Lost Odyssey 2 or it's spiritual sequel.

Always on is certainly a nonstarter for me. Unless the console was free, there is nothing that would make me buy it. I already have a PC, btw.

Why would it make sense to switch over if the other party does not offer anything new and interesting? I don't see Sony making their controller usable ever and MS being a software company shows with xbox UI. Personally I can't see a single reason to pick up Sony console instead of MS console.

Why not just get a PS4 first and get a NextBox down the road when it's cheap?

If Microsoft is forcing gamers to play online, and buy games new, it's making gaming more expensive yes? So why not say FU to MS and just wait it out? I mean the 360 Arcade (You don't need more then an arcade, 360 isn't PS3 which requires you to install all this crap) is often on sale for $130. MS will likely follow with this strategy again.

Anyway to the question at hand.

A steady flow of JRPG exclusives, 1 Forza game with reasonably priced DLC (and no sequel 2 years later), and a franchise like Mass Effect that stays exclusive.

You realize Microsoft published more JRPG's for the 360 then Nintendo did for the Wii, and Sony did for the PS3 right?

PS3's exclusive JRPG's aren't Sony published games for the most part.

Its exactly why people were lured to Microsoft. Timed exclusives, multiplats, Xbox Live, Halo gears. Now that the tables are equal again Microsoft will have a hard time with the jump off on Sony if Sony meets their ends with initial consumers, because they will switch from Microsoft and Sony from gen to gen because of the similarities. Microsoft needs to launch their conference soon because Sony is winning over a lot of consumers with their approach to online in the next gen.

Sony and Nintendo dont have to self publish JRPG's because they know the Japanese market is focused on them. Microsoft technically would have to self publish in order to get exclusives or even timed exclusives. I am sure they paid for all of them or else they would've mostly been multiplat. I dont know whats going on with Sony and Mistwalker either, but Sony needs to gain a better relationship with them. Outside of that Sony had great third party JRPG support which has probably surpassed Microsoft at this point because Microsoft has to pay against demand. The Final Fantasy XIII issue with the 360 versions mostly being ignored in Japan was an issue. If Sony first party would focus on Japan they could see an increase from ten million consoles to fifteen or twenty million consoles next gen in Japan alone. That incremental change could be a great indicator of higher selling JRPG's.

I am surprised someone would end up talking about a console's interface as "the experience".  "The experience" is a rationalization for one's own biases because of a religious attachment to a brand name. or rationalizing what one's clique plays.  The idea here is to ask, exactly what do you need in order to put up with things that is arguably HORRIBLE for the consumer.  I asked about DIVX before.  Go look that one up.

It is about what is unique to a console ownership that would make you remain loyal.

So, you are buying the Microsoft console, even if doesn't allow used games, and also requires you to have a consistent Internet connection all the time, or your game will shut down?  You have ZERO interest in multiplatform titles?  Is it that, if things get so bad with the Microsoft side, you will give up gaming completely, instead of getting a Sony console?

I don't need used games. I have an internet connection, which has uptime of 3 years now. That does not matter, because I haven't seen a shred of evidence that "your game will shut down" if you are not connected.

Of course I play multiplatforms. I don't need a sony console to play them, right? I can buy a better product but I should not because you are mad about something which you really don't know anything about?