By now, we should hardly need to warn you all to treat the following information with the usual degree of scepticism reserved for single, unnamed sources. There’s little accountability and certainly no guarantees with this one, but it’s a nice positive bit of chatter, if you’re a European console fan.
CVG is reporting, on the word of an unnamed source, that Europe is set to become a key battleground for the next gen console sales wars. The report suggests that Sony has gotten wind of a more urgent desire in the Microsoft camp to build stronger success on the continent and the Japanese company intends to fight fire with fire – even going as far as diverting resources for a timely Japanese launch towards Europe instead.
Worldwide sales figures are very close between the two current gen HD consoles but with Japan dominated by the PS3, it’s seen as safe by a Sony strategic team keen to protect their sales lead in a less safe region – Europe.
The Xbox 360 dominates US sales (around 40 million to the PS3’s 25 million) and the UK seems to prefer the Xbox too (8 million to the PS3’s 5 million) but continental Europe has historically favoured the PlayStation 3 slightly over the Xbox 360 so it is seen as a very “winnable” region by both platform holders.
This might be lent some credence by the timing of the next gen Xbox reveal, next Tuesday. It’s at 10AM local time, which puts it in the small hours of the morning for Japan but smack in the middle of prime time around Europe.
With Microsoft seemingly keen to make a tempting pitch to Europe, Sony is understood to be reluctant to allow them another headstart in the region. So, it’s unaccountable information but it seems to make a degree of sense to me. Of course, that could just be the optimist in me.
KeRaSh
It would make a lot of sense. Mainland Europe loves the Playstation, always has. The Japanese market if pretty safe when it comes to Microsoft as a competitor so that leaves North America. It should be possible to get the PS4 out in these two regions before Christmas.
Come on Sony, take my money. I know you want it…
JBoo
It’s odd the UK went Xbox. I can understand the US getting brainwashed by MS but not the UK?!?! But the PS3 was £429 in the UK when it came out so i guess that didn’t help(even a massive PS Fan like me waited until the PS3 was £299 really)
+ i really hope it’s a PS4 Worldwide release anyway because that will just give the internet moaners 1 less thing to moan about i guess LoL:D
Airiaen
The 360 was cheaper and it found success, just like with PS1 and PS2. It attracted to the mainstream.
Airiaen
I already thought it was a mistake for them to release the Vita first in Japan, glad that they’re learning somehow.
honkyjesus
Europe has always been good to Playstation.
Broonba
I’ve already said a few weeks ago, but I’ll say it again. According to my crystal ball, we’ll all be playing PS4 at Christmas in the UK & Europe. Or at least those that buy one will be playing it.
MDL199
Let’s hope this story is true. Would be nice to see some special emphasis on the UK as well to encourage those who strayed over to MS this gen to come home to PlayStation.