I have no doubt that they will take a step forward. What they need to worry about is Nintendo planning their next step sideways.

I just want 3d functionality :p the sixaxis is great in my opinion so add 3d and that would be epic.

That's my  point.  And I think Sony will step sideways too.

Both realize that Microsoft has the most capital and marketing power.  But both know that they can out-innovate Microsoft.

It would be interesting to observe the mass exodus of these so-called "hardcore gamers" to the realm of PC gaming, the last realm of real, manly gaming uncorrupted by casual-dom.

Probably make things more interesting.

I'll buy a gaming pc on the day such consoles are released

I have doubts. What is the next step forward? The Wii remote with the Wii motion plus will be one to one. What else is there? As you have stated, Nintendo may take a sideways step. If anyone remembers the motion controllers that have been announced, 3rd party. One could be broken apart and was demonstrated using Lego Starwars. The other was demonstrated on stage with a PS3. Yet before these controllers could even reach retail Nintendo revealed the Wii motion plus that gave the Wii remote one to one movements effectively crushing the competition.

Secondly, if Sony and Microsoft enter into the motion controller race their controllers may be a step or two behind Nintendo. This would severly hamper the console throughout the generation and their would be nothing they could do about it. I do not forsee the two of them wanting to go down that path. They may try motion controls but I believe that they will stick to what they know best, dual analog. Developers are use to these kinds of controllers are would rather spend time making games that use those controllers rather than experiment with motion controls, just look at the Wii 3rd party support for reference. Theres more that I could add. I could even write a paper on this subject but I'm going to stop here.

Mwahahahaha!  Come to the dark side...

(Everyone should have seen this coming.)

ha retarded. he makes it sound like nintendo is gonna have the exact same controller next gen as it does now. Nintendo has always changed and improved their controller, while playstation been same basically all 3 gens. and the 360 controller is basically the smaller xbox controller. yet their gonna take it a step further than nintendo.

also love the comment about microsoft thinking about what consumers will want 5 years in the future or something. well they obviously didn't predict motion controller otherwise they woudl have already had it, sounds like they are playing catch up to me. the only thing they have been great and ahead of the time with was their xbox live.

Man, I've been syaing that for years now. Even the current shooters on consoles feel a lot more casual and childish and simple than the ones on the PC....

God NO please just don't