Barring the apocalypse, 2010 should be an interesting year. NBA free agents, LeBron James and Dwayne Wade, will think about joining other teams, Iron Man 2 will rock the box office and numerous games will hit shelves, including Mass Effect 2, Bayonetta and Splinter Cell: Conviction, with plenty more to follow.
That said, behold our 2010 video game predictions. We'll revisit them winter 2011 to see how right (or horribly wrong) we were.
Overpriced DLC
We don't mean to sound like the elderly, but back in our day, downloadable content cost $5. Now companies attempt to gouge consumers with overpriced video games. Madden NFL Arcade, for example, is worth playing, but not for $14.99 (1200 Microsoft Points).
Unfortunately, these games will only grow more expensive. Both Sony and Microsoft (with PSP go and Xbox Live, respectively) host downloadable games that cost $10 more than their retail counterparts, and other companies will attempt to make a quick buck off players eager to purchase stuff the second it's made available. We suggest waiting for price drops, or stock up on points cards this holiday season.
The Who: Rock Band
Listen, we know that the iconic band has a loyal following, but it doesn't come close to matching The Beatles. That's why the rumor of Harmonix working on The Who: Rock Band (sort of revealed by band member Roger Daltrey) left us unimpressed. Senile old man? Possibly, but we expect this game to arrive next fall, with Harmonix crossing its fingers that this (and not U2: Rock Band) was the smart decision.
Revived classics
Both Xbox Live and PlayStation Network play host to numerous retro hits, and publishers will continue to use both services to promote the past. We'll see Dreamcast games on PlayStation 3, as well as possible Saturn/Sega CD games like Panzer Dragoon, Radiant Silvergun and Sonic CD. Namco Bandai could release more Rolling Thunder games (or a sequel), while Capcom will revive its Strider series.
New Zelda revealed
Although we don't expect to buy a new Zelda in 2010, Nintendo will probably unveil the next chapter in the franchise at next summer's Electronic Entertainment Expo. We're short on details, but odds are good that it'll star a young elf named Link, a princess in distress and a fantasy world under siege. That is, unless Nintendo makes dramatic changes to the formula. It already went on record as saying that the game has a "new structure", whatever that means.
More expensive special editions/bundles
If you think Modern Warfare 2's $149.99 Prestige Edition is ridiculous, wait until you see what companies have in store for 2010. Since every big release seems to warrant a feature-packed (and pricier) collector's version, publishers will keep trying to outdo each other with more over the top goodies, art books and other stuff; AKA, things you don't need, but will purchase anyway.
New Call of Duty
Infinity Ward covered COD this year with Modern Warfare 2, so development duties return to Treyarch, the company behind last year's mega popular Call of Duty: World at War. Obviously, predicting another COD is like guessing whether they'll be clouds in the sky, but the big question is whether it'll take place during World War II.
One of two things will happen: either Treyarch will set the game in WWII and put an unexpected twist on the gameplay, or it'll choose another conflict, perhaps behind enemy lines during the Cold War, or maybe even Vietnam.
People stop buying Wii
Thanks to a motion sensitive remote, Nintendo managed to dominate sales charts with a console that's essentially a supped up GameCube. 2010, however, marks the proverbial beginning of the end for Wii, at least in its current form. It was a great run, but consumers want high definition graphics, and with Sony and Microsoft showcasing motion technology (with PS3 Motion and Natal, respectively), customers will abandon Wii in favor of new, more advanced experiences. This will, as expected, prompt Mario and Co. to dream up something new. Before it releases a new system, though, we'll receive...
DVD playing Wii
Surprise! Nintendo will release a Wii that plays DVDs. No, it won't be in high definition or spruce up older games. It'll just serve as an all in one babysitter for snot nosed kids too young to play the next Call of Duty on Xbox 360.
Sony outsells Micrososft
Microsoft doesn't want to hear this, but the PS3 will catch up to (and possibly overtake) Xbox 360. Sony has gained significant ground the past few months, and with God of War III due next spring, the proverbial stage is set for a fist flying, groin kicking battle that, eventually, Sony will win. That is, unless Natal meets and exceeds expectations. It's Microsoft's fight to lose.
Gears of War 3
Epic Games will roll out the next chapter in its sci-fi blood bath, then release the game next fall. Expect more chainsaw wielding, Locust stomping goodness, with improved multiplayer, a fun but short single player campaign and one pissed off COG named Marcus Fenix.
iPhone considered gaming platform, beats PSP
After years of people insisting that Apple's iPhone is just that, a phone, more high profile games will convince consumers to treat the device as a gaming platform. That ultimately spells doom for PSP go, which will continue to flounder because of its overpriced and unimpressive lineup; Sony eventually discontinues it.
No Tony Hawk
Skateboard celeb, Tony Hawk, stands by his latest game, Tony Hawk Ride, but weak sales will convince Activision to either pull the plug on the franchise or once again go back to the proverbial drawing board. This leaves the door wide open for EA to claim the skateboard throne.
New Play Control: Luigi's Mansion
Nintendo will continue to release games with Wii motion controls, and one of them will be the GameCube launch title, Luigi's Mansion. All ten fans of that game (us included) rejoiced.