 The Informa Media Group predicts that Sony
will sell more than 30 million PlayStation 3s in Europe by 2010. It puts
Microsoft in second place with 10 million sales and Nintendo trailing in
third with five million. The new consoles, expected by 2005, could have up
to 1,000 times more processing power than current models and emphasise
online gaming.
"Sony is set to exploit the lead it established with the PS2, but
will face a much stronger challenge from Microsoft, who is determined not
to be left chasing Sony next time," said Toby Scott, author of the Informa
Media report, European Games Consoles to 2010.
According to the report, the PS3 is expected to sell 32 million
units in Europe by 2010, more than the combined sales of the Microsoft and
Nintendo machines. But Sony can expect a fight on its hands from
Microsoft, as they both aim to win over the hardcore gamer.
The battleground could well be the internet, with both future
consoles emphasising online play. Analysts see this as a big growth area
for gaming. But there will also be innovations to widen the appeal of the
consoles.
The next round of consoles are expected to come with voice
recognition and motion detection technology, so that play can become a
more social experience. | 
