Analysts predict PS3 pulling ahead in console war

Analysts have credited Sony with at least a minor victory over Microsoft when this generation is done and dusted.

EEDAR's Jesse Divnich told IndustryGamers that the PlayStation 3 has sold ten percent over the Xbox 360 in the first half of 2011, worldwide.

Moreover, he noted that while the 360 currently has a "minimal" lead on the PS3 of five percent, the Xbox 360 has a higher replacement rate, leaving the two rival consoles "neck and neck" for install base. David Cole of DFC Intelligence backed up this claim.

Billy Pidgeon of M2 Research said the PlayStation 3 is a "strong contender" for second place behind the Wii, this generations hands-down home console winner, and predicted a new Microsoft console could actually benefit Sony.

"Should Microsoft release a successor to Xbox 360 and shift the pipeline for hardcore games over to the new consoles, that would be a possible scenario by which PS3 could bypass Xbox 360's active installed base," he said.

"This scenario would give PS3 the opportunity to soak up the hardcore sector."

As for second place, as far as the hardcore market is concerned, I'd say PS3 is a strong contender for that position.

All three analysts noted that the 360 continues to perform most strongly against the PS3 in the US in particular, and had beaten models and predictions, perhaps due to Kinect sales.