Two of Japan's most widely respected and influential game designers, Konami's and Square-Enix's Tetsuya Nomura, have backed the to be their preferred format within three years, according to a translation of a Japanese report published by IGN.

Kojima likened the PS3 - out in November - to a 'movie theatre', whilst the is merely 'watching a DVD at home', and the is a 'television program'. He stated that as a games designer, he had to give his backing to the theatre as the future of the games industry.

"Thinking two to three years from now, the PS3 will be the most appropriate," Nomura affirmed. "We feel that when the games that we're making are released, the PS3 will be strong in the market."

It isn't all praise for Sony's next-generation machine, however, Kojima noting with concern the lack of rumble functionality in the controller and pointing to the progressive nature of the Wii's 'Wiimote'. Nomura also delivered a little criticism, voicing worry over the system's high price, which depends so heavily on public awareness and perception of the new Blu-Ray DVD standard being pushed by Sony.

More on the next-generation console war as we get it.

By Luke Guttridge