Eight Predictions for '08

Red Rings of Death. 'Ban'hunt. Wii droughts. Last year was a crazy one for gamers, filled with controversies, console wars and more amazing games than we could reasonably afford to play. We've already pointed out some of the coming year's biggest releases, but what else might gamers expect? What unforeseen events will define video games in 08? With the help of some tarot cards, a few unsubstantiated rumors and a time-traveling DeLorean, we summon our inner Nostradamus and present eight possible outcomes for the year ahead.

1. The PS3 will gain ground. Really.

Stop laughing - we're being serious. After a pretty dismal year, Sony is poised to snatch back a significant chunk of the market share it unwittingly handed over to Microsoft and Nintendo. Why would we make such an outlandish claim? Simple: compared to the 360 and the Wii, the PS3 has the most room for growth and the tastiest morsels left on the post-holiday plate.

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The launch of Metal Gear Solid 4 and LittleBigPlanet will give PS3 users two more mega-exclusives worth bragging about (until MGS eventually makes it to the 360, Konami's denials be damned), and 2008 promises to be the year Sony will finally release its much-ballyhooed and oft-delayed Home network. Sure, Microsoft still has GTA IV, and Nintendo will rule the roost early with Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but the rest of the year is up for grabs. Since they're the most desperate, Sony's hand will move the fastest.

2. Nintendo will get fit, start a fight, and vanish for six months.

It's good to be the king, although that also means everyone's gunning for your crown. And while we expect Nintendo to finally meet Wii hardware demands in 08, we're not as convinced that they'll keep consumers interested in their games for the full calendar year. The company starts off 08 with the potent one-two punch of Wii Fit and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, pretty much ensuring another winning quarter.

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But what happens after that? Other than Mario Kart Wii, there's nothing particularly exciting lined up to keep those elusive Wiis from collecting dust. Beyond massive first-party gems like Super Mario Galaxy and Metroid Prime, the current software lineup is pretty thin and the upcoming Wii release list is comparatively weak. We're expecting a slew of new first-party announcements come the E3 convention in July, but that might be just enough time for the competition to catch up.

3. All three console manufacturers will release new versions of their rigs.

Time was, you bought a video game system, enjoyed it for a few years, then bought a new one. Remember? Before you dropped hard-earned cash on a console only to find out that a newer, better and potentially cheaper version would come out just a few months later? Microsoft introduced two new 360 SKUs in 2007: Xbox 360 Arcade and Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition, to go along with the Pro and Elite models. Sony confused everyone by releasing an 80 GB version, discontinuing the 60 GB version, and releasing the reduced-price 40GB version all within three months. Oh, and they made a slimmer PSP. You get the feeling Nintendo would have pumped out four versions of the Wii had they actually been able to meet initial hardware demand. So what's on tap for 2008? In an effort to sway consumers further away from Sony's PS3 and its Blue-Ray capabilities, look for Microsoft to announce a new high-end model featuring a built-in HD-DVD drive. Sony will surely announce more pricing schemes, and we wouldn't be shocked if Nintendo finally decided to offer a Wii capable of outputting in HD. Actually, we'd be thrilled.

4. GTA IV will put Rockstar back on top.

Last year was like one long, foggy hangover for Rockstar Games. Between the public outcry over Manhunt 2 and the unfortunate delay of GTA IV, the once-vaunted game publisher was bludgeoned by bad news in 2007. But if a game company is indeed judged by the success of their games, expect 2008 to rocket Rockstar back into the spotlight; Grand Theft Auto IV is that big of a deal.

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In fact, it's the biggest game ever in the series, a monumental undertaking that combines the franchise's criminally fun gameplay with an incredible graphics engine and unparalleled depth. Despite the inevitable media backlash, Rockstar's upcoming best-seller should see the company back on solid ground.