14 DAY TRIAL // Analyst firm IHS says that it expects the PlayStation 4 from Sony to sell 49 million units during the coming five-year period, more than the 38 million estimated for the rival Xbox One from Microsoft.
Despite the five-year projection, the company says that at launch, sales for the two next-gen devices will be pretty similar.
The Xbox One is expected to move 2.2 million consoles to players by the end of the year, while the PS4 is estimated to deliver 2.4 million units during the same period.
VG247 quotes the firm as saying that, “The installed base of Xbox 360 users is significantly bigger than the original Xbox generation and this factor alone means IHS expects significantly stronger launch sales for Xbox One compared to the last generation.”
IHS believes that the increased price of hardware and other barriers created by both Sony and Microsoft means that a limited number of gamers will switch consoles for the coming generation.
At the same time, the territorial advantages that Sony enjoys in Europe, and Microsoft in North America are expected to continue to exist in the coming years.
The company adds, “This different approach will influence the choice of some early adopters. The strength of exclusives will also be key to consumer adoption; at this time IHS believes that Xbox One’s exclusives are more formidable for a wider set of gamers, especially in the opening launch period.”
It seems that both companies will continue to benefit from the low sales of the Nintendo-made Wii U, which means that more players will have the disposable income to pick up a PlayStation 4 or an Xbox One.
The report from the analyst firm does not say whether supply limitations could play a big role during the launch period.
The PS4 will be first out on November 15 in North America and two weeks later in Europe.
The Xbox One arrives in 13 countries on November 22.