Analyst: PS3 to outsell 360 by more than 2:1 by 2012

It is always so much fun to post the thoughts of industry analysts. No matter what the topic, there are guaranteed to be comments regarding A) what an easy job analysts have and B) how nothing analysts say comes true. Honestly, analyst posts are fun for all ages. The latest analytical blatherskite holds that the Playstation 3 will have won the console war by 2012. Specifically, according to CNET, IDC analyst Billy Pidgeon claims that by 2012 the PS3 will have moved a whopping 107 million units. The Xbox 360? By 2012, Pidgeon predicts Microsoft will have sold just over 40 million units. In other words, the PS3 will grow exponentially year over year, whereas the 360 will grow at a much more tepid pace.

The reason: market perception. Analyst extraordinaire Michael Pachter gave his two cents, noting that Microsoft has "an image issue." Essentially, the 360, according to Pachter, is perceived as a console for hardcore gamers only, whereas the PS3 (and more specifically Sony) is perceived as family friendly. Aaron Greenberg, 360 product manager, naturally disagrees, noting that the Xbox 360 has more million-selling titles than either the Wii or PS3 and that the 360 has "the largest game lineup, and the most exclusive titles."

Another interesting point made by Pachter is that price is a huge factor in console sales. Interesting, because the Xbox 360 (we're fairly certain) will always have a price advantage over the PS3, and the low-end Xbox 360 (the Arcade) could easily meet the Wii's (current) $250 price point before 2008 is out. "Consumers just have this image that consoles cost $199 or less," said Pachter. Considering that the 360 will almost definitely hit $199 before the PS3, are there really that many people just waiting for the PS3 to get cheaper, all other consoles be damned? Guess we'll find out in four years or so.

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[Via Evil Avatar]