Pachter: Hirai, Greenberg both correct

Thursday 22-Jan-2009 10:30 AM Analyst next to jump in on 'longevity-gate'

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/

It's been like a dissing match in a corporate playground as Sony's Kaz Hirai and Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg lay into each other. Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter, however, says they're both right.

Hirai began by saying 360 "lacks longevity", and asserting the PS3 would finish the current gen in the lead globally.

Greenberg, talking more specifically of the US market, responded saying Sony is "out of touch" with the industry and demonstrates a "complacent attitude".

Pachter is the voice of reason: "Aaron Greenberg is right that Sony likely won't catch Microsoft in the U.S. until at least 2014. Kaz is right that Sony will likely catch Microsoft globally," he said.

"Sony likely has a 4 million unit lead in Japan, is behind by 7 million in North America, and is behind in Europe by 2 million. My guess is that Sony can sell 2 million PS3s per year more than Microsoft in Japan for the next several years, and can catch up in Europe in two or three years," he said.

"So by the end of 2011, Sony should be even in Europe, ahead by 10 million units in Japan, and behind by a greater margin than 7 million in North America," predicted over at GameDaily.

"Funny that nobody is talking about catching the Wii," added Pachter.

"Sony likely has a 4 million unit lead in Japan"

If you thought Pachter couldn't fail any harder...

no one mention wii b/c those number they are throwing around almost equal what teh wii will sell in a year let alone by 2014

I'll have to admit, Pachter just cleaned house pretty well.

ye i noticed that, its obviously a typo on cvg`s part

Here's an idea, let's not give this guy any more attention. We won't click on links that have the word "Pachter" on them. That might give the media an incentive to cite a better analyst.

It looks like a girls fight!

No it's definitely not a typo. Look at the other sentences:

"My guess is that Sony can sell 2 million PS3s per year more than Microsoft in Japan"

"So by the end of 2011, Sony should be (...) ahead by 10 million units in Japan"

is he a fcking idiot

PS3 will never go anywhere near 10 million in JAP then how the hell will it have a 10 million lead over 360 there

ya, has to be a typo. 3 million would have made a bit more sense and since 3 and 4 is right next to eachother it is easy to do.

His numbers dont make much sense either way though but he does have the point that while Sony might not lead in the US, the EU and JP is their best bet to win this gen. As long as they can pull closer to the 360 in the US they will be fine.