MS won't kill the 360 in the way they killed the Xbox, especially if it keeps turning a profit for them.

I also think they'll try to push the 360's replacement until 2011 if possible. The next year will be very important to them in this regard because they still have a long way to go to attain overall profitability on the 360 and an extra year would help them immensely.

If the PS3 starts gaining ground in 2008 and beyond, I fully expect MS to release a new console in 2010. If they keep their overall sales lead or gain ground in 2008, they'll be more inclined to let the 360 run a six-year life as their primary console.

Of course, this could all change if they find out that Sony or Nintendo plan to hit market first in 2010 or 2011. I think they're going to stick to trying to be the first kids on the block each gen.

Yup, Microsoft expects the 360 to make a profit, unlike the original XBox. There's no way they'll drop it prematurely.

I understand that they had trouble making a profit on the original system, but for me personally, I'd much rather buy a cheap last-gen system for my second console than an expensive 360 or PS3.

Indeed, since I have a new job I'm thinking of getting a PS2...Xbox could be on that list as well.

So, I don't think this was a huge mistake, but if they had found a way to drive down prices (replace the hard drive with flash memory?) maybe it would have made a little profit.

Thinking about it, in many ways the XBox 360 not being around could make things much (MUCH) worse for Sony ...

A large portion of the PS3's line-up right now is either multiplatform games or ports of XBox 360 games. Typically you'd expect that without direct competition these games would sell better on the PS3 and the PS3 would benefit from exclusivity, but I don't think you can make that argument. Without the XBox 360 many of these games would be delayed until the PS3's second year (waiting for a large-enough userbase); could you imagine how sparse the PS3's line-up would look if it lost 5 or 10 of the best multiplatform releases to date? How many people would be interested in the PS3 if it lost some of its key third party games?

The thing that is often missed by these "If (a) didn't happen then the PS3 would dominate" thoughts is that you can't change one thing (XBox 360) without it having an impact on other things (third party support).

but if they try to be the 1st out everytime couldnt that in turn be a bad thing...it would always seem like they are jumping the gun

Now you're just . I said it would influence 3rd parties and nothing about Sony domination.

Those 3rd party games wouldn't exist? No MS doesn't lead to the game industry just shutting down. Those multiplatform games would simply be different games, on one platform, or multiplatform on Wii.

I would think that the statement "a 2-way race would lead to some of the business going to the others" would be an easy comment, if not a tautology. Why would it lead to an argument?

Note: I'm a Nintendo loyalist and dislike Sony.

 Something I've never liked about M$ marketing - always the "With us or against us"  scheme - whether its linux, apple, google, etc.  Same reason I'm not a good American.  

PS360 owner here.  I'm borrowing a Wii for a while.  In case anyone wanted to know, I play the PS3 the most these days.  I don't like Halo. 

This thread should have been posted on the Sony Defense Force site...

This is ancient history now. Its gone and done. And being a former XBox owner I don't miss it.

blah blah blah noones talking about sony here at least me rocketpig and a few others werent...it is important to know

The only bad thing about killing the Xbox off was the fact there are still too many great games not on BC.

But the best part for me was that I still got $175 off of my Xbox #1 about 6mo into my X360s lifecycle.