I expect Apple to be there if Microsoft (or Sony or Nintendo) decides to give it up, they are always looking for new markets in recent times and videogames are clearly a big one.

The worst thing that could happen though, would be a 4th player I think.

There will probably always be a market leader with more than 50% market share. That´s how this industry works, one platform sells best and the companies go with it and the platform sells even better while the other platforms sell worse - the gap only becomes bigger in general.

So with one market leading company where is the market for three other consoles? It would need another growth worldwide to make this industry healthy for four console makers.

It happened during the 6th gen, Sega went bankrupt. That could happen to any of the 4 companies then.

It is very likely if the Dreamcast woudl have survived the sales of the other consoles would have been lower. Gamecube at 20 million? (instead of 21.5 million), Xbox at 22 million instead of 24?

The question is how long can companies keep profits when there are more parties, in a business that gets more expensive every generation?

Would a 7th generation Gamecube with the exact same sales be able to keep a company in profitable regions?

What? Consoles are about as expensive as iPods, and consoles could certainly do with a smoother interface and better online features, as well as better multimedia support. It would work, only with better marketing than the PS3. AMD/Intel: Probably not, although I see where you're coming from because AMD makes CPUs, GPUs and Chipsets. They are also heavily in debt and losing money. I would think it would be considered too risky for either: another Xbox, only with no huge cash reserves and no known big brand amongst the general public.

God with nintendo flooring every one else I dont think anyone wants to go in unless they know they got some thing worth while.

Apple maybe, but then it would just be a MS Apple slug fest with them probably competing for 2nd.

Google no, they would have to spend so much for just starting up then going into a market thats not theirs.

But tghen again I could be wrong.

Lets see if microsoft were to leave, I think either apple or even EA would try to make a console, and sega comeback.

AMD

they make good hardware and now own ATI, they are a perfect contendor for a console IMO, I´m really supprised they haven´t made a custom PC yet that has a supperior CPU to GPU connection, 

OR

Hello Kitty.... doen´t have to be great console, as long as it´s cute :) 

Ahh, interesting topic. OK, well if (more like when) a company bows out at the end of this gen on the hardware side of things, I believe Phantom Entertainment are going to emmerge to "fill in". The Phantom had features that were way too soon for the market and Industry but Judging from were things are headed, it would seem to be right time for Phantom Entertainment to put their product out there.

There might be another totally unknown to raise it's head but the chances of that are kinda low... but still very possible. Sega? No! Unless they decide to take a percentage in MSs next console and do a 50-50 type deal in initial development costs... or even vice versa; but as a total independent? No, I dont see that as fisable at all.

P.S   I'm expecting an annoucement by 2009/2010 for a new guy in the battle and betting it's likely Phantom entertainment.  Hey VGC, nice new look I see, it's been a while since I visited.

If one of the "big 3" were to leave the console industry, it would probably be Microsoft or Sony. Microsoft's investors have started voicing opinions that it would be best for MS to just get and stay out of the console industry. Sony's investors on the other hand, expect stronger sales in the future, but are probably still a little worried in the mean time.

If microsoft just left the console industry, they would have a closing sale for the rest of the console makers/3rd party developers. IP rights to halo would be sold, and most likely an offer to the creators of the Halo games would be made to move to sony or wherever. So all of the games would be sold.

MS would have to close down its XBOX live stuff, so only non-network stuff could be done on the 360.

It would also be very good for the wii, but even better for the PS3, b/c the 360 and PS3 are competitors to a much greater degree than the 360/Wii are. However, I don't think that any company, even apple would really even want to get into the console business.  To do that, you would have to be a very large company, or if not, do the cheap yet cool thing like nintendo which I think that they have demonstrated that Nintendo will dominate casual gaming.

Sega would seem like a good option, if they hadn't already decided they weren't going to go back to hardware anytime soon.

Nokia could take a shot, but considering the crapshoot that was the N-Gage, it wouldn't last long.

Apple would probably love to get themselves into the console market. If it stepped in NOW it would get crushed. The only way it would enter is if Microsoft bowed out. Taking on one enemy from too many fronts weakens both parties.

I think it could depend on who left say if MS left Apple,Google(unlikely) or EA(their just that big) would enter.
If Sony or Nintendo(unlikely either will leave) left then Toshiba,Capcom or any big Japanese company would enter to "fill their shoes" as it where.
Most likely to leave:MS because of the losses acumilated during both Xbox's.

Most likely to join:Apple they tried and failed before and just released a phone and a TV thing so they are exploring new horizons again.

well you know Nintendo will never leave since they are the only company that makes money in gaming, eventually MS will have to leave with the billions they are losing it just does'nt make sense staying somewhere that they dont belong, they failed and need to leave, and as for who could take their place, Dreamcast 2 anyone.