EEDAR analyst Jesse Divnich has said that PlayStation 3 is narrowing the gap between itself and Xbox 360, observing Sony’s console is ‘definitely gaining ground’ in the on-going hardware race.
While Microsoft’s machine continues to maintain a five percent lead over PS3, Divnich noted Sony’s flagship console sold around 10 percent more than 360 during the first six months of 2011.
"If one looks at the total amount of sales through the first six months of 2011, the PlayStation 3 has sold about ten per cent more than the Xbox 360, worldwide, so the PlayStation 3 is definitely gaining ground," said Divnich, during a chat with IndustryGamers.
"The Xbox 360 does have a five percent lead over the PlayStation 3 worldwide, a minimal difference," he added.
"We do know based on our consumer surveys that the replacement rate among Xbox 360s are slightly higher than the PlayStation 3 (the Nintendo DS is the highest, as it is expected for portable electronics). The PlayStation 3 was a tad bit more technologically future proof from the start compared to the Xbox 360.
"I think if you weigh in those factors, the race is neck and neck."
Elsewhere, Billy Pidgeon of M2 Research said that PS3 will have a chance to surpass 360’s global installed base should Microsoft decide to roll out a new platform.
"Should Microsoft release a successor to Xbox 360 and shift the pipeline for hardcore games over to the new consoles, that would be a possible scenario by which PS3 could bypass Xbox 360’s active installed base," offered Pidgeon.
"This scenario would give PS3 the opportunity to soak up the hardcore sector."