Pachter: Microsoft “foolish” to fuss about top spot

Following his predictions that the Sony PlayStation 3 will outsell the Xbox 360 this March, Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter is back to lend more insights to Microsoft. Appearing in a podcast for the Official Xbox Magazine, Pachter said that Microsoft should not worry about claiming the top spot in the next-gen console wars. More details after the jump.

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter has just predicted that the PlayStation 3 will outsell the Xbox 360 this March. Now he’s back to comment more on Microsoft, particularly on its desire to emerge on top of the next-gen console wars against the Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 3.

Speaking in the latest podcast from the Official Xbox Magazine, Pachter described Microsoft’s decision to pursue the top spot as “foolish.” According to him, it is more important to be profitable than to be first:

I don’t understand why Microsoft has to be first. It is part of their DNA, but they really don’t need to be first if they’re profitable. To finish first and lose a few hundred million dollars a year is a bad idea. To finish third and make a few hundred million dollars a year is a good idea.

Pachter mentions how happy Activision and Ubisoft are with making money even if Electronic Arts edges them out for the top spot. He believes that Microsoft should focus on doing the same and not worry about being a runner-up. For more of Pachter’s podcast, his thoughts on Grand Theft Auto 4 (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360) and more, head over the via link.