Well unlike Sony that just takes blind shots in the dark, shots that usually miss and are forgotten, Halo 4 alone will win 2012 for 360 due to its flagship status. 

Not to mention 360s other 2012 offerings, that most gamers are content with 3rd party games, the fact that all core gamers made their choice at this point, and MS trying to hold onto their new audience they just captured. 

Good for them.

I don't have Kinect yet (honestly haven't gamed much in the last couple years period; other priorities), but it's awesome to see them continue to believe in it and invest in it's future. Gaming needs to grow in all kinds of directions to avoid a gaming recession/crash. With Nintendo trying some interesting thing with touch, MS continuing to grow out controller-free gaming and online services and Sony ....... um, I have no idea what they are going to do (I don't believe in Vita) but I'm curious to see. Anyway, it's good to see gaming grow outward as the next gen picture starts to form. It's about experiences, not specs.

Im putting things into perspective from the stance Microsoft has put themselves in based on your statements to furnish  a proper response.

"Since when has Rare been the bastion of core gaming for the 360 this gen?"

Thats your response to me.

"Early next gen they'll behave a lot like they did early this gen"

This was your initial statement. If they were to behave like they did earlier this gen most of their exclusives would come from Rare, whom they've turned into their Xbox Live and Kinect development team. In the beginning of the 360 Rare was one of the main first party sources Microsoft got their titles from. This just isn't going to work out the way they are going. Lets hope they have a visible plan outside of Kinect with their six new companies.

"No it doesn't, MS got their decent timed exclusives whilst Wii and PS3 were on the market"

Microsoft achieved success with third parties because they had more marketshare. Nintendo was opened up the market but was considered critically to be offering to a different crowd until Microsoft followed suit later on. This paved the way for timed exclusives until the PS3 set itself up with a proper marketshare to support third party titles. Now correct me if I am worng, but what happens when you're a year late (behind the Wii U) and you launch simultaneously with your most similar competition for the same crowd?

Not going to be any different than it was to this gen.

Of course it will be different. Nothing is ever the same if people learn their lesson. The market decides based on the initial starting plan of the companies. Microsoft will not be the only HD console coming out of the gate. As I've said before look at Sonys sales year for year with Microsoft and correct me if I am wrong, but if they were to launch together it wouldn't be pretty for Microsoft without a great launch titles for both the core and Kinect. Also, it's time for them to put up or shut up with this "Kinect for the core" nonsense.

Doesn't mean they won't cater to the core. You and others are downbeat but you're not looking at the situation realistically. Microsoft is not stupid and what they're doing right now is logical. I don't like it as a gamer, but it makes sense ...

Microsoft has not had as much success making  first games as Sony or Nintendo. It makes more sense for them to give you less (as long as the few games are quality) and just invest in the casuals. Pushing third party games with compatibility with party chat on Xbox Live was a success this gen, but what can they do to differentiate themselves from Sony next gen when Sony also has party chat and a revamped PSN that is also free. 

Kinect is a blessing for Microsoft right now from a business standpoint so I wont say anything negative about that. Microsoft markets their strengths to outweigh their weaknesses and this is why they sell so well. The big differential between PC and the next Xbox is what I also would like to see next gen. Microsoft has just as much to prove to PC owners as they do to gamers. Casuals are covered with Dance Central, Kinectimals and more.

1) I hope you're correct because Rare isn't also working on Kinect, they are also working on Xbox Live. The majority of the new studios Microsoft made are working on Kinect titles. My only hope for the core in all of this is that the two Canadian studios are making the core titles and thats a stretch.

2) I can grant the fact that one timed exclusive will exist. The percentage of a chance of that happening is extremely high on any side of the fence truthfully.

3) Sony has far more to worry about than Microsoft because they are not only juggling their home console but the move and the Vita. Theres no equality in their issues there.

4) Agreed. Its Microsofts golden goose right now.

i have a question
why you peoples always think any mention of Kinect in job posting= Kinect studio?lolwat?

It's easier to downplay Microsofts growing internal development that way.

E.g.

40 million selling series on well organised release schedule = "Just Halo"

Kinect = this gens Xbox live - it's into everything.

Sony isnt taking a shot in the dark. They are known for having a wealth of games and notable IP's every gen. They handle first parties far better than Microsoft does. If anything can be admitted this is it dude. Microsofts most notable IP this whole gen has been Gears and it isn't even their IP. On the other hand Sony has brought InFamous, Resistance, Uncharted, Little Big Planet, Mod Nation Racers and more out into the light and they are quality products. They might not be as popular but Sony has always been known for having a great wealth of reliable, quality titles. Microsoft is better at relying on third parties and truthfully any company would be good at letting others do the work for them. Sony and Nintendo are gaming companies though and take great pride in providing an abundance of quality games. Nintendo is proof that first party can trump third party because their wall of third party shovelware is astonishing.

So Sony doesn't make new experiences? Thats news to me. Sony has brought forth user generated content games, 3D TV multiplayer,  lead the way open platform multiplayer gaming and they also have a point to prove with the Move, Gaming TV shows (The Tester). While the Kinect and Move aren't revolutionary, Sony has to invest to prove that it is more than just fancy tech that the core can use as a secondary option, but also the casuals. Sonys products attract core gamers and tech nerds, its a hard stigma to crack but not a bad one to have either.

You seem to have taken my statement as a slight to Sony, but let clarify that it most definitely ISN'T.  I just don't see as clear a direction for their future withe PS4 as what seems to be the case with Nintendo and Microsoft with their next gen offerings.  That's all.  No defense of Sony's ability to create new experiences needed.  Peace.

A lot of studios want to develop for Kinect (especially the 2.0) people will change their tune about Kinect soon enough... I hope Sony has something incredible to go agains't the next Xbox because bundled with every Xbox Kinect will change a lot of ways you interact with games. Core gamers won't be left out, in fact they'll be the ones craving for its uses...

@ S.T.A.G.E. tech nerds are allo over Kinect for multiple reasons but I see none talking about Move... here people use either Wiimotes and sensor or Kinect when they create gesture based devices.