Why is it that everyone these day's seems to think the 360 has just run out of steam and will collapse next year. Everyone has the 360 finishing last on their prediction's. Most people seem to forget that after 2 years Microsoft has been able to sustain the 360's price quite remarkably. Honestly I think the 360 will have a much better year in 2008.

1. The new 360's reliability is excellent in comparison to the old motherboards.

2. Microsoft will probably drop it's price next year quite significantly

3. Believe it or not Microsft has some great games coming out next year, Splinter Cell Conviction, Ninja Gaiden2, Fable 2, Killer Instinct 3, Dark Messiah, Too Human etc.

Also don't forget, 360 software sales mean 3rd parties are loving Microsoft right now. I'm not saying here the 360 will have record-breaking sales and outsell the Wii and PS3 together but stop making silly assumptions like the PS3 overtaking the 360 in 2008 or early 2009 because it just isn't going to happen.

you made a good point. I also think the ps3 will pass the 360 early 2009.

Because this was the 360's best year of releases and overall it's performance was rather disappointing. It's still a contender, but it feels like we've seen as good as the 360 can get.

but the PS3/Xbox360 price are to close now
people will just buy a PS3 over the Xbox360

of course, the Xbox360 has exclusive games too
but they are unknow from the average gamer (who bought a PS2 but not a Xbox), or/and new IP, or/and shared with the PC ...

I don't think people are underestimating the 360 so much as they are overestimating the PS3. Certain factors have gone in Sony's favor lately, and people assume things will keep going on this way. It might, but there's no reason to believe that with current information.

What the 360 has going against it is Japan. In order to keep selling even with Sony, Microsoft has to make up all of Sony's Japan sales with its "surplus" sales in N. American and Europe. Europe has recently taken a turn towards Sony, so things are looking like a closer and closer gap, but I think trends will end up where Europe normalizes and the N.A. sales will make up for Japanese sales. They'll keep selling about even worldwide, with equal chance of either company having a slight edge, but even if Sony gets that edge, I personally don't think the PS3 will ever get within 5 million units of the 360.  Unless something really dramatic happens soon, obviously.

How was this the X360's best year in software? It was only the best year thus far.

What all amazing games did MS launch that have absolutely no comparison in the future, ever? Halo 3? Maybe. But that's it.

Every major game this year will have a sequel. We're still getting great new IPs, and really good followthroughs.

The ironic thing is one of the better-selling European Xbox IPs hasn't had a followup game yet, and will release this year (Fable 2). Microsoft's 08 lineup is vastly more diverse than the shooter-heavy lineup we had this year.

Microsoft will have more 1m+ sellers in 08, than 07 did, and maybe even 06 did combined. GTAIV alone will move more software than 07's top 2 through 5.

Also, go look at Banjo-Kazooie's sales in the Other region on the N64. It sold about 70% of what the US did, despite the fact the N64 sold less units in Europe than the Xbox/360 did. Rare could score a 1m+ seller in BK in Europe, hopefully moving some hardware too.

well
the third parties can't love the european software sales of the 360, with some exceptions

off course it's too early to write the 360 off
4 months ago some people writed the ps3 off

but still it won't be a souverain year for ms
2008 will show us how much the americans really love the 360

oops

Ajax - Exactly what 3rd party IPs would software developers not like on the X360?

 That's because in this site it's just biased users posting the rationalizations for their bias. It's mostly nintendo and sony fans here, so there you go =)