Analysts Predict Win For PS3.

In the aftermath of E3, we all became part time analysts in an attempt to determine who would emerge victorious in the next generation race.

But how do the real analysts feel on the matter?

The latest issue of Famitsu has some revealing comments from three Japanese analysts: Daiwa Securities' Eiji Maeda, Nomura Securities' Yuta Sakurai, and Deutsche Securities' Takashi Oya.

The magazine asked the three for their opinion on which hardware maker had the biggest impact at E3. All three pointed to the Wii, noting that Nintendo's stock price rose from 16,000 yen to 19,000 yen in the three weeks surrounding the show. One of the biggest factors affecting their opinion was that 27 Wii titles were playable at the show, giving the impression that the system will launch with a strong lineup.

Impressions of the Wii were also influenced from the outside -- specifically, Sony's PS3 price. Maeda stated that the 62,790 yen Japanese price for the base system is not something that allows for an easy purchase, and he questioned how much the system will move among early adopters. All three analysts questioned how much demand Blu-Ray would have by the end of this year, and suggested that the system could have a rough start. Sakurai noted, however, that the PS3 could suddenly take off once the price comes down a certain level.

In the end, all three analysts predicted the PS3 to come out on top in the next generation race. However, they expect its lead to shrink. "The PlayStation 3 brand power is, of course, very strong," said Maeda. "However, the winds are have changed a bit. I don't believe there will be a commanding victory on the level of the PS2."

Ooya got the last word. "The hardware concepts this time are clearly different. Because of this, it seems to be a situation where the winner and loser won't be clear."