If you wanted to get a sense of where the gaming industry is going next, the 2010 D.I.C.E. Summit in Las Vegas was the place to be. Standing for Design, Innovative, Create, and Entertain, D.I.C.E. is an annual conference where the gaming press mingles with designers and executives in between three days of panels. This year, the conference featured keynotes from the likes of Activision CEO Bobby Kotick, Electronic Arts COO John Schappert, and the annual Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Awards, hosted by Jay Mohr. The big winner for Game of the Year? By now, it's no surprise that Uncharted 2: Among Thieves took the top honor. Here are some of my highlights and insights from this year's summit.

The new expansion, Awakening, comes out this month for Dragon Age.

Expect a lot of news in 2010 around Microsoft's Project Natal.

This summer, the Transformers return in War for Cybertron.

When Will We See a New Console?
By now you're probably wondering when we might see the Xbox 1080 or the PlayStation 4. Believe it or not, this fall marks the fifth anniversary of the Xbox 360, which launched in 2005. Normally, we'd be getting ready to gear up for a new batch of game systems. Well, don't hold your breath. Sources I talked with at D.I.C.E. said that we may not see a new system from Sony or Microsoft until 3-4 years from now. Why the long delay? There are two reasons. First, a diminishing return on graphics. The current systems run pretty well in HD and new games like God of War III show that there's a lot more power to unleash in a box like the PS3. Second, the continued success of the Wii has shown Sony and Microsoft that the console war is not all about graphics and power.

So what will Sony and Microsoft be doing in the near-term? Simple: they'll be chasing after Nintendo. Microsoft's Project Natal (due out this holiday season) is a camera-based, controller-free environment that lets you interact with games and entertainment using nothing more than your hands. Sony is introducing its motion controller (nicknamed the "Arc") this fall as well, which tracks your movements with millimeter-accuracy using an EyeToy camera. Expect a ton of new games inspired by these motion-controlled systems, which will work on existing consoles.

More of Your Favorite Games
Here's another trend I picked up on at D.I.C.E.: You'll be seeing a lot more from your favorite game franchises every year. This will come not just in the form of sequels, but also downloadable content and expansion packs. Call of Duty has shown that it can deliver a solid game every 12 months, and recently Ubisoft announced that you'll see a new Assassin's Creed every 12-18 months as well. The challenge, as always, is to make sure that these game franchises don't wear out their welcome. If a new Assassin's Creed came out every year, would you be as excited to play it?

One company that is innovating in this regard is BioWare. At D.I.C.E. I had a long chat with Dr. Ray and Dr. Greg, the two co-founders of this Canadian RPG studio best known for Dragon Age and Mass Effect. They explained that it will be a while until Mass Effect 3 comes out, but their plan is to aggressively support the series with not only downloadable content, but also expansion packs that introduce new styles of gameplay. They are also doing this with Dragon Age. The new Dragon Age Origins: Awakening expansion is coming out this month. The expansion allows you to import your character from Dragon Age or create an entirely new Grey Warden for an adventure that raises the level cap. You'll also encounter new characters and enemies including the Inferno Golem and the Spectral Dragon. I hope we'll continue to see new content for popular franchises in the years to come, although developers have their work cut out for them to make sure gamers don't burn out.

Games on the Radar
While there were fewer games on display at D.I.C.E. than in years past, one title that I did get to check out was Transformers: War for Cybertron. This one comes out in the summer and, believe it or not, looks like the first good Transformers game I can remember (the last two movie games left a lot to be desired). Designed around the Unreal technology, the visuals look strong and there's a big focus on 3-player co-op throughout the entire campaign, which is set on Cybertron. You can play as Optimus (before he becomes a Prime) or as other Transformers, including Megatron and Starscream. The gameplay feels a lot like Gears of War without the cover system. After all, Optimus isn't the kind of guy to duck behind a concrete slab to avoid enemy fire.

Finally, while it wasn't at D.I.C.E., you will definitely want to check out God of War III this month for the PlayStation 3. After a string of imitators like Bayonetta and Dante's Inferno, Kratos' first PS3 game will blow you away like Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. The graphics are phenomenal as you square off against the Greek Gods, including Zeus and Hades. The battles are absolutely epic, especially the moments when you fight on the backs of titans, like Gaia and Cronos. God of War III is a game that every PS3 owner will want to put into their GameQ.

Enjoy your games, and I'll be back in April with my thoughts on the 2010 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.