New Study Suggests PS3 To Lead Next-Gen News

Market research company In-Stat has today released some of the details from its report on the next-generation console war between Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo.

In the report, entitled 'Video Game Consoles 2006: Microsoft Launches Next Generation, Sony Dominates Current Generation' the company suggests that despite the head-start in launching the Xbox 360, Microsoft is still expected to finish in second position, taking in 28.6% of the installed base behind PlayStation3's 50.2%. It does mean that In-Stat projects the Xbox 360 to finish ahead of Nintendo's Revolution system, which is predicted to gain a 21.2% take in the installed base by 2010.

"Microsoft will outship Nintendo in the next generation of consoles due to its head start in launching, its strength in the North American market, and its appeal to older gamers, a demographic that seems to widen with each new generation of consoles," said Brian O'Rourke, In-Stat analyst.

In-Stats have also released a graph showing the expected shipping forecast for consoles through to the end of the decade. Following a drop in this current transitional year, console shipments are expected to increase and peak by 2008 before dropping down to 2005 levels by 2010 - and the anticipated start of the next console cycle.

Of course there's a lot that's got to happen between now and 2010 (the launch of PlayStation3 and Revolution being perhaps the most important) before we can see whether In-Stat prophesied correctly, but they do seem to be falling in line with other research companies in recent months by declaring a drop in market share for Sony and a second place for Xbox 360.

We'll have more news shortly...