What is Microsoft doing for the launch of the next-gen Xbox? Are they just going to hope that the first next-gen COD game (assuming it's a "720" & PS4 launch title) and other third-party titles like Watch Dogs will be enough to sell systems, or are they going to debut new exclusives? We're obviously not going to have another Halo game at launch. If they do a Halo 2 Anniversary, it won't be until next year, and assuming the normal 3-year dev cycle for a Halo game, we won't see Halo 5 until 2015. As for Gears, the next one comes out next week, so there's goes any chance of an entry in their other major IP being a launch title. That leaves Forza and Fable as their last remaining exclusives (well, they do have all those old IPs they got from when they bought Rare Ware, but they haven't really shown any interest in doing anything with them), but I doubt those will be system-sellers.

I'm wondering if MS's relative lack of exclusives compared to Nintendo and Sony will hurt them this time around, or if third-party titles and the built-in XBL audience will suffice to bolster system sales. They won't have the advantage of having a year's head-start like they did last time, not to mention that the PS3 has recently beat the 360 in terms of systems sold despite debuting a year later and having a weaker debut due to the higher launch price, something I personally think is due at least in part to having a better selection of exclusives. I'm interested in seeing what they're planning on, but if they fail to impress I'm going with PlayStation first this time around. Ultimately it's going to come down to what games are being offered during the launch window. If there's no exclusives, there's no point in being an early adopter.