Since before the launch of Xbox 360 in late 2005, Screen Digest has tracked multiple data points regarding every single packaged retail title confirmed for 256 bit home console platforms. This article does not contain all the data from the Study but does highlight some key points for the console sales for Holiday 2007.
Key findings:
- With around a year less in the marketplace, Nintendo Wii will offer customers a games library with just twenty less releases than Xbox 360 has managed to generate in twice the time.
- Vigorous third party support and new releases of their strongest franchises in Super Mario Galaxy and Halo 3 will drive games sales for Wii and Xbox 360 in Q4
- PlayStation 3's release pipeline is muted by comparison despite a pared down version of Gran Turismo, new IP in Uncharted and possible hardware related announcements before year end.
- Publisher commitment is shifting to Wii with eighty six releases in Q4 compared with forty seven for 360 and thirty eight for PS3. Of Wii Q4 releases over a quarter are exclusive to the platform, compared with eight for Xbox 360 and five for PS3
- With the most abundant development resources in the industry, publishing giant EA leads the way into the Christmas shopping season with the most releases scheduled for Q4. Ubisoft and THQ follow.
Screen Digest believes that games based on IP licensed from other media constitutes more than a third - around 37 per cent - of all releases in Q4.
- For casual games publishers have shown a marked preference for Wii with nearly forty titles aimed at the casual gamer scheduled for release in Q4, compared with barely a dozen between Xbox 360 and PS3.
Q4 releases cement the UK's position as a key territory for console games developers, leading European territories and, given its size, more than holding its own against the US and Japan.
