A replay of one of Gamesthirst’s most popular articles:

You’ve heard the talk haven’t you? About how Sony will not allow Microsoft to release its next generation console before they do, and so, with the fear of losing its user base pounding incessantly at the thoughts of its executives, Sony will leave the PS3 behind and delve head first into the eighth and last generation of gaming consoles.

This won’t happen.

If Sony has learned one thing about gamers, is that they’re suckers for new “toys”. Doesn’t really matter what year they release a console, as long as the price is right, and the PlayStation logo is on there, it’ll sell like hot cakes. And now, with the advent of PSN, Sony’s base will most likely stay faithful to its service until the next PlayStation home console comes along.

Even one of Sony’s main bosses uttered this very thing.

Sony’s Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida:

“Naturally, in my opinion, Microsoft will make the first move. Or, because Nintendo’s approach was not to upgrade much on its basic hardware – Wii doesn’t even support HD resolution – so they might be the first to move,” Yoshida told industry Magazine, Develop, when asked why Sony hadn’t discussed the PS4 publicly as yet.

“Probably we should watch these companies, in my opinion. Because PS3 was later than Xbox, and is more powerful, so it has a longer lifespan.”

And I agree with him fully. Microsoft and Nintendo are most likely planning a 2012 release for the their next generation consoles, and for them, I think it’s right timing. Think about it: Although Nintendo launched around the same time with Sony, the Wii is basically a GameCube with Motion Control technology; the legendary company badly needs an upgraded system. And so it’s a veritable venture to release one soon, all the while boosting revenues and shareholder confidence.

Microsoft, too, must be eying 2012 seriously for many reasons. Although Redmond only recently released the Xbox 360 Slim, it knows, without doubt, that the days of its controversial console is coming to an end. Evidently, the PS3 is beginning to embarrass the Xbox 360. Especially technically, where the PS3′s raw power is beginning to outstrip by far, even the best efforts of developers who make exclusive games for Microsoft’s console.

Also, when 2012 arrives, it will be eight years since the Xbox 360 first came on the market. That’s well beyond the time period console makers release their next gen systems. Remember, Sony launched the PS2 in 2000 and six years later, the PS3 came on the scene. It would not only be a bad marketing move if Microsoft doesn’t release its new console in the next year and a half, it would also seriously damage the Xbox 360′s image. Why? Well, considering the PS3′s ahead of the Xbox 360 technically, it would literally render Microsoft’s console “old gen” by that time. Perhaps you’re aware that it’s already showing, therefore things will only go down hill rapidly in the coming years.

So Sony will be the only company left in the seventh generation of consoles.

For a while.

Suddenly, without warning, 2014 comes crashing in on the gaming world like a massive truck that just lost all bearings. The driver pumps hard, looking for brakes, hoping to stop. He finds none. All that’s left is a gaming world bewildered, awestruck, dumbfounded and amazed.

Sony just crashed everyone’s party. For a while there, Nintendo and Microsoft were hoping against hope that the company from the land of the rising sun would just quit gaming and allow the two to play chess. Stay away, Sony. Not so.

PS4′s now on the scene. Priced right, more future proof than any other on the market. Sexy. Millions starts disappearing off store shelves, etailers like amazon can’t keep up. Even the monster that is Walmart can’t keep the console in stuck.

But why’s it selling out so fast? For one, Sony learned an almost crippling lesson back in the PS3′s gloomy days. The console was priced at over $650 at launch, a turnoff for many gamers who then set their sights on Microsoft’s Xbox 360, which, by the way, managed to outsell Sony’s PS3 before its younger brother would step in: Xbox 720.

The other reason was the many PS3 exclusive titles that launched with the system.

Killzone 4:

Killzone is one of the most recognizable titles on the PlayStation, and in gaming for that matter. After Sony unleashed the third installment on the PS3, the giant allowed Guerrilla Games, Killzone’s developer, to go after new ventures. And so the prospect of the next Killzone launching on PS3 faded. Time ran out but it benefited the PS4.

As soon as the game’s fans heard the news, they couldn’t resist. “Where is the nearest GameStop?” Zack asked, he’d already made his decision.

Resistance 4:

By the time Resistance 3 came out, it was already late 2011. Its developer, Insomniac Games, had recently signed a deal with EA Partners affording them to do multiplatform games. Sony knew when that happened they’d have to wait longer for Resistance installments. Part four would not see a PS3 release.

It did, however, release on the PS4 at launch, and again, just like the killzone fans, Resistance supporters bought the console for their beloved franchise.

God of War 4:

Many had thought that God of War 4 would come to life on PS3, it did not. Apparently they’d forgotten how long it took Santa Monica to release the last: four years.

Did Sony strategically planned the game’s PS4 release? It was hardly a tough question to answer. Of course they did. God of War is a system seller; God of War III had once again proven that point, and Sony wasn’t about to mess up the tradition.

When the game landed a month later on the PS4, you could hardly find the console anywhere. It had proven to be the best hardware sales boost Sony had ever received from a game.

In the end, not Microsoft, nor was it Nintendo who won the eighth generation of consoles install base battle. Sony’s planning had proven successful. They didn’t follow the other two companies down the tempting path, it was their destiny not Sony’s. And although the media was once again spelling the hardware giant’s doom, Sony never budged. It was already accustomed to the judgments. Instead, a game plan formulated by the company’s top executives, developers, and fans alike, was followed precisely. No wavering, not even when it looked tough.

And so it was in the eighth generation of consoles.

For ExclusivesMostly, one of Games Thirst faithful users.

Call of Duty: Black Ops is not even out on sale yet but analysts are already projecting how many copies of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will be sold, and who will develop it.

According to Janco Partners’ Mike Hickey, developer Sledgehammer is currently at work on Modern Warfare 3, and not series creator Infinity Ward.

In a research note released this afternoon, Hickey predicts the game will launch in the financial year ending March 31, 2012.

“We believe Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will be released in fiscal ’11, likely developed by Sledgehammer Games, and could sell in excess of +18 million units,” he wrote.

But that’s not all, the analyst also believes a Call of Duty online-only game will launch in China during the same time, with an MMO game coming from Bungie the following financial year.

Sledgehammer was recently hiring for a Call of Duty title they’ve been working on, so this could be it.

Infinity Ward in its current condition cannot handle the next game, as over 50 percent of the studio’s staff left, with most joining Jason West and Vince Zampella at Respawn Entertainment.

Thanks, CVG.

Yes, it’ll be called Xbox Forever.

Why gamers think that Microsoft will launch the next Xbox later than 2012 is beyond me. It’s only common sense and normal business protocol. The Xbox 360 has done its best. Billions of dollars have been earned, tens of millions of fans have been added, Xbox Live is here to stay, now stronger than ever, and the exclusives have served Microsoft and their publishes well.

There’s just one problem, though: the Xbox 360 is getting old. Now, well past five years, the Xbox 360 has earned respect globally. Virtually all developers have tried their hands on the console, and many have made fortunes developing for it. Microsoft knows this, and they’re strategy shows that soon, the console will be left behind for its new sibling.

In 2012, the old box will celebrate its seventh birthday, which would make it the longest a console has remained in one generation before next gen systems were announced. Don’t be fooled, the advent of Kinect and Xbox 360 Slim were created only to add a little life into the fledgling system. Microsoft planned this well, too:

Kinect will outlast the 360 and be compatible with the next console, and the Slim will still be selling units, by then, selling for dirt cheap.

I Could hear the conversation between Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer as if they were in my living room drinking wine.

In the office, Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer sat comfortably, each sipping wine served by a special waitress. “So, we’ve accomplished what we set out to do in 2005, Ballmer,” Gates sounded as a man beaming with confidence, “I see no reason why we can’t do it all over again – only this time, we’re better positioned, which, naturally, should make our jobs much easier.” Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer knew exactly what the co-founder, and now Chairman of his company was getting at. Indeed, we’ve done pretty well, he thought. It was late 2009, and the Xbox 360 still held a decent lead over the PS3. “Of course!” he said vibrantly, as if to show his boss that he’s even more confident.

“The PS3, however, has seen extraordinary growth, boss, and we’d be fools to think Sony would allow us to release our next Xbox before the PS4.” Gates was confused, “what are you getting at?” He asked curiously. Ballmer knew that they’d made many mistakes with the Xbox 360, the most recognizable was the defect that almost killed the console dubbed Red Ring Of Death (RROD). “Well, for one, we must make sure that the hardware is indestructible. And that message must be relayed through a vigorous advertising campaign.”

“And so it will Ballmer,” said Gates, “so it will.”

Suddenly a burst of excitment flooded Gates’ mind like strong alcohol stinging the human veins. “Here’s what will do: we need to pay a developer to build a brand new IP for the new console. Let’s do something in the lines of Uncharted for the PS3. Get the new 343 Industries up to speed with the console’s specs so they could start developing a new Halo title to release day and date with it,” Gates was on a roll now.

“Even if Sony’s foolish enough to release the PS4 later than 2012, let’s make sure the new Xbox is so powerful that their old quote “only on the PS3″ will be banished.” I hate that line, Gates thought.

“Mid 2011, we’ll unleash the hype train,” Ballmer took over. “It’ll be nothing like the world has ever seen before! It’ll be the biggest, most extravagant display of our power.” Intimidate the competition. “By then, Kinect will be upgraded and will be doing the impossible. It’ll make Sony’s MOVE look like it came from the stone age. And once again, we’ll dominate.”

Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer were on their fifth glass of wine, yet the men remained sober. The excitement couldn’t be stalled, disturbed or aborted by nothing, not even alcohol.

“Hello, Kotick’s private line, can I help?” The secretary recognized the name that came up on the caller ID immediately, still, flabbergasted, she managed to sound professional. “Is Mr. Kotick available?” the voice asked. “Sure, yes, he is. Is this Bill Gates?” she couldn’t resist, “Yes indeed,” the man on the other line said with a smile on his face. Obviously, power had afforded him many things, one of the luxuries, getting hold of whoever he wanted to, no matter how busy they were. “Okay Mr. Gates, I’ll get him right away.”

The two men had a quick conversation, and to make a long story short, the next Call of Duty Title would be released three months after the launch of the new system, receiving special edition consoles and all.

Everything’s in place, Gates thought, all but one.

One of the most important aspects of launching a new product is its name. Gates knew this all too well. The Zune flopped because its name never stuck. BING, Microsoft search engine, a combined effort with Yahoo wasn’t having much of an impact on Google because, well, the name didn’t stick. Likewise, Microsoft’s motion control device was changed from Project Natal to Kinect because, to them, the latter sounded much more like something that would easily become ubiquitous with the masses.

“There’s one more thing, sir,” Ballmer said, “it’s name” Gates shot back reading his colleagues mind. “I know exactly what we’ll name the new Xbox.” The room was quite for a moment. Then, with poise, Bill Gates uttered his last few words of the meeting that had went on far too long.

“Because it will be the last home console we manufacture, because there will be no need for another, we’ll call it Xbox Forever.” Ballmer was stunned. Bill Gates getting a name right? Impossible! “I love it!” He shouted.

The CEO then contacted Greenberg and told him the news, the rest was history.

Wedbush Morgan Securities Analyst is a wealthy man; wealth earned by predicting trends. He said most of his clients are worth billions and he travels throughout the year helping executives make well informed decisions while his staff, a big one, stays in the office and make his work easier. “It’s hard work’” the man confesses, and the reason why he’s the most successful analyst in the business is because the other guys and gals are just too “lazy”.

But with all his smarts and being a well respected analyst, he knows when to back down, say ‘I’m sorry” or “I was wrong” and take it like a man. And that’s exactly what he did with Red Dead Redemption. Apparently Pachter thought that the move Rockstar made by developing a Western title was a bad one, and they would live to regret it later. He was wrong.

“Suppose we should call the visionaries,” he told CVG this morning. “I have been skeptical a long time, but they always believed that a Western, if done well, would sell well. it looks like they were right all along. Nobody can doubt that they made a great game.”

For Pachter, Rockstar should let bygones be bygones and send him a copy of the Western he was so skeptical about. After all, they haven’t sent him a game ever since he doubted whether Bully, a game from Rockstar would sell well.

“Maybe after that comment, they’ll finally send me a copy; they haven’t sent me any games since I doubted whether Bully would sell well.”

Aw, the man’s so humble. What did you say?