Xbox Sets New Company Launch Record With Next-Generation Consoles

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S launched on Tuesday, and now good news comes about sales. The COVID-19 global pandemic looked like it had the potential to cool the launch of Sony and Microsoft’s next-generation game systems. However, Microsoft managed to shatter its Xbox sales records in only 24 hours.

Xbox head Phil Spencer made the news official in an announcement on Twitter Wednesday. He specifically called this the “largest launch in Xbox history” and that in only 24 hours Xbox had “more new consoles sold, in more countries, than ever before.”

Thank you for supporting the largest launch in Xbox history. In 24 hrs more new consoles sold, in more countries, than ever before. We’re working with retail to resupply as quickly as possible. You continue to show us the connective power of play is more important than ever.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) November 12, 2020

It is only fair to point out that Spencer effectively included two consoles launches in his estimate: the entry-level Xbox Series S and the more robust Xbox Series X. However, these combined sales make a compelling argument that Microsoft may better compete with Sony in this new generation of gaming.

And the fact that Microsoft sold so many units despite the delay of Halo Infinite (starring Microsoft’s unofficial mascot, Master Chief) makes this achievement all the more impressive.

As for the exact number of units sold? Xbox will never reveal this information, Spencer told The Guardian on Wednesday, which points out that Xbox stopped reporting its Xbox One sales numbers years ago.

“I know it seems manipulative and I’ll apologize for that,” Spencer said, “but I don’t want my team’s focus on [console sales]. The primary outcome of all the work that we do is how many players we see, and how often they play. That is what drives Xbox. If I start to highlight something else, both publicly and internally, it changes our focus.”