Once again, as I prepare my half year report for videogame sales, I have run into an interesting bit of information.

Through June 17, 2007, current generation hardware had sold over 9.8 million units in (calendar) 2007.  With combined console sales averaging well over 300,000 units per week recently, it is all but inevitable that the data coming in for June 24 will show sales of 10+ million for Wii, PS3, and 360.

At the moment, the breakdown for sales in 2007 is..

Wii - 54.5%

PS3 - 23.2%

360 - 22.2%

...with 360 looking likely to sell more than PS3 this year, and Wii rapidly gaining marketshare.

Consider that when taking into account sales before 2007, the percentages are..

360 - 45.6%

Wii -  38.3%

PS3 - 16.1%

With Wii sales in 2007 over 15% higher than it's current lifetime sales, expect it to keep rapidly gaining on 360.  PS3 should stay about where it is lifetime as the staggered launch offsets the drop in numbers.  However, by the end of July, 360's 2007 numbers will likely be ahead of PS3's 2007 numbers.  Once that happens, PS3 is very unlikely to escape 3rd place in sales for 2007.  Still, with 360's 2007 numbers 22% lower than lifetime numbers, it is all but inevitable that it will end up with a lifetime total of 40% or less by the end of 2007.

another good read source.

As we move into 2007 and a more level playing field (all three systems have been available for sale since the start of the year), it's inevitable that the 360 cannot maintain it's current percentage of the market. To do so, the 360 would have to sell almost as many systems as the Wii and PS3... combined!

I'd recommend changing the title "Consider that when taking into account sales before 2007, the percentages are..." to "Current Lifetime to date market share is..." (At first I thought you were trying to compare 2006's market share not lifetime.)

If one system out of three wants to keep the exact same percentage of the market share, then it would have to sell the exact same amount of consoles as the other two combined, wouldn't it? =P

Next gen uptake seems to be pretty fast.

Actually no. Unless the targuet percentage to mantain is 50%. Otherwise the marketshare will tend to 50% with time going to infinity.

Actually, I think it is pretty slow.  By the end of 2002 PS2 was at what, 20 million+?  I think it was more like 30 million but I'd have to check.

Oupsie. Math never was my strong point. -_-

Current Gen console sales have passed 10 million sold in 2007, even before the Japanese data comes out for the week. 

Kool.