Sony announced the sale of 50 million PlayStation 5 (PS5) units, achieving this milestone almost as swiftly as its predecessor, despite enduring prolonged supply challenges. This success allowed Sony to outsell Microsoft’s Xbox by nearly three to one in 2023.
According to Financial Times, data from Ampere Analysis, a research group, reveals that the console market, encompassing hardware, software, and services, is poised for a 7.2% rebound to USD60.9 billion (~RM282 billion) this year, following a 7.3% decline in 2022.
The recovery is attributed to improved PS5 availability and a compelling lineup of games, including Spider-Man 2, Starfield, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Despite facing component shortages and high demand in its initial months after the late 2020 launch, Sony’s PS5 has overcome these supply challenges.
Eric Lempel, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Marketing at Sony Interactive Entertainment, stated that with supply issues now resolved, the latest console is poised to surpass the sales of the PlayStation 4 (PS4), which initially launched in 2013 and went on to sell over 117 million units.
Lempel expressed confidence in an interview with the Financial Times, stating, “I believe we have the capability to achieve that. The demand for the PS5 at the beginning of this year was substantial… The momentum is robust, and it is persisting.”
Sony reached the 50 million sales mark on 9 December, 161 weeks after the PS5 launch, a week more than the 160 weeks it took the PS4 to achieve the same milestone. Microsoft has not disclosed official Xbox sales figures for several years.
While Microsoft faced attention for its USD75 billion (~RM347 billion) acquisition of Activision Blizzard, its Xbox hardware lagged significantly behind Sony and Nintendo, securing a distant third place.
Ampere estimates indicate that PS5 sales grew by approximately 65% to 22.5 million units this year, while the latest Xbox experienced a 15% decline to 7.6 million units. Sales of Nintendo’s Switch, introduced in 2017 and likely to be succeeded by a new console next year, fell by 18% to 16.4 million units.
