If MS outsold PS4 in the U.S., they'd be shouting it from the rooftops. Since their initial "1 million" statement, we haven't heard a thing.
It's totally possible they outsold PS4 on Black Friday (b/c there weren't any PS4 on shelves).
Yes, it's enough to suggest that MS had a solid chance at outselling Sony, but to make it seem like 83,000 console sales were collected is extremely misleading. From the actual data, it seems like both were supply constrained on Black Friday and didn't post big numbers, compared to any other product. The sales from this single day are being ballooned out of proportion, and that's indisputable.
Seriously, this Black Friday sales thread has popped up now for the 6-7th time.
It's simple; Use the Wal-Mart I work PT at (this also represented every other local store I talked to around the holidays (yes, we do that)
We had 50+ XB1's for sale on Black Friday and only around 10 PS4's. This is the same ration all other stores we have spoken to received to sell. I'm sure that is pretty representative of most Wal0-Mart stores. There was simply greater stock of XB1's. 5:1 margain too.
Since launch, our store has only gotten those 10 PS4, and we have gotten only a couple more XB1's;
Including launch we have sold 2:1 XB1 over PS4
simply on supply alone. Neither console has sat in the store long enough to get into a game case. This again appears pretty representative of what the other stores have seen. Many more PS4's at launch, but nothing since. I believe NPD is going to be pretty surprising for some; it will be A LOT closer than people think, especially looking at a store like Wal-Mart that does a ton of marketing/retail deals with MS and gets a great deal of stock from them, Wal-Mart represents a huge portion of their target Demographic in NA, always keep that in mind, it's a mutually benficial relationship, there is a reason the XBox section is always closer to the main "action alley" of a store, so there is more visibility for customers walking by the electronics dept.
Also, the hype has been up for XB1 lately. The reviews have been pretty good since launch and everyone seems to be pretty pumped for the system, regardless of price or specs; there is a buzz at the local retail level for it and it's tangible. There has also been some PS4 bashing on it's RROD equvilant issues (I know I know) and it has a lack of games. Also people are actually pissed about having to use Music Unlimited service and no longer able to use the custom MP3, and switch apps like the XB1. This is what people keep telling me and they are valid complaints to a degree, PS4 is behind XB1 with these simple functions that consumers were initially hyped for.
Also, parents are buying which-ever system they can find right now, so their kids can have one for the holidays, which has primarily been XB1. When parents who are friends with other parents that have kids, they are trying to buy the same system so their kids can play online together, etc. Not having any follow-up stock is not helpful for Sony right now, they needed to stay on the hype train, but are not. We really need to wait for Jan/Feb. numbers to get a better idea on where the consoles are in NA; it may be much different then people are picturing it by then. Just my 3rd party take on it...