IDC: Console Sales Have Peaked, Next Gen Won’t Match Current Totals

The next-generation Xbox is ready and waiting to be announced in just a few moments, and while there’s plenty of excitement surrounding this future wave of technology, there are members of the industry doubting the sales potential of fresh video game consoles. In the eyes of one research manager at International Data Corp., the sales of consoles have seen their peak.

Manager Lewis Ward recently spoke to Reuters about the upcoming Microsoft event where the Xbox 720 (or whatever you think it’s called) will be unveiled. Although he didn’t tell a tale of doom and gloom concerning the next-generation machines, he doesn’t believe that their sales will surpass, or even match, what we’ve seen with the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii.

"The next wave crest isn't as high as the previous one," Ward said.

An estimated 250 million Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii units were sold between 2005 and 2012. The Wii was the clear winner at 99 million units, but right now, Nintendo isn’t exactly leading the charge. The Wii U has been criticized by both fans and industry professionals, and third parties seem to want nothing to do with the dual-screen device. That’s just one of the many reasons Ward isn’t predicting massive numbers this time around.

"I do think that consoles as a product category have peaked and the next-gen devices won't match those totals," he continued.

It’s difficult to predict anything without first seeing what Microsoft has to offer, but thankfully, we’re just about ready to witness the last piece of the next-generation puzzle.