Wii predicted to win 2008 sales race
On your marks. Get set. Sell
Gaming megapublisher Electronic Arts officially predicts that Nintendo's Wii will be the highest selling gaming console in North America and Europe.
According to EA’s estimates, a combined total of between 12-14m Wiis will be sold in the two regions during 2008. This gives the console’s sales figures a significant lead over the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, which EA believes will sell between 9.5–11.5m and 6-8m respectively.
However, Europe is where Microsoft’s Xbox 360 sales will really be tested. EA expects just 1.5-2.5m gamers to fork out their cash for an Xbox 360, whereas the publisher believes around 5-6m people will splash some cash on a PS3. The old-school PS2 is the real loser worldwide though, because EA has predicted that Sony will only shift a measly 3.9-4.9m units during 2008.
Recent sales figures have already shown that Nintendo shipped 13.2m Wiis worldwide by the end of September 2007, just slightly less than the 13.4m Xbox 360s sold by the same date.
Nintendo also looks set to take first place in the race to sell the most units of portable consoles worldwide. EA believes the company’s DS will sell around 14-16m units, whilst Sony’s rival PlayStation Portable (PSP) will only sell between 6-8m. However, sales of the slim’n’light PSP could be boosted by Sony’s addition of Skype, through a recent firmware update.
COMMENTS
Never buy 1st generation anything..
Like the Wii.
Wait for the 2nd generation, in this case codenamed: Nintendo Tuurd
Hmm
So the Wii and DS have already got a greater userbase in shorter time than other consoles and they are still sold out everywhere, and some genius at EA predicts this.
Sheesh. This will be the same EA who admitted less than 6 months ago that they didn't predict the Wii sales at all and were suprised by the success.
Sounds like they need El Reg's Strategy Boutique to visit.. Even Paris could see this it's so blatently obvious.
"Cheaper thing sells more" - shocker
Well duh, of course a console more than half the price, and marketed to kids and casuals, is going to sell more than a pricey living room beast.
Just like how the PS2 is still selling loads, you can pick it up for a kids birthday, stick it in their room, and never hear from them again. Bliss.
Yawn
Wow, they must employ some amazing seers at Electronic Arse.
Given that there actually is a race, I'm assuming that they're holding it up against the 360/PS3, both of which are more expensive and neither of which are for aimed at kiddies and girls. So it doesn't take a genius or so-called "analyst" to work that out.
Here's a prediction. EA will soon anounce it's new range of 37 sequels, mostly called [insert sport]2009 featuring a few bug fixes and graphical tweaks that they'll sell as new games. They'll sell well due to kids sceaming to buy them cos their new sports hero will be in the right team.
Skype
As if your average PSP owner gives a shit about Skype
