PS4 and Xbox One Sales in China May Disappoint, Analyst Claims

The long-awaited releases of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in china may not yield the kind of sales that both Microsoft and Sony had hoped for, according to one Asia business analyst group.

Sales monitor Niko Partners has published data that suggests the official sales of both systems in China would reach fewer than 550,000 units, combined, in 2015.

With an estimated population of 1.35 billion and a growing middle-class, China is considered to potentially be the world's largest market for video games. In April, the electronics giant Apple revealed that iPhone sales in China had surpassed those in the US for the first time, offering further indications of a growing base of Chinese consumers with a disposable income.

However, the release of both consoles across the region has come with complications.

While Microsoft had previously spoken of its ambition to "earn millions of fans in China," and while it was rumoured that the console sold some 100,000 units at launch, Microsoft has yet to publicise sales figures.

According to PC World, Microsoft has since dropped the price of the system from 3699 Yuan ($600) to 2999 Yuan in order to stimulate sales.

The PS4, meanwhile, was initially delayed just days before its expected release in January, though finally shipped in March.

Key games, such as Grand Theft Auto V and editions of Call of Duty, have yet to be released across the region, likely due to sensitive laws on mature content.