Microsoft Boasts Strong Xbox One Black Friday Demand, Envisions Q4 Sales Victories For 4K Blu-ray Capable Console
The Xbox One has been on a sales tear lately with Microsoft bragging earlier this month that its game console had outsold the PlayStation 4 for the fourth consecutive month in the United States, based on tracking data by The NPD Group. Things are not slowing down, either. As Black Friday sales morph into Cyber Monday, Microsoft noted "strong demand" for its console.
"There was strong demand for Xbox hardware, accessories, games, and Xbox Live engagement on Black Friday, based on initial results, with a strong start to the holiday season," said Mike Nichols, Corporate Vice President of Xbox Marketing.
Nichols went on to reiterate the Xbox One's performance in the U.S. over the past four months. He also pointed out that no other console notched more sales in the U.S., U.K., and Australia in the month of October. Those are notable victories considering the Xbox One has, for the most part, trailed the PS4 in sales over the past couple of years.
Why the sudden surge in sales? Nichols points to aggressive pricing on console bundles and the ability of the Xbox One to play 4K Blu-ray media.
"Xbox One S is the only console available this year with built-in UHD 4K Blu-ray, 4K video streaming and HDR for video and gaming and it’s available in a variety of bundles for the best value with 500GB, 1TB and 2TB consoles to choose from," Nichols added.
There may be more interest in 4K Blu-ray media that many people realize, especially as sales on 4K TVs bring an increasing number of capable TVs into homes. Interestingly enough, even Sony's PlayStation 4 Pro doesn't support 4K Blu-ray discs.
Whether the Xbox One can maintain this sudden sales momentum throughout the course of the holiday shopping season remains to be seen.
"There was strong demand for Xbox hardware, accessories, games, and Xbox Live engagement on Black Friday, based on initial results, with a strong start to the holiday season," said Mike Nichols, Corporate Vice President of Xbox Marketing.
Nichols went on to reiterate the Xbox One's performance in the U.S. over the past four months. He also pointed out that no other console notched more sales in the U.S., U.K., and Australia in the month of October. Those are notable victories considering the Xbox One has, for the most part, trailed the PS4 in sales over the past couple of years.
Why the sudden surge in sales? Nichols points to aggressive pricing on console bundles and the ability of the Xbox One to play 4K Blu-ray media.
"Xbox One S is the only console available this year with built-in UHD 4K Blu-ray, 4K video streaming and HDR for video and gaming and it’s available in a variety of bundles for the best value with 500GB, 1TB and 2TB consoles to choose from," Nichols added.
There may be more interest in 4K Blu-ray media that many people realize, especially as sales on 4K TVs bring an increasing number of capable TVs into homes. Interestingly enough, even Sony's PlayStation 4 Pro doesn't support 4K Blu-ray discs.
Whether the Xbox One can maintain this sudden sales momentum throughout the course of the holiday shopping season remains to be seen.
