Research firm backs PS3 to lead 2008 growth

Research firm iSuppli has stated that it believes Sony's PlayStation 3 will shine the brightest through 2008, and post the strongest growth of any of the next-generation consoles.

The company expects the PS3 to sell 10 million units this year, almost doubling its installed base to 20.3 million units worldwide, according to Reuters.

That compares to the Xbox 360, which it expects to sell 7.5 million units to give it an installed base of 25.7 million units, and the Wii which it says will sell 12.2 million and give it an installed base of 30.2 million.

However, iSuppli also claimed that the PS3 would turn the current market order on its head, and become the industry-leading machine by 2011, with an installed base of 38.4 million units.

Analyst Pam Tufegdzic commented: "In this stage of the new-generation video game console market, consumers are showing they'd rather be entertained and pay less for their consoles than shell out more for the latest and greatest technology," referring to the current success of the Wii.

But following the PlayStation 3 price cut, the increasing success of the Blu-ray format, and a better forthcoming software pipeline, Sony's console is expected to fare better this year.