In early 2020, Microsoft was pitching the Xbox Series X as the most powerful game system ever.\u00a0 However, the Xbox Series S adds a great deal of confusion to the mix.\u00a0 The Nintendo Switch Lite has recently shown that consumers are reluctant to buy watered down systems.\u00a0 This is likely to be especially true of initial console purchasers.<\/p>\n
The other major factor in Sony\u2019s favor is games.\u00a0 In recent years Microsoft had seemed to make major strides in growing its in-house software capabilities.\u00a0 However, the lineup of Xbox Series X\/S exclusives is looking very thin.\u00a0 This means the delay of key launch title Halo Infinite to 2021 is especially glaring.<\/p>\n
The PlayStation 5 launch lineup is nothing to write home about.\u00a0 Spider-Man: Miles Morales and some other titles will help the system standout.\u00a0 DFC is launching a full report on key upcoming titles and exclusives<\/a>.\u00a0 However, for now it is safe to say that the heavy hitters are coming in 2021.<\/p>\n It was interesting that one of the lead titles Sony showcased was Final Fantasy XVI from Square Enix.\u00a0 An upcoming DFC Intelligence report<\/a> looks at the growing importance of Japanese IP in the North American and European markets.\u00a0 The 1997 Final Fantasy VII launch for the original PlayStation helped build Sony\u2019s video game business and FF number 16 as a timed exclusive is a sign of how much stronger the PlayStation is when it comes to global IP.<\/p>\n As discussed in recent briefs<\/a>, Microsoft is making a bet on game subscription services.\u00a0 However, this is a long-term play.\u00a0 In the short-term Sony was able to counter Microsoft\u2019s subscription offering by announcing PlayStation Plus subscribers will be able to download and play some key PlayStation 4 games on the PlayStation 5.<\/p>\n Overall, it looks like the COVID-19 crisis many have had a severe impact on Microsoft\u2019s execution.\u00a0 Going into 2020, the race between the PlayStation and Xbox was looking much closer.\u00a0 However, Microsoft\u2019s key reveal events were cancelled, and the company was forced to issue announcements in blog posts after key information leaked.\u00a0 In contrast, Sony had been planning for virtual events since it decided to skip E3.<\/p>\n The difference in excitement among gamers over the PlayStation 5 news versus the Xbox Series news has been surprising.\u00a0 Microsoft has been able to garner very little excitement.\u00a0 It is likely this lackluster reception will continue when it comes to hardware sales.<\/p>\n Of course, short-term supply will be a key issue.\u00a0 Manufacturing of a new console can always bring challenges and the COVID-19 virus is likely to magnify those challenges.<\/p>\n This week Bloomberg announced that Sony Corp had been forced to cut its production estimate by 4 million units for the fiscal year.\u00a0 For its part, Sony claimed this report was false.\u00a0 However, it underlies uncertainty we are likely to see in coming months.\u00a0 Microsoft is likely to face its own manufacturing challenges and either way this is expected to be a short-term issue.<\/p>\n With the announcement of price and release date, DFC Intelligence has just released its latest forecast<\/a> along with a market brief<\/a>.\u00a0 Overall hardware sales forecast have been increased.\u00a0 Much of this is because the PlayStation 5 has defined itself as the better system for most consumers.\u00a0 Consumers have a fairly clear choice, and this is likely to increase overall sales.<\/p>\n
![\"PlayStation](\"https:\/\/www.dfcint.com\/dossier\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/videogameconsoleforecasts-920.png\")
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