PlayStation 5 Dominates, But a New Challenger Emerges on the Horizon
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The video game industry is going through a period tumultuous that no one could have anticipated five years ago. Sony and Microsoft concurrently launched their next-generation consoles with similar PC architectures, promising revolutionary gaming experiences with quasi-PC graphics and ray tracing as a selling point.
However, the fifth anniversary of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X reveals a very different reality: Sony crushed its competitor with 84 million units shipped compared to only 30 million for Microsoft. Paradoxically, while the PS5 reigns supreme, the next generation PlayStation 6 faces an opponent unexpected which could upset the balance of the console market.
An abysmal commercial gap between the two giants
The numbers speak for themselves: the PlayStation 5 blew out the Xbox Series X/S with a sales ratio of almost three to one. In November 2025, Sony proudly displays 84 million units distributed globally since 2020, while Microsoft is struggling to reach the estimated 30 million units over the same period.
The commercial gulf can be explained by Microsoft’s repeated strategic errors. The manufacturer tried to transform Xbox into “Video game Netflix” via Game Pass, then repositioned itself as a major editor by acquiring Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion. The successive material price increases imposed by an internal mandate requiring 30% profit have completed the distancing of players.
Conversely, Sony has expertly navigated through the same industry challenges through smart expansions of its PlayStation brand. The strategic approach from the Japanese giant resonated with players looking for a coherent,gaming-focused experience.
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Technological promises largely unfulfilled
Ray tracing, presented as revolutionary at launch, constitutes the greatest disappointment of this generation. Of the more than 1,050 games available in the PS5 library, only around 60 support this advanced graphics technology, a measly 6%. the marketing argument of reflections, shadows and lighting realistic justifying the purchase of a $500 console turned out to be grossly exaggerated.
Despite this collective lie from the industry, the PS5 was able to compensate with other innovations techniques. The futuristic design with curved panels appealed to consumers looking for a visually distinctive gadget, unlike the Xbox Series personality.
The triumph of dualsense and spatial audio
Two hardware features stood out: the DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers and Tempest 3D audio. Triggers provide haptic feedback shade, allowing you to feel the resistance of a car pedal in Gran Turismo 7, the tension of an arc in Horizon: Forbidden West or weapon change in Resident Evil Village.
Tempest 3D audio, although less known, almost