Ubisoft Entertainment SA, Europe's second-largest video-game maker, said Nintendo Co. will increase its lead over Sony Corp. and Microsoft Corp. in the console market this year.
In the U.S., revenue from software for Nintendo platforms such as the Wii will make up 40 per cent of sales of console software this year, from 36 per cent a year earlier, according to Ubisoft CEO Alain Martinez. The share for both Sony and Microsoft will fall, according to the presentation to analysts in Paris yesterday.
The U.S. is the world's largest single market for video games, ahead of Japan and the U.K. Software for Sony consoles will make up 32 per cent of the total in the U.S., down from 35 per cent last year, while Microsoft will account for 28 per cent, down from 29 per cent in 2007, Ubisoft said.
Ubisoft said it expects 34 million consoles to be sold in 2008.