The Yankee Group, an analysis firm, has predicted that by 2011, the PS3 will reign supreme with 30 million units sold and attracting 44% of "cumulative third-generation console sales" in North America. Following behind will be the Xbox 360 with 27 million units and 40% of the market, and the Wii with 11 million units and 16% of the market.
Yankee Group also recognizes the impending surge of digital content distribution with the next-generation consoles. According to Michael Goodman, Yankee Group Media & Entertainment Strategies Senior Analyst, "With a growing installed base of connected consoles, content owners are beginning to recognize the potential video game consoles offer as a distribution channel. Additionally, these platforms will serve as a strong medium for advertising, validating the growing market for in-game and around game advertising."
Additional findings from the Yankee Group indicate that overall, fewer consoles will be sold in this generation due to the higher console price and overall unit sales will lag the previous generation of consoles. However, this contradicts their prediction about the Wii’s third place finish, since it’s all but guaranteed to be the cheapest of the next-gen consoles.
