Microsoft Xbox One gamble helps shift 3m consoles in 2013
Microsoft has revealed consumers purchased more than 3 million Xbox One consoles in 2013, indicating its gamble to market the system to a wider entertainment market rather than just gamers is starting to bare fruit.
Video: Microsoft Xbox ”Invitation” TV advert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1mfIg1I3zE
The company’s vice president of marketing, strategy and business Yusuf Mehdi revealed the figure last night (6 January) in a thank you blog post to fans. He said consumers are seeing the “promise of an all-in-one entertainment system” following a multi-million marketing campaign focused on putting the system at the heart of the connected living room. The sales were generated over a six-week period following the console’s launch in November and Mehdi said it was continuing to sell at a “record-setting pace” for the Xbox brand.
The “All in One” campaign spurred the £449 priced machine to become the fastest-selling console in the US during its launch month, which also arrived simultaneously in other markets such as UK, Spain and Brazil.
It comes just weeks after Sony revealed sales of the £349 PS4 had topped 2.1 million in the run-up to Christmas with the technology firm seemingly on-track to reach its 5 million target by the end of March 2014. The company has not yet revealed full figures for 2013 but said it is comfortable with analysts forecasts for 3 million in the period.
Microsoft’s announcement signals the latest round in the console battle as it ramps up efforts, alongside its rival, to build a strong base of early adopters. Sony’s console had been leading Xbox in the UK over the festive period, according to brand tracking data. The Japanese firm’s charm offensive of the gaming community saw positive mentions of the PS4 online surpass those about the Xbox One.