That was before last Christmas when I took a look at the gaming industry and things have moved on since then an accelerated pace. CES provided a significant development in the dramatic fall of HD-DVD, Sony has been riding the wave since, with everyone lining up to proclaim 2008 as the year of Sony and the PS3. Hell, Nintendo and Microsoft have had their turn, so it only seems fair, but nothing is quite as simple as that, and now seems as good as any time to look at the prospects for the industry 2008. So, without further ado, we begin by considering Sony itself.

Sony

What could have happened if the HD DVD won? Lord only knows, but anyone with an interest in the welfare of Sony must have been delighted when Warner Brothers dropped the proverbial bomb at CES this year. To say that the fate of the PlayStation 3 and Blu-ray are joined at the hip might be a slight overstatement, but it goes without saying that the Blu-ray, the victory was a great boost to Sony vacillates, the third generation of console Game.

I say shaky, but talk of a resurgence PS3 is not idle chat: things have improved. Recent sales figures suggest the PS3 managed to sell about 360 in February, while the PS2 continues at the same time the best they can on their age. There are also suggestions that the PS3 is selling faster than the Xbox 360 has over the same period, giving credence to the idea that the PS3 might be able to catch up as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the PSP continues to regularly exchange, although the Nintendo DS continues to trounce all. Thus, with these positive trends and the value of Blu-ray drive justified, is it really the year, the PS3 comes of age?

As much as I would like to buck the trend and say no, all the evidence is in his favor. His reputation has been done many favors by switching to a sub-£ 300 price point, which for a Blu-ray coming game console is a very tempting price for those seeking a taste of the high-definition both forms of entertainment. And, unlike most of 2007, the PS3 can offer a good selection of games due in 2008. However, no prediction of success must be tempered by its point of departure, which is far from where Sony might have once imagined it to be. Let us not forget that before the PS3, Sony has benefited from two generations of total domination of the market for home console, it has managed to squander this coming generation.

Target: Sony will be definitely targeting the Xbox 360 and the PS3 does not exceed its sales this year, then it should be considered a failure. In addition, Sony needs a successful launch of its popular PlayStation Home service to prove that it can deliver a community platform convincing.

Microsoft

He has been an inauspicious start to 2008 and Microsoft for the Xbox 360. Sales have been affected by production problems, although in general the situation has evolved into a stabilization in sales of equipment as a combination of market saturation, concerns about the reliability and greater price competitiveness of the PS3 resulted in a reduction of its turnover. Meanwhile, its tentative support for HD DVD has ended, triggering all sorts of rumors and wild speculation that he could support Blu-ray, in one way or d ‘.

That Microsoft has denied any plans to include a Blu-ray drive should come as no surprise. Microsoft support HD DVD was symbolic, at best, and the likelihood of him with a good PR Sony victory by making an offer for a Blu-ray is unlikely in the extreme. In addition, all comments that Microsoft as a whole has made supporting Blu-ray should not be interpreted as including the Xbox 360, because it obviously has an obligation to support the format in Windows. Beyond all that will be of little interest to the parties.

Target: Microsoft will seek to simply take off the PS3 and the hope that hardware sales continue to grow. News of declining prices is clearly part of this strategy, and a 60 GB model proposed will not hurt either. Otherwise, it will be hoping that its software will drive these exclusive sales and that it can continue to strike deals useful for the distribution of films, television and perhaps even the music through Xbox Live Marketplace - increasingly important part of its long-term plan.

Nintendo

Nintendo should not even be in this position come 2008. His Wii is dominant and continuing to sell each unit can produce Nintendo, while the DS also dominates the handheld space. In the short and medium term Nintendo only real concern is milking cows to milk it as long as they are worth. It’s easier said than done, however, thanks to the continuing shortage of high-profile releases, particularly on the Wii.

Ultimately, with third party developers / publishers preferring to exploit high-margin profit for easy, quality is rare and Nintendo continues to bear the brunt of the responsibility for the supply of the console. Recent release, No More Heroes, is a step in the right direction in terms of quality, but its unusual style violence and makes it a niche title. Wii first part Fit and other securities obviously play a key role, but Nintendo will need to show something new this year, if it wants to continue its current momentum through 2009.

Objective: To make more consoles, selling more games, Nintendo needs to build on its success to the novelty wears off, what will happen as soon as possible. I am willing to bet that Nintendo will have something important to talk about it at E3, is another new hardware or even a revision in the same vain of its improvements to theDS.

That concludes my house watching the consoles in 2008. One thing that is clear is that the industry continues to grow, a fact that you please all parties concerned. Next time I will take a look at the PC game on the largest number of parties, many unjustly, predict lean times. As always, you can share your ideas on the forum.