Yep, they’re at it again, the sagacious soothsayers of the games industry making their bloomin’ obvious predictions about our beloved market’s big players, that is. Yawn...

The latest finger-in-the-air belongs to GamerMetrics’ analyst, Nick Williams, who has confidently predicted that Halo 3 will shift more than four million units in the US alone and drive growth for Microsoft’s noisy console to boot. Not only that but the after-effects of Halo 3’s launch will reverberate for months to come thanks to the game’s excellent online multiplayer gaming options. In other words we’ll be too busy playing ‘em to have any room in our lives for any other titles. Er, yeah, that’s probably true now you come to mention it.

Ah, but one analyst’s confident prediction is another’s utter tosh. And while Mr Williams is at the bookies betting the family farm on Halo 3 being a biggie Wedbush Morgan’s Michael Pachter thinks that Sony might have plans to spoil the party. According to Pachter: "There have been recent rumours about a new 40GB PS3 sku planned for release prior to the holidays at a USD 399 price point, and other rumours about an impending PS2 price cut to USD 99." Furthermore he thinks that Sony is highly likely to use the Tokyo Game Show as a platform to make such an announcement, given that it takes place just ahead of Halo 3’s global launch next week.

Here’s our prediction, for what it’s worth – Halo 3 will sell absolute bucketloads, easily exceeding four million in the US between now and Xmas and Kaz Hirai will announce a cheaper PS3 at the TGS, which’ll definitely sell more units as a result but will not begin to rival the 360 until it builds itself a catalogue of absolutely essential software titles. If anyone sees any sign of that happening any time soon do let us know. Sheesh...