Microsoft: Home Console Market to Grow 30% in 8th Generation

by William D'Angelo, posted on 23 May 2013 / 3,637 Views

Microsoft Europe's VP of Interactive Chris Lewis has told GamesIndustry International that the 8th generation of home consoles, the Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Wii U, will be 30 percent larger than the previous generation, the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii.

The Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii have managed to sell 254 million units as of the week ending May 11, according to VGChartz. A 30 percent increase would mean the 8th generation of home consoles will sell at least 330 million units.

"This generation 7 that we're in right now, it's 50 per cent bigger than generation 6 and I think double the size of generation 5," said Lewis. "Our anticipation is that generation 8 will be at least 30 per cent bigger still."

The 7th generation has been the longest on record. The Xbox 360 launched in 2005 and the Xbox One is set to be released in late 2013, eight years later. It will also be a seven year gap between the release of the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. It was Nintendo who went with a more traditional gap between its consoles. The Wii U launched six years after the Wii.

"There is a strong trajectory there," Lewis said. "I think people liked the length of the generation. Our partners certainly did. Retail loved the length of the generation, at least in terms of the attach and the additional services and content they can attach. Our developers like the longevity of the platform because they get better at bringing and optimising content for that platform."

Microsoft killed off the original Xbox when the Xbox 360 launched, but Lewis said that will not be the case with the Xbox 360 when the Xbox One launches. The Xbox 360 will continue to be supported in the years to come.

"Xbox 360 will continue for another multiple-year time frame," said Lewis. "We've already got meaningful marketing plans for the next 12 months for Xbox 360 and beyond. Our third-party publishers will bring more content to it, because the installed base is so high."


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9 Comments

Albicant
Albicant (on 23 May 2013)

Very optimistic! I can see the market size getting smaller this gen, not bigger. Sincerely hope he's right though.

  • +3
CDiablo
CDiablo (on 23 May 2013)

I see it getting smaller as well. I hope Xbox and any other system that is going for the digital/Steambox thing fails hard.

  • 0
Resident_Hazard
Resident_Hazard (on 23 May 2013)

Actually, I fully expect it to shrink over this next generation. If the early sales of the Wii U, 3DS, and Vita are any indication--coupled with the rapid growth of PC gaming and tablet and phone games, console gaming is set to shrink, not grow.

  • +2
ListerOfSmeg
ListerOfSmeg (on 24 May 2013)

It was about HOME consoles not portables but there isnt enough evidence to even support your claims atm for either portables or home consoles. Wii U sales to you might be low but taking into account the PS3 and 360 launch sales, it is doing fine. I am not sure why you think those consoles released to stunning sales when Activision almost pulled support completely from Ps3 because it was slling so bad. While Activsion isnt exactly happy about the Wii U launch numbers, they havent threatened to pull support over it.
EAs issue has to do with MS used game policy. ANyone can see that after the drop online pass the day before the xbox one reveal.

  • 0
Rogerioandrade
Rogerioandrade (on 24 May 2013)

That´s what I call extreme optimism.

  • +1
johnsobas
johnsobas (on 25 May 2013)

where is this growth supposed to come from? Sorry but Japan is shrinking, NA market is fully matured possibly shrinking, European market is probably almost fully matured now. The new emerging markets suck, they are PC gamers that don't pay for intellectual property. Phones, tablets are emerging as gaming devices. I see stagnation at best and shrinking is certainly possible.

  • 0
PigPen
PigPen (on 25 May 2013)

Not from your hardware, it will shrink 30%.

  • 0
gigantor21
gigantor21 (on 24 May 2013)

Sure, buddy. Whatever you say.

  • 0
Sensei
Sensei (on 23 May 2013)

believe

  • 0
thetonestarr
thetonestarr (on 23 May 2013)

I think everybody who's not vested in the console market sees it getting smaller this gen. M$ has some of the rosiest glasses I've ever seen.

  • 0
AnthonyW86
AnthonyW86 (on 23 May 2013)

To bad for them Sony will take that whole 30%.

  • -2
ListerOfSmeg
ListerOfSmeg (on 24 May 2013)

Just like they did this gen right kid......I guess pointing out how even if they did get the entire 30% it sill wouldnt give them back what they lost during the PS2 days.

  • +2