Analyst: 'PS3 to surpass Xbox 360 by 2015'

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter has predicted that Sony's PS3 console will push ahead of Microsoft's Xbox 360 by 2015, reports Industry Gamers.

In a 210-page report published by the firm, Pachter said that the Wii will hold 49% of US and European markets by the close of 2009, ahead of the Xbox 360 (29%) and PS3 (22%).

However, he expects that Sony's console will draw level with the Xbox 360 in the next two years to hold 26% of the market reach, with the Wii slipping to 48%.

Despite the Wii likely to prove the "dominant console to the end of this cycle", Pachter believes that the PS3 will go on to take second position by 2015.

This is due to its inclusion of a Blu-ray drive, which recently beat HD-DVD in a format war, as well as the Xbox 360's weak position in the Japanese market.

"We think that the PS3 will capture significant market share, primarily due to Sony's victory in the high definition DVD format war, and will end up in second place by 2015," he said.

"Although Microsoft's Xbox 360 enjoyed a first mover advantage, we think that its market position will fade to third place due to lack of penetration in Japan."