Sony’s European shipping targets could be hit before the end of the financial year — which is in about a month. According to sale prices appearing in stores, several outlets that stock the PS5 slim console, such as Amazon’s European, have dropped the console price to €474.99 ($511.78). In the United Kingdom, the standard console has a similar price point at £495 ($627.04) — but the digital-only counterpart comes in at £389 ($492.76), which is a £106 ($134) difference.
The Japanese technology maker would set record sales for console units shipped in a fiscal year if this milestone were achieved. The last Sony-developed device to do so was the PS1, which moved 22.6 million units in 12 months more than 25 years ago.
PS5 — a leading choice for console gamers
The PS5 was launched three years ago by the Japanese technology giant and has been the leading choice for console gamers despite initial stock shortages. According to a recent publication from Take-Two Games, 77 million Gen 9 devices, the latest console breed, have been sold to date.
Since Sony has sold 50 million units, as reported in December, this would mean Microsoft will have the remaining share of 27/28 million units. Microsoft does not record targets for console sales but has focused on Xbox digital subscriptions instead, but it seems like Sony will win that hardware fight hands down.
In another battleground for gamers’ hard-earned coins, the acquisition of Activision Blizzard gave Microsoft the advantage and the top spot in the financial charts. The deal set at a reported $68.7m would mean the combined gaming assets and sales would surpass Sony for the first time.
This would lead to a turbulent end to 2023 for Sony, with several ransomware attacks and a high-profile data breach spilling company information — and, sadly, the details of Insomniac Games staff. Yes, the Spider-Man 2 developer would receive support from the gaming community, but Sony’s illegally harvested secrets would be on show to the world.
Sony still worried about Microsoft’s Game Pass.
The biggest reveal from the ill-gotten contents was a report showing Sony was worried about being eclipsed by Microsoft’s digital subscription packages via Game Pass.
In recent news, Microsoft is set to address rumors of Xbox console exclusives and Game Pass titles jumping to rival devices. Leaks suggested that Hi-fi Rush and Starfield were earmarked for expansion onto previously un-thought territory, prompting the Head of Xbox to announce the future of the console.
The modern battle for a gamer’s allegiance and the tether to their wallets has become a physical and digital warzone, but it will definitely rage on as 2024 plays out.
Image credit: Sony Blog.
