That will change after Tuesday. Microsoft's turn.

Yea.  One that happened 3 months ago.  Of course buzz and Twiiter talk about it should have died down some by now.  However, MS is about to have a press conference IN JUST 3 DAYS (!), yet the PS4 is still enjoying almost twice the social media buzz?  That should be a little concerning.  And if some of the more negative rumors prove true, then it may see a big jump in social media buzz, but a lot of it won't be positive talk.

I disagree, lol.  Any other way of looking at it, to me, would just seem like making excuses for a lack of hype.  Like I said, we are mere days (not weeks, anymore) away from the NeXbox reveal, yet people are still mostly talking about the PS4?  You aren't concerned about that?  At all?

And you are right, next gen won't be decided by the hardcore fanbases (Sony would win that one, anyway), but by the core gamer, in general.  Many casuals are more than satisfied with their phones and tablets.  They will definitely be there for next gen, but not nearly in the mass numbers they were this gen.  This is evidenced in the performance of the Wii U.  A console that screams casual appeal, with its lower price (compared to what the PS4/NeXbox will be), Mario games, and tablet controller, yet the casuals aren't gobbling it up like they did the Wii.  So, if core gamers think Sony has their best interests in mind, as opposed to a MS that may still be focusing too much on Kinect/blocking used games, than I fully believe they will be turning away from MS in droves.

And I admire your optimism about the NeXbox.  It's 2008 all over again. 

Seriously, though, I did say IF.  Also, let's face it, Sony will have Japan and MOST LIKELY EU over NeXbox's MAYBE US and UK, and without the 1-1 1/2 years difference in launch and $200 more expensive console.  Even with all those mistakes against the PS3, it will either finish a close 2nd or, just maybe, pass the Wii for 1st.  Next gen should be even better for Sony.  They seem to have learned from their mistakes and Nintendo doesn't seem to be much of a threat to either of them.

A given?  Lol, you can't be serious. 

The Xbox brand has had one gen where it performed better than the PS in the US and UK, yet you think it's all of a sudden a given?  Especially in the US, which switches video game allegiance almost every gen.  First, Atari.  Then, Nintendo a gen.  Then, Sega a gen.  Then, Sony for two gens.  Then, it was back to Nintendo, though MS will take it in a few months.  However, we know MS has no chance in Japan, and Nintendo's current state suggests Sony will take it.  And EU has gone to Sony for the past 3 gens, as they will eventually take it from Nintendo this gen, too.  The PS4 taking Japan and EU are pretty much a given.  US and UK going to MS are anything but, especially with Sony not selling that many units fewer on a weekly basis, as of late. 

Is it possible?  Sure.  But, if it does, I doubt the gap will be anything like it was this gen.  Not with them launching around the same time and for around the same price.  More like 1.1-1.2 to 1.

Even though I'm not really into Microsoft gaming offering, I gotta say, I'm intrigued to see what they got. ;)