecedented availability of the PlayStation 5 overshadows the Xbox Series S, and its premium version. But that does not explain this drop in sales of around 30%. Not entirely, at least.
If Xbox Series X / S sales are falling, it is also the fault of a lack of interesting games. While Sony is hitting hard with great games exclusively available on the PlayStation 5 like God of War: Ragnarök or Horizon Forbidden West, Microsoft is struggling to get players to choose its new consoles. Indeed, it has already been more than a year since the unreleased game Halo : Infinite is out…
After postponements, which do not suit Microsoft’s business, Starfield et Redfall are two highly anticipated games. This should make it possible to restart the machine in the coming months. Gamers will be able to discover Redfall from May 2, 2023 while Starfield will be released on September 6, 2023.
Microsoft is betting a lot on its Xbox Game Pass and the giant is right. This online subscription allows players to access a catalog of video games from 9.99 euros per month. So, Halo Infinite, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, FIFA 22, Forza Horizon 5, A Plague Tale : Requiem,Minecraft or Far Cry 5 are all games included in this subscription. Thanks to Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft limits breakage.
