You seem pretty sure about all that. Gears 2 was released what? 2, 3 months ago? I dunno, I don't care for the series really. Logic, Trends, and R&D time-lines all indictate that next-gen won't be for another 4, 5 years? Games take 2 years to develop roughly, espically on a more grand scale like Gears of War is. So, that puts gears of war 3 at roughly 2011? That still seems like 7th generation terrority to me.

I think there's 2 words that we're going to hear a whole lot more of soon 'forward compatibility'.  How this works I have no idea but there's rumours of it popping around the Internet - maybe they'll sell the 'Nextbox' games with 2 discs - a standard DVD and a Blu-ray version more optimised for the successor?? Maybe it's all BS though...but that would be a good way to keep everyone happy - you're still catering to the existing, much larger install base and still get their subscription fees etc. and then for the graphic whores they can upgrade and not have to buy a new game again. 

Well, Gears of War was November 2006, Gears 2 was November 2008, Gears 3 should be November 2010. Very much 360 territory. Gears of War 4 will be on the next Xbox, and because making a next-gen sequel takes more time, I wouldn't expect it until 2013.

By the way, your PS3 prediction is rather low.

At first 100million seems like a very long shot, but after thinking about it, it is possible. MS executives had on a couple occasions mentioned that the victor of this generation will be determined by whoever crosses 100millions first. So obviously they had this goal in mind.

Surely, the 360 will have a shelf life of at least 9-10 years. We have almost 6 years left. If each years sells about 12 millions globally, then reaching 100 millions will not be so far fetch.

MS will probably still release a new machine in 2011-2012, but 360 will continue selling until 2015. Same case with PS3.

My PS3 prediction? Yeah, I suppose it is low. I based that prediction on more of a minor industry growth. However, the industry has grown alot since I have made the prediction. But, I'll stick to my guns and stay with it untill the end of the generation, even though I know for a fact it'll be surpassed. Unless the sony haters are actually right and it does stop at 25 or something million. Boy, will that be a day.

On-topic however.

I think the xbox will settle in the 40-45 range. Easily, Microsoft is once again in that position where they can force the next-generation console war on sony and nintendo. So when Microsoft feels although console sales are slipping past the point where its impossible for them to increase em again, I wouldn't put it past them to put the 8th generation card onto the field.

However, the 360 is not like the original xbox. With NXE, as stated previously. They have more tools at their disposal to keep this generation running as long as humanly possible. Heck, I even believe its possible for the xbox 360 to run PC games with the right software emulation. If thats is even possible, who knows how far they can push the xbox.

^ The 360 will do at least 50 million, mate. Ms already said it'll remain in production for AT LEAST 7 years. And 360 sales will definitely spike as the prices decline(360 median sales 9.6 a year.)

50 millions is a low estimate because:

12millions 360 sold in 2008. We are at about 28mil now.
If they just do another 12-16millions in 2009. That would be 40-44 million, but I think they will exceed that.

So it's likely they will reach 50millions by mid 2010.

Then we still have 2011, 2012, 2013, ....

I'm guessing that it'll be in the 14 million range this year... that's taking into account a 3-4 million unit christmas not another 5 plus million unit christmas.  We have a whole new ballgame right now with the system under 200 bucks.  28 million isn't even touching the saturation point of that price point.  There are so many variables going on right now...

360 will not do more than 50 millions. After 3 years, it is only at 28 millions and now, the sales will probably start to decline at the middle of this year. Microsoft will have less and less consumers to catch.

70-100 millions is totaly impossible. 60 millions might be possible if the successor of 360 is not released before 2012.

But I predict 47 millions.

It should be able to reach 50 million with relative ease. 100 million ain't gonna happen.