Microsoft and Sony Game Consoles Neck-and-Neck in Sales Game companies often issue dueling sales announcements for their products in an attempt to show who has the upper hand in the business. This holiday season, Sony appears to have a slight edge on its rival Microsoft. In a statement Wednesday morning, Microsoft said consumers have bought more than two million Xbox One consoles since the product's release "18 days ago." The Xbox One went on sale Nov. 22, which was 18 days as of Monday. A Microsoft representative didn't immediately respond to clarify whether the two million in sales happened as of Monday or Wednesday, which would represent 20 days. Whatever the case, Sony appears to have done a smidge better with the PlayStation 4, selling 2.1 million of the systems as of Dec. 1, 17 days after the product went on sale on Nov. 15. Of course, that's hardly a blowout. The PlayStation 4 is $100 cheaper than the $500 starting price of the Xbox One so it's impressive that Microsoft is keeping the margin as narrow as it is. Both Microsoft and Sony are expected to sell almost every system they make this holiday season because supplies of the machines are relatively low and demand among hardcore gamers - the rough equivalent of the political base - is high. The real test for Sony and Microsoft is what happens next year when they start courting swing voters.