Analysts Predict Great Year For PS3

2008 is PS3′s year, it has to be. Thankfully, the recent HD-DVD death is proving great news for Sony in general, as well as finally giving wary HD movie adopters a solid reason to finally in some Blu-ray goodness without fear that the format will be obsolete any time soon. Joystiq has compiled a list of analysts and their comments:

Mike Hickey, Janco Partners:
The PS3 will eventually receive an awakening as Blu-ray becomes the winning format, this will lead to larger install base and motivate third-party developers to the PS3.

Michael Pachter, Wedbush Morgan Securities:
Sony once said 70 – 80% of PS2 owners treated it as their first DVD player, he believes the same will hold true for HD movies — except that there is currently only a 10% penetration with 1080p televisions. He also says there will be a sales spike later this year coinciding with another price cut.

Colin Sebastian, Lazard Capital Markets:
When consumers decide they “need” a Blu-ray player it certainly can’t hurt the PS3, especially if its games improve and hardware prices decline.

David Cole, DFC Intelligence:
Doesn’t believe Blu-ray is a determining factor in the console wars, but it is a nice bonus. He believes if a consumer were stuck choosing between two gaming platforms that were equal, then the Blu-ray might tip them over to the PS3.

Of course, this isn’t taking in account the amazing games line-up for 2008, including Metal Gear Solid 4, the Western release of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, LBP, Wipeout, Socom, Killzone 2, Resistance 2, Motorstorm 2…