The HD console war is over, and the result is a tie.

[MikeB]

@ NJ5

1. The 360 is on useless life support for Japan, the PS3 is merely hibernating and may wake up to take a pee on the 360 when MGS4 and other anticipated games are released later this year. It needs its rest for the big fight against the Wii when the slimline PS3 and Final Fantasy arrives.

2. Exclusive development is better for the PS3 to achieve the best results due to better specs (tapping otherwise largely unused Cell and Blu-Ray potential). Developer costs can go down and results for both platforms can go up by leading development projects on the PS3 which leads to clever design.

When you look at the big picture, it's clear that Microsoft and Sony have laid all their cards on the table.

Microsoft has shown nearly all its aces by pushing sequels to best selling XBox games onto the market. Sony has nearly all the big proven aces still in hand.

Due to number 1, it's clear that these two consoles will continue to sell well, and their userbases will never be too far apart from each other

I think this will be the 360's last good year and the PS3's first really good year (relatively speaking as the PS3 has kept pace and actually improved on the 360's sales comparing equal time frames).

With regard to HDTV (PS3/360) and SDTV (PS2/Wii) I agree, but time plays into the favour of the more highly specced consoles in this regard. HDTV sales and Blu-Ray sales are skyrocketing, with game releases like GTA IV, Metal Gear Solid and later big games like Gran Turismo 5 and Final Fantasy XIII demand for high definition game system(s) will increase. This is a gradual process, just like moving from VHS to DVD or PC gamers gradually upgrading from Windows 9X to XP.