Microsoft Sells One Million Xbox One Consoles in 24 Hours

By Jane McEntegart
published

Microsoft reports strong first day sales for its latest Xbox console.

Microsoft on Friday celebrated the launch of the Xbox One. It's a day that has been a very long time coming and it comes hot on the heels of Sony's PS4 launch. The PS4 launched a week prior and Sony soon announced that first day sales had exceed one million consoles. Now, Microsoft is confirming the very same thing.

The Redmond-based company sent out a press release this past weekend revealing some numbers about the Xbox One launch. For a start, the company sold one million consoles in less than 24 hours. The console is now sold out at most retailers and Microsoft says it’s working to replenish stock. Of course, it's worth noting that the PS4 launched in only one market (the USA and Canada) while the Xbox One launched in 31 countries, and so the comparison isn't really fair. Still, it does make for the biggest Xbox launch ever, which is an achievement in and of itself.

"We are humbled and grateful for the excitement of Xbox fans around the world," said Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate Vice President of Marketing and Strategy, Xbox. "Seeing thousands of excited fans lined up to get their Xbox One and their love for gaming was truly a special moment for everyone on the Xbox team. We are working hard to create more Xbox One consoles and look forward to fulfilling holiday gift wishes this season."

Microsoft also revealed that users have already driven 3.6 million miles in Forza 5, doled out over 7.1 million combos in Killer Instinct, and defeated more than 8.5 million enemies in Ryse: Son of Rome. Still, we’re not all just sitting on the couch. Xbox One users have also racked up more than 43.3 million Fit Points through Xbox Fitness.

Unfortunately, not all of those first million owners have had a trouble-free experience. Some are reporting Xbox One disc drive problems.

The Xbox One features an octoa-core x86 processor, 8 GB of RAM, 500 GB of storage and a Blu-ray/DVD drive. It also comes with Microsoft's brand new Kinect 2 sensor as well as a redesigned Xbox controller. The console launched in North America, parts of Europe, Australia and Brazil on November 22. It will hit Japan and the rest of Europe in 2014. Check out what we thought of the Xbox One in our review here.

Follow Jane McEntegart @JaneMcEntegart. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.

Jane McEntegart
36 Comments Comment from the forums
  • bee144
    This is good news for Microsoft.These consules require a lot of R&D and I think Xbox One has a strong future!
    Reply
  • DjEaZy
    ... and the winnnner izzzzzz.... .... AMD!!!!
    Reply
  • chumly
    Too bad half of them won't read a disc.
    Reply
  • Pummel
    So, Sony sold 1 Million PS4 in 2 countries within 24 hours and Microsoft sold 1 Million Xbox in 31 countries within 24 hours.... ouch Mr Balmer! That's gotta hurt.

    See Microsoft, reputation does matter!
    Reply
  • macpeteo
    "Of course, it's worth noting that the PS4 launched in only one market (the USA and Canada) while the Xbox One launched in 31 countries"

    The above tells you all you need to know about the demand for the XBone !
    Reply
  • deftonian
    Both consoles are in demand, end of story. Stop with the fanboyism people. They're gaming consoles, VERY closely speced, and both offer some cool games and unique abilities. What world do we live in where people argue, at extremes, over game consoles. There are far better and more pressing matters that we can argue over.
    Reply
  • irish_adam
    Wow look at the sony fanboys go

    I'm PC all the way i dont own a console and nor will i but seriously?

    half of them dont read a disk huh? exaggeration much there chumly? especially as sony has its own issues, no numbers have been released yet.

    Sony launched their console in their 2 biggest markets so obviously it was going to sell well and microsoft just spread their units out more across more countries, its sold out in pretty much every one of those countries so i would think its fair to say that they could have shifted more had they had the units as i'm sure the PS4 could have done.

    These numbers mean nothing, only after a year could you possibly say that 1 has beaten the other and even then not for sure. These consoles will be around for the rest of this decade so who knows what will happen. Judging these consoles now on a 24 hour window is just retarded
    Reply
  • makaveli316
    I didn't expect this, but if it's true that they sold a million in 31 country, then is plausable.
    Reply
  • canadianvice
    I agree, stop it with the console fanboyism, PC is master race and therefore consoles are irrelevant.
    Reply
  • spartanmk2
    I like watching this PS4 vs Xbox battle royale from the PC VIP room.
    Reply