Next Year.

2007 has been a monumental year for video games and the industry thanks to the release of the next-gen consoles that have gained so much attention in the years that they have began to come into their own.
First we have the xbox 360 released in 2005 it already had a year lead on its competitors, a improvement on the xbox which was dominated by the previous Playstation 2, Microsoft kicked back with this ass kicking piece of hardware that was set to give the Playstation 3 a run for its money, and as every gamer knows, has. Microsoft have had their fair share of pickles, such as 'the red ring of death', known and revered by every 360 owner. 360's were breaking down all over the world and were gaining a reputation for poor reliability and to solve this Microsoft splashed out a billion pound on a three year warranty on all 360's. Microsoft have released many versions of their machines to cater for all gamers;
- The xbox 360 Core, later replaced by the xbox 360 Arcade
- The xbox 360 Premium
- The xbox Elite
The 360 has had its fair share of decent exclusive games in the form of Gears of War, BioShock and ermm that other one, Halo which have been crucial in the 360's walk to the top.

Then we had the wii, Nintendo's stab at next gen gaming, released in 2006 it revolutionised the industry and audience by enabling wireless 'virtual' controls as well as the coming of age of the 'casual gamer'. The wii sold, and continues to sell massively with its large appeal to family and more 'kiddy' related aspects that have proved highly profitable. Is it just a gimmick, and if so, when will people grow tired of it? Games such as wii sports seem to be keeping people entertained for eternity.

Then comes the Playstation 3 launched in 2005, to a lukewarm reaction many complained that it only really appealed to hard core gamers. People were more interested in the shenanigans that happened in the lines queuing up to purchase the ps3's such as shooting and people demolishing the machines in front of impatient customers. Bundled with its relatively weak selection of launch titles things haven't exactly gone to plan for Sony this year. Any one who says other wise is a filthy liar. Losing out on significant exclusives such as Grand Theft Auto 4 to the 360 have pushed many people off the fence and onto the 360's garden.

But what does 2008 have to offer us. Surely enough the wii will come into stock and keep on selling. February the 10th will be a crucial day for Nintendo with the release of 'Super Smash Bro Brawl'. 'Brawls' predecessor 'Super Smash Bros Melee' was the highest selling game on the gamecube and is sure to top charts in the new year with its ability to appeal to the hardcore and causal gaming crowd. IF people do ever get bored of 'wii sports' there appetites are certainly going to be enticed next year with 'wii fit' which is set to be the next big thing. The release of the ever loved 'Mario Kart' will do wonders, because well who doesn't love Mario Kart? And its going to be online, it makes me want to get a wii. Sure they don't have many huge titles to be looking forward to but, 'too many cooks can spoil the brooth', apparently.

2006 and 2007 have been great years for Microsoft with over 100 games to pick and choose from, many of which are critically acclaimed. But ever since the halo-hype has died down Microsoft have not let on too much as to what expect next year, big 360 exclusives are hard to name at this time. 'Halo Wars' is set to keep halo fans happy with its strategy based take on the Haloverse, but will it appeal to the more casual gamers? Ninja Gainden 2 will be released, and as good a game as it is, it is not a console seller. Other large scale titles will also be appearing on the PS3: Burnout Paradise, Devil May Cry 4, Grand Theft Auto 4, Soul Calibur 4, and (by the grace of God) Resident Evil 5. But Microsoft just might have an ace up their sleeve; they could unleash 'Gears of War 2' just in time to boost Autumn sales as well as 'Fable 2'.

2008 seems to be a lush year for Sony with many exclusives to rely on, such as Metal Gear Solid 4 which has practically been piggy backing the ps3 for a while now. This is the game lots of off the fence gamers have been patient and have a lot riding on this excellent looking game so, no pressure Konami. The second installment of the first person shooter Killzone is set for release as well, titled 'Killzone 2' (woah didn't see that coming) and by the looks of it, is going well. It has wowed many people but is this finally Sony's answer to Halo? Gran Turismo, the most prestigious of racers, will hopefully grace the system with its fifth installment by the end of the year; a huge advantage. Finally Final Fantasy (see what i did there?) will burst onto the scene and bust open Asia. All these and a new Tekken, chances of a new Jak and Daxter as well as a Fian Fantasy spin-off entitled 'Final Fantasy VS'. The futures bright for the ps3.

All that coupled with Sony's very own 'Home', a free social networking like Sims. Sure hardcore gamers may hate it, but social parasites that thrive off MySpace and other web 2.0 application will love it. If the wii has taught us any thing, that is that stupid names sell...and that casual gamers are a large aspect of the gaming market. Sony are looking to encapsulate this with other titles such as 'LittleBigPlanet''.

Slowly but surely developers are starting to use the ps3 s the lead platform when releasing multi-platform games such as 'Devil May Cry 4' and 'Burnout Paradise' as developers claim it’s much easier to restructure a ps3 game opposed to a 360 game. This means that a few games might just be technologically superior when played on a Sony console. Will developers somehow harness the mythical full potential of the Playstation 3's Cell and significantly edge out the 360’s visual capabilities? Let’s say that does happen and you happen to own both consoles. What would you rather buy the games on, the one that is visually superior or the one that has 'achievements', baring in mind that Sony 'Home' will be releasing player 'trophies' to cater for the OCD ridden lot of us in that you have to get every possible achievement.

From that Sonys future seems to be getting brighter by the day. Nintendo's may not look extravagant but one should never underestimate the selling power of a brand name. Think 'ipod'. Sony seems set to do better in the 360 feud as it is more of a multi purpose machine. Microsoft xbox live still runs rings around Sony's Playstation network which is set keep the 360 going steady along with exclusive content to games such as GTA4.

On paper the ps3 seems set to make up for what it failed to achieve in 2007-success. I'd put my money on the ps3 narrowly getting the advantage over the 360 in 2008.

Only time will tell....or fortune tellers.

In other news!

- A ps3 firmware update is set for tomorrow. This will enable DivX playback to counter the 360's.
- GTA4 is apparently related to violence against prostitutes...who knows why.
- Problems UK 360 owners have experienced when renting movies through Xbox LIVE have been "all but cleared up" according to Microsoft.
- wii 2 will apparently not use hand held controllers, instead they will just use sensory cameras located around the room.
- Sony dominating standalone blue-ray dvd sales
- PS3 soon to be able to link to phones to do God knows what.