User response to the five-month-old PlayStation 4 game console is "overwhelming," according to Sony, which reported Wednesday it had sold 7 million consoles worldwide as of the first week in April, and global PlayStation 4 software sales had hit 20.5 million copies.
"The response from the global gaming community for PS4 has been overwhelming and we are truly humbled that gamers are selecting PS4 as their next generation console of choice," said Andrew House, president and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. in a statement.
House noted the furious demand has presented some challenges.
"The PS4 journey has just begun, and although we are still facing difficulties keeping up with the strong demand worldwide, we remain steadfast in our commitment to meet the needs of our customers, and surpassing the wildest expectations of gamers by delivering new user experiences that inspire and engage," he said.
The news comes as top-tier game makers, such as Sony, find themselves not only battling each other for consumer attention and bucks, but also online games featured on sites such as Facebook as well as mobile games being built for the avid smartphone gamer. New players, such as Amazon, are entering the field offering gaming options on various platforms. Amazon's Fire TV has a gaming component, a feature that's setting it apart from other set-top boxes.
The big sales number is clear indication that gaming is still a huge consumer want. The PlayStation 4 went on sale in November 2013. It features integrated social capabilities and interactive streaming.
Game choices are also exploding with Sony expected to push out 120 new titles this year, including Destiny, The Elder Scrolls Online and Alien: Isolation. To help customers keep track of game releases Sony has set up a blog where users can check to find out when games will be arriving in market.
