Analysts are known for scrutinizing trends and then making predictions based on those trends. In this case, David Cole of DFC Intelligence has his own take on the Xbox 360's performance in Europe. Interestingly, it includes a predicted switching of loyalties as well. Analyze the details in the full article after the jump.

 

DFC Intelligence, expert in video game and entertainment market research, recently released forecasts for the gaming industry. According to the research firm, Microsoft's Xbox 360 could lose the so-called "console war" and fall in a distant third place when year 2009 kicks in.

Various sources make it quite clear that the Nintendo Wii is zooming past its competition in terms of sales but Microsoft's horse trails close behind. DFC researchers, however, found weakness in 360's recent sales. If the current pace goes on for a couple of years, the Wii will dominate until 2008 ends. Sony's year will be 2009, when PlayStation 3 sales move into overdrive as DFC foresees.

DFC analyst David Cole pointed out how likely Sony will be leading in the software race even if Nintendo's console continues to sell. In order to share Xbox 360's presence to the scene, Microsoft "will need to build a strong base outside North America," said Cole.

By 2009, DFC expects US$ 47 billion in revenue for the gaming industry. Sales of the three big consoles are to reach numbers between 180 million to 210 million when 2012 comes - if DFC's projections are correct, that is. During the same year, PC gaming could be racking up $US 13 billion in revenue thanks to the ever-growing online games market and convenient digital distribution.

DFC's research is strongly positive toward handhelds. Cole stated that the Nintendo DS could be on top as the best-selling game system ever five years from now. Nothing is set in stone, but we can be sure of one thing: it'll be fun to watch how everything unfolds, and gamers win in the end.

According to a recent report from DFC Intelligence, the portable gaming industry stands to outgrow its console-based counterpart within the next few years.

"Under the right scenario, by 2011 the combined installed base of the DS and PSP could exceed that for the Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360," said DFC analyst David Cole, in line with DFC's recently released report, "The Market for Portable Video Games".

DFC's report further analyzed that in 2007, Nintendo and Sony potentially stand to earn US$ 10 billion in worldwide revenue via the DS and PSP portable gaming systems. The report also reiterated on the Nintendo DS' current sales success, and followed up with reassurance on the Sony PSP developing a solid sales market in the years to come - so long as Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) backed up its portable with strong promotional support.

The report indicates that other groups standing to benefit from this trend are third-party publishers and developers of PC-based RPGs, MMOGs, and turn-based strategy games. This sounds pretty much on the mark - the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP have been picking up a healthy crop of the aforementioned genres. We're imagining video games like Field Commander, Maple Story, or Final Fantasy Tactics, which is a hint of the promising games these two portables will be receiving in the near future.