The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One could be biggest-selling consoles yet for Sony and Microsoft
The PlayStation 4 is on course to match the success of Sony’s best-selling console the PlayStation 2, while Microsoft’s Xbox One could top the Xbox 360.
A new report from technology consultant Strategy Analytics reveals that the games console industry is in fine health as total shipments grew 11 per cent in 2014 to 34m units.
Sony’s PlayStation 4 is expected to ship 80m units by 2019. The PlayStation 2, the best-selling console of any kind, sold roughly 155m copies while on release.
In contrast, the Xbox One is predicted to reach 57m units shipped by 2019.
Both consoles have performed better in their debut year on the shelves than their predecessor. In its first year, the PlayStation 4 shipped 18.5m units dwarfing the PS3’s 10.5m. The Xbox One shipped 12.4m units compared to the Xbox 360's 10.4m.
Eric Smith, a senior analyst at Strategy Analytics, commented:
Despite reports to the contrary, the Game Console market is not dead. Core gamers have moved faster to this current generation than in any previous generation.The main difference in this generation is that casual gamers who bought a Wii are remaining largely on the sidelines as free-to-play casual games and mid-core games on tablets on smartphones have captured this segment of consumers.