The International Data Corporation (IDC) is ready to release its latest console forecast for the coming years. A preview granted to GI.biz predicts that the PlayStation 4 will lead all current-gen console sales through 2016. They feel that the system will lead with a total of about 51 million units sold.

How's about the Xbox One from Microsoft? The IDC feels that although it won't be near the 51 million units sold of the PS4, the Xbox One will make a strong comeback from its relatively weak opening months. In fact, the IDC predicts that the Xbox One will outsell the PlayStation 4 in North America by 2016. There is a catch to that surge in the Xbox One, however. The surge in Xbox One sales will be brought on by unbundling the Kinect.

The Nintendo Wii U may also see a very slight increase in sales following a projected price cut of roughly $50 by the end of the year. They also briefly touch upon the digital vs. physical offerings for games.
Looking at the bigger picture, the retail component of the video game business is expected to see continued declines, IDC said. IDC's forecast states that, together, eighth generation consoles will generate about 10 percent less retail revenue from console hardware and disc-based games than seventh generation (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii) consoles did combined through their first six years on the market.

That being said, total eighth generation console hardware revenue actually is projected to come in above the comparable seventh generation total thanks to higher average selling prices (ASPs). It's a different story, however, for the physical disc business, which IDC forecasts will see 45 percent fewer discs sold to retailers in the first six years compared to the seventh generation physical games sales.

They go on to say that more than 50% of total game revenues and direct app spending will come through digital means by 2019. Microsoft and Sony are expected to arrive at this figure before Nintendo does.