While Microsoft was trying to win back skeptical gamers, Sony played to the crowd in its Gamescom presentation, which included several reveals about the new PlayStation 4, including its launch date (Nov. 14). Sony worldwide president Andrew House couldn't resist taking a few shots at the Microsoft, noting some companies “have shifted their message and changed their story.”
TOKYO – Sony Corp.’s PlayStation 4 (PS4) has logged worldwide sales of more than 6 million units, beating expectations amid concerns that tablet and smartphone gaming may soon sound the death knell for video gaming consoles.
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The entertainment and consumer electronics conglomerate previously said it was targeting 5 million unit sales by the end of its fiscal year in March.
The PS4 has outperformed the Microsoft Xbox One and Nintendo Wii U in terms of sales. It has also been selling much faster than the PS3 did when it was launched in Nov. 2006. The PS3 sold 3.61 million units in its first four months in stores, though it was launched later in Europe than in Japan.
The success of the console will be welcome news at Sony, which is predicting a $1.1 billion loss for its fiscal year ending in March, and continues to dispose of assets and unprofitable businesses.
The latest console went on sale in the U.S. and in Europe late last year, just in time for the holiday selling season.
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Software sales for the PS4 have reached 13.7 million units, including digital downloads of games. Big sellers include Knack and Killzone Shadow Fall (Sony), Call of Duty: Ghosts (Activision), FIFA14 (Electronic Arts) and Assassin’s Creed: IV Black Flag (Ubisoft Entertainment).
Sony reports that more than half of PS4 purchasers are signing up for its premium PlayStation Plus online membership service. The PlayStation app has been downloaded 3.6 million times onto smartphones and tablets, according to Sony.
Twitter: @GavinJBlair
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