Once I saw this thread pop up I went to check out where the platform sales sit. You know, it's interesting, considering all the mud that gets shoveled on the XB1 about its poor game library, and I'm not saying there isn't an objective foundation to that contempt, but the tie-in ratio for the Xbox One globally sits barely below the PS4 in a virtual tie (6.15 vs. 6.11). Unless for some reason (that I can't figure) the digital sales skew radically in the PS4's favor, it would seem that most PS4 owners aren't actually taking advantage of the superior exclusive library.
http://www.vgchartz.com/analysis/platform_totals/Tie-Ratio/Global/
The Switch continues to defy expectations by increasing sales year-over-year for every month so far in 2019 except for the last month reported-- June. Depending on the holidays, it's actually a possibility it will catch and eclipse the Xbox One before the Scarlett is introduce as rumored for the holiday season in 2020. It's still a longshot, but it's possible.
The tie-in on the Switch is still terrible despite that a much larger portion of its game sales are still physical (2.12).
Your link is only for platforms that are no longer manufactured. can you post the tie-in link for the current gen systems comparison?
I do not think it's strange at all. people are still buying and playing games for their preferred systems. an xbox owner isn't abandoning his system even though it's not the most popular.
but if you look at overall sales of the biggest AAA games then you'll see double to triple ratio favoring PS4 depending on the game.
I am questioning the tie-in ratio numbers for the Switch. 2:1 must be old. Personally I have bought more games on my switch than my PS4 because the convenience is there. Indie games especially are popular to me because its pure convenience to have and own them on the go. But its not just me it's all my friends who own one. unless its a AAA game they buy everything from the online store.
As for Switch catching up to Xbox one in terms of overall sales it's going to happen. you may as well call it now. With the new Switch Lite hitting xmas this year it's going to keep sales hot. I am predicting Switch will take over after xmas if not then middle of March of 2020...
I am seeing an overall trend from of sales from hard copy to digital. I used to be hardcore disc buyer but I've switched to digital mostly now (unless it's AAA and its not guaranteed either). The convenience cannot be beat. If anything I think I was slowly converted through the "free games' you get from the PS Network account. you get 2-3 digital games per month for free and once claimed you can download whenever you want. I don't even bat an eye when I buy a game online now if choose to do it.
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-01-03-uk-video-game-sales-now-80-percent-digital
This article states 80% of sales are now digital. I am not sure if it includes cell phone games but if it does then this is a stipid stat.
http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2018/04/sony_data_shows_digital_sales_continue_to_grow_on_ps4
Digital sales for PS4 was 32% for the fiscal year. Previous fiscal year was 27% of sales were digital. For the quarter in 2018 it's 43% so it's rising and rising fast as shit.
Finally:
https://venturebeat.com/2019/06/18/may-2019-npd-the-end-of-a-generation/
“Dollar sales of tracked console, portable, and PC video game software reached $262 million in May 2019, falling 13 percent when compared to a year ago,” said Piscatella. “May 2019 experienced the lowest software sales for a May month since 2013, which hit only $222 million. Total dollar sales of new releases in May 2019 are the lowest for new releases in a May month since May 1998.”
But while May was weak, sales are still just ahead of last year.
“Year-to-date dollar sales of tracked console, portable, and PC video game software have increased 2 percent, to $2.2 billion,” said Piscatella.
“Nintendo Switch sales growth has been offset by declines across all other platforms.”
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I know I know I am all over the place...