If the best-seller list on the Amazon Video Games storefront is any indication, people are pretty happy with Microsoft’s recent decision to ditch some of the Xbox One policies that had many gamers up in arms.
The Xbox One has passed the PlayStation 4 and currently occupies the No. 1 spot on Amazon. Sony’s PS4 had previously held the top spot following the big E3 video game conference last week, but now is at No. 3.
While Xbox One is enjoying the spotlight now, it’s important to note that there are three separate PS4 packages also in the top 10. Also, the original PS4 Launch Day package sold out a week ago and Forbes reported that the console was outselling the Xbox One 2-to-1 at the time.
We’ve reached out to Amazon to find out more specific console sales numbers and are waiting to hear back.
Regardless of the rankings, gamers are definitely showing interest in the next-generation consoles. Amazon announced today that last week was the biggest pre-order week ever on its Video Games store, with customers purchasing more than 2,500 Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles per minute at its peak sales time.
The Seattle retail giant also said that there was a year-over-year increase in orders of more than 4,000 percent compared to consoles ordered during E3 week last year. Of course, there were no big announcements one year ago.
In a GeekWire poll, 23 percent of gamers said that the were more inclined to purchase an Xbox One following the policy reversals, while 40 percent said they were going to buy the console all along.
Much of the attention at last week’s E3 was on console price ($499 for the Xbox One vs. $399 for the Playstation 4), the Xbox One’s restrictions on video game sharing, and its requirement for regular Internet connectivity. While Microsoft spent time defending itself on the big Xbox One changes, Sony landed a series of statements (and jokes) designed to point out where its PlayStation 4 differed from Microsoft’s new console. Many gave Sony the upper-hand for “winning” the E3 battle.
Before changing its policies on Wednesday, Microsoft had taken some heat for requiring the console to be connected to the Internet all the time, including some harsh words from very angry military personel. Don Mattrick, the president of the company’s Interactive Entertainment Business, actually said last week that those who do not have Internet should stick with the Xbox 360. Microsoft last week launched a refreshed Xbox 360 and plans to continue supporting the console.
But a few days later, Microsoft showed its flexibility — and possibly lost some credibility — with the big policy reversals.
UPDATE, 10:20 A.M. — It looks like the Xbox One had passed the PS4 on Tuesday, one day prior to the policy announcements. Our story has been updated to reflect this. Thanks to Richard Hay at WindowsObserver for pointing this out.
