For some it came as a big surprise. To others, it was to be expected. The Xbox One has outsold the PS4 for its third month in a row as it has fought tooth and nail for market share.
The Xbox One has built momentum quickly in a way that has defied all odds. Some are wondering how such a radical shift
could happen so suddenly. Although the answer is simple, it includes multiple factors, each of which we'll discuss below.
A Sleek New Model
The release of a new model, the Xbox One S, has been the primary catalyst for significant growth in Xbox One sales. Sold
at $299, the console has been seen as sleek and efficient. It's smaller frame and lower weight have directly addressed long-
standing concerns that the original Xbox One was bulky and unwieldy, and its reduction in fan noise as well as heat has
further improved the user experience.
The attractiveness of the new model has made marketing far more effective. Its sharp lines and sophisticated, polished
white finish have caught the eyes of consumers leading to many feeling compelled to place one in their shopping cart.
4K Blu-Ray Support
It's like the early days of DVDs and Blu-Ray all over again: 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray players are pricey and in-demand following major growth in the 4K TV space. Microsoft has supported this trend by delivering a device that is a complete solution for 4K media consumption.
The Xbox One S is a fully featured 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray Player that offers an experience comparable to the industry's most
well rated solutions. Made better, its hardware allows it to be a much more complete solution than its competition, capable of playing modern HD games. This would make you think that it's much more expensive, but that's no the case. Its MSRP is
the same if not lower than offerings by the biggest brands in the industry.
Sony has confirmed that neither the PS4 Slim or PS4 Pro will support 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray playback, a fact that has resonated with astounding negativity within the Playstation community. It appears that this selling point of the Xbox One S will continue into the future.
Mindshare
The tables have turned. Although Sony began this generation with consumers on their side, a series of questionable
business decisions have produced some concern among gamers. It still holds great brand equity, but is on the ropes with a lot of gamers who aren't happy about recent news such as the increase of PlayStation Plus' pricing, the lack of 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray playback in the PS4 Slim/Pro, and the
underwhelming specs of the PS4 Pro.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has introduced the following:
Backward compatibility
Frequent OS updates
PC ports with cross-buy
Xbox One Elite Controller
Improved Xbox Live quality of life
Good communication
While none of these factors alone are impactful in a major way, together they have built positive mindshare among
consumers. This has gone a long way toward distancing the company from the negative reputation it earned in 2013 when
the Xbox One debuted.
Attractive Games
Following a dry early Summer, Xbox One has become home to several of the most attractive games of this Fall season. The
most obvious of them is Forza Horizon 3 , which is one of this year's highest-rated games sitting at a 91 Metascore . It isn't
often that a racing game receives such critical acclaim, and in-fact it's one of the five highest rated games of its genre in
history. This positive reception has been echoed through consumer reception, making it one of the most impactful
releases of 2016.
Pricing Is Everything
Last but not least is the sheer affordability of the Xbox One S. At $299 it is the least expensive current-gen console next to
the Wii U. It's actually the same price as the PlayStation 2 was at launch. This MSRP is considered the golden price point, one
where a console goes from being viewed as a luxury to an affordable piece of hardware that most families can budget for.
Pricing is a huge factor in the electronics market, and for the Xbox One to be sold at $50 less than the PS4 makes it an easier sell to many consumers. They have spoken with their wallets.
