Study: PS3 leading in consumer interest

According to a recent study, 8.9 million US customers are "prepared" to pay full price for a PlayStation 3 system this fall. The study, conducted by L.A.-based Interpret, showed that 5.7 million customers were willing to pay the full $250 to purchase a Nintendo Wii, while just 800K were prepared to purchase a full-price Xbox 360 during the same period.

Interpret CEO Michael Dowling said “Actual sales will be dictated by supply constraints, but if Sony had enough supply in the marketplace to fulfill demand, Microsoft would have a very difficult time at its current price point. What Microsoft is hoping for is the early lead helping to drive stronger installed base for them. It’s certainly helped them over the short term.”

He also believes that the Wii is in an excellent position to play spoiler.

“Nintendo’s marketed Wii as a pick-up-and-play type of device and it seems to be resonating with consumers,” said Dowling.  “It wasn’t just older hardcore gamer or younger player, Wii had a pretty wide distribution across age and gender."