And it's true, Microsoft are doing very well.

Kinect is a hit and their goal of making NUIs the way we interact with our devices is getting closer and closer to completion.

The Xbox provides a wealth of different entertainment offers, bringing Microsoft ever closer to "ruling our living rooms".

They have successfully spread their online gaming service to smartphones, making our devices more synergetic.

Microsoft has a lot going for it.

Nearly every game site said Microsoft conference was the most disappointing, so I'm not sure there are in a "enviable position". And for their objective of 360 being n°1 selling system this year, it has almost no chance of happening because PS3 is far too strong in Japan and Europe (and Japanese PS3 sales will be boosted by Tales of Xilia and FFXIII-2)

Yeah because that's how you judge what position they're in, based on their E3. Do you really think anything like exclusive games makes any of them in an enviable position???

No, not even close, this goes way deeper.

Edit - I have to say, that was the most ridiculous post I've seen on VGC in a while.

there is no doubt that MS would love to trade there first party for SONY's first party any days of the week because there line up this year is very weak to the line up the PS3 is packing.

Can't believe people post this sort of rubbish O_o

Sony does have a better first party and more games, but you don't think MS could achieve that if they wanted?? It's pretty clear they think in a business sense, very wary of going for smaller niche titles or games that don't have the likelyhood of becoming blockbusters. It's also cheaper to buy 3rd party exclusives.

MS run a tighter ship than Sony on this sort of thing, because they're thinking about the $$, not as good for gamers, and I'm not saying I entirely agree with it, but you're wrong. MS don't want Sony's first party or a similar set up ... or they would already have it. (A similar set up, not Sony's 1st party obviously)

Indeed, along with the fact Sony has many games that have a top tier of 2/3 million, Ratchet, Resistance, Motorstorm, Killzone, Infamous, ____Hawk, Mag ect. Heck even LBP doesn't look like a blockbuster franchise anymore. MS has those games too, Alan Wake, Banjo, Crackdown, but with each of those games you can tell MS wernt very happy. It's probably why they didn't mind ME and Bioshock going multi, it wasn't a massive franchise, unlike Gears.

i stand by my call, 1st party studios are an great wealth to have and out weigh any 3rd party agreements. 

Microsoft has the second most hardware sold. They know that they already have the hardcore crowd. They see that the Xbox 360 is gaining ground with the casual crowd with Kinect. Now they are starting to feel themselves.

indeed, it was very funny. 

while some gamers may not like the spot microsoft is in, as a business they are in a great spot.

they are currently a very very profitable and healthy division, with lots going for them. i dont know if they are in a better position than Nintendo, but definitely better than Sony. Sony currently has lots of risks right now, and even if PSV takes of, they wont be as profitable as MS. they will be cutting the Price of PS3, PS2 wont be selling as much, neither will PSP, and PSV may loose them a little.

Oh, so they're projecting 13m and Sony 15m, and they intend to sell the most WW this year? Wishful thinking is so cute =D