Across the Lines
It has been said that history is written by the victor. In the 21st century, where news making, history recording technology exists in the hands of the individual, it may more aptly be said that history is all in perspective. It is a common historical perspective that Sony’s PlayStation has routinely dominated in the previous console wars. Yet, despite this truth, there are still many who call Microsoft’s Xbox their console of choice, the author of this article included. Some would go further to assert that the Xbox is indeed the superior console overall, and Microsoft the proper shepherd of the gaming flock, though I highly doubt they would describe it in such terms. So while Microsoft has not come out on top in the previous console wars, it has maintained a strong connection with its key consumers and managed to cultivate brand loyalty. With this in mind, how has Xbox faired in the latest conflict with the PS5? While the conflict is far from over, the figures seem to detail an all too familiar story with some additional twists thrown in for 2021.
The Microsoft Theatre
The latest great console war commenced on November 10th, 2020 when the Xbox Series X took to the shelves two days ahead of its competitor. Now, nearly three months later, the PlayStation 5 stands tall with 3.37 million units sold compared to Xbox’s 1.817 million. Through a great deal of fanfare, which even resulted in a pirate faction of scalpers playing its own part, PlayStation has once again emerged the projected and presumed victor. The question that remains, however, is why?
In my previous coverage of the ongoing conflict, I put forth the prediction that Sony might not live up to the storied hype and history of out-performing its competitor. Admittedly, the prospect of having the victorious console from the latest conflict was an appealing one, but it was Sony’s departure from adhering to what its core customer base wanted and its lack of backwards compatibility that seemed the most likely to hinder its performance. Despite these concerns, the PS5’s new controller design, impressive lineup of gaming titles at launch, and new user-interface has secured it the position of order winner. However, this does not mean that the Xbox Series X is a bad system, far from it. By and large, the Xbox Series X is marginally more powerful and performs better than the PS5. Additionally, the Xbox Series X’s vast library of backwards compatible games ensures gamers can enjoy themselves with games both new and old, something this gamer expects to enjoy once the price becomes a bit more rational.
Yet, Microsoft was not without its, admittedly short lived, blunders. One of the strangest moments in gaming news from the front came just recently when Microsoft announced it planned to double the price of its subscription to Xbox live services, which provides Xbox players with everything from multiplayer party chat services to “deals with gold” on the Xbox virtual store, from $59.99 to $119.99. The reaction by gamers was swift and vitriolic, leading many to dub Xbox Live as the “worst deal in gaming.”
Microsoft’s reaction to the outpouring of dissatisfaction was equally swift. In a stunning feat of consumer understanding, Microsoft abandoned the idea wholesale. It seems Microsoft was attempting to capitalize on its ultimate and game-pass subscriptions while doubling the price, to have its cake and eat it too. While one fails to understand how one of the titans of the gaming industry did not expect the response from gamers to be what it ultimately was, Microsoft’s quick response is, at least in my opinion, one that deserves respect. It is one thing to acknowledge a mistake long after the effects had taken root, but another before it is even implemented. Though it is indeed damage control, it is one that will likely have little impact on the outcome of the current console conflict.
The Proof is in the Gamer
As the Fourth Great Console War continues to rage, it is doubtful that we have seen the last of surprises. 2021 has already proven, despite its short reign, that it is a logical successor to its ludicrous predecessor. While gamers and analysts alike continue to speculate which console will emerge the victor and why, the likeliest answer of all is one that cannot be adequately quantified. One cannot possibly quantify the outpouring of joy, the countless hours of fun and rage, and the nostalgia of reliving those moments now, years later into an appropriate figure. For this gamer, these reasons are the ultimate signifiers that answer the question of the time: PlayStation5 or Xbox Series X? Then again, for some, the answer will always be PC.