PlayStation 5 to outsell Xbox Series X by 2-to-1 margin, research firm predicts

By Aaron Mamiit August 9, 2020

The PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X are ready to go head-to-head in this year’s holiday season, but a research firm has already predicted the winner of the next-generation console war.

DFC Intelligence forecasts the PlayStation 5 outselling the Xbox Series X by a 2-to-1 margin, and predicts that Sony’s next-generation console will eventually break through the milestone of 100 million units sold.

“Microsoft is trying its best with Xbox Series X, but the past few months have revealed they are just too far behind Sony. Consumer brand preference is strongly towards PlayStation. As a piece of hardware there is nothing Xbox Series X is doing to change that perception,” wrote DFC Intelligence.

Other factors pointed out by the research firm contributing to its prediction include the lack of presence in Japan and weak presence in Europe for the Xbox, Sony’s strength in its distribution of consumer electronics, and the scaled-back ambitions to focus on short-term sales instead of long-term vision.

“However, Microsoft may have the long-term winning battle plan,” wrote DFC Intelligence, as the company has been working on a strategy that goes beyond its consoles.

PlayStation 5 vs. Xbox Series X

Many factors concerning the upcoming battle between the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X remain unknown, including their price tags and supply. In addition, it is unknown how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect the launch of the next-generation consoles.

Sony looks like it has won over the gaming community with what has so far been revealed for the PlayStation 5, but Microsoft may be looking at the longer-term with its emphasis on the Game Pass subscription service and the xCloud game streaming service.

Whether DFC Intelligence’s predictions come true remains to be seen, but what is known is that fans of both consoles are already excited to make the jump to the next generation.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Contributor

Aaron received a NES and a copy of Super Mario Bros. for Christmas when he was 4 years old, and he has been fascinated with…

Gaming

PlayStation 6: release date speculation, price, specs, and more

sony reveals customizable ps5 dualsense edge controller front and back

In a recent quote, Sony Senior Vice President Naomi Matsuoka said: "Looking ahead, PS5 will enter the latter stage of its life cycle." Many in the industry took that to mean that we may be hearing about the next PlayStation console sooner rather than later.

Considering Sony has yet to break its naming convention, it feels safe to assume whatever future home console we get will be called the PlayStation 6. But not only has the name not been officially confirmed, but neither has the idea of a next-generation PlayStation console or even a PS5 Pro. It's almost a guarantee, but technically nothing is set in stone. Rumors and potential leaks have already started stirring up excitement, so let's see what the future of PlayStation may look like according to the rumors.
Release date speculation

Gaming

PlayStation has a secret weapon up its sleeve: the Hero Project

Three colorful PS5s float together in a line.

The video game industry is changing. As financial growth stagnates, companies like PlayStation have experimented with ways to adapt as markets and trends change. Where it was once able to rely on its first-party blockbusters to build and maintain an audience, it is looking more likely that it will need to invest in new strategies to prepare for the ways the industry is shifting. We see this with a bigger push into live-service and mobile games, but there's another initiative that isn't going to pay dividends in the near future but could set the groundwork for future success: the Hero Project.

Sony's Hero Project isn't a widely publicized or highlighted initiative -- even by PlayStation. Still, it's something every PlayStation owner should be aware of. It has the potential to be its secret weapon in the long run.
The world needs heroes
PlayStation's Hero Project is currently in its fourth iteration. Beginning in 2016, it kicked off with three rounds of the China Hero Project and has currently expanded to include the India Hero Project. The goal of these initiatives is to allow game developers from said countries to pitch their games directly to a special PlayStation committee. If accepted, Sony will then offer the team support with finances, technologies, marketing, and occasionally publishing.

Gaming

The best cozy games

Riding in a boat with Kapp'n in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

In a world where so many games send you on missions with tense action and high stakes, sometimes it's nice to just sit back and relax a bit. That's where the cozy genre comes in with calming exploration, crafting, and decorating that give you a sense of purpose without all of the stress that comes from more action-oriented games. If that's what you're after, look no further, as we've compiled a list of what we consider to be the best cozy games you can play right now.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons