Xbox 360 is leading the PS3 in Europe, according to Microsoft – and it reckons it has the figures to prove it. The data comes from GfK Chart-Track, which estimates the Xbox 360 has sold approximately one million units more than PS3, and stands at odds with the claims Sony was making in May last year.
Chris Lewis, VP for Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business in the EMEA region told GamesIndustry.biz “If you look right across my area of responsibility, every data point that I’ve got, which I trust – and data points we’ve always used – put us approximately 1 million units ahead in the aggregate.”
In fact, you can never really tell who’s telling porkies and bending the truth, because if they were given the choice between admitting a losing position in a console war or gouging out their own kidneys with a rusty kitchen appliance, both companies would race for the potato peeler.
This time though, we’re inclined to believe Microsoft’s claims; identical figures have been thrown around before and we already know that Sony suffered from slow Xmas sales. That doesn’t seem to have dampened its spirits at all. Sony Computer Entertainment boss, Kaz Hirai, was merrily claiming ‘official leadership’ of the industry less than a month ago.
Plus, we’re still expecting the price cut that Sony controversially skipped back in September last year. Rumour has it that PS3 prices are set for a chop sometime in the next few weeks, and coupled with the hype surrounding Killzone 2, that may help Sony claw back its former lead. Or claimed lead. Whatever.
Out now | From £130 | Xbox (via GamesIndustry.biz)
