Analyst firm IDC has released a report forecasting next-generation console sales over the next three years. The company expects Sony PlayStation 4 to lead worldwide with 51 million units sold by 2016.
IDC also predicts that Microsoft Xbox One will capture the largest share of the North American market by unbundling the Kinect motion control system from the main console to lower the system’s price.
“The presumed unbundling of Kinect and Xbox One, which should facilitate rough price parity between it and the PS4, should lead to a spike in Xbox One sales,” said the company in a statement. “Assuming the console and sensor are unbundled in 2015, IDC expects Xbox One to recover and emerge with the largest installed base of any console in North America by the end of 2016.”
Sony recently reported global PS4 sales of 7 million worldwide since the platform’s November release, and Microsoft has confirmed 5 million Xbox One consoles shipped to retailers since the system’s initial launch last year.
IDC also predicts that boxed game sales will drop 45 per cent compared to the previous console generation, with increased digital earnings from games, subscriptions, DLC and other sources to offset the retail decline.
