PS5 'Comfortably' Console Market Leader in UK

Game had some this morning and ran out only 2hrs later. Finally stock is about to be easier to get for others. Good on playstation but this Gen, while only just started will be much closer

@lolwhatno Xbox is doing pretty great in the US, where most English-language media is based
Still behind PlayStation but it's a much closer race than in Europe.

Ain’t Xbox supposed to be the market leader after e3 according to Xbox fanboys and influencers lol.

Also, Switch seems to be dominating the physical charts, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was the other way around with ps5 and its strong digital sales.

At the end of the day game lineups is the main metric for customers. Nintendo is a bigger rival to playstation on that front. Xbox may close the gap eventually but most customers want to play games now, not a few years later.

Xbox has nothing. Good Hardware but no games.
Several features on paper with the 12 TF, Dolby Vision, Dolby here, but in reality the Ps5 is simply the better system overall.

@CynicalGamer just wait until E3…

That's great that it's selling so well and getting easier to get hold of in the UK.
In Japan, not so much. Been trying to get one for the last 6 months. Sold out in a minutes whenever it gets stock on websites, and most places sell by lottery. Stop neglecting Japan Sony!

@lolwhatno @Voltan Also can't get a Series X either and when they do have stock available, its sold out to...

As for Game Pass, its still growing much faster than the PS5 user base is - maybe because its NOT limited to 'just' the 'console' but then Xbox is NOT just the Console either. The Console is just 1 of the platforms on which 'Xbox' exists. From Jan 21 to Apr 21, Game Pass grew from 18m to 23m subscribers and was at 15m in Sept 2020, That's 8m in just over 6months.

Another aspect of course is that MS are also using Series X chips to upgrade their Game Pass servers. They have talked about trying to balance manufacturing between shippable products to customers and upgrading their servers - something they 'need' to do to be able to bring games designed for the current gen hardware to older or less capable hardware via streaming. Games like Flight Sim will come to 'mobiles' and have plans to bring it to even a base XB1 with 'streaming'. There is talk about Game Pass being available on a 'Smart TV' (an app) or maybe even a plug in Dongle to stream games.

Sea of Thieves on a Tablet with a DS4 controller...
Look at this photograph​ it's one of our cloud gaming ads​. Do you see what’s in those hands?​ It’s a controller from a different brand...

The Xbox 'console(s)' are 'just' a part of the Xbox Ecosystem. Xbox includes PC/Mobiles these days. Its like you don't 'need' a Microsoft Surface to use Microsoft PC software, you don't 'need' a Microsoft built Console to play Microsoft Games. Xbox is where Game Pass exists too. Whether you play 'locally' on an Xbox console, stream from Virtual Xbox Servers or have a PC with MS Windows, you are still part of the 'Xbox' ecosystem...

@lolwhatno Oh for sure, Microsoft is doing some good stuff now but they've still got a long way to go if they want to threaten PlayStation's (and Nintendo's) global position.

@Reeneman Fair point but I have game pass anyway. More referring to customers in general many of whom don't even watch E3. Ps5 already has ratchet, returnal, demons souls, etc so these new games are just Xbox trying to catch up. And I think people are more interested in GOW and Horizon Vs what gamepass is getting. I do enjoy my gamepass anyway, just enjoy ps games more.

Edit: I hope I understood your comment correctly. I assumed you meant the stuff shown by Xbox at the most recent E3 but your profile pic is making me doubt myself lol.

@BAMozzy I'm in Poland and while I don't know any sales stats from this part of Europe, the Series X hasn't been sold out here for a good while.
Again - I do believe Xbox is doing many things right now, they can afford to invest in the brand and they will be closing the gap because of it.
However, PlayStation's position in Europe is so strong that Xbox will have a much harder time here than it could seem if you follow US-based media - that's all I'm saying.

Yet out of all my PSN friends, only 5 of us managed to get one.

I wonder why though? I’d say it’s more of an even playing field this gen than it was last gen.

@lolwhatno Xbox is also supply constrained (at least Series X) even more so than PS5, precisely because they are sending a huge chunk of their chips to data centers for xCloud.

It’s not possible, physically, for Xbox to match PS5 sales if they ship fewer boxes.

@fR_eeBritney I put it down to momentum. Everyone knows Sony had great games last generation and that the PS4 was a good way to go. At the moment people are assuming the PS5 will go the same way.

When Microsoft's exclusives are actually releasing in a few years, that's when they'll have a chance to catch up - if it's not too late by then. Crossplay will help them, otherwise people would get a PS5 just because their friends also have one

So, $10 upgrades are not that big of a deal? Shocking!

No surprise. It is a fantastic system. And if Ratchet and Clank is anything to go by... we have an amazing Gen on our hands.

PS5 + xCloud, and call it a day.

Imagine how much of a lead they’d have if semiconductors were available. COVID really has hit Sony hard. MS must be loving it though, with their focus on developing streaming tech and lack of launch exclusives meaning they have lost proportionally fewer sales and gained a percentage of market share they wouldn’t have otherwise.

PS5's were being sold at a 100% markup in March. Xbox's were only being sold for a 30% markup. That's how you know demand is still stronger for a PS5 in the UK at the moment

I know we feel sorry for Xbox and all but the ps5 will outsell the Xbox series s/x 2 to 1 this gen like the ps4 did the Xbox one last gen.

"Over a million games consoles have been sold in the UK during the first half of the year."

For all consoles combined sales, that seems small given that that statement presumably refers to ALL console sales, so that'll be PS5, PS4, X Series S, X Series X, Switch & Switch Lite?

You can seemingly get your hands on various Switches, PS4s (Slim only now - few new Pros going for more than PS5 RRP!) and the odd Series S in retail but as for the two big hitters...

@4kgk2 Think it was a bit higher than 2:1 last gen - more like 3:1! Be interesting to see what happens when the supplies aren't so restricted.

@Reeneman
I'm sorry, but you are either misinformed or just plain talking nonsense. Auto HDR and quick resume alone are great next gen features that Playstation could use. I'm not even going to talk about backwards compatibility. Game Pass does have games, just maybe not many AAA+ tier that Playstation fans prefer (hence the indie devs recent outcry). I have both PS5 and XSS and enjoy both for what they offer. Also, xCloud has been working great ever since the last update and switching to XSX architecture. Don't know about PS Now- still not available where I live...

@ThomasHL Sony has horizon forbidden west, god of war, Gran Turismo 7 and more we don’t know about coming. I doubt Xbox is gonna catch up with cgi trailers compare to Sony future line up.

I think both PS5 and Series X are selling as many units as they can ship in the UK. Both sell out pretty quickly.
Series S? Not so much. Readily available the majority of the time in the UK.

Ps5 is dominating x box again😂.haha.no surprise there i been saying it before ps5 released.word up son

@ThomasHL exactly!

microsft dont care about console sales they want you to play gamepass be it on xbox, PC, phone, tv

Good news everybody!
Egypt finally release the Ever Given container vessel for $600 million (that's 80 Bethesda's) compensation for blocking up the Suez Canal in March.

I bet that things loaded with PS5's!!!

Still can't get a PS5 stateside but very happy for everyone who has been able to get one! Mark Cerny definitely created a gem this generation.

I really do believe the future Xbox is consoleless as one of the biggest third party publishers. Can't wait for the day a version of Game Pass is on PlayStation and streaming on the New Switch OLED Pocket. That will be the day I finally play this rumored Kojima cloud game.

@BAMozzy Nice post as usual. My kid and I each recently signed up for our own Gamepass account - $1/3m the 2nd time for each of us - and we don't own an Xbox and have no plans to. It's impressive MS can sell as many consoles as it does w/ GP on PC.

Time will tell if GP can keep growing once the deals dry up, eventually. Netflix, Disney+ and HBO Max no longer offer any free trials, even to new customers, so we'll have to see what MS ultimately decides. As fast as they backtracked on their last price hike attempt it could still be awhile for the free and nearly free rides. And those will keep the growth going.

A lead that is very undeserving. Even tho the only next generation console I own is a PS5. After everything that has happened over the last couple of months, and the fact that the PS5 was sold on the promises of ‘believing in generations’. Sony does not deserve this lead. They are a company that is right now living off their brand legacy and lies.

I have both a Series X and a PS5 (North America, though). I enjoy both system's equally and for different reasons.

On Series X, Game Pass has been releasing games that I missed and can now enjoy with some enhancements such as Auto-HDR (it really does work very well in most situations) and FPS Boost.

People here complain about the games that are on there; but I love them. I never finished Dead Space 1, so having the entire series at my finger tips is a huge win for me. Dishonored as well. Psychonauts. Yakuza series (I am playing 3 at the moment). I can play the two older Machine Games Wolfenstein titles I missed (I already played New Colossus). I am always finding something new and interesting to play - even if it isn't a brand new title.

I guess it's all about perspective: yes, there are a bunch of indie and older games on Game Pass; but that isn't to say there aren't some highly regarded games available.

I am also really looking forward to seeing the dedicated first-party output from Microsoft's studios - delayed as these games may be.

I like the PS5 for the exclusives. Demon's Souls was great. I really enjoyed Returnal. I will soon be starting Ratchet & Clank.

Unfortunately, once I finish R&C, it will be dry season (for me) until Horizon Forbidden West comes out. I will consider Death Stranding Director's Cut depending on how it's handled (please not the way Ghost of Tsushima was handled).

While I adored GoT, I am on the fence on the expansion. I mean, who can argue with more GoT? Still, I am just not sure if I will dive in. Also, the way Sony has handled the Director's Cut has soured things a little for me. Not the expansion part - yes, totally worth $20, but the "PS5 tax."

Anyways, it's nice that PS5 is leading in UK. I am not surprised, really. UK has been Sony's territory for a long time.

Anyone claiming that GamePass is the main metric to watch and that Xbox is more than a console - I would like to see the numbers from other platforms, because apparentlz GP is really sh*t on PC and very clunky mobiles.

Still a long way to go

Hardly surprising, the UK has always been a mostly PlayStation territory. And most of Europe to be fair. Xbox just isn't that popular outside of the US and it never will be. Especially now that you don't need an Xbox to play any of the games for it.
I can see Microsoft doing away with the console for the next generation.

Even in Japan where supposedly they have turned their back on PlayStation according to the internet it is still dominating over there, but obviously Nintendo is in first place.

I had some idiot on YouTube state that Xbox is dominating worldwide and beating PS5 in which even the Series S is superior and sold out even in the UK.
I stated that the S is still widely in stock here and got a load of abuse and the usual dribble of Sony is Draconian and will be bankrupt soon.

In short, if Xbox is still not beating PlayStation after everything they've done to change tactics and create a 'gaming welfare system' that is, according to wallstreet bleeding money then they never will.

Welcome to Toxicity City.

It's pretty clear even with gamepass xbox won't ever surpass sony in terms of hardware or software

Sony deserves to be comfortably the market leader globally. Microsoft might be making moves now to finally start putting out great games (though not really as most of their games would have come out for everyone anyway if they didn't buy Bethesda), but Sony has been producing great games from the beginning.

My series x is definitely getting more play time than the ps5 at the moment all because of gamepass. If your ignoring xbox purely because of some weird loyalty to sony your missing out on a great system. If it's because of the cost then fair enough..

I've been lucky enough to get both Series X and on day one a ps5. I've barely used the XsX (and that's with Gamepass) and it's down to the exclusives and a more pleasant UI experience. I've found the xbox is too much like a PC for its own good, but without the flexibility (and price tag mind you).
Curious to know everyone else's experience who own both consoles.

@Voltan So the same as the last generation and the generation before, does well in the US, crap everywhere else.

@soulofman5446 I haven’t played much PS5 since I finished R&C. Just been playing GamePass since then. Love having both.

I do agree that the PS Home Screen is more pleasant.

@soulofman5446 I use Gamepass when I feel like exploring something new but most of the games I actually make progress in are on my ps5. My PS4 backlog is also insane so that keeps me busy. Gamepass is also great for when my cousin brings their kids since there's a lot of stuff to try out so I imagine great for parents as well. The two systems complement each other well atm.

Sooner the Xbox dies out the better.

I honestly thought the Switch was selling much more nowadays.
PS5 is breaking records isn't a surprise though. Its a good reminder because too many people have the feeling not many consoles are available which is actually due to incredible demand.

@UltimateOtaku91 won't beat it in hardware ? Hmmmmm just plug Ur SSD in to Ur ps5 , won't b beat in software ? Have fun paying extra for ps5 upgrades and older titles

@lolwhatno In terms of services yes, Xbox annihilates Sony. Your attempt to be witty blew up in your face.

I don't know why people always go on with console x vs console y and goal post moving something vs something etc haha
I mean I like to acknowledge facts and be informed but speculation can get really silly and pointless.
It's not like promoting this or that platform is any use either or that the companies have any respect for people who do haha

@PlatinumGamer it's still the same, no one can get a ps5 still, it's gonna be like this for a while really

@GoodGame I think 3 of my friends has a ps5 the rest still play on ps4, like I said I'm not bothered by the shortage, I have a huge backlog on ps4 plus steam pc to contend with or care much, by the time I can buy one freely hardware will be better and maybe the os will be too especially with SSD expansion which is a issue currently

@soulofman5446 I think theres a lot to like about both systems, the PS5 does feel 'different' from last gen with the updated interface and new controller whereas the series x feels like a continuation with more power under the hood. Coming from the pro and the one x I haven't been overly impressed with the generational jump and haven't played anything that's really stood out over last gen. I do play the series x more so far due to a mixture of gamepass and quick resume, which is a feature the ps5 sorely misses, but that's probably because I played much more playstation last gen. Having a constant stream of new releases that I can jump to in seconds along with the inclusion of ea play has made gamepass very appealing and is great value for me

@Deljo hey Phil we get it you love gamepass.

@4kgk2 Sure do chum, seems I'm not alone 😉

@Martsmall I actually meant it in terms of sales figures

Sony PS5 , a basically non-existent product is the fastest selling console worldwide and in the UK.
Once more consoles are shipped and the shortage issue gets solved,it will sell millions in under a week.
The hype and demand for PS5 is unprecedented.not a single console had this level of high demand and popularity before and judging by the console's hardware and software quality,it fully deserves it.

@trev666 If they didn't care, they wouldn't be making them. They would exit the console market and work with Sony to get game pass on PS.
They don't, therefore they are competing.
See, gamepass isn't a platform, it's a service. Xbox in a platform.

Because people care about games, not services. PS5 has the games. People want to play it.

@themightyant
It is true that both consoles are supply constrained of course, but this leads to many people who want a next gen console just getting whichever one they can, rather than their first choice. Most people’s first choice is PS5, so this benefits MS and Series consoles.

Also (according to popular opinion anyway) more people were planning to wait for series x as a second console years down the line, and get PS5 first (rather than vice versa) because PS5 actually had some next gen exclusives at launch; as stock levels have meant people can’t get either, they may now end up getting a Series X first because, by the time they can get a console, MS may actually have some next gen exclusives out. Basically, the games advantage Sony had at launch is only going to last a short time and Sony can’t properly capitalise on that investment without selling hardware.

This is the final advantage MS have now, because they don’t need to sell hardware, not with streaming of Series X games being possible on many devices as part of there subscription very soon.

In years past MS would have outspent Sony to hoover up components and get many more consoles out the door. The difference in capital between both companies is vast. MS clearly don’t see the need to do that as their strategy does not rely long term on hardware sales.

@themightyant Xbox isn’t never gonna catch up with PlayStation sales wise. you Xbox fans need to accept that PlayStation is a more popular and Appealing brand worldwide than Xbox and a rental service isn’t gonna change this fact.

@lolwhatno most game pass owners are actually pc players.

@themightyant I don’t care about dog$hit services I want high quality games that I actually own rather than low quality games in a rental service.

@4kgk2 And you are forgetting that 'Xbox' isn't 'just' the console(s) but EVERY platform on which Game Pass exists. If you are playing on a 'Mobile' device, you are playing the game on 'Virtual' Xbox consoles built into a server and on PC, well its still Xbox ecosystem. Xbox is the 'entire' Microsoft gaming division and includes the Consoles, PC and mobile devices.

PS5 maybe the 'console' players choice - but also its the 'only' option to play certain games (like R&C for example). I have to buy a PS5 to play R&C, I don't need to buy a Console at all to play MS's Exclusives. In fact, I could use my Samsung Mobile, my DS4/5 and a Game Pass subscription or use my PC. Can't get or don't want a Series S/X, well make do with whatever platform(s) you have with Game Pass. There is talk that even if you own an XB1, Game Pass will bring 'next' generation games to that platform - just have to play via streaming instead of Locally like you can on Series S/X. There is also talk of TV's coming with a 'Game Pass' app or MS releasing a Dongle to stream Game Pass directly to your TV.

With Sony, its buy a PS5 or miss out. Yes some games will come to PC (eventually) but you could be waiting years with no guarantee the game you really want to play will be ported to PC.

Not saying one way is better than another, just that Xbox isn't about consoles/console sales, its the entire Gaming division of MS, that includes consoles, but also PC's and ANY device that Game Pass exists on. They are not that bothered if Sony sells more Consoles, they are more interested in growing their user base, letting them play their games where they want. For those that 'prefer' the console space, MS has options. Like they don't care if you buy a HP, Acer or MS Surface Laptop, its all 'Windows', they all bring people into the same 'ecosystem'....

The Rhetoric changed during the last generation. MS stopped focusing on just the 'console' gamers, stopped ignoring all their PC users and the 'Xbox' name was expanded beyond just the Console to the 'entire' Microsoft Gaming Division and also includes the PC/Mobile platforms too.

Game Pass is probably the fastest growing 'Platform'. It went from 15m in Sept 2020 to 23m in Apr 21, 8m new Subscribers in 7months. I can start playing on my Mobile, carry on playing on PC, and then carry on playing on my console because the 'cloud save' keeps my progression. I can't carry on playing H:ZD on my PC, in fact I'd have to buy the game twice to play on both platforms. Again, not criticising, but illustrating the difference - Sony see's PC as a separate entity, MS does not (understandably) but that also separates the company's 'goal' for this gen. Sony want and 'need' to sell Consoles, MS does not because people can play Xbox on other Platforms.

@BAMozzy give me a break Xbox is the console not gamepass this is true until Microsoft stop making consoles. you dudes need to stop using the Narrative that consoles sales doesn’t matter anymore to Microsoft because of gamepass if this was true why the hell Microsoft still making consoles.

@4kgk2 Xbox is NOT just the console. Its the 'entire' MS gaming ecosystem which includes every platform that Game Pass exists. Whether you are playing on a 'Console', on PC or on a Mobile, you are playing Xbox games on an 'Xbox' - whether its an Actual Console, a Virtual Console on a Server or a PC you have 'specced' yourself, its still part of the Xbox Ecosystem.

I can download Forza Horizon 4 to my Series X, play it for a few hours then carry on playing on my Mobile at NO extra cost, my save is carried over across all of 'Xbox' platforms. I can also carry on playing on PC because these are all the same 'ecosystem'.

Microsoft make consoles because that offers 'gamers' the choice to play games on Console. MS don't care if you buy a Console or opt to use your PC or Mobile to access their games - its a CHOICE - they just want to get you into their ecosystem! MS know that 'some' people prefer the Console experience and so provide 'Consoles' BUT they are just 'part' of the overall ecosystem and just 1 way to play Xbox.

For Sony, they 'need' to sell consoles to sell 'more' games. Sell 5m PS5's, that's just 5m people that could buy R&C - just 5m people to rely on to sell 'enough' games to recover costs and to reinvest into the 'next' game.

MS treats it as a single ecosystem - like EVERYTHING they have said, done, actioned etc for the past 5yrs or so - ever since they decided to stop treating the 'console' side as a separate 'gaming' division and merged their entire 'gaming' side together. They opted to keep the 'Xbox' name for their entire gaming division as its a globally recognised gaming brand - but you are STILL part of the Xbox ecosystem. Its Xbox Game Pass on Mobile/PC and you are 'streaming' games playing on 'virtual' Xbox APU's built into Servers - its still playing on an Xbox Console chipset!!!

I am not an Xbox fanboy, I have a PS5 too and owned every Playstation. Its true I have also owned every Xbox too, but there is a reason that 'Narrative' exists. Go back a few years and do your research. Yes it may well of been necessary after the disaster of the XB1 launch but that doesn't change the fact that Xbox stopped being 'just' the consoles and became the entire MS gaming division.

The Narrative will 'stop' when pathetic Sony fanboys finally get in their thick skulls that Sony and MS are on different path's and Console sales are not an important figure to MS - yes of course they'll be pleased if they sell well but the 'ultimate' aim is to grow their user base and to make 'Xbox' available on as many platforms as possible. Part of that is to provide a 'Console' for those that want it, but its not the be all and end all - its just 1 option for GAMERS!!

The Series ('X' in particular) consoles are still going to be the 'best' (and only in some cases) 'console' to play games and MS know that people still want the 'Console' experience - not everyone wants to stream, wants to play on a mobile or PC, so they 'provide' a console for those Gamers - but not interested in being the 'best' selling console - just about offering GAMERS choice.

@BAMozzy That was one perfectly worded response 👍

Lots of chest beating about sales, I guess customers love expensive ornaments they don't play... I really don't get it lol

@4kgk2 the xbox fans, ps fans argument always baffles me... These companies care zero about you, it's like some weird one sided relationship, they will take your money all the same, so go with what actually gives you the most in return

@lolwhatno Sony wants to sell PlayStation consoles. Microsoft wants to sell Xbox on any platform that can play it. Console, PC, Smartphone, tablet and soon to be TV.

I'm pretty sure that Microsoft is talking to every major TV manufacturer in the world (apart from Sony) to ensure that their ecosystem will be built into the hardware.

There's such a huge difference in both approaches that I really don't understand why Sony fanboys pat themselves on the back over selling more consoles.

Xbox just don't care about the number of PlayStation consoles sold anymore.

@BAMozzy You made my point before me and better than I did. Good read. 👏