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Map Shows PS5 And Xbox Series X Global Demand–And One Runaway Winner
In this battle of black vs white, the popularity difference is black and white.
MICROSOFT / SONY
Next month, the biggest confrontation in history will take place, shaping the world forever. In the dichotomous world of 2020, sides have already been taken to the extreme, framing these dramatic party lines as a battle of good versus evil.
I am, of course, talking about the release of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. But while I’m here, if you’re American, go vote–there’s still time.
Ahead of the dual release (and release duel) of Sony’s PS5 and Microsoft’s XSX this November, British search agency Rise at Seven has crunched the numbers to discover which console brand is in the highest demand on a country-by-country basis, breaking down its data into no fewer than 161 nations across the globe. And by golly, it’s a whitewash in more ways than one.
That’s because the company’s report sees the snowy-colored PlayStation 5 named over the Xbox Series X as the most-wanted games console in 84% of the world’s gaming markets, sweeping a whopping 148 of the countries surveyed in a landslide victory for the blue team.
Rise at Seven leant on its expertise by utilizing global Google search data and market share in the mammoth task to break down every possible country around the world and predict which tech would sell highest on release day.
As with all elections, you expect the hometown hero to claim their own region–hell, even Walter Mondale’s Minnesota gave him his only U.S. state in the 1984 U.S. election, even if it was just by 0.2%–but while the Japanese market is an incredible 99% in favor of Sony, the U.S. spurns Microsoft; the PS5 wins out, 57% to 43%.
Just 13 countries desire the Series X more, and had it not been for China, New Zealand, Mexico, Hungary and Jamaica, Microsoft’s visual global footprint would be much harder to discern. Admittedly, Americans have become famous for their less-than-perfect ability to find countries on a map, but even Rhodes Scholars might find it difficult to pick out XSX fans like Gabon, American Samoa, the Cayman Islands, Anguilla, Guyana, Monaco, and Belize.
Oh, and the Series X’s biggest fan, according to the report? Afghanistan.
The projected dominance of the PS5 may come as no surprise. Sales of the PS4 far outstripped the Xbox One; the former is the fourth best-selling console of all time with over 110 million sales, compared to around 50 million Xbones. Even the PSP shifted 80 million units.
And yet, in this time of online strife, anger and hatred between people with different priorities, passions and desires, it’s worth remembering that games consoles are literally designed to be enjoyed–and so long as you’re happy with whatever you choose, that’s all that matters.
Other things matter much more than what you do with your hard-earned free time. Seriously, go and vote.
