Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Xbox One and Sony Corporation (NYSE:SNE) PlayStation 4 will battle full throttle to becoming the top dog console in the video gaming industry at the E3 extravaganza beginning in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Both companies will highlight their super hit gaming titles on Monday, as well as hype their cutting-edge graphics and unique console features.
Microsoft trying hard to stay competitive
Sony Corporation (NYSE:SNE)’s Playstation4 has surpassed Xbox One in sales since November, which will be an advantage for the Japanese electronic major over Microsoft. However, just last month, Microsoft dropped its console price and allowed the developers to sell the console without the Kinect motion detection system. Xbox One was released with the Kinect voice and gesture recognition accessory, which Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) touted as a requisite for the integral performance of the console.
There will be only few titles designed for Xbox One and PS4 at the E3, but both the companies will try to showcase any content that might differentiate it from the other. Sony is also likely to provide further details about its augmented reality headset at the event.
Nintendo, who is in a distant third place behind Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Sony Corporation (NYSE:SNE) in gaming console sales, has decided to stay low profile and organize a small online event before the official event is kicked on.
Titles to drive sales
Phoenix Online Studios manager and strategy analyst Scott Steinberg said that at the end of the day blockbuster titles drive the sales of consoles. “The competing players will trot out major titles and try to establish dominance.”
Forrester analyst James McQuivey said that the software giant has showcased Xbox One as an all-purpose console that can be used for films, music, games and more. Sony, on the other hand, focused on hardcore gamers, although Playstation4 can also play films, music, television and other digital entertainment, according to BD Live.
“If Microsoft can’t catch up with Sony in the short run, it will not own the market in the long run,” McQuivey said.
Customers are expecting more features in the consoles as smartphone, tablets and dongles are all serving multi-purpose needs of customers today. Gone are the days when consoles were used only for playing games, as the perception has been largely changed by the increasing use of smartphones or tablet computers for playing games.
