Yes they will all make another console. And No, no one else will enter the gaming market. Apple will have games on the iPhone but I do not think they will directly compete with handhelds. I also think it is against Apple's personality to release a gaming console now. So nothing too new next gen.

yes.

care to elaborate? No.

Yes alll 3 will make another console, if anyone else like apple try to join though, they will fail badly as there is not enough room for 4 consoles in the world (*couhgs* dreamcast). I predict a PS4, XBOX 1080 and a Wii 2.0.

I'd say they most defenitly all make one after the next one too.

Yes all 3 companies will make another console and no, no one will enter the console making industry until one of those 3 gives up.... and IF it ever happens, i predict Samsung to be the company to do it.

They're businesses. It's only natural.

I'd be very surprised to see either Microsoft or Sony drop out of console gaming.

Sony is a lock to release a new console, they did dominate over a 10 year stretch, they got whipped this gen, they will try to make a comeback next gen. Nintendo, obviously as you said. Microsoft I will give a 99% chance to come back. They are making money in the division the 360 is in, but is the 360 making money. If yes, and it probably is yes, then they will come back. If they are unable to make money on it for some reason, bad contracts whatever, they will probably drop. but that is unlikely to happen. EA may look into it, but probably not next gen, same with Apple.

Nope Sony and Microsoft will never make another console.
Then Sega, Apple, and Nintendo will join forces, and create a super console that is creative, has excellent online, will have available Mac OSX or Linux on it, will use motion sensitive controls, will be cheap, and will use Apple's digital distribution service.

Yes. The odds are good that when this generation is over, the 2nd and 3rd place consoles will sell twice or more what the 2nd and 3rd place consoles sold last generation. The real question is whether Wii beats the PS2. If so, that would mean a substantial increase in the overall market - the rising tide will have lifted all boats. If not, then the comparative success of the 2nd and 3rd place titles will be to a leveling of the playing field resulting in greater parity among the systems (and, yes, option 3 - something in between). Whatever the case, these developments should encourage everyone to come back for another go 'round.

Look at it by developer:

Nintendo: Absolutely no reason to get out now. The GCN is now looking like a blip in their history, and they have no reason to think that they can't continue to keep the "Nintendo" name synonymous with gaming.

Sony: The success of the PS1 and PS2 tells them they can win in this market with the right system. The problem is the system they want to win (a cheap gaming console) may be different from the system they want to make (a home entertainment center). Whatever they decide, there will be a system.

Microsoft: So far everything is unfolding according to their original plan. Dramatically increased 360 sales over XB sales, and showed great strength in the US market. Unless there is a dramatic reversal of fortunes, the 360 will have been profitable for most of it's life span, and they can comfort themselves in knowin they could have done better without the RROD. Even better, they have seen the Wii triumph after coming out last, which should dampen any thoughts of rushing a new, faulty console to market prematurely. Like Sony, they will have to figure out how to balance a game console with a home entertainment console, but otherwise there is no real reason to cash in their chips.