Video game industry analyst Michael Pachter doesn’t seem to think Microsoft and Sony are necessarily being honest with consumers when they have recently both stated that they are struggling to meet demand for both Kinect and Move, the two gaming giants’ latest hardware releases.

In an interview with Incgamers, Pachter said that Microsoft and Sony wanted customers to believe that their motion gaming devices were hard to come by. Pachter singled out Sony’s figures, arguing that they had shipped 2.5 million units but hadn’t sold anywhere near that amount in reality. It seems Pachter believes this is a marketing ploy, with both companies trying to sell as many units as possible in the run up to the busy holiday season.

Sales on both platforms have been strong with Microsoft selling over one million Kinect units in the first 10 days of launch. Sony also reported strong sales with SCE Europe boss Andrew House recently telling Bloomberg that Move had sold “Somewhere in the region of 1.5 million units for the new controller across just Europe”

“I think both companies would very much like for consumers to believe that their devices are highly sought after and difficult to obtain.  That usually works to spur demand.

“Sony shipped 2.5 million units in the U.S. and Europe, and their sales are nowhere near that level, so I’m not sure how they can reconcile the fact that units shipped far exceed units sold.”

With such impressive sales, it’s a wonder that either company want to cause panic buying. Especially when, according to Pachter, both companies are trying to keep supply tight on standalone units, instead opting for console bundles in order to keep supply steady throughout the Christmas period.

Any shortage issues of two of the biggest electrical hardware releases of the year in the run up to Christmas would be, in my opinion a terrible mistake by both companies, with the holiday season arguably being the most likely time in which people are going to go out and buy Kinect or Move. I find it hard to believe two companies with such experience in the field of retail, would fail to be prepared for huge sales of the products they had put millions into marketing. Microsoft even increased their sales forecast from 3 to 5 million this holiday season, suggesting that they had already had measures in place to cope with high demand.

“Sony are trying the same strategy as Microsoft with Kinect, making sure that there are plenty of bundles, but controlling supply of the standalone controllers.”

So while shortages are unlikely, it seems both companies will go on to sell a huge amount throughout the holiday season, all we need now are some awesome titles to go along with the great hardware.

Are there any Ranters out there that have had trouble picking up a Kinect or Move? Are either on your Christmas list? Let us know what gaming goodies are on your list and check out this week’s new releases for gift ideas.

Source: Incgamers