PS and XB can't do to much about early Switch sales, but what they are doing is trying to make sure it doesn't gain sustained traction to the point where it can gain serious momentum.
If NiN can gain momentum through the year and into the holidays, PS and XB could see their sales and momentum drop considerably.
By getting consoles into peoples hands (no pun intended) throughout the year, PS and XB can potentially keep Switch at a slower steady pace, where it wouldn't interfere with PS or XB sales all that much during holiday 2017.
Whether this works or not really only matters a lot to NiN. If it holds back Switch than that won't be great for the console or brand. If it fails and Switch sells well, its not going to hurt PS all that much overall. It might hurt XB just a bit.
PS1 - ! - We must build a console that can alert our enemies.
PS2 - @- We must build a console that offers online living room gaming.
PS3 - #- We must build a console that’s powerful, social, costs and does everything.
PS4 - $- We must build a console that’s affordable, charges for services, and pumps out exclusives.
PRO -%-We must build a console that's VR ready, checkerboard upscales, and sells but a fraction of the money printer.
PS5 - ^ -We must build a console that’s a generational cross product, with RT lighting, and price hiking.
PRO -&- We must build a console that Super Res upscales and continues the cost increases.
