I think Microsoft is smart in there releasing schedule strategy against the 800 lbs Guerilla (no pun intended) Killzone 2.

The Lost and the Damned will be released on 2/17/09

Star Ocean 4 on 2/24/09

Halo Wars on 3/3/09

They have 2 of the biggest names in gaming sandwiching KZ2. I know both those games are not the proper sequels, but I bet Microsoft will advertise the heck out of them just to take some attention and hype away from KZ2. Add to that, Star Ocean 4 will be released on the same week as KZ2; It will not do much against KZ2 but no doubt will make current 360 owners happy with another exclusive JRPG.

I have no doubt Killzone 2 will be the best game in Q1 2009, but Sony still has the price issue and lack of exclusive games in the first half of 2009 to do any serious damage in gaining marketshare. Even though x360 doesn't quit have a game on the same level as KZ2, they made up with more exclusive games and DLCs like the Fallout 3 DLC that is coming out next week. Also, for those morons that said Microsoft has no games in 2009, GTFO. They have more exclusive games in the first half of 2009 than Sony in the west and their 2009 fall lineup hasn't been announced yet.

In the end, I think X360 should be able to expand its lead over the ps3 THE FIRST HALF OF 2009.

I hadn't realized they actually made a circle around KZ2's release date and put three
release dates of their own in there :D

That's funny and will be amusing to watch.

Again, Killzone 2 won't move hardware. It'll just be good for PS3 owners. In fact I don't think any of those games (except Star Ocean) will move hardware.

I thought it was determined GTA4 DLC was over hyped and claims that it was the only way to expeience GTA4 was unsubstantiated.

And I thought it was deterned GTA4 DLC isn't that big of a deal that dissapointed many.

I didn't think they needed to... They have Left 4 Dead, Gears of War, Halo 3 (Still current for some reason).

What will the DLC do? I can't see it doing anything that the actual GTAIV didn't do 20-fold.

SO4 will only have an impact in Japan, where Killzone 2 doesn't even have a release date yet.

But really, none of these games are system sellers (aside from SO in Japan), and since they're all on competing consoles, I don't see what the big deal is.

Even better, I think that was already determined before anyone even knew what the DLC was.

i think m$ with the game lineup they have for the 1st quarter of this year and their price. their lead will increase and so will the wii actually.

then theres Race Pro and Stoked.............another 2 360 exclusives in february.

MS is pulling out all the stops to make KZ2 as uneventful as possible

Doesn't the Star Ocean franchise sell more in NA than Japan?