Is it me or are the launch day consoles almost always guaranteed to sell out (Especially the ones close to Christmas)? No matter the supply, the demand will always supercede it. However, what I also think is that due to the fact that the price of selling on inflates dramatically as there is no stock from the official retailers for few weeks/months at times. Prime examples being the people on eBay flogging the said consoles with knocked up price of about 60-70% to turn profit, and many other private websites most likely.

I don't think the launch figures will show much in regards to the longivity or popularity that the console will have over the years, as its most likely significant portion of people trying to grab one and sell it for a quick buck, and succeeding due to the proximity of Christmas, where spoilt kids can have their wet dream console for Christmas because daddy doesn't know how to preorder, but is willing to splash out extra on the bay.

It comes down to whichever manufacturer has managed to manufacture the most consoles by launch day, the real "console race" will begin around March next year I would think.

But March is such a long time from now... JK I agree. It's still impressive to sell a million of anything in the first days of sales.

Yeah but that's what am saying - it's really not. It creates artifical demand while likely most reasonable gamers would wait until there is better value for the console - ie games which would justify the purchase, after all the release titles don't appeal to everyone. People are just snapping up the consoles just to sell them off and turn a quick buck. The shop in UK CEX offered to buy PS4's for £385, so that's already £35 profit for NO reason other than taking it to a shop, but obviously more money to be had on the bay.

tl;dr people are being dicks and hogging consoles for their personal gain.