PlayStation 3 will be the long term winner

Datamonitor, a leading provider of online database and analysis services for key industry sectors, has published research which estimates that the PlayStation 3 will be the industry leader, and will amass a global install base of 75 million by 2010.

Although not having seen the full report, its brief does reveal that the PlayStation 3 is estimated to achieve a global install base of 75 million by 2010. The console is also predicted to be the market leader, although not by the same margin the PlayStation 2 was able to achieve. The PS3's late arrival in PAL territories together with the early lead gained by the Xbox 360 are cited as reasons for the closer race.

The Wii is also expected to craft a unique market for itself: Nintendo looking for innovative gameplay and the "elusive fun factor, while Sony and Microsoft "aim towards increased functionality as a key driver for adoption."

The full report is available to purchase from Research and Markets.