Japanese Analysts Have Made Their PlayStation Vita Hardware Predictions.

5 million units by the end of March 2012, adding that software sales are likely to hit around 7 million units. The PlayStation Vita is due to release in Japan later this year, with a Western release due before the end of the fiscal year.

In a report published by Bloomberg Japan, Miura stressed that the PlayStation Vita's success will depend on its software line-up, with figures changing depending on the content available at launch.

Interestingly, Miura predicted that Sony will lose about ¥5,000 (roughly $65) on each Vita sold from launch, though the details of this prediction are sketchy. Kaz Hirai said at E3 that the Vita business will take around three-years to be profitable, while other executives such as Shuhei Yoshida have stressed that the business will break-even from the off-set.

Looking forward, Miura predicted that the Vita will sell approximately 8.5 million units by the end of March 2013, with around 28 million units in software sold.

Ace Secruties' Hideki Yasuda was a bit more cautious about the platform however, telling Bloomberg that the system's improved specifications will result in longer and riskier development periods. Yasuda suggested that this might result in lower uptake of software development for the system.

[source andriasang.com]