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Xbox Trails PS5 and Switch in Black Friday Sales
8 Dec
Summary
- PlayStation 5 dominated US console sales during Black Friday week.
- Xbox lagged significantly behind PlayStation and Switch in both US and UK markets.
- Microsoft is expanding manufacturing and developing next-gen hardware.
During the week ending November 29, Microsoft's Xbox consoles experienced a significant sales slump, falling behind rivals Sony's PlayStation 5 and Nintendo's Switch. In the United States, the PS5 secured 47% of console sales, with the Switch capturing 24%, while Xbox accounted for an estimated 15%. The situation was even more pronounced in the United Kingdom, where the PS5 dominated with over 62% of sales and the Switch garnered 23%, leaving Xbox with a mere 10%.
This performance highlights Xbox's challenges in a market where its games are largely available on PC, and competitors offer unique selling points and exclusive titles. Microsoft's strategy appears to be focusing on its Game Pass subscription service and exploring the handheld market, rather than solely competing on traditional console hardware.
Despite these setbacks, Microsoft remains committed to the Xbox brand. The company is diversifying its hardware manufacturing beyond China to strengthen its supply chain and is developing next-generation console designs. Future strategies may involve a software-as-a-service model, with Xbox hardware being an optional purchase for dedicated users, while Game Pass serves a broader audience.
