Just 
a few short weeks ago, it seemed pretty clear how this holiday season was going to shake out for the video game industry – on a few fronts at least.
The long drought of mediocre titles would be replaced with a steady stream of AAA hits. Nintendo would roll out the first next-generation console system. And Microsoft and Sony would battle the Wii U with the best tool at their disposal: A price cut.
Then came Wednesday’s pre-TGS Sony press conference – and all hell broke loose.
The 
SCEA boss remains optimistic about consoles, says social and free-to-play are just “an additive diversion”
There are a lot of people looking to bury the PS Vita these days. Sales haven’t exactly been blockbuster and the software lineup to date has been so-so, at best.
Even Sony itself has sent some mixed signals. At its pre-E3 press conference in June, the company promised 60 new Vita games this year – then only showcased three over the next hour-and-a-half. Despite that, Sony is telling investors it expects to sell 10 million units this fiscal year (which ends March 31, 2013), largely on the strength of its holiday lineup (which includes PlayStation All Stars: Battle Royale, Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation and Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified).
Veteran 
journalist Chris Morris tackles the major reasons why Ouya could be a revolution or a mere footnote
Any time a start-up makes $4.5 million in four days through crowdsourcing, it’s bound to raise a few eyebrows. And Ouya has certainly done that.
Enthusiasts are dreaming of a dark horse console that will bring gaming back to its roots, ending the cycle of sequel-itis and injecting some fresh new game mechanics into the industry. Skeptics, meanwhile, say those Kickstarter supporters could be throwing their money away on a product that will never find a significant audience.
Ironically, they could both be right.
Veteran 
journalist Chris Morris examines some key statements from Nintendo’s execs.
There are good E3 performances and there are great E3 performances. In 2012, Nintendo had neither.
While it will be a few months before the public gets its say about the Wii U, few (including Nintendo) would argue that the company showed off the console in the best light possible at this year’s industry trade show.
It’s 
hard to keep a secret in the video game world.
Microsoft’s confirmation this week that it will offer the Xbox 360 for just $99 (with a $15 per month Xbox Live subscription) was a bit anti-climatic after the news leaked last week. But spoiled surprises don’t necessarily negate a move’s impact.
Veteran journalist 
Chris Morris tackles six reasons why the next-gen systems won’t kill used gaming
There’s a lot of talk making the rounds these days about used games and the next generation.
The popular theory is the next Xbox or PlayStation 4/”Orbis” might altogether block people from playing previously owned games – something that has the core gamer base feeling a bit backstabbed. But the shock of seeing these reports seems to be causing those same people to lose perspective.
Veteran 
journalist Chris Morris explains what a no-show for the next Xbox at E3 means
With Microsoft’s announcement that it has no plans to even mention its next generation console system at this year’s E3, the annual video game trade show has gotten a bit less interesting.
It is, in some ways, a confusing decision. While no one expected the next Xbox to come out this year, publishers traditionally begin beating the drum for new systems about 18 months out – and there’s no indication Microsoft has pushed the system to 2014. Also, with the company talking to developers now, the specs for the device have leaked out faster than water through a colander.
It might 
seem that there aren’t a lot of mysteries remaining about the Wii U, Nintendo’s first step into the high definition marketplace and the kickoff of the next generation console wars. But initial appearances can be deceiving.
While we’ll likely learn everything there is to know at E3, there’s still time for the company to tweak its new system to get the most out of it when it comes to retail. Just as we did with the next generation Xbox and the PlayStation 4, we’ve got a few humble suggestions about what Nintendo should – and shouldn’t – do with its next console.
Sony has 
made it pretty clear: The PlayStation 4 will not be a topic of discussion at this year’s E3.
That’s taken the wind out of the sails of the rumor mill, but just because the system won’t be introduced at this point doesn’t mean work isn’t already underway. Whether it bows in 2013, 2014 or even later, Sony’s going to have to work hard to top the features of the PS3. As we did last month with the next generation Xbox, we’ve got a few humble suggestions about what Sony should – and shouldn’t – do with its next console.
In his latest IG 
column, veteran journo Chris Morris addresses the Xbox 720 rumormill and offers up advice for Microsoft’s next console.
As whispers of a looming next generation Xbox announcement grow to a fever pitch, it’s hard to open a browser window these days without encountering a screaming headline about the still unannounced system (which, more often than not, contradicts what another outlet is claiming).
While the truth about what Microsoft has in store will find its way to the light eventually – likely next year in some way at some point – there has been precious little discussion on what the system needs to do to ensure it matches (or betters) the success of the Xbox 360. With that in mind, we’ve got a few humble suggestions about what Microsoft should – and shouldn’t – do with its next generation console.
Chris Morris: Journalist 