While engaged in a roundtable discussion on GameTrailers.com’s Bonus Round, notable industry pundits N’Gai Croal (Newsweek), Stephen Totilo ( MTV Multiplayer), and Brian Crescente (Kotaku) all got to talking about Microsoft’s plans for this year’s E3, and the future of the Xbox brand in general.

Eventually the group began addressing the many different directions that Microsoft is trying to stretch the 360 brand towards, such as the community driven independent games on Xbox Live, the hardcore line up (most notably this year’s Gears of War 2), and finally the “Wii want to play too” motion sensing device rumored to be in the works for some time. In light of Microsoft’s attempt to be the all-in-one gaming machine, columnist N’Gai Croal brought up the notion that instead of trying to mold itself to fit into every single niche within the gaming market, Microsoft should instead take a good hard look at themselves and concentrate on what makes the 360 special in its own unique way.

“I don’t think chasing what Nintendo’s good at, or chasing what Sony’s good at is going to ultimately serve them that well,” says Croal.

MTV Multiplayer’s Stephen Totilo quickly agreed with N’Gai’s statement that the wisest direction for MS is to probably continue with their strong online service and diverse line up of software that appeals hardcore gamers. Bringing up another good point in relation to Microsoft’s attempt to compete with the Wii was Kotaku’s Brian Crescente, saying that all the attention on Nintendo is taking away the focus from the 360’s most direct competitor, the PS3. Both consoles are aiming at the same audience, and while Microsoft is busy with aspirations of becoming the new king of casual gaming, the PS3 could capitalize upon their failing to look at where the 360 really stands in the market.

Remember what Michael Pachter said a few months back about Microsoft being fixated on first place and ignoring present circumstances? It seems the company still hasn’t learned that you don’t have to be number one to have a successful console, and by trying so hard to replicate the Wii’s success they seem to be carrying on with their regular habits.