There is an obvious competition when it comes to gaming console specifications, but there is also the undeniable competition when it comes to popularity brought by sales record. 

According to Attack of the Fan Boy, video game analyst Michael Pachter made a prediction on the sales record of PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Wii U in their lifetime. Pachter, a well known game analyst who recently delivered a speech at the DICE Europe said that PlayStation 4, the number one selling game console, will now likely sell around 120 to 130 million units in it lifetime. Xbox One, on the other hand, will sell roughly around 100 to 110 million units. Wii U was also predicted to sell around 20 million in its lifetime.

In his speech featured on Game Industry, Michael Pachter said, "Growth in the 'traditional gamer market' could require leaving traditional consoles behind." Which seems very possible given how the 8th generation gaming consoles have revolutionized into something more predictable and tangible? He also added "The console installed base is as big as its ever going to get. This generation is not going to be bigger than the last generation. We're going to be about the same."

Michael Pachter may not be talking about the cloud, but he firmly believes that the next generation gaming system will not need a console. Set-top box hardware will be the next in thing and with only the help of a smartphone, the need to purchase a whole console will be insignificant. Activision, who recently ventured in the world of real-world gaming has also been cited.

Activision's "Skylanders Battlecast" collectible game cards can be played by scanning the real-life game cards and turning them into playable characters in a smartphone. 

That alone has initiated next-gen gaming without the actual use of a gaming console. Pachter also compared his analysis to the current gaming consoles wherein, if a certain publisher releases a new title, 20 million console users may be able to buy it, but according to him, another 20 million or more who doesn't have a console can readily buy the title if there's no need to use one.

His concept of the console has practically been in comparison to those who didn't have one but wishes to play along with the trend. Pointing it out, he said, "There are plenty of 30 or 40-somethings who would like to play FIFA or Call of Duty, but they're not going to buy a console for one game."