[dropcap size=dropcap]D[/dropcap]uring the last couple of days, Microsoft and Xbox One have been in the headlines due to the official launch of the next gen console. Moreover, Xbox One has sold in more than 1 million units during its first 24 hours, surpassing a milestone Microsoft officials were only dreaming about before the launch.
We have already mentioned yesterday a rumor of a possible new Xbox One version in 2014. Well, it proved to be just a rumor, false information that was denied by Microsoft’s Director of Product Planning, Albert Penello. “No. Just no. I’m not even going to let this one get started. No,” said him when asked about the new version of the console. His response to the issue couldn’t be straight forward than it is. Thus, the rumor was squashed before generating much ado among fans of the console.
Furthermore, Albert Penello also talks about the sales of the Xbox One, and the competition Microsoft’s console is in with the PS4. Overall, Penello is content with the launching. And of course, he is more than happy with the initial sales numbers that according to him shed a positive light on the gaming industry. He also refers to PS4 sales, stating that there is almost impossible to compare them to that of the Xbox One, since the two next gen consoles were launched in different areas.
“As for the numbers, as people have said it’s great for the industry (after all the reports of the “death” of consoles) to see the sheer amount of interest and excitement with consumers and the media over this. It’s really amazing” said Penello. “Sony chose a different path for launch, so an apples-to-apples comparison is impossible. We had X number of units to sell and we chose to launch in all our launch territories. Sony had X number and chose to focus on North America. Neither was better than the other. In this circumstance, comparing our US number vs. their US number would be like comparing our UK number to their UK number. They don’t have any in the UK yet, so it’s not a fair comparison,” he continued.
Of course, if we think about the US sales numbers for both of the two consoles, Penello makes no sense when talking about the UK market. The facts are quite simple: Xbox One was launched in 13 countries while PS4 only in the US. The numbers are good for both the two next gen consoles but still, the Sony’s device seems to have taken the lead. In terms of sales, PS4 is one step ahead. What do you think?