Analyst: Microsoft Xbox 360 could steal 2007 holidays from Nintendo Wii

The Nintendo Wii is expected by many to continue its dominance over 2007’s holiday season, but Janco Partners’ Mike Hickey disagrees. He believes that the Microsoft Xbox 360 just might steal the show in the season of giving.

Lower price points, improved reliability, and killer titles like Halo 3 and BioShock could all come together and turn the holidays more hardcore game-oriented. Hardware and killer software scarcity during the 2007 holidays might also hurt the Nintendo Wii, according to Hickey. He mentions that “a market shift toward core gamer platforms (Microsoft Xbox 360/ Sony PS3) and a potential Sony PS3 price cut (November) should benefit ERTS this holiday.”

Moving on to other gaming industry matters, Hickey also expressed some concern over BioWare/Pandemic’s upcoming projects under their Electronic Arts acquisition deal. He comments:

We are cautiously optimistic over their recent acquisition of BioWare/Pandemic development studios, although considerably less positive on the Bio-Pan IRR potential despite speculation BioWare’s unannounced MMO will be a Star Wars licensed release.

The analyst pointed out that though the MMO sector of gaming is a booming one, BioWare may be entering uncharted territories here. He says that there’s no doubt that the developers of Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights are RPG experts, but it remains to be seen how they will fare in a totally different type of effort.

The Nintendo Wii is expected by many to continue its dominance over 2007’s holiday season, but Janco Partners’ Mike Hickey disagrees. He believes that the Microsoft Xbox 360 just might steal the show in the season of giving.

Lower price points, improved reliability, and killer titles like Halo 3 and BioShock could all come together and turn the holidays more hardcore game-oriented. Hardware and killer software scarcity during the 2007 holidays might also hurt the Nintendo Wii, according to Hickey. He mentions that “a market shift toward core gamer platforms (Microsoft Xbox 360/ Sony PS3) and a potential Sony PS3 price cut (November) should benefit ERTS this holiday.”

Moving on to other gaming industry matters, Hickey also expressed some concern over BioWare/Pandemic’s upcoming projects under their Electronic Arts acquisition deal. He comments:

We are cautiously optimistic over their recent acquisition of BioWare/Pandemic development studios, although considerably less positive on the Bio-Pan IRR potential despite speculation BioWare’s unannounced MMO will be a Star Wars licensed release.

The analyst pointed out that though the MMO sector of gaming is a booming one, BioWare may be entering uncharted territories here. He says that there’s no doubt that the developers of Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights are RPG experts, but it remains to be seen how they will fare in a totally different type of effort.