Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Sony (SNE) are battling it out for the leading position in the next-gen console. Sony seems to have won the initial round with its PlayStation 4 (PS4) garnering better sales than Microsoft's Xbox One.
Microsoft has a lot of ways to strengthen their Xbox One position, including price cuts and launching the console in more countries. Above all, exclusive games will help, and the launch of Titanfall could provide the much-need sales boost for the Xbox One
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The Windows software maker is betting big on the new videogame Titanfall from Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) and independent developer Respawn Entertainment to drive sales of its next-gen Xbox One console and to tackle Sony's PS4.
Microsoft has bagged the exclusive rights for this sci-fi first-person shooter that will ship across PC, Xbox One, and Xbox 360. The game, which had already garnered 200,000 pre-orders by the end of 2013, is expected to sell at least 6 million copies worldwide and would help compete with Sony's (SNE) PlayStation 4.
Microsoft is lagging behind Sony in the console battle as Sony sold 6 million PlayStation 4 units as of March 2. The device beat the Xbox One to become the top-selling console in the United States in January, according market research firm NPD Group. On the other hand, Microsoft has not updated sales since January when it said Xbox One crossed three million units as of the end of 2013.
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Xbox One sells for $499 and costs $100 more than PlayStation 4. Microsoft is offering a Xbox One and "Titanfall" bundle for $499, effectively offering the game for free.
Since its unveiling last June, Titanfall has seized the attention of gamers around the world with its exhilarating first-person action gameplay centered on the dynamic between elite assault pilots and agile, heavily-armored, 24-foot titans.
Set in the near future on a distant frontier torn apart by war, Titanfall drops players in the middle of a conflict between the Interstellar Manufacturing Corporation (IMC) and the Militia. The action is rapid and varied – featuring parkour-style wall running, massive double jumps and the ability to hijack titans.
The freedom to shift back and forth between pilot and titan allows players to change tactics on the fly, attacking or escaping depending on the situation and extending the action vertically to new heights.
The game has been praised by critics and fans for delivering a unique, fun and thrilling experience while setting a new bar for online multiplayer gameplay.
GameSpot claims "Titanfall is a leap forward for shooters." Rolling Stone calls Titanfall "the most anticipated next-generation videogame of the year".
Based on 29 critics' reviews published so far, the average rating for the Xbox One version of Titanfall is 87. While the average rating is strong, it is in line with expectations. Critic reviews for the PC version have not been published yet.
Sterne Agee analyst Arvind Bhatia sees Titanfall shipments of 2.5 million for the March quarter and 6 million units for the first 12 months. These expectations, while reasonable, aren't necessarily conservative either given this is a brand new title and will not be available on PS4/PS3.
With numerous awards, strong early reviews and the recent beta launch, this title has continued to generate strong buzz. As a reminder, Titanfall is exclusive to Xbox One/Xbox 360 and PC platforms and Microsoft supports it heavily. In fact, Microsoft has been positioning this title as a system seller.
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Gaming enthusiasts, as well as investors, hope that the much-anticipated launch of Titanfall can recreate the "Halo" effect for the Xbox franchise. When sci-fi shooter game Halo released exclusively for the Xbox back in 2001, it sold like hot cakes driving sales of Xbox consoles.
Titanfall will be available on Xbox One and PC in Europe beginning March 13, 2014 and in the UK on March 14, 2014. The Xbox 360 version, developed by Bluepoint Games, will be available beginning March 25, 2014. The Titanfall Season Pass will deliver three content packs as soon as they become available. The Titanfall Season Pass is available at a one-time price of $24.99 and can now be purchased for the Xbox One here and on Origin.
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