I say let's cut the shenanigans, the figures, the posturing, the "well yes my company did this but we're still the best ever if you look at it this way", and just pit the console makers/developers against each other in three-way firefights (and melee fights) this E3 (which starts July 15). What a way to resolve differences, eh? Let's just get it all out in the open, folks. So here's a semi-random list of games coming to the plate this year that, in this writer's opinion, would make for some good old-fashioned trash talking times, and why:

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Who wouldn't just love to see Bill Gates (I know he's not really in charge of the games thing, but still) go head to head with Shigeru Miyamoto in a multiplayer lightsaber duel? Or Heck, Gates vs. Lucas, just for the kicks?

Madworld

Probably the bloodiest game that's ever surfaced on the Wii, so naturally it'd be cool to see someone with Nintendo in on the action, perhaps its president Satoru Iwata? Second would creator Platinum Games. I don't believe this one has multiplayer, but it's a nice thought, hey?

Resistance 2/Call of Duty: World at War/Killzone 2/The Conduit/Gears of War 2

I hate to lump them all together, but hey, it just makes sense for the purposes of this piece. Resistance 2 because it's big and freaking loaded with enemies, Call of Duty because..it's Call of Duty (probably equally good for pitting companies against each other as pairing them together in co-op), Killzone 2 because it looks pretty awesome, The Conduit because it's a good looking FPS on the Wii, and Gears for co-op mode. Oh, and actually, let's get journalists into the mix a bit too: how about Gears dev Cliffy B up against Softpedia's Silviu Stahie? There's a score waiting to be settled.

Soul Calibur IV

Because it's freaking Soul Calibur IV! And for a similar reason to The Force Unleashed, what with all the Star Wars characters in it and whatnot, this one would be good to pit folks like George Lucas and (sometimes) casual game makers like Nintendo against each other with. But mostly, it's freaking Soul Calibur IV.

I'm sure I've left out some good ones, so as always, feel free to add your own suggestions.

Who would win in these epic battles? I'm betting on Microsoft for the FPS matches, Sony for fighting, and Nintendo for the lightsaber duels (they made the Wiimote, after all). Although, maybe Nintendo has a hidden dark side and have been looking to pound someone for a good long time now. Never know!