What will be the Xbox 360 saviour in 2010?

2009 was a great year for the Xbox brand as Microsoft are keen to shout about, and with more targets to be reached in 2010 what is going to be Xbox 360's saviour in a year which for all platforms is going to be 'hot'.

For now we'll have to ignore the games which are not exclusive to the system, as it's not really fair to harp on about Modern Warfare 2 downloadable content which will also appear on rival consoles. What is worth taking note of are those exclusives which have been waiting in the wings. Splinter Cell Conviction, Crackdown 2, Mass Effect 2, and Alan Wake, Fable III not to mention the gargantuan Halo Reach with its BETA test which is going to roll out sooner rather than later. With Bioware's Mass Effect II hitting stores at the end of this month the year is starting off with a huge bang.

Software aside, we're also expecting the arrival of Natal this year and this is perhaps the most key moment for Xbox 360. It's well known how Nintendo has smashed all records with its Nintendo Wii console, capturing casuals and cementing itself as the console for a wider generation of gamers and non-gamers. Natal aims to go one further with its voice technology and 'controllerless' interface.

Can Microsoft market the technology alongside the Xbox 360 as the console to move into the next few years offering ease of use for newcomers, and the depth to keep the more well versed consumers enthralled and entertained? It's going to be a struggle, because in the few years of being available Wii has really dominated the marketplace, and consumers are well familiar with the brand name. For Microsoft to break into this market is going to be tough, requiring a hard sell approach and the tickling of the current user base to help propel sales into the wider market.

So, with some great exclusives starting off the year, new technology that aims to make the machine more concise and competitive with its peers, what's going to be the saviour of Xbox 360 this year? Is it going to be the software appealing to the large user base, the new technology bringing in more consumers, or has the company got more tricks up its sleeve especially when it comes to competitive pricing in the marketplace? An Xbox 360 complete with Natal tech and games for under £150 would be a great strategy. Whatever propels the Xbox 360 brand this year, the future is bright, the future is exciting for gamers across the globe.

Posted By: Robert Cram

Date: 2010-01-07