It's funny that it's currently Wensday and I've got nothing in the gaming news for a blog update. Some may argue the Mass Effect ordeal would be something to write about, but I feel that C&T and I have kinda run that into the ground enough.
So, after asking TestuoTrunks on what I should write, he recommended giving my gaming predictions for 2008, except without the suck that T.T. put in in his update. So, here we go, a full-fledged gaming prediction for each console in 2008.
Nintendo Wii- To match the success the Wii had in 2007 will be neigh-impossible, but I think if anyone can do it, Nintendo and the Wii can. The thing here is, Nintendo has a balls-tight grip on the casual gaming market, and there are still plenty of said casual gamers out there that will buy their Wii. The X-factor is the hardcore audience, which is seeming to move on to the PS3 and Xbox 360. Nintendo's attempting to cover that by announcing to bring up "more than one classic franchise from the dead" (rumor is one of them is Kid Icarus). These franchises, according to Nintendo, will be more suited to the hardcore audience, which I personally feel will be more important in the long run.
Nintendo prediction: The Big N will continue to sell out on Wiis and have hit casual titles like Wii Fit and the Mario Party franchise. How the hardcore demographic will react to these new 'hardcore' games is uncertain, in my opinion.
Microsoft Xbox 360: They really had a good start, with solid exclusive titles like Oblivion, Gears of War, and Dead Rising that were bringing in many new buyers as well as the previous Xbox owners upgrading. It seemed good times were ahead for Microsoft, until Halo 3 hit the market, and everything went back to Xbox = Halo. While the Halo series is no doubt popular, I feel that it may have turned away potential new buyers, because there are probably as many (if not, more) Halo haters than Halo lovers. This may not be permanent, though, as I reported yesterday that Call of Duty 4 overtook Halo 3 in online playtime (though that doesn't necessarily correspond to overall play, but it just might), so there may be a future for the 360, after all. But, if Microsoft wants to show they're more than just Halo, then some announcement of good, exclusive games might be useful. It also wouldn't hurt trying to rip Sony out of their exclusive rights Metal Gear Solid 4, but that doesn't appear likely.
Xbox 360 prediction: The 360 will take a step backward this year, and the Wii will expand their lead over the 360. I don't think Microsoft will truly recover from the Halo blow until 2009. I'm not saying the 360 is doomed, but every system has a down year, and I feel 2008 will be Microsoft's down year.
Sony Playstation 3: While the 360 is just looking to re-assert itself, it's do-or-die time for the PS3, and Sony knows it. But, this is the year they may just pull that off. 06 and 07 were major disappointments, but with good, exclusive games like Metal Gear Solid 4 and Final Fantasy XIII (among others), this may be the year that the PS3 turns around and start to catch up to the 360 and the Wii. There are two problems I see, though, that can ruin the PS3's chances of recovering. The first is MGS4's exclusivity. It's no secret that Microsoft wants Kojima's final masterpiece, and Sony may not have the power to stop it. But it's the second problem that Sony can do something about: advertising. I saw a pretty poor job in the PS3 ads that brought about more confusion than excitement and desire for a PS3. They need to ditch whatever plan they've got going on now, go back to the drawing board, and come up with a new scheme that is simple, but effective. A price drop couldn't hurt, either.
Playstation 3 prediction: They do recover a bit thanks to their exclusive titles, but it may be too little, too late for the PS3. Since exclusivity is very uncommon these days, along with Sony's continual bullheadedness to 'keep up with the Joneses' in the 360 will most likely be their downfall. With no clues of a potential price drop or changing of ways, 2008 will be their best year, but it may most likely be their last good year. Hopes of a PS4 keep looking smaller and smaller, the way I see it.
Ok, there we go. A full breakdown of all 3 consoles. Yes, I'll be ducking beer bottles for this one, but keep in mind, I can only predict so much with so little information. And almost everything never goes to what we predict, so keep that in mind. I'll see you guys next week.
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