The Xbox 360 price cuts have clearly made a difference to the sales figures, but we won’t know quite how much difference they have made until September’s NPD data is revealed. As usual, the analysts are out in force ahead of time to give their predictions. And not only does Jesse Divnich see the Xbox 360 beating the PS3 this month, he sees the price cut affecting this console war massively.

Recently, Microsoft announced an agreement with Eidos to release exclusive downloadable content (DLC) for the xbox 360 version of Tomb Raider Underworld. Also, about a month ago Sony announced that the PS3 will receive exclusive DLC for the PS3 version of Mirrors Edge. Gamers who are wondering what this trend of platform exclusive DLC means to them may not like the answer to this probing question.

One of the silliest arguments fanboys like to make is that Microsoft has a vast reserve of unlimited resources, all of which can be thrown at the Xbox division.  Just like any other business, Microsoft is in the console market to make money and not to fuel useless fanboy fancies.

Most of us would agree that the PS3 is not achieving what it possibly could have at this stage of its life. But Sony seems happy with how things are going, and is even predicting some shortages over the upcoming holiday 2008 season.

Many Xbox 360 owners have been eagerly waiting for the update coming out near the end of the year which will allows Netflix movies to be streamed onto the system. In the mean time, Xbox 360, PS3 and PSP owners will be able to watch movies via Netflix very soon using an application called PlayOn.

Two days ago we wrote a story in regards to a rumor surrounding a new PSP-esque DS, which was said to launch near the end of the year. However, as it turns out the DS may not be the only handheld system to go through a mid-life crisis this late in the game. The head of Sony Online Entertainment recently stated in an interview that he envisions the PSP as a portable hub for Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games.

There is a new rumor doing the rounds on the Web today. According to a reliable source, a new Nintendo DS will be out before the end of the year. The new DS is said to sport many new features that will make it similar to the PSP.

Just last weekend, I spoke about the next generation of consoles and who is likely to be involved. I think all three current players, Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo are likely to play again, but some feel differently. Could it be that the PS3 and Xbox 360 are the last consoles from Sony and Microsoft respectively?

There is growing concern from many game studios regarding the pre-owned video game market. As we have mentioned in a previous story, EA has spoken out against this practice. While retailers like EBGames and GameCrazy are making a killing off pre-owned game sales, game studios are losing out on potential profits.

Microsoft recently announced the closure of Ensemble Studios. To many, the move was surprising considering how successful the Age series was. Microsoft indicated that the reason behind shutting down the studio was that of a fiscal nature. However, the real reason for closing Ensemble might run as deep as the Xbox 360 price cuts.