They will probably do the same thing they are doing with Horde mode right now(5 player co-op).

Think about the competitors, though. 

Sony is committed (as far as we know) dto a 10 year life cycle for the PS3.  And the lack of profitability so far in the gaming sector would likely put off another console release for a very long time.  2012 would seem early for a PS4.

Nintendo ... just broke records for console sales in North America for one month.  With no price cut.  For what reason would they release another console anytime soon?  Last time they were in the position was with the NES, and they waited for 2 years after the Sega Genesis to release the Super NES.  At this point, they have NO incentive to release another system anytime soon.

And I imagine the next Microsoft console will fully embrace digital downloads (DD), based on comments by several industry execs.  With services like Verizon's FiOS gaining traction, super fast download speeds will be key to the success of DD.  But its not happening soon.  Probably not 2011 soon.  I imagine that MS will time the next console release on projected expansion of fiber optic internet services.

Also, the price of the 360 has not hit mainstream appeal (only one SKU has, and not the main one).  Profitability hasn't yet reached its potential either.  And with the likelihood of either competitor releasing a console before 2012, I just don't see them releasing one before then.

Plus we still have to see Mass Effect III, Halo Chronicles and thread titilar Gears of War 3 released. 

it wouldnt suprise me if m$ secretly owns a part of the gears franchise and that way it will always stay on a m$ system. i think 2010 sounds right another big hit at the holidays , 1 year before they launch halo4 with the next xbox.

woo hoo more Cole Train!!

Never played some console game in the last 2 generations ? (Mario Kart 64 or Halo series for example)

Sounds good, and I do hope it is true!

Anyway, what a shocker, I did not expect another game to come out in this series....

I am not sure about the 5 player co-op. Cliffy has said that if you go to 4, then you dilute the storytelling experience, because the temptation to muck about is too great, but I suppose they could make a separate campaign..... I just want 10 player horde! {and no MP achievements so I don't have to play it (I don't like the balance, I have had to radically change my play style)}

Gears of War 3 should help the XBox 360 pass 50 million console sales in 2011.

 lol, 10 players is not a horde, it's only a pack. You'd need at least a hundred of people for it to be called a horde.

Although when I play Oblivion, whenever I see about 8-10 people at the same time on the screen in a city or something, I like to imagine it's really a big crowd lol.

(because the Oblivion engine is so demanding you seldom see more ppl on screen simultaneously...)

He's talking about the "Horde" mode, which he hopes will have 10 player co-op

Oh.