Microsoft and Sony are clearly in a race to win the hardcore gamer. This has accelerated the console timeline and is pushing console prices up. In the end, the PS3 and 360 will likely match up very closely in overall functionality. One will have a slight edge in some areas, and the other will “best” remaining areas.

Should the PS3 and the Xbox 360 each include a hard drive and wireless bridge standard? How about other features? Not necessarily; it depends on who exactly is being targeted. By including these additional features, the price of each console will increase drastically.

Hardcore gamers, who are the majority of current console gamers, will no doubt purchase the hard drive and any other accessory that will enhance the experience of the games they wish to play, and load times are but one minor example. Developers will be able to count on these accessories being installed the same way they count on PC gamers to have a minimum set of system requirements for each game.

In the end, the feature race between Sony and Microsoft will have pushed the price of the “full package” next-gen console (whether all-included or base with accessories) beyond the price of all but the hardcore gamers or those with ample disposable income.

The important thing to remember is that the industry needs to pay attention to the casual gamer if it wants to substantially grow fixed game sales. By segmenting the consoles, Microsoft has begun to do this. The “full package” will still be available to for the typical gamer, but a cheaper version that meets the needs of the casual gamer will also be available.

Microsoft’s Robbie Bach and J Allard have continually talked about the need to make games that are fun but do not necessarily take hours of practice. The average age of a (fixed) gamer is now 28 – 29. This has opened up the opportunity to bring more mature (often violent) features into games, but many of us only have enough time to play one to three full titles per year. With many games taking thirty minutes to several hours to complete a level, there simply is not time enough to pick up the controller each night. However, if studios release games that either can be played in ten to fifteen minute increments and/or with the family, the trade-off between TV, internet surfing, etc. becomes much easier.

Most analysts believe that the battle for the high-end game console and hardcore gamer is between Microsoft and Sony, but do not leave Nintendo out. Nintendo will again upgrade its console line with the release of the Revolution.

The market continues to say that Microsoft and Sony are both doing a great job of supporting their developers, but both companies still appear very hardware and technology focused. Nintendo on the other hand has always taken a more holistic approach to console design by looking at what makes games fun and improving on that.

Nintendo did lose significant ground in the current generation, but we are looking forward to seeing the continuation of features like the Bongo Drum Controller.

Will Sony miss the boat with casual gamers? Does Nintendo or Microsoft have the best approach for targeting both hardcore and casual gamers? Only time will tell, but we would love to hear your opinions…