MS better start picking up new studios or I think next Gen I will be an ex xbox owner

The one major thing that the hardcore Xbox 360 fans are fond of is Xbox Live. The only way they'll lose them is if some other console somehow does online gaming better AND draws away the Xbox Live fans. Its a self fulfilling phenomenom at the moment. The hardcore Xbox 360 fans like Xbox Live because hardcore Xbox 360 fans are on Xbox Live.

Considering how the Xbox 360 has turned out compared to the Xbox I think they'll do even better with hard core gamers when they launch their next system.

MS is going to do just fine with their current direction; plus let's face it, the "hardcore" are only around for so long and have a tendency to shrink over years.

I don't think Microsoft is going to lose the hardcore fans--of all the current consoles, the Xbox360 arguably has the highest percentage of hardcore gamers vs casual types.  We all know about the Wii, but the PS3 also, early on, sold an awful lot to movie and film buffs (and tech heads) looking for the hardware and Blu-Ray capabilities.

All I want is for MS to maintain a couple more exclusive studios.  They'll do fine.  Especially if they eventually allow Rare to dig up some of their old franchises for revamps.  A new Killer Instinct would do a lot for the Xbox 360.

I'm in the same boat as well.  They really need to expand their first party.  They were doing well earlier in the generation when Mistwalker was on board - the reason I bought the console.  I would be happier if there were more games like Alan Wake and Lost Odyssey. 

As to the OP's original question, "Will Microsoft lose the hardcore fans next gen?"

It depends. If Nintendo gets serious with the 3DS and Wii 2 about working with 3rd party devs to create awesome Nintendo games, then both Microsoft and Sony will be at a loss.

I don't see this happening though as previous posters have pointed out that 3rd party developers are in it to make money and the best way to do that is multi-platforming your game as much as possible.

I think what we will see next generation are multi-platform games for Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony and PC. What we have this generation is big budget 3rd party titles split between Sony, Microsoft and PC.

I don't think 1st party titles are that much of a draw anymore compared to having a console with a large library of software. Metal Gear and Final Fantasy may get you a few extra buyers, just as Halo and Fable will, but if you are banking on 1st party at the expense of a large library of games to entice all types of consumers, then I believe you are making a mistake.

I wounldnt say Gears 3 is Epic's last Xbox exclusive. Think theyve said before 'Gears is a 10 year plan' and seeing as Gears 1 came out in 2006, that suggests they want to keep it running until 2016. Im expecting some spin-offs or expansion, sort of like what was done with ODST and Halo Wars.

Also at E3 Microsoft had that teaser trailer for Codename Kingdoms. That looks like it will be fairly hardcore to me

Agreed. As much as I love the Halo series, my bet is after Reach the series will enter terminal decline. I dont think Gears of War has much longer to go either, but that depends on how Epic follow up Gears 3

Not even close the Halo Universe has tons to offer... we can move over and do stuff with the Elites perhaps even go back in their past and learn their history