Michael Pachter. Remember him? He’s an analyst within investment banking specialists, Wedbush Morgan, and is fast getting a name for himself as the soothsayer where matters of videogame futures are concerned. Which is a nice way of saying that he sees the obvious, states it and most likely gets paid a six figure sum for doing so.

Okay, cynicism aside, Pachter’s latest prediction is a good one – assuming it comes true. His view of the near future incorporates steady growth and $50 off both the PS3 and Xbox 360 in time for Xmas. Bring it on!

Notice what’s missing from this picture? The Wii, of course, which continues to sell like the hottest, most delicious cakes at its current price point. The console’s continuing, unexpected, sickening success is probably most of the reason why Pachter thinks Sony and Microsoft will be dropping their prices too.

Discounts notwithstanding Pachter foresees 20% growth in the US and European markets for the rest of this year but thinks that things will flatline unless a new console is launched in 2011. This may come as a bit of a surprise to Sony, which is banking on a decade-long lifespan for the PS3. However Microsoft’ll probably be punting the Xbox 1080 by then, so no probs, eh!

More of this sort of thing soon, we shouldn’t wonder…