Something else to consider. Seeming that Sony scored GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas on the PS2 for years before they showed up on the Xbox was huge. This time, the 360 not only has the same game at launch, they have extra content to boot. I think folks are calling things way, way early. Just a few Sony-locked franchises (MGS, FF, GT) are staying put after being exclusive for a minute on the PS2 vs. other games (DMC, GTA) that were all up in Sony's hip pocket.

@ Starcraft - thanks for calling them like you see them.

Judging from R*'s past and given the amount of money MS gave to R*, I don't think it's a stretch to assume that the episodic content for the 360 is going to be something along the lines of the 'Stories' subseries(i.e. Liberty City Stories, VC Stories.) Maybe you get to traverse LC with whole new protagonists, or maybe it continues Niko's story arc, who knows. Many may not remember that R* isn't exactly new to the episodic content game because they sold those as (near)full games. For the amount of money MS spent, the least they should expect is a couple of new 'Liberty City Stories' packages and NOT a few cheesy missions and Central Park Horse Cop Armor. Anything less than that and MS might have wasted thier money.

As a quick note to what I posted above, R* hasn't been known to halfa55 anything to do with the GTA series up to this point. I think the 360 fans might do well to give them the benefit of the doubt until more is known about the episodic content.

You seriously haven't heard sony fans admit that the PS3 was too expensive, or that Home is a waste of time? Because I have definitely heard that before. What I find interesting is that "most" 360 fans like to stereotype the sony and ninty fans. (see I can take a single observation and then make blanket statements based on that as well)

Here I'll help you out:

PS3 was too expensive

Forcing BD on people was a huge risk that I'm still not sure will pan out

I don't know what is happening in Japan, but obviously they've dropped the ball somehow according to the sales

Not having rumble in the six axis was a ridiculously dumb idea, and the timing that they came out with the 6 axis atleast made it seem they were just copying the Wii, even if they didn't. (which they probably did)

edited addition: I think you are making the mistake of comparing reasonable 360 fans with sony and ninty fanboys. Reasonable fans from any side can readily admit the mistakes their favorite company has made.

MS does not understand advertiseing.  They are a bunch of computer nerds from the 80s.  They barly get marketing.  They prefer cheapest ways of doing business.  Thats why they have a low share of internet adds.  Don't worry.  Ms is into everything now to helping FOrd to the zune to taking on the whole world of business to save the emerican economy.  Sumbody ask bill to donate a billion to people lossing there houses.

 Dude come on do you know nothing????? MS who doesn't know anything about advertising? You do know why Windows got so big don't you? this is such a stupid comment. Maybe if you said that the gaming division did't advertise really good you might have a point, although there are lots of examples where they did very good advertising. 

But they still got R* to go multiplat with the game, and that's a big thing, compared to the alternative.

Gebx I dont think Microsoft have failed with the GTA IV the game have not launched yet so we dont know. I understand your concern but we dont know what Rockstar and Microsoft have agreed on yes they payed 50m but is it for just only for dLC or episodes?
If its DLC its smart of Microsoft to dont say much about because some people will not think it is worht it.

ii think that they left too late. for europe anyway. if they dont capture customers now, they may have already their decision

I think MS is tring really hard to be profitable and they are doing it at the expense of marketshare.   From their crappy console parts to piss poor customer service.  I think MS is really all about bottom line this year from shedding of money loosing internal studios to limited advertisement and holding on to $300+ pricepoint.

That said, they are still way ahead of what people were predicting for them this gen.  Everyone thought 360 was pretty much DOA or going to be dead on PS3 arrival and that hasn't happen.  They snatch several exclusives from Sony this gen and even secure several time exclusive that last gen would have gone to PS system.