Worldwide PS4 pre-orders up to 1.5million

Worldwide pre-orders for the incoming PlayStation 4 have reached 1.5million, according to Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter.

Back in August Sony confirmed that 1million pre-orders had been placed around the world, but now Pachter believes that figure has risen significantly.

"Sony's making a million [PS4's] a month, Microsoft probably about the same, and they probably commenced manufacturing around 1 September, so through December they'll manage 4million each," he said on the latest episode of Bonus Round.

"Because of the delay in Japan I think Sony will probably ship around two million to the US, and my guess is those will sell out.

"The Xbox, probably demand will be a little lower because it's an extra $100 USD. I think Microsoft intends to really market the hell out of the value add of Kinect and the headset included in the box.

"If I had to bet I'd say they're going to throw some software in the box and three months of Xbox Live Gold [at launch]. I think they need to give the gamer a reason to spend an extra $100 USD."

Pachter claimed that Sony's marketing of the PS4 was going well, and the only problem it had was supplying everyone with a console.

"The only thing they're going to have problems with is supply disruption. That million pre-orders that they talked about, which I understand now is up to 1.5million, that's a lot of consoles.

"That tells you there's not going to be a lot of boxes behind the first 1.5million and so I think you're going to have some supply shortages.

"And I think, to the extend that there is a shortage, that's a potential customer who says 'I'm getting an Xbox One because that's great too'."

The PS4 launches in 32 countries this year.