simExchange: 360 to outsell PS3 2-to1 for Xmas

The simExchange October review report, based on information taken from the online prediction market simExchange, believes that the Xbox 360 will outsell the PlayStation 3 in the US by almost 2-to-1 between now and the end of the year.

According to analyst Jesse Divnich the Xbox 360 will sell just over 2 million units, while the PS3 will sell just over 1 million - although the Wii and DS will trump them both handsomely, shifting 3.28 million and 2.86 million units respectively.

The market, which isn't based on actual financial transactions but the predictions of thousands of gamers, developers and industry watchers, does take into account the introduction of the 40GB version of the PS3, but notes that actual software sales for October were lower than market predictions.

Ratchet and Clank Future only sold 74,500 units last month, compared to an estimate of 129,000, although promising reviews of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune - predicted to sell 286,000 units in December - could spell an upturn.

In terms of software predictions, sales estimates for Assassin's Creed have fallen sharply on the back of lower-than-expected review scores globally.

Divnich points to an average score in the 80 - 90 per cent bracket, rather than the previously predicted 95 per cent, and revised sales estimates have fallen from 2.85 million units to 1.84 million for the Xbox 360 and from 1.48 million to 1.38 million for the PS3 edition.

Meanwhile the simExchange market predicts Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare to take the number one spot in the US in November - more Activision success following Guitar Hero III's triumph in October.

Finally the report predicts a bumper year for software sales, with November up 31 percent year on year and selling USD 1.05 billion, and December up 27 per cent to USD 2.19 billion.