min 8
max 14

I don't see it getting below 8 without a pricecut. And no I dont think there'll be one because I still believe Sony wants profit more than it wants market share.

I don't see the lead getting any bigger than 10 million for Microsoft at best because I don't expect that games like Alan Wake and Halo Wars are really going to move that many more consoles than what they already have out there in relation to what the PS3 has out there.  It was said earlier that Gears 2 didn't move that many consoles.  However, I think it probably did.  It has sold at least 3.77 million copies more than any other holiday period release and that was coupled with the 360's price cut.  On the other hand, I don't expect Gears to keep selling in huge numbers into the new year.  Sure it will pass 5 million and mybe even get up to 6, 7, or even 8 million in the long run.  But as months go by it will have a smaller effect on the big picture, and I don't expect any of the 360's 09 titles to be as big.

      Halo Wars will sell primarily to Halo fans but it won't move that many new 360's out of stores and Alan Wake is going to be the next Ninja Gaiden II, Too Human, or even Alone in the Dark imho.  In a best case scenario for Microsoft though, if Star Ocean comes out with mega review scores and wins over fans throughout the world or if Rare or one of Microsoft's other internal studios comes out with a title with mass appeal ie. Donkey Kong Country on the snes appeal, then of course the number would be bigger in the 360's favor.

     But the same thing could happen on PS3.  What happens if someone like Ellen starts saying Afrika, for example, on PS3 is one of the most awesome things ever like she did with Wii Fit, then you would see an unexpected boost in PS3 sales.

     And for the people saying the PS3 is going to just up and die.  I don't think that any console with two Final Fantasy games on the way, popular series like Uncharted and God of War having new scheduled titles to appear in the next year or so, and a mega seller like Gran Turismo 5 on the way has ever just curled into a ball and died.

min 5 million 360 max 9 million depending on a ps3 price break and a $300.00 PS3 isnt the sweet spot for sales to boom its still t$200.00 and great games too.

min: 8 m

max: 10 m

 This is what I love about fanboys. A few have done this so I am not trying to pick solely on this one, but I love how the maximum value has already been exceeded. Here we are in 2009 with an 8 million gap, but that doesn't slow some of them down. Guys, please be at least a little reasonable with your predictions. Quite obviously the gap will be at least 8 million at one point.

 OT: It is hard to say. I am normally loathe to make predicitions a year in advance just so I can keep from making myself look foolish. That said I will try to give a reasonable range. I would say it will be between 6-10 million the entire year.

I dont know why you are trying to use my statement for your own little personal rant but this Topic is asking for our OPINIONS. In my opinion...

THe gap will most definitely close at least some this year. We are talking about  by the end of 2009 what the gap will be right? I mean PS3 sells better at a higher price point then say if the 360 was at the same. PS3 needs to cut price, yes, but it doesn't have to exaclty MATCH 360 Price to OUTSELL it. Look at 2007 christmas and early last year for proof.

I thing the price cut will assuredly happen because rumor has it cost to make the PS3 is drastically going down. The cell has gotten cheaper to make, they have found a new way of making BD drives to make them less costly. In actuallity I think this cost went down a lot earlier then Sony had been letting on. I predict that they have been selling somewhere from about even since late last year. This year the cost is going down still so you know what time it is? PRICE CUT TIME!

PS3 yet again has a far better lineup between it and the 360 in the forseeable future. 360 might pull some awesome exclusives out it's ass but they have yet to be seen so I cannot judge based on that.

Lastly Sony has said in some previous articles in the last month that they too agree that their marketing is really poor. They said going into the new year they would be planning on changing this.

So those are Sony's Three Shortcomings all being cleaned up...

1. Price:going down this year to a much more suitable marketing range. Microsoft said there wont be another price cut like last for some time. That eliminates the fear of MS just undercutting Sony again anytime soon.

2. Games: Definitely better then 07 and an upgrade from 08's. PS3 once again this year is looking to have more AAA titles then 360 just like last year.

3. Marketing: Improvements are being made to better this situation

So yea, PS3 is going to do better this year then 360. I don't think there is any going backwards from here.

And all of that is fine if that is what you think. However, the gap is currently 8 million. The maximum cannot be smaller than 8 million as a result.

Maximum gap 7 million,without price cut.and the help of all the greats games coming out,but the price will still hurts
Minimum gap 4 million,with a price cut

See above.

It's the spread throughout the entire year - it's already 8 million.  If you believe that Sony will cut the price next week that should be your maximum.

" what will be the farthest away the 360 will be from the PS3, and what is the nearest they'll be during 2009?"

Notice the word 'during' not the end, not the start but what is the high water market for the Xbox 360s lead and what will be the low water mark for the Xbox 360 lead over the PS3.

If you think the PS3 will start taking back market share ASAP then something like 9 Million maxium and 3 Million minimum would be your prediction.

If you think the Xbox 360 will increase YOY and never drop down you would say Minimum 8 Million, maximum say 12 Million.

If you think its going to be up and down with the PS3 winning the holidays, you would say 10 Million maximum and 6 Million minimum.

Well something like that.

Clear now?