Sony on Tuesday announced it hit a new sales milestone for its recently released PlayStation 4 console: 6.0 million units sold worldwide since launching the device four months ago. In mid-February, the company revealed it sold 5.3 million PS4 units according to early February data. Since then, the PS4 was launched in Japan, where Sony sold 370,000 console units. The PS4 is now available in 57 markets.
“I am absolutely delighted that PS4 is off to such a great start in Japan,” Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Andrew House said. “The responses we have received for the PS4 system’s integrated social capabilities have been phenomenal, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that gamers are utilizing these unique features to engage, share, play and connect with users around the world. SCE will continue to expand the world of PlayStation by growing its library of breakthrough games and bringing more innovative features and services only possible on PS4.”
In addition to console sales, Sony highlighted other numbers about game sales. According to the company, “PS4 software sales also remain strong with more than 13.7 million copies sold in retail stores worldwide and through digital downloads” as of March 2. The company has also revealed that the PlayStation App has been installed more than 3.6 million times on iPhone and Android devices, and that more than 100 million shares have been registered via the “Share” button on the DualShock 4 controller.
Microsoft’s Xbox One is yet to match the PS4 in sales. In early January, the company announced in early January that it sold over 3 million Xbox One units last year.
The full press release follows below.
[box] PlayStation®4 (PS4™) Sales Surpass 6.0 Million Units Worldwide In Less Than 4 Months Since Launch, Rapidly Popularizes A New Way To Enjoy Social Interaction Through Gaming PS4 Software Sales Reach 13.7 Million, Users Fully Embrace the World of PS4, and Demonstrate Further Enhancement of the Network Service’s Ecosystem With 100 Million Shares Captured, More than 56 Million Spectate Sessions and a Dramatic Increase of PlayStation®Plus Subscriptions TOKYO, March 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that the PlayStation®4 (PS4™) computer entertainment system has cumulatively sold through more than 6.0 million units*1 globally as of March 2, 2014 (JST). This also includes the 370,000 units sold through in Japan since its launch on February 22. PS4 software sales also remain strong with more than 13.7 million*2 copies sold in retail stores worldwide and through digital downloads on PlayStation®Store as of March 2, 2014 (JST). Over 30 exciting titles*3 are available from SCE Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS) and the industry’s best software developers and publishers, including the independent development community. This incredible line-up reflects the strong support for PS4 among developers and publishers, and has led the platform’s accelerated momentum and expansion. A few of the top selling titles included KILLZONE SHADOW FALL (SCE WWS), which has already sold over 2.1 million units worldwide, KNACK (SCE WWS), Call of Duty: Ghosts (Activision), FIFA14 (Electronic Arts), Battlefield 4 (Electronic Arts), and Assassin’s Creed: IV Black Flag (Ubisoft Entertainment). Titles developed by the independent development community such as Contrast (Complusion Gams), Warframe (Digital Extremes) and Don’t Starve: Console Edition (Klei Entertainment), have also been highly acclaimed by gamers. Japanese gamers are enjoying the latest installments of popular franchises, such as DYNASTY WARRIORS 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition (Tecmo Koei Games Co., Ltd), FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn (SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD) and Ryu-ga-gotoku Ishin! (SEGA Corporation). The PS4 system’s games portfolio will continue to expand with highly anticipated titles such as METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES (Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.), KINGDOM HEARTS III (SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD), Destiny (Activision), Watch_Dogs™ (Ubisoft Entertainment), The Witness (Thekla, Inc.), #DRIVECLUB (SCE WWS), inFAMOUS Second Son™ (SCE WWS) and The Order 1886 (SCE WWS). Many users have been taking advantage of the features and benefits of the PlayStation®Plus (PS Plus) membership service since the PS4 launch. In addition to existing members, more than half of PS4 owners are enjoying the benefits of PS Plus, demonstrating the explosive growth of the membership service. Subscribers have access to a wide variety of features such as exclusive game discounts, cloud game saves and “Instant Game Collection,” which allows members to play full versions of popular titles from third party developers and publishers, as well as from SCE WWS, at no extra cost. PS4 owners have also been enjoying services such as online multiplayer and automatic patch downloads and installations. Furthermore, users are also engaging with the world of PlayStation® through PlayStation®App, which has been installed more than 3.6 million times as of March 2. PlayStation App can be downloaded onto iPhones or Android OS smartphones and tablets, allowing users to purchase content over PlayStation Store and exchange messages with friends via PSNSM. Gamers continue to take advantage of the PS4 system’s deep social features to share experiences with friends around the world. More than 100 million shares*4 have been captured via the “SHARE” button on the Wireless Controller (DUALSHOCK®4) and more than 3.6 million gameplay broadcasts*5 have been streamed from PS4 systems via video streaming platforms, Twitch and Ustream. The gameplay broadcasts generated more than 56 million spectate sessions*6. PS4 owners are connecting with millions of gamers around the globe, and are not only enjoying conventional gameplay, but are also immersing themselves in more dynamic, interactive entertainment experiences only possible on PlayStation. “I am absolutely delighted that PS4 is off to such a great start in Japan,” said Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “The responses we have received for the PS4 system’s integrated social capabilities have been phenomenal, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that gamers are utilizing these unique features to engage, share, play and connect with users around the world. SCE will continue to expand the world of PlayStation by growing its library of breakthrough games and bringing more innovative features and services only possible on PS4.” The PS4 system is currently available in 57 countries worldwide. *1 Number of retail sales to consumers is estimated by SCEI. PS4 sales data in Japan collected 2/22/2014 –3/2/2014. PS4 sales data in North America, Europe and Latin America collected 11/15/2013 – 3/1/2014, and in Asia collected 11/29/2013 –3/1/2014. *2 Number of retail sales to consumers is estimated by SCEI. PS4 sales data in Japan collected 2/22/2014 –3/2/2014. PS4 sales data in North America, Europe and Latin America collected 11/15/2013 – 3/1/2014, and in Asia collected 11/29/2013 –3/1/2014. *3 Number of titles available as of 3/4/2014. *4 Data as of 2/28/2014. *5 Data as of 2/28/2014. *6 Data as of 2/28/2014.[/box]
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