Hype for the Playstation meeting tomorrow is absolutely through the roof among both gamers and the media.  Anywhere you go there's countless hype threads and countdowns to the PS4.  In fact the Playstation brand in general is getting far more positive coverage than it has in years.

Meanwhile Microsoft has been completly silent.  Not even a month ago rumors were everywhere for their next console but people seem so excited for PS4 it looks like MS has lost some of the interest that was there.  Could Microsoft not announcing first be a tactical error for them?  3rd parties seem more than ready to get the next gen started and it appears will be announcing new games like crazy in the coming weeks.  Is it a big advantage for Sony to be the first official platform for these games to be announced for?

For a change I expect them to announce at E3 or perhaps if we're pushing it, a X13 event, untill then they probably see no reason to nod towards it.

Do I think it's a bad idea? No, hype swings around, it'll land on the nextbox when they're ready to show it.

I can not believe the amount of Media attention the Ps4 already has without even seeing it tbh.
MS has no reason to show or walk about anything yet. Although I'm sure tomorrow they will make some sort of statement to try and take the wind of Sonys sails

Not really, there is a lot you can do with being the last. Being in the middle usually is the worst spot to be in. Because Microsoft can sit back and watch what works and what doesn't and make moves that will quash any hype the other two have, usually affecting the middle the most.

Both Microsoft and Nintendo are probably watching to see what Sony will do before making their move. Nintendo is supposedly having another ND this week. So it will be an interesting next few days to say the least.

Hype matters most when the products are nearing release (and then after). I don't think Microsoft should be worried about the PS4 right now. We'll see how things go down at E3.

If they act now the PS fans will dismiss them as being desperate. When they are ready they will show it and they will make a much bigger splash with their marketing rep.

MS needs to announce the console at their own event, perhaps tease the announcement 2 weeks ahead to build hype. At E3 they won't be stealing the show, a lot of games will be announced then, PS4 further reveals, add WiiU announcements and the Nexbox wouldn't stand out as much as it would on its own event.

I agree MS needs to announce at their own event before E3. Announcing at E3 itself would be a huge mistake IMO.

I don't think waiting to announce last necessarily will hurt them. I'm sure they are waiting to see what Sony does with the unveiling of the PS4 and reply accordingly. By announcing last they have the opportunity to make a bigger entrance and be the freshest on everyone's minds.

It doesn't really matter. They'll generate plenty of hype when it's their turn. The only thing that could really hurt Microsoft is if they get too ambitious and introduce what they want rather than what the consumer wants. There are plenty of conventions throughout the remainder of the year that are more important battlegrounds than the actual system announcements.