10 million. That’s the reported number of PlayStation 4 systems sold as of August 12 — nine months since the next-gen launch in November 2013.
5 million. That’s the latest number of Xbox One systems shipped, last reported by Microsoft on April 17, 2014.
I ask you, what about those numbers are indicative that consoles are “going away,” because that seems to be the impression that Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter is under, following Microsoft’s acquisition of Mojang and Minecraft.
“I think consoles are going away, because you used to need a console because you could not connect a microprocessor to your TV screen,” Pachter said at GamesBeat 2014 this week. “Now, if you have a Chromecast stick or a Roku box, you can. So why do we buy consoles? I mean, your phone will be powerful enough to power any game in two more generations. And, so, why buy a console? I think Microsoft actually knows that.”
First, let me just say, I like Michael Pachter. I don’t always agree with what he says, but I respect him as a professional. He looks at the current state of the gaming industry, analyzes the trends, and attempts to predict what may come of it. His bold, sometimes outlandish, predictions, however, sometimes land him in troubled water with the general gaming community — I’m talking about actual gamers who actually go out and buy consoles. Of course they don’t want to hear that what they enjoy is “going away.”
Honestly though, this is one of those topics that I just can’t agree with Pachter on. Not when every bit of evidence seems to suggest the opposite being true. 10 million PS4s. 5 million Xbox Ones. Combined sales of the two are over 70 percent greater than those of their predecessors (PS3 and Xbox 360) at the same point in their respective launch, which at the time of the NPD’s August 2014 report was 10 months on the market.
Why, when PS4 sales are what they are, would Sony want to abandon its console division? It’s one of the few bright spots for the company in these past few fiscal reports.
And sure, the Xbox One’s sales may not be where Microsoft had originally hoped. Hence, the removal of the Kinect, the price drop, and the amazing bundles being offered. But does that mean they are ready to abandon ship and shift the focus to PC and mobile gaming? If I recall, it wasn’t that long ago when industry analysts predicted the death of the PC. Heck, some are still saying it.
Again, Xbox One’s sales may not be up to par just yet, and Microsoft’s acquiring Mojang and Minecraft may signal the company is indeed looking in other directions for profit. But does it mean that consoles are dying? Does it mean that Microsoft will give up on the Xbox One? Hardly.
Microsoft has too much invested in the Xbox One, and, quite frankly, it’s way too early to even suggest such a thing. One only has to look at the last generation of consoles for hope. Remember the slow start of the PS3? Look how that turned out (spoiler: over 80 million PS3s have been sold lifetime).
There’s no denying that mobile gaming is on the rise, but to say consoles are “going away” because of it is just flat out ignorant.
