But ultimately, what keeps things chugging along most for the 360 and Microsoft as a whole is Xbox Live. Just look at the sheer amount of content that has been offered, let alone downloaded via the service by both gold and silver users. Just look at the games being released each week for the arcade. Initially, at the very beginning, it was a bit slow going. However, as time has gone on, this alone has given Xbox Live users with a penchant for a bit more ‘casual’ titles something to look forward to each week and that is nothing to bat an eyelash at. Additionally, titles like ‘Splosion Man, Shadow Complex and Monkey Island have seen a resurgence for smaller development houses that enable gamers to experience gameplay that some may be way too young to have ever seen in a Mario or Sonic title. Conversely, Indie developers have began growing significantly, showcasing a different, riskier step in game design. Granted, for every nine pieces of garbage you may be subjected to, there is a jewel that stands toe-to-toe with arcade titles and deserves to be noticed. On the other hand, as online multiplayer continues to shine through unabated, games like 1 vs. 100 have illustrated the types of community games that bring people together for a few hours. In no small terms, these type of games could, in a few short years, replace televised game shows as we know them, moving them into the online realm where anyone can be the contestant, complete with audience and commercial breaks. Thus, it is obviously visible how Live continues to contribute to the overall longevity and virtual dominance of the Xbox 360 in the video games industry.
So be on the lookout during 2010 as games aplenty continue to be released, there is plenty to keep your eyes peeled for. With new games hitting shelves all the time and several of 2009’s big hit titles being bumped back to the first quarter of 2010, there’ll be no short supply of games to play. Additionally, there will always be new content, be it video, downloadable content as well as arcade or indie games for 360 gamers to keep themselves busy with. This of course goes under the assumption that Natal will in fact make its debut at the latter half of 2010 and for the hopes of Microsoft along with 360 gamers, it better be damn awesome because they’ve really spent a pretty bit of time building all of us up and it would be just a shame. But, if MGS stays on track and continues to do the right things by their prospective audiences, then 2010 truly stands to be the year of the Xbox 360.
