controller-161580_640Ever since its release, the Xbox One has trailed the Sony PlayStation 4 in sales by quite a margin, with Sony posting some huge numbers and clearly trouncing Microsoft in the latest console war. The PlayStation 4, from Sony, has exceeded 10 million units sold as of October with Microsoft limping behind with only 5 million units sold. While this figure has easily bested Nintendo and its Wii U console, Microsoft has not been able to topple the PlayStation 4 from its throne.
These sales figures have been particularly disappointing to the software giant as it hopes to position its latest console as the clear leader in video gaming technology going forward toward the next decade.

More Affordable Console
In an effort to slow the juggernaut that has been the PlayStation 4, Microsoft has already announced that the Xbox One price will be cut and, for the first time, will offer its console at a price point that is cheaper than a console from Sony. Beginning this month, Microsoft will offer the Xbox One at a price of $350. That is a full $50 off the release price and places the console just under the PlayStation 4 at $399. This new bundle will not include the Kinect hardware, however and will only include the base console and just one game. Microsoft has stated that this price point is for the upcoming holiday shopping season and will only be available until January 3. However, it is hard to imagine that these prices will change if the Xbox One continues to struggle against Sony's PlayStation 4.

At the time of release, Microsoft's Xbox One with the Kinect controller could be purchased for $499 while the Sony PlayStation 4 was available for $399. Initially, Microsoft began offering bundles without the Kinect controller at the same price as the PlayStation 4, but with the release of these new price points, Microsoft has positioned itself as the best value for the holiday season and perhaps beyond.

Microsoft's Other Strategies
In addition to offering the Xbox One as this new, more attractive price point, Microsoft has other plans to increase the popularity of its signature gaming console line. Looking ahead, Microsoft is adding a wide range of new games which will be available exclusively on their platform as they try to increase consumer interest in their device. This come-from-behind campaign will be spear headed by releases such as the upcoming Titanfall and its exclusive deal with EA Access.

While it remains to be seen if these new strategies will stop the momentum held by Sony, interest in the console without Kinect has risen greatly recently which could shift at least some of the momentum in favor of Microsoft. Both companies, of course, claim to have the edge in gaming technology to power gamers into the next decade. While to some this may be a matter of opinion, both consoles offer impressive gaming technology never before seen in the industry.
Microsoft hopes this technology, backed by its new price points and the upcoming exclusive game releases, will erode some of the sales of the PlayStation 4 and bring the Xbox One back to being one of the leaders in the video game industry.