OP - I had been thinking the same way recently to be honest with you. $1 billion is a lot of cash, and could fund many many 1st party titles.... but that just doesnt feel like MS's strategy especially based on what they have done previously.

So if we think they are going to fund some 3rd party exclusives, first we need to consider the cost of doing so...personally I think if the game was popular it would cost a significant amount. So how about a different strategy....

Game A - Releases on Xbox, PC, PS3 and *only* nextgen XboxOne. This way MS don't have to upfront as much cash because the current HD consoles will sell just as well (and Next Gen sales will be low initially). I still think it will cost a significant amount but not as much as downright exclusivity.

Of course they could still be doing downright exclusivity on a XboxOne only, but that greatly reduces the amount of sales for the games company and increases the cost of the license.

On another note, I do think EA are mostly in bed with MS, so the rumours about Mirrors Edge being single platform, considering it sold badly when it came out, makes perfect sense (even though i wont be happy about it as a PS3 Mirrors edge owner who would have got the next version).

Capcom are struggling, and Dead rising was exclusive before, so would not surprise me.

As far as Sony are concerned, I wouldn't be surprised if they sold their HQ's to give them more spending power, as they know they need to start the next gen well. Though I am still hopeful that they can get Agent out, as this could be a killer app... but it wouldnt surprise me if its dead.

E3 is going to be quite exciting.. not long to wait now :)

For people saying that its not impossible for MS to get exclusive third party games then just look at Nintendo they are getting 3rd party exclusive games from Sega and Platinum for the Wii U.

No offense but those small game are kind of all Nintendo has to fend off the competition. @The best they can do is make those games really fun and the real gamers will flock to Nintendo for them. Hell..even I will and outside of the Wii which I completely ignored Nintendo has always been my secondary console.

I honestly fear what EA and MS have planned for Mass Effect, Dead Space and the Star Wars-games. It took a lot for me to accept that WiiU is not getting what it deserves from EA, but if PS4 is also screwed i don't know what i'll do. I will under no circumstance buy a XBOX ONE

I'm really hoping that Microsoft's lineup consists of titles created from their studios (both established franchises as well as new, creative intellectual properties), and would be rather disappointed if a good number of them are third-party exclusives. I play Bioware titles on PC, so I would be really disappointed if the EA-Microsoft partnership involved Bioware franchises, particularly the ones that are currently multiplatform, like Dragon Age.

I'm currently under the impression that Microsoft worked to improve their first-party offerings, so I really hope that they do not prove me wrong.

EA is giving Nintendo games. They countered their statements against Nintendo. They will probably leave them the current gen ports which wont look that great next to next gen console versions. Money is money.

P.S.

Sony proved that MS can buy all the games they want but they cannot make as many great titles as them, which gives them more staying power. Its was a tortoise vs hare match and Sony eventually won out, but E3 could spoil all of that. Sony will have their third party exclusives as well  But the majority of them will be for Japan I believe.

Now, they will have to dress up alot of bucks, to be exclusive. Like all the Working time and support will be paid by microsoft. without that.

They can't pass on 2 other console who could make sale. at this point, xone and ps4 are a similiar base, so a port will cost very little. (prog)

The prize of devellopping is so high they can't cut on 33% of the market.

I hope they do.

I think theres no chance:

I wouldn't be surprised if they bought some exclusives.

Sony will be eons ahead in terms of Japanese support and indie/smaller developer support. Microsoft needs to close the gap and buying some bigger Western titles, and timed exclusivity, will be their ticket.