The Xbox 360 has 12 months of viability left

Forget 2008, 2009 and 2010...

2011 is the year for Playstation!!! (yawn)

No really it is!!! (is it really???)

 

 

 

 

Actually - yes.

It is.

Sony is set to completely dominate 2011 for gaming with the introduction of two new mobile gaming devices (one of which is, by spec, definitely more powerful than the 360 - and this would be signifigant if you could connect it to an HD television)

In addition, there are a number of Playstation pedigree titles in the works for release this year that WILL drive sales unlike previous hype releases.   Sony has also lived up to promise to keep PSN free for multiplayer gaming and basic services - and is increasing their line-up of online content every quarter.  

Meanwhile, Microsoft has increased fees while actually decreasing services.  Xbox Primetime is now certified dead (1vs100, etc) and much of the new 'content' being introduced appears to be convoluted options centering around Kinect that no one - apart from Microsoft evangelists - seem to want.

Third party support for Microsoft is as strong as always but the 360 is now starting to show its age.  This doesn't necessarily put PS3 much higher although studios are now focusing most effort on the PS3 and it's cell advantages meaning that we are finally seeing the true potential of the machine itself. 

So back to the 360.  Slightly less powerful.  Losing the 'special relationship' it once had with third-party studios.  First party development is pretty much limited to over-hyped, intermittent releases.  It's own brand, Microsoft, once renknowned for spinning multiple plates at once has now undergone yet another executive management shuffle and is focusing 150% attention on their Windows Mobile platform which, oddly, seems to be getting the bulk of Xbox attention among other things.

Yup - the 'ole 360 still plugs away, but the writing is now finally on the wall.

Will this year's E3 be the unveiling of Microsoft's next offering?

If not - I dare say that we are looking at the twilight of Xbox gaming this year.  Under current progress/strategy, the 360 will begin to lose massive marketshare in the spring as the industry shifts attention to newer technology.  If Microsoft fails to fill the gap and introduce their next trick pony (meaning an announcement at E3 and a debut at Christmas this year/Q1 2012) - then there is a real chance that the Xbox division will collapse in on itself.