[FlameOn]

IGN with an analysis of what Sony's 4.2 million console numbers mean in terms of the console war.

4.2 million PlayStation 4s have been sold worldwide since the console launch on November 15 to December 28 - around six weeks. The console hasn’t launched in Japan yet, either. But since Sony is still selling PS4s as fast as it can make them, the sales figure would essentially be 4.2 million even if the console was available globally. PS4s are still out of stock at most retailers - until supply catches up with demand, it’s hard to gauge how high global demand for the console truly is.

3 million Xbox Ones have been sold from its launch on November 22 through December 31, a period of about 5.5 weeks. Like the PS4, The Xbox One isn’t yet available in Japan, and in 2013 Microsoft also sold virtually every console as fast as it could make them. But unlike the PS4, Xbox Ones are now in stock on Amazon, GameStop, and various other retailers - it appears that supply has caught up with launch demand, and in the coming months we should get a clear look at true Xbox One demand.

We can draw three real conclusions from these stats:

1) The Wii U is in real trouble.

Both Sony and Microsoft nearly erased Nintendo’s year-long lead in a matter of weeks. Both consoles will be in more homes than the Wii U soon, if they aren’t already.

2) The console business is extremely healthy.

PC gaming may be thriving. Mobile gaming may be thriving. But it seems neither category is growing at the expense of the traditional game console. It’s impressive to see just how much stronger and faster the launch of the PS4 and Xbox One were when compared with the problem-plagued launches of the PS3 and Xbox 360.

3) We have a long way to go.

Fanboys can quibble over launch figures all they want, and they do matter - momentum is extremely important. But with both the Xbox One and PS4 likely to sell 80 million+ units in their lifetime, no one should spend much energy getting overly excited about the first couple million. It’s still the opening few minutes of the game.

http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/01/0...actually-means