iSuppli's console sales numbers and forecasts (or "WTF, is this for real?")

[NJ5]

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,142531-c,gameconsoles/article.html

Wii to Displace Xbox 360 by End of 2008

Nintendo's Wii game console will displace Microsoft's Xbox 360 as the new-generation game machine, according to market research firm iSuppli.

Dan Nystedt, IDG News Service

Friday, February 15, 2008 7:00 AM PST

Nintendo's popular Wii game console will displace Microsoft's Xbox 360 as the new-generation game machine, iSuppli said Thursday.

The market researcher forecasted that the global installed base of Wii game consoles will rise to 30.2 million units in 2008, up from 18 million in 2007, putting it ahead of the Xbox 360's projected 25.7 million units.

The Wii is already riding a wave of popularity that saw it win the greatest growth among new game consoles last year, according to iSuppli figures. There were only 3.2 million units in people's homes at the end of 2006, jumping to 18 million at the end of last year. The Xbox 360 retained its lead as the console in most homes last year by edging out the Wii with 18.2 million units, while the PlayStation 3 lagged rivals with 10.3 million, up from 1.8 million per year earlier.

iSuppli did not include older game consoles or handhelds in their report.

The market researcher chalks up Nintendo's success to a strategy of offering a lower-cost game console targeted at everyday people, rather than an expensive console with the latest graphics aimed at video game lovers. The main difference between the Wii and its rivals is the wireless controller and sensors that detect hand motion and speed. The innovation puts motion into gaming, because users swing the Wii controller to hit virtual baseballs and golf balls on their TV screens, go bowling and fight in boxing.

The Wii currently sells for $249.99 in the U.S., according to electronic retailer Best Buy's Web site, while the Xbox 360 costs $349.99 and the PlayStation 3 $399.99.

 

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WTF? Xbox 360 at 18.2 million units at the end of 2007? Wii at 18 million (with Nintendo saying they shipped 20.13 million...)??

Also, Wii selling 12.2 million during 2008 when (according to them) it sold 15 million during 2007?

I really hope that the people in the industry have better sources than this... They can't even get their 2007 numbers right.