Being an Xbox focused website, we have our noses firmly rooted in all things Xbox (and sometimes keeping an eye in other camps too), and as a solid year comes to a close, looking forwards, there's lots to be excited for. However, Microsoft is a company with some of the worst kept secrets of all time and so the overt nature of their plans have been curtailed and kept closely guarded or so we'll assume in context of this article.

Whilst Sony, and Nintendo have been quite vocal about their forthcoming endeavours, Microsoft on the other hand are typically being cagey. So what does this mean? We have to make stuff up and twiddle our thumbs and hope they come true. Sure, as investigators it would be great to don wetsuits and night vision goggles and attempt a covert break in at Microsoft towers to discover the hidden truths, but that's just pure fantasy. We could send countless emails to those in the know at Microsoft and get rebuked with the same response at every turn "Microsoft does not comment on rumours or speculation". However, having a nose that's quite informed and good at predictions (or so we'd like to think so), offering our own informed opinion is perhaps the only thing we can do bar getting arrested or being blacklisted for spam. So here's our most favoured predictions for Microsoft owning 2012.


New console announced/hinted at, but...

Don't get your hopes up, because an announcement, or hint is just that. The actual time when you're likely to have Xbox next in your home could be just prior to holiday 2013 or even as late as summer 2014 - some have suggested 2015. What is hoped (2013) and what is reality are two very different things, and as the current Xbox is in its prime and still evolving, why should Microsoft rush into the market with something new. That said, as a tactical announcement that teases more than anything, it would be the origins of some crazy internet buzz if an announcement was made next year - no matter how specific or cryptic it was.




The return of an old friend or two

Microsoft are sitting on a wealth of franchises having been prudent with its purchases of development studios. Whilst the focus has perhaps been on building Kinect titles, there's definitely more than meets the eye. Developers aren't just idly waiting for a green light, games are being developed behind closed doors, and you'll be surprised when 2012 becomes host to a number of announcements. What's probably most likely is something from one of its British acquisitions such as Lionhead or Rare. They have both been very much involved with Kinect projects, but that can't be all, can it?




Kinect gets into the game

11 million Kinect's sold with old hardware, which kind of reinvented the Xbox 360, but now that sales have levelled out somewhat, Kinect is likely to remain a focus. What better way than to offer Kinect for free or at a price you can't refuse to encourage software sales. There's reason for the huge resources placed into first party Kinect games and a new dash that's Kinect focused, and if more people have the option to Kinect up, then those games are likely to flourish. With more traditional games incorporating Kinect, it's only a matter of time when Kinect becomes a must have piece of kit, and if the price is so attractive, then throw any caution to the wind and get kinected especially if there are more reasons to buy than not. And if it is offered free with new purchases...well there's no excuse then.




More than one exclusive is announced

Many believe Microsoft have lost touch with their core audience due to the focus on gathering casual gamers, but they could not be further from the truth when at the end of the day multi format releases do extremely well on Xbox 360, somewhat taking away the pressure to produce exclusive games. The Xbox has had exclusive games this year, but these have been centered around Kinect. You could argue 2011 has been the year of Kinect, but now that it has established itself, 2012 paves the way for more traditional exclusives. Halo 4 was announced for 2012 and will be massively promoted, but there's room for much more, not mentioning any names.




Microsoft mops up the studios in limbo

Microsoft are in the business of software, heck the operating system or browser you are using has probably got Microsoft's stamp on it somewhere - although like many some of us are fans of Firefox. With huge resources available, and the company making profit from its games division, pumping resources into game development is key to making solid foundations for any future plans. Expect Microsoft to buy out some smaller development teams this year and perhaps even some of the bigger ones. It's all part of a process of making sure the future is always bright, and is always focused on game development - especially in the advent of new hardware needing a solid line-up of games.




2012 is fast approaching, and with Sony and Microsoft on an almost even footing, there's a lot at stake beyond the slew of multi-format games on the horizon. Agree or not. 2012 could well be another great year for Microsoft and Xbox.

Posted: Dec 29, 2011 12:32 pm

Source: http://www.msxbox-world.com/features/article/931/how-microsoft-can-make-2012-the-year-of-the-xbox.html