It was considered the minor console due to its limited technical possibilities compared to the two latest generation machines of the competition. For years, many have considered it a console for the family and for the little ones. However, sold until the first week of October last 2022 12.10 million units compared to 7.5 for PlayStation 5 and 6.8 for the Xbox series. Undoubtedly, the increase in cross-platform games developed for it too has encouraged it to continue its escalation against the two competing giants, who continue their fight with attempts to buy development studios to exclusivity licenses. By the way, it is not yet clear what the future of Activision-Blizzard and its acquisition by Microsoft will be.
Last year, Playstation 5 raised its price: it offered packages with games included, which increased the amount of their sale even more than if they were purchased separately. Packages of over 800 euros have been put up for sale. But the possibility of buying only the console did not exist. Something similar to what the telephone companies did with their Internet connection packages. If we add to this the waiting list for its receipt and the low number of consoles existing since the beginning of the pandemic, due to the delay in materials and manufacturing and export processes, sales decrease significantly.
Thus, while in Europe the Switch was dominant, in the United States the two best-selling series were PlayStation 5 and Xbox. Since their launch in November 2020, 10.32 million PlayStation 5s and 9.32 million Xbox series have been sold, meaning that Xbox is closing in on its opponent in North America.
The new era of digital software
The future of the industry has been positioned in view of the sale of Software digital, heralding a new era and the end of physical games. This has translated into an increase in spending by the user. If before the player put his game disc into the console or computer and played directly, now it is necessary to be connected to the Internet not only to acquire the game but also to undergo infinite updates every two by three. Not to mention the subscription options. The point is that, with the transformation, businesses earn more and users spend more. It is no wonder that the most used platforms are those that allow you to play on PC. And the lowest price, the Switch. With the particularity that the consoles of the previous generation, such as the PlayStation 4, continue to be a point of reference when it comes to gaming.
Immediate goals for this year include launching new controllers, which will also cost a lot. Xbox, associated with the Asus company, has patented a new controller, both for Xbox and for PC with a small integrated LCD screen, where you can check the battery life, switch between profiles and the possibility of USB connection, Bluetooth or low RF latency. It will also allow for the ability to change game controls and game sensitivity. game remote. At the moment it is not known what the release date will be and, as regards the price, the not inconsiderable figure of 200 dollars is assumed, but until it is officially announced it is only mere speculation.
For his part, PlayStation 5 will launch the new DualSense Edge controller later this monthwith the ability to adjust the sensitivity of the triggers and sticks and swap profiles. A controller that, according to Sony, is designed for ‘professional’ players. I don’t know what they mean by “professionals”:players, e-sports…? And will the rest of us be ‘paganini’, as my grandmother used to say? It will be to justify its price: 240 euros.
During the conference on January 5, Sony also announced the so-called Leonardo project, a new controller designed to address the common challenges that many gamers with limited motor control find it difficult to accurately press buttons or comfortably place their fingers on a standard controller. The inclusion of was also reported Gran Turismo among the titles playable with the upcoming VR2 virtual reality glasses, a film inspired by the famous automotive franchise has also been announced.
Nintendo, in the shadows, prepares the presentation of the new Switch Pro or Switch 2 consoleMaybe by the end of this year. Go save.
