Analyst Expects PS3 To Overtake Xbox 360 By 2012

Just a few years ago it seemed improbable. How the gaming industry can change in such few short years.

Speaking to IndustryGamers, EEDAR analyst Jesse Divnich believes Sony’s PS3 will finally overtake the Xbox 360 by 2012 in terms of worldwide sales.

“Worldwide, Sony will eventually take the lead from Microsoft, likely by the end of 2012. North America is a tougher challenge, and as we have seen lately Microsoft’s lead is widening.”

“I don’t know if the PlayStation 3 will ever overtake the Xbox 360 in North America,” he said. “Maybe 2014? 2016? We do know the PlayStation 3 has incredible long-term value as a Blu-ray player, much like the PlayStation 2 did as a DVD player, but with strong competition coming from the digital front, one has to wonder if the PlayStation 3 will receive long retail legs like its predecessor did.”

“Unlike previous generations, I don’t foresee third place being a “doom and gloom” scenario. Even with it being in third place now the PlayStation 3 is an incredibly healthy platform.

It all comes down to the active installed base; a company can sell as many consoles as it wishes, but if consumers are not actively buying games, they are not part of the installed base’s economic ecosystem. The PlayStation 3 doesn’t have the same problem the GameCube had with its third place finish last generation.”

via GamesThirst