Just because the PlayStation 4 is far ahead of the Xbox One in console sales doesn't mean there isn't money to be made on Microsoft's system, and new financial data from Ubisoft proves it.
According to the publisher (via VentureBeat), Xbox One owners spend an average of $1.25 for every $1 a PS4 player spends on the same Ubisoft products. This means Ubisoft is seeing more money per customer on Xbox than on PlayStation 4, even if Ubisoft is still making more off PS4 due to the larger player base for Sony's console. With a substantial rise in microtransactions and DLC across all types of games (like in Ubisoft's Rainbow Six Siege), having Xbox gamers who spend more than their PS4 counterparts on expansions and cosmetics is an important statistic.
This higher spending per customer on Microsoft's platform might explain why Ubisoft has partnered with Xbox as of late for a number of console bundles and exclusives, such as Xbox One players getting The Division beta a day ahead of PS4 and PC users.
Overall, 41 percent of Ubisoft's third-quarter sales came from PS4, with 27 percent coming from Xbox One. Wii, PC and Xbox 360 sales made up another 22 percent of sales, while the Wii U, PlayStation 3 and mobile made up 10 percent of the company's sales when combined.
It's unclear exactly why Xbox owners spend more. Perhaps Xbox One owners on average make more money? The system originally launched with a higher price tag than the PS4, and Xbox Live is also more expensive than PS Plus. Choosing the more expensive option could be a sign that those with more disposable income have chosen the Xbox One.
That's all speculation, of course. Ubisoft didn't dive into the "why" of the question, but it's clear that the higher spending average means publishers aren't forgetting about the Xbox One despite its substantially smaller market share.
