Ah...2009 has come to pass and what a year it was. From the favourites winning the Superbowl (again) to a spoiled celeberity doing something stupid (mhm) this could go down as the most memorable, influential year in the history of mankind. And hey, gaming wasn't bad either. So, what will stay and change in the way of video games and the industry in general next year? Here's my predictions:

1. Nintendo announces the Wii HD at the TGS in mid-September: It will be a 2011 product, a technical upgrade to the existing hardware (like the move from Game Boy to GBA), the Wii HD will support 360/PS3 level graphics as well as wexpanded storage for the use of downloads. Look for the default control interface to be the WiiMotion Plus, and don't be surprised if someone from Ninentdo hints at something camera based. Wii HD will be fully backwards compatible, along with the product we'll receive a sneak-peek at the next Legend of Zelda game. Nintendo also announces a virtual console for the DSi. Afterwards we will receive news that the DS Lite is being discontinued.

2. Au Revoir, PSP Go: In the spring of 2010 Sony realizes that the PSP Go was a bad idea in the first place, in an attempt to get the product out there one more time, a massive price drop is announced. My bet, the Go still doesn't sell and in a foolish move Sony abandons the product only to announce another download based handheld. This time it features always-on 3G connection and better security, less piracy means their partners actually stick with them this year.

3. New Xbox 360 bundle, Natal is everywhere: Microsoft announces that the X360 will be bundled with Natal for $289.99. They'll announce that all first-party titles starting in 2011 will support the device (these will turn out to be only casual games). Camera-integration will become the next big thing to the chagrin of core gamers everywhere, in time we will see every platform supporting it.

4. The Rise of the Mega-Studio: Don't be surprised to see id Software shock the gaming world by conducting one of the biggest studio purchasesd of all time when they buy Valve in Q3. Rockstar is bought out by an already struggling Take Two.