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PS3 To Outsell Wii, Says Analyst
Amy Nelson, Associate Writer
March 10, 2010
In a quick preview of our games console forecast, set to be released next week, analyst David Mercer at Strategy Analytics predicts that sales of the Playstation 3 will outpace sales of the Nintendo Wii by 2013. He goes on to state that, although the Wii is clearly ahead at the present time, they believe that sales of the Wii have peaked at the current total of about 76 million, and will begin to decline. Overall, console sales are also expected to decline, at a predicted rate of 9% for the year. According to Mercer, this will be mostly due to the fall in Wii sales. However, sales of both the PS3 and Xbox are both expected to surpass sales of the Nintendo Wii, with the PS3 the expected winner of the console wars by 2013.
Of course, this is all conjecture, and dependent upon various future factors, as well as new releases, including the introduction of motion control and 3D on the Playstation, as well as the Natal for the Xbox. Mercer states that these factors may have an impact on the sales of both consoles, but does not list any factors that could increase Wii sales. As the current leader in sales, this expected decline may come as a surprise to many.
Predicting console sales, as well as dissing whatever console you don't own, is a favorite pastime of many gamers. StrategyAnalytics has a bit of a credibility advantage over the average gamer, though. The company describes itself as "With over forty years experience and a focus on strategic and technology issues facing hi-tech companies and organizations, Strategy Analytics is a leader in providing strategic and tactical support for business planners around the world." With those kinds of credentials, their opinion is bound to have some sway in the gaming marketplace. But will it influence future sales? Will some potential Wii purchasers pick up a PS3 instead, rather than buying a seemingly outdated Wii? What kind of impact, if any, will this prediction have on the gaming community?
