In the UK, a survey was conducted to find out which console the respondents would buy. And they have a clear favorite: The majority of respondents would go for the PS5, and there could be good reasons for that.
Where does the information come from? The marketing agency “Experience 12” surveyed 3,000 pop culture fans in the UK about movies and gaming (via mcvuk.com). They were also asked which console they find more interesting, PS5 or Xbox Series X.
Who is leading before the launch? The survey shows a clear direction among the participants:
- 84% of participants are most interested in the PS5
- 15% find the Xbox Series X the most exciting
Who would buy the console? Participants were also asked if and when they would buy a new console:
- 37% would buy the console right at launch
- 9% within the first month
- 12% within the first three months
- 26% within the first six months
- the remaining 16% would not purchase a console
More than a third of respondents would therefore buy the PS5 or Xbox Series X directly at release.
Little interest in Xbox Series X, but there could be reasons for that
Reasons why interest may generally be lower: Microsoft’s strategy does not seem to be just the pure sale of the Xbox Series X. Spencer himself explains that they want to integrate users into the Xbox ecosystem by releasing games for all consoles:
- Microsoft releases all games for both the Xbox One and the Xbox Series X, hence theoretically no Next-Gen console is needed for gaming.
- Additionally, many Xbox titles are also available for PC through the Microsoft Store. Another reason against buying an Xbox.
- This means you only need to buy the games once, as thanks to Smart Delivery you can play it on any Xbox hardware.
Microsoft has repeatedly announced that users can play their games on both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X. Recently, Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, stated that the investment must also be worthwhile for the buyer:
All of our content that will be released over the next one or two years, all of our games can be played on all devices in the family. We want to ensure that someone who invests in an Xbox now feels that they made a good investment and that we also provide them with content.
Matt Booty, Head of Xbox Game Studios, Source: mcvuk.com
Possible reasons for a generally higher interest in the PS5: Buyers are therefore likely to buy the PS5 more because certain titles can only be played on it. Due to a more direct strategy focused on the PS5, the Sony console may have the edge here.
In a survey here on MeinMMO, more than a third of respondents stated that exclusive titles are a good reason to buy a PS4 – Only 7% saw this as a reason to buy an Xbox One.
This could also work well for the PS5 again. Because players must buy the PS5 if they want to enjoy certain games, which Xbox chief Phil Spencer considers the wrong approach. And according to the new UK survey, users are quite willing to do so.
Microsoft is attempting here to engage users more with subscriptions like Gamepass Ultimate, which can be used on both console and PC.
