PS4 beats Xbox One for most-wanted console, poll says
In the battle of video game consoles, it appears that Sony's PlayStation 4 is winning over Microsoft's Xbox One.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that 26 percent of people surveyed say they are likely to buy a PS4 versus 15 percent who want to buy an Xbox One. Of those who are 40-years old and younger, 41 percent wanted a PS4 versus 27 percent who wanted an Xbox One.
Gamers showed a little diversity in how they play video games. About 3 percent of participants play games on a Nintendo Wii, 18 percent play on a PlayStation 3, 20 percent play on Xbox 360 and another 20 percent play on a PC.
The survey was conducted online from Sept. 23 to Sept. 27, with just 1,297 participating.
Consumers favoring the PS4 over the Xbox One may come as a surprise, considering the Xbox 360 is currently one of the bestselling video game consoles. According to the marketing firm The NPD Group, August marked 32 consecutive weeks that the Xbox 360 was the top selling console.
Reuters cites recent controversy over a requirement that users must be connected to the Internet in order to play games. Microsoft reversed its policy after widespread complaints. Critics also expressed concern that having the motion-sensing accessory Kinect always connected to the Internet created opportunities for hackers to spy on users.
There is also the cost factor. The Xbox One will cost $499, while the PS4 is priced at $399. The Xbox 360 retailed for $299 when it launched in 2005, while the PS3 was priced at about $600 in 2006. Both consoles have experienced price drops over the years, and can now be bought for about $200.
Ultimately it will be sales figures that will show which way gamers will sway. According to GameSpot, Sony reports over 1 million preorders. Microsoft has not released how many units have been preordered.
The PS4 was announced in February and will go on sale in the United States and Canada on Nov. 15. The Xbox One was unveiled in May and will be available on Nov. 22 in 13 markets.
