We're not entirely sure of the amount of Xbox Ones sold to consumers since Microsoft has decided to keep sales figures a secret. However, we may now have an idea after Electronic Arts said that Microsoft and Sony combined managed to sell 55 million consoles.
According to recent reports, Sony has sold over 35 million PlayStation 4 units to consumers since the console went on sale in 2013. As for Microsoft, the company used to reveal information regarding sales each quarter, but things changed after the PlayStation 4 began to gradually pull away.
"Our estimate is 55 million units out there which has exceeded virtually everyone's forecast for the year and now almost 50 percent higher than previous console cycle so, all of that is very-very positive, all the gameplay we're seeing and the engagement and things like Ultimate Team we're seeing is positive," according to Blake Jorgensen from EA.
It should be clear that Microsoft has sold around 19 to 20 million Xbox One units. If that is truly the case, then we have to say that Microsoft has done a decent job. It doesn't mean the company will catch up to Sony, but it is holding its own.
At the end of the day, one has to think of the future and the position the Xbox One is in at the moment. The console is not selling at the same level as the PlayStation 4, so what if Nintendo announces a release date for its new video game console this year? Such a move could spell doom for the Xbox One.
With a number of exclusive titles Microsoft had by the end of 2015, the gap would be closer, but that is not the case. It seems the bad taste of the Xbox One's launch and the original draconian features that were later pulled are still stuck in the mind of millions.
While the PlayStation 4 is dominating, the Xbox One is trending ahead of the Xbox 360, so selling fewer units than Sony is no means a failure for Microsoft, but things could have been better if the right decisions were taken back in 2013.
It appears as if Microsoft is more focused on keeping its fanbase rather than competing directly with the PlayStation 4. At this point, that is all the company can afford to do.
Matt Cunnelly | Flickr
