10 Features That Will Define Next-Gen Gaming

6. Microsoft & Nintendo's Curious Alliance

Over the last year-or-so, gamers have been surprised by the unprecedented level of co-operation between Microsoft and Nintendo, largely as it pertains to cross-play initiatives between their platforms, all while Sony has, until recently, been a stridently unpopular hold-out.

It speaks to the classic notion that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" - if competition really constitutes an "enemy" at all - and with Microsoft on the back-foot, them making in-roads with Nintendo certainly isn't a bad idea.

Recent reports suggest that Microsoft is planning to launch Xbox Live on the Nintendo Switch and may even release a streaming-focused version of Xbox Game Pass for the handheld hybrid, which would be an enormous win for Microsoft if true.

Though Stadia will clearly offer up substantial competition to the Xbox's subscription-based streaming initiatives, the Switch is so intuitive and ergonomic as a handheld platform that, for many, it will be preferable to playing on a tablet, phone or laptop with a controller.

Then again, there's no guarantee that the tacit alliance will hold strong throughout the generation, and indeed, anything can happen.