[Rumor Mill] - Xbox360 with built in HD-DVD player built in coming next year

Proelite from Neogaf is reporting that he has been told by his Local Gamestop store that Microsoft will introduced a brand new SKU with a built in HD-DVD next year.

Microsoft has already told gamers that they have no plans of supporting blu-ray and to prove their point, they recently dropped the price of the HD-DVD add on for the Xbox 360 which saw 1000% boost on Amazon.com since the price dropped.

[Lord Anubis]

Hopefully this time around they support HDMI 1.3a and allow for Dolby's True HD or DTS HD Master. It would be too much to ask them for uncompressed LPMC and perhaps tasking for the X360. If none of those are included on the SKU it would be worthless to those that want to enjoy the HD DVD movies.

Ah, also support for "true color" or as it is called x.v.color. The PlayStation 3 supports them all, it was disheartening to hear the Elite supported none.

ITR

hey lad. X.v.Color will be available in the latest televisions. Its supported on the new Sony receivers, Televisions and camcorders.It is a Standard in High Defintion. Simply because there aren't that many televisions and other devices with support for the standard in the market right now it doesn't mean it should be excluded. Other wise Microsoft would continue to make the same mistakes.

[ITR]

x.v. color isn't a issue unless your tv supports it.
So unless you own a new Sony or Mitsubishi you probably don't have it.
I sold a Bravia and a MITS that supported x.v color today.

If you want to see colors go check out the new Super Clear Panel 52" Samsung's.
The image is so clear and defined the actors look almost 3D from the background.

[Maddens Raiders]

-- "x.v. color isn't a issue unless your tv supports it.
So unless you own a new Sony or Mitsubishi you probably don't have it.
I sold a Bravia and a MITS that supported x.v color today." --

My Mitsu and Bravia do...and the colors and pictures on these sets look SPECTACULAR.
============================= ============================== = ====

[Rumor Mill] XBox launches next sku in 2Q 2008. CodeNamed: PlayStation3X o_O

[nasim]

the useless HDDVD addon will only play MOVIES and not games.

HD DVD will be dead by this year.

HD DVD is the inferior format too.

x360 would contain just HDMI 1.2 ...an old port unlike the HDMI 1.3 supported by all ps3s.

i feel sorry for x360 owners who are ripped off on constant basis by this defective console

[Eclipticus]

first, the only ones saying officially that blu-ray won the format war is the sony/blur-ray camp. so thats doenst really mean anything.
HD is going strong in Europe. and picking up momentum in US.
US isnt the only market in the world.
second, for all you that say HD is the inferior format... let me remind you or let you young ones know, that VHS was the inferior format.

[MADGameR]

I bet MS regrets not having a built in HD-DVD Drive in the 360. PS3 has built in Blu Ray and a lot of people thought it was a bad idea. MS WANTED you to think that the 360 was less when infact for the 360 to have all that PS3 has it would cost MORE than the PS3. MS looks pathetic now.

[MJY2K]

VHS wasn't totally inferior to Betamax. Betamax looked better but VHS could record for longer, that's one of the reasons why it won in the end.

The quality difference between Blu-ray and HD DVD isn't really massive but Blu-ray disks have a greater capacity which could help the format win when Blu-ray recorders become available and the consumers know that it has a greater capacity.

[Vertius]

I don't know where all this false information about HD-DVD doing well in Europe came from, but, I can tell you, as an EU citizen, that HD-DVD has no such foothold in the European Union. There is but one company that sell HD-DVDs in Ireland, and they have a much larger Blu-Ray selection. The only country where there is any question of Blu-Ray superiority is the U.S., and it's gaining ground with every day.

I do agree with one thing you said, however, and that is that the U.S. isn't the only market in the world. You'll find that most people ignore that logic, a'la the Xbox 360.

[gta_cb]

... haha, they know nothing, infact we are more likely to know from this website and when we know they still wont know. they dont get told hardly anything.

[the greatest]

how many time are they going 2
try 2 sell people the same console
mircosoft are sharks

[killercam19]

no u don't if that was to happen they wouldn't make their new games hd dvd discs only cus then they would lose their 10million consumers that already bought the old system in turn it would lead them to selling less games which leads them to losing more money so wat u said makes no sense

[Lord Anubis]

How dare you! you obviously never bought a windows operating system.
Lets see, there's the home edition, there's the professional edition, and there's the Business edition. I feel like I'm missing one....

Just kidding you lad.

[Panthers]

Xbots should be used to it by now. First elite model, then the Halo version, now HDMI on the Premium, later they will have ones with cooler chips. Then the HDDVD combo. Did I miss any?

[Ri0tSquad]

The guys at Sony must be laughing there asses of watching M$ make all these useless SKUs. I hope its not true.

[Omegasyde]

Its fake, MS wouldn't take that big of a Risk going with a doomed format. HDDVD is on its last string... It won't last past 2007. 2008 Q2 no blue ray add-on, but you will be able to d/l every new movie for a cost through XBL.

[reaferfore20]

Whats wrong with having a game be on more than one DVD? I don't own a Xbox or anything but I don't think it would be that big of a deal to play a game with more than one disc..(Final Fantasy VIII anyone?)

[DrPirate]

Stop using Playstation 1 games as an example.

It's the bloody past.

People found it annoying then, they find it annoying now.

Don't you dare give me that "Sony Fans" are lazy rebuttal, newsflash: Getting up in the middle of a game, taking 1 minute to change a disk IS NOT exercise. It's just bloody annoying.

[Rockstar]

Amen to that!

The big issue is also the level of immersion.
Getting up to change a disc will take you out of the game and a big part of "Next Gen" hardware/software is immersion.

Anything that takes you out of the game/experience are those things that the devs are trying to eliminate.

I.E. Changing a disc 2 or 3 times or getting rid of the HUD on a FPS...
Anything to improve the experience and totally immerse you in the game.

Bubble for you sir.

[Omegasyde]

So I missplace or scratch a disk , would be fudged? Granted multi disc ain't bad for RPG's, but a FPS? THat reminds of that one game for the ps1 where the Boss fight was the on the last CD...What was it again?

O yea its was against Sepiroth. 1 boss battle + a FMV on 1 cd? Imagine doing a whole level of Halo4 on 1 dvd... It would be repetive and I would probally lose a cd and waste 10 minutes of time getting it. It would take me out of the mood of playing the game as well.

[DeadIIIRed]

But wouldn't the increased amount of DVD disks end up costing the publisher some more money. That and who would want to change a disk in a game like (I'm only using this game as an example. Don't assume that I believe that this game will actually be like this for the 360 or PS3) Grand Theft Auto going from one side to the other?

[reaferfore20]

If you had one disc to install on the hdd and another disc to use while you play would that be so horrible? And on ff7 there was a whole lotta stuff you could do on disc three instead of fighting the bosses. Anyone ever breed a golden chocobo? I didn't but my gameshark sure as hell did :D

Oh wait... I forgot about the core. That sucks. What a dumb idea.

[sak500]

"The big issue is also the level of immersion.
Getting up to change a disc will take you out of the game and a big part of "Next Gen" hardware/software is immersion"

I'd rather get up and change the disc than not have rumble in my controller.

[TriggerHappy]

you are rerporting the story as a forum post ..what is this ? http://www.n4g.com/industry... ..and who helped it get on the FP ?

Approvals:
Members that have given this story their approval.
TnS (4) - 6 hours ago
Merc3nary (3) - 6 hours ago
drtysouf21 (3) - 6 hours ago

[TnS]

"You can also link to forum posts if the post is made by a developer or other industry professionals."
http://www.n4g.com/Info/Pos...

And we know that NoUseMerc is from PSU.

[Omegasyde]

Merc, this guy is a "no name", just like you and me. So if I post on Neogaf and show a photoshopped picture of bioshock on the ps3...

Would you post that as news?

Exactly TnS for the win, sorry Merc.

[COCK]

MICROSOFT NEEDS 2 DO THIS IFF DEY PLAN ON COMPETING WITH THE PS3 ON THE LIGHTER NOTE I ONLEY WET MY BED 2 TIMES YESTERDAY

[killercam19]

encore ladies and gentlemen encore..... see u got some attention so fvck off

[Loudninja]

I just will not

[toughNAME]

i dont like being forced into a format

fu(k this

[GodofPeace]

Because MICrosoft will be leaving 11 million 360 owners in the dust if they create HD-DVD games because they aren't cheap and makeing 11 million buy a HD-DVD drive won't get a good response from the consumers. Also HD-DVD is going to die eventually. No point of putting a dead product inside a system and charging more.

[Bathyj]

Read yor posts back carefully and listen to what it sounds like.

They already left 20 Million Xbox owners in the dust when they completely abandoned them to move on to X360. That didn;t get a very good response either, but apparently if you ignore someone long enough and jinggle your keys in front of them they will forget about it eventually.

As for putting a Dead format into a console, they did put DVD into 360. No DVD is by no means dead, but is by no means Next Gen either. Why not, they put a next gen cpu, next gen gpu, all the other bells and whistles and then settle on a storage medium that PS2 was already filling up.

If they do this, (and I'm not saying they will, its only rumour) then it will be SKU after SKU after SKU, each one shafting the guys that came before it (ME) and it will only be a matter of time before some dev wants to put a game on there. It wont happen you say, but lets see if these HD required stickers turn up. Even that is already hampering devs just for the sake of having the Core system. The Premium, Elite ,whatever the HDMI Premium is called, the Falcon, and now the new Ultra-Mega-SuperBox all suffer because of the core.
M$ has really lost direction.

[Fisher339]

I still waiting on M$ to stop changing the sku's before I buy my 360.

1st was the elite
2nd the smaller chips
3rd the new xboxs with HDMI.
This rumor is going to make me wait just a little longer.

I want to get one, but not if a better one is just going to come out a year later. These aren't pc's after all.

[xhi4]

if they do this im going to shoot somebody. I geuss then they can compete with the ps3 in the long term. But what about the rest of the xbox 360 owners...all 9 million of us? What will happen to us? Microsoft u @G(*SHJKSD! Core, Premium, Elite, Ultimum , Halo version WTFFFFFFFF Its just like vista and all its versions. Damn i hate microsoft so much now. My 3rd xbox 360....broken down so many times WTFF IS GOIN ON WIT EM! GGGGGRRRRRRRRRRR

[medziarz]

if so than just drop the 3shitty and buy a PS3 - by that time all the mulitplatform games are gonna be there and u won't be missing anything except some crappy too human and alan wake and sprinter cell :P

[reaferfore20]

Don't forget about mass effect and bioshock, those games look awesome.

[Bathyj]

Surely not. Sweet 8lb baby Jesus, surely not.

[EZCheez]

as an interprative skater

[MK_Red]

If MS really releases a 360 with built in HD-DVD, the format wars could become WWIII.

[Ri0tSquad]

I was thinking the same thing.

[zslash]

Read the thread over at NeoGAF... this was just a joke.

[Deafman420]

if true, its about time. Been holding off completely on buying another 360. Was thinking of gettin a PS3 just for blu ray...Most of the games on Ps3 aren't my cup of tea and I ditched my old Ps2 for the original xbox cuz their controller was simply too uncomfortable after playing it an hour and xbox had LIVE. But if this is true, HD DVD built into a 360, man im soooo sold on it.

[thewhoopimen]

If you buy the Xbox 360 HDMI SKU than I get to laugh at you and all the Xbox360 fanbois who made fun of me getting ripped off on Sony's console price. That's right, who's really getting ripped off now?

[SF49er408]

If this happens ms is so fu*kin stupid, it should be a blue ray/hd dvd player, but if they do why theyve release one without hdmi, then they add hdmi, then they add hd dvd wow theyre fu**in stupid, i dont think it will happen if they do though theyre really fu*kin up their strategy. hd dvd is not gonna win n e wayz, either way xbox 360s got the games

[ASSASSYN 36o]

Please...please hit the spell check. It is free and easy to do. You will see that your english teacher that graded you poorly was right. But, you can still redeem yourself. Hit edit and spell check all day.

[reaferfore20]

For now.

[Azures]

And here I thought the PS3 was over engineered...

[snoop_dizzle]

once a year passes and if this is true, and all the older 360s phase out, make you 360 get the rrod and pray a better version of the 360 comes back.

:P

Anyways, who knows if this is ture, but hey, i am kinda ske[tical about this.

[Lacarious]

Seriously.... this is L A M E... what's next.... an AIM chat convo?

[DrPirate]

"Some games need a Hard Disk Drive to be enjoyed the same way some games need a memory unit"

Next Year: Well....You know, games are moving forward and some games need HD-DVD capacity disks to enjoy, it's the industry moving forward.

[s8anicslayer]

if they do that their price will be what? say $599

[D_U_I]

.

[Panthers]

whats the point? its not like they will start putting games on HDDVD...

[cdzie1]

As much as I wish, this is likely not true. I would need a better source than a Gamestop employee to believe this.

Still, it makes sense that it will eventually happen.

[rareairtone]

Microsoft is already going through this price drop and possibly including HDMI in the premium consolef (i think the core too) It would be doing too much to build a whole new 360 that includes the HD DVD or even the Blu-ray drive. Microsoft is trying to say that requiring a Hard drive for GTA IV is "confusing" to consumers so they demand R* to make it work w/ one, but they dont feel having all these 360s with different features is confusing to consumers if this story is tru?

[Rockstar]

If this does happen (I doubt it will) my guess is the benefit will be for movies only. Games will always have to remain on dvd for obvious reasons.

This would however, with all the other improvements (65nm chips, HDMI), make for a solid console. Now if only they would stick that power brick inside...

[heroman711]

doubt this is true. How would gamestop find out bout this now if it coming out next year

[Deity01]

If this is true, they're only doing all this stuff now because they realized that Sony really did build a superior console. They're just gonna keep releasing new SKU's with all the stuff they left out at launch. Way to completely f#ck up.

I feel violated by Microsoft, yes sexually.

[Kyur4ThePain]

Ms might have the software worked out (development tools, live, games) but they completely fu(ked up on the hardware side.

Sony might not have the software quite there yet, but the hardware is the pinnacle this generation.

At least PS3 owners' problems can be fixed with simple downloads (take continuous firmware updates for instance), but what are 360 owners to do?
Buy a new console every time MS realize "oh sh!t, we left this out too"?

[power of Green]

Its not true MS has said plenty of time that this topic is rubbish.

Merc3nary" keeps posting rubbish on this site out of fanboyism(owning more than one console means nothing just incase you try to use this excuse) or trying to win money.

It's best to ignor Merc3nary post if you're a 360 fan he never post useful news.

On topic: never will happen as i said before MS said this will never happen, this would kill MS in a move like this.

[Bloodmask]

But I am sure if they do it would only be for movies. So games would still be on DVD-9.

It would probably put HDDVD in the lead for the format war. I could see Microsoft doing this if Toshiba pushed them with incentives..$$$$

[reaferfore20]

Word.

[Mu5afir]

What happened to the Elite being future proof? This can't possibly be true, if it is a lot of people are going to crap their pants not with joy mind you. Just in case you were wondering, why I stated "again." I believe the "Games with HDD required sticker" is a big rod to the ass for core owners.

[Maddens Raiders]

I read the entire thread. Where do you get that he's joking around? I mean his responses left some intellect to be desired (didn't even ask for a pre-order?wtf?) but that doesn't mean that some MSstop I mean Gamestop employee didn't say all that garbage.

Man, if this is true....lawd Jesus help us. The format war is about to go into super-hyperdrive behind a feces laced turbine and MS....MS will have a legion of people fighting it the likes that Xerxes faced.

I'm still having a hard time believing this one though. It would be H.U.G.E.

[zslash]

I'm not saying he didn't say it, but the GS employee is just joking around / being sarcastic.

ME: No, I mean the premiums, *points*, with hdmi.
GT: They're not making them yet till like later.
ME: They're making them now, I've seen pictures of them online.
GT: No, they're not. You got it wrong.
ME: Nowai.
GT: Let me explain, they're making the elites into premiums, and dropping the core.
ME: WHAA..
GT: Microsoft told me they're making the elites into premiums, and later they're releasing xbox ultimate.

This is wrong. We all know MS has premium models with HDMI on the market right now. And they aren't re-branded Elites.

He claims MS feeds him info, but doesn't know this? Yeah... in the end his word is no better than your average joe. GS employees really have nothing to do with the industry.

[Maddens Raiders]

one pint, that being the part of the exchange that goes:

-- "GT: Let me explain, they're making the elites into premiums, and dropping the core.
ME: WHAA..
GT: Microsoft told me they're making the elites into premiums, and later they're releasing xbox ultimate. --

This sounds like bunk. I mean wth would MS tell this shmo anything? But then again I've heard stranger crap happen. Again, I'm not ready to believe this yet as it would go against everything MS has laid out against this type of thing since the Spring of 2006.

[Covenant]

Don't think it will happen, but if it does, I don't think it will hurt MS long-term. Why?

360 games are DVD based, and the HD drive will read them along with the HD movies (unless MS decides to go with HD-based games...very unlikely). So even if the HD format goes belly-up, the system will still play DVD-based games.

To some extent, the same is true of PS3 games: If the BR format dies, then Sony can still use it for games.

I REALLY don't think this will happen, but if it does, then the HD war explodes into all-out competition.

[power of Green]

If ones to think in that direction your comment makes the most sense.

I think Agenda driven post or simple anti MS post will never end i hate Sony's fans style why they merged these sites is beyond me. It was better when Sony fans were in their dark cave/forums talking trash with malice and slander where no one had to be around their tactics and hear what they have to say being around in their fictonal reality.

[SacT0wnF1n3st]

if this is true then this model will be the 6th model for MS (core, premium, premium w/ HDMI input, premium w/ built in HD DVD player, elite, Halo ). Any more models they want to release to make the consumers confuse???

[etownone]

PS3 comes in: 20 gig core, 60 gig premium with emotion chip, 60 gig premium in japan without emotion chip, and now 80 gig without emotion chip. And rumor already about one coming with an even bigger hard drive.

so as it stands, M$ = 5 vs. PS3 = 4

[DJ]

The 20GB, 60GB, and 80GB. Functionally, they're all identical thanks to the robust 1.90 Firmware update; backwards compatibility no longer runs off of the EE chip. The new 360s on the other hand have added functionality that is non-upgradeable; no one really cares if they screwed around and added another heatsink to it, but the HDMI functionality is a huge difference.

If Microsoft is willing to screw over 10 million customers this early in the console's life cycle, who knows when they'll screw over the next round of owners.

[SacT0wnF1n3st]

already discontinued the 20 Gig model so it is not on the market. Right now all 5 (soon to be 6) models of the 360 are in stores and technically it 5 or 6 to 3 (according to your information which I'm not so sure whether it is the truth or not but I'll give you the benefits of doubt). :)

[etownone]

if they take the emotion chip out of the ps3, alot of games from ps2 will not be compatible until they get a patch, same sh*t as 360. anyone that got an early ps3 has the emotion chip and wont have that problem.

and if you guys believe this article, then you should also believe what it says...the core will be discontinued, as wuill the premium will be the new elite...and the halo 360 is only limited edition....so what does that leave you with??? a premium 360 and the so called ultimate.. TWO

[power of Green]

Ms will respond quikly if this gets out of hand debunking it and all the usuual foolish fanatics that jump in every 360 thread to make some moronic post will have proved once again its best to ignor post wher the contributor has Sony fanboy like news post histories and its better to ignor unlikely threads.

[jlemdon]

because I bought the HD-DVD add on but I hope they make limited edition HD-DVD games.

[etownone]

in the end, it will still be another year maybe two before the format "war" is decided....i think by then there will be players made by some company in CHina that can play both bluray and hddvd from one disc drive at an affordable mass market price.

in other words, maybe no winner or loser

[DJ]

360 titles will come with "Optional HD-DVD Add-on Required" stickers!

What is this, SKU #7?
-Core Original
-Premium Original
-Elite Original
-Core Falcon
-Premium Falcon
-Halo 3 Edition

And it hasn't even been two years. By the time Playstation 4 comes out there'll be 28 different 360 consoles.

[Rooftrellen]

If Microsoft, or any company for that matter, says "Optional...required,&quo t; no matter what is between those words, no one should buy a product from them again. Nothing that is optional can ever be required :P

I have to say, it wouldn't suprise me to see Microsoft force something like this, but they better never have a sticker that says that something optional is required. That does sound like something they would do, though, to be honest.

[aaquib2]

Bluray and PS3 FTW!

I really never thought Microsoft would find ANOTHER way to SCREW existing 360 users.

1. Say larger hdd isnt necessary, then release one.
2. Say 1080p is useless this gen, then release it.
3. Say HDMI looks the same as component, then release it to all new consoles.
4. Say HD DVD is useless for games, and are soon going to be releasing an add on for it!!

The first day I got my PS3 I said : THIS IS LIVING

PLAY B3YOND

[jay3]

If you needed to get a PS3 to say "This is living"

Then you sir, are a twat.

I don't feel "Screwed" by Microsoft. I got great games, more than you can say for your one and only console at the moment.

[nasim]

what a way to rip customers

firstly 400$ for a defective console with no HDMI 1.3 ,no wifi,no NEXT GEN DRIVE is just too expensive

also dont forget no x360 model would ever support HDMI 1.3 (elite supports 1.2 only)

no x360 model has wifi

no x360 model has a built in NEXTGEN player.

adding that useless HD DVD (which is already dead) is also not worth it.

I feel bad for HD DVD owners who might never be able o watch PIRATES 1,2 and 3 and any of SPIDERMAN 1,2,3 or any of SPIELBERG or DISNEY titles.

MS should give the money back to those consumers

[kingjkv]

I don't get it. HD DVD is losing the battle, why are they releasing it now. Mr. Gates u've already lost the format war, do u need even thicker glasses to see.

[Lakuspakus]

Bullsh1t. MS has said that they will not support Blu-ray if HD DVD and blu-ray can co-exist, as there will be no reason to migrate to either one.

They have said that is Blu-ray should win the format war, they have no problem with converting to Blu-ray.

[redsymphony]

this would make sense as time goes by more space is needed for games and storage so would make sense

[jmare]

Why the fuk does anyone ever listen to employees of Gamestop or EB or Best Buy etc. etc. etc. They're not even high level employees, they are just dumbass kids who spout stupid sh1t so they can sound cool. Now if they are talking about street dates for games that's one thing, but I guarantee they have no fuking clue as to the happenings of the industry. To think they do is just stupid.

[Maddens Raiders]

-- "Why the fuk does anyone ever listen to employees of Gamestop or EB or Best Buy etc. etc. etc. They're not even high level employees, they are just dumbass kids" --

did you read the thread sir? If you did then you would know he wasn't talking to a kid (allegedly).

[jmare]

Where does it say in the thread it wasn't some dumbass kid telling another dumbass kid some bullsh1t? And the question was more of a general one, because this is not the first time somedipsh1t from GameStop or EB has had the internets flaming away because some kid actually believed them.

[tehcellownu]

Microsoft sure loves to shove new and better version up into xbots face especially when their stuck with the tard pack..lol..lets hope the new vesrsion dont crap out on people..

[etownone]

if anything you got the core for the market market which will hit that sweet spot of $199 very soon YEARS before PS3 can, and then it will sell freakin MILLIONS MORE, not everybody has internet connection so hard drive wouldn't be needed, just a memory card

then you got the premium/elite for the rest of us that can afford a little more and want to experience what xbox live offers...

now if this ultimate comes out, it will be for the minority of us that can afford it and believe in HD-DVD.

ALL THREE CAN PLAY THE SAME GAMES AT THE SAME VIDEO OUTPUT. and you can always upgrade as you go along

[360Crusader]

I dont think this will be a problem as long as they keep all their games on DvD. Because I can care less about Hi def movies.
High Def movies are so over rated.

Edit: Panthers yes to each his own. B/c I have also watched High def movies. Sure the picture and sound is a little better. But at the end of the day it's still over rated. I'll stick with watching Dvd's on my 42 Samsung HDTV. Thats good anuff for me.

Edit 2: And I'm only talking in movies terms. I dont need any other remarks from ignorant fools like mistertwoturbo.

[Panthers]

That is what I thought untill I watched them in HiDef. It is just so nice. But to each his own

[Anego Montoya FTMFW]

it wouldn`t be for movies.

that said. i doubt this is TRUE.
MS isn`t that stupid, ARE THEY?

[mistertwoturbo]

It's not about Hi Def movies. Use you brain if you have one. It's about gb's of space for video game developement. Just face it, 9gb of space is starting to look small for "next-gen" video games. A built-in HD-DVD drive will allow developers more space to fit more high quality content. Sounds like a genius idea from Microsoft. But they're forgetting one thing, Sony's already done it with Blu-Ray on the PS3 which has even a minimum of 25gb to 50gb dual layers. And Microsoft as a company is one of the shadiest companies in the world, yet people LOVE to support them. After getting shafted again and again. I can actually call X360 fanboys homo's cause they love getting screwed up the ass again and again by Microsoft.

I happen to own a X360 "premium" model myself and one of my main complaints was the lack of HDMI. And now they release the new ones that come with HDMI for a lower price? Ridiculous. How many damn SKUS is microsoft gonna come out with? And keep on screwing they're install base.

That's why I'm happy with my PS3. The only thing I did to that is upgrade the hard drive. That's it. Zero issues, runs quiet, HDMI, Wifi, 7.1 surround, etc. etc.

While my X360 is collecting dust cause I'm afraid to use it knowing it could die out on me anytime.

Man... Sony gives us vagina which is the PS3, and Microsoft is throwing penis in your faces again and again and again, and X360 fanboys just loves it.

[Anego Montoya FTMFW]

"Man... Sony gives us vagina which is the PS3, and Microsoft is throwing penis in your faces again and again and again, and X360 fanboys just loves it. "

now thats funny.

[360Crusader]

If I have a brain? Dont you know its too late. What is MS gonna make even a bigger mistake and start making all their games on HD DVD?

WTF about all the people that already own 360's. Well HUH?? Unless they plan on making 2 versions for every game. If not then it dont make a god damn difference does it!?

And your afraid to use your 360 cause it might break? Jeez your the one without a brain.

Edit: comment 47.3 "Man... Sony gives us vagina which is the PS3, and Microsoft is throwing penis in your faces again and again and again, and X360 fanboys just loves it. "

mistertwoturbo hey man why dont you learn how to at least try and speak like you have some amount of intelligence. You stealth troll.

[jay3]

If it's built in, then could they use it to play games also? If so, seeing as it's HD DVD, would games be able to have more put into them, like a gig per level or something?

[anonymousAJA]

But seriously if you are supporting Microsoft on their decision to introduce multiple SKUs (how many are we up to? 6? 7? I lost count after HDMI in the premium) You are just to dumb to be reproducing because you'd probably do it all wrong (the reproducing and buying a console to invest in). Xbox 360s are a worthless investment and lose value every year. If you were a core owner at launch, chances are the value of that core is worth (assuming it is still working and not wrecking your game discs and DVD library) $150. A launch core is less valuable than a freaking Wii. I mean the core is now $250 but with HDMI added to a core pack, your launch core is now worth less than a Wii and can barely do much more than what the Wii can do other than watch DVDs. You bought a $300 system that now lost half its value in about 2 years time.

At least the 20 GB PS3 came complete as a system. I didn't have to buy a hard drive, memory, a wireless controller, and a next gen disk format and still get screwed over with a lack of HDMI. It came complete even at a basic package. Unlike that trash you call a "CORE".

[360Crusader]

The 360 is not a worthless investment. At least MS has many options available, if you think their good or bad makes no difference. It will all come down to how much the buyer is willing to spend.

What about Sony how many times they gonna discontinue a console. I mean jeez make up your mind already. What a 20 gig and a 60 gig. Now we gotta a 80 gig and a rumored 40 gig.

Who gives a damn about a stinking HDMI port or a HD DVD player. If your that damn picky then buy another console/Hd dvd add on.

Let people blow their money any way they want they earned it anonymousAJA, NOT YOU!

[thewhoopimen]

360Crusader, you are missing Nasim's point. The point is that Microsoft wants you to buy another console from them and truly get ripped off. If you buy another 360 HDMI all you will be getting for you 2 units is
40 gb total... and 1.2 HDMI with soon to be obselete HD-DVD for $600+. Add that LIVE subscription and you are paying more than for a PS3 unit. Think about it.

[nasim]

all ps3 models have BUILT in BLUE RAY drive

all ps3 models support HDMI 1.3

all ps3 models have FREE ONLINE

2 ps3 models have build in WIFI

no x360 has a next gen DRIVE

x360 charges 50$ for online

x360 has no HDMI 1.3 support (elite supports just 1.2)

no x360 has wifi

CORE OWNERS would have to purchase an HDD to play GTA 4.

without HDMI 1080p at 60fps cannot be displayed at a seek speed of 3g/s

i feel bad for the 8 million x360 owners who are screwed and robbed of a DEAD HD DVD PLAYER

DONT FORGET :- all x360s are defective

[360Crusader]

Thats a very nice list you typed up. But the force behind buying a game console is too (guess), buy and play games. I mean who can tell the difference between a 1.2 HDMI and a 1.3 HDMI give me a break another over rated feature. And Wifi sure its not built in the 360 but you can always buy the xbox wireless network adapter. And $50 for XBL is worth it. Its much better then PSN and games are so much easier to set up. Anyone who's played both can tell you that.

And Blu Ray player well thats a nice feature too. But games is all that really matters to most people Hardcore and Casual. Not any of the stuff you mentioned.

[nasim]

all ps3 MODELS have built in HDD

unlike CORE x360 owners who would have to purchase one to play GTA 4

[Anego Montoya FTMFW]

some of these EXCUSES are hilarious.

[Gil]

What's even funnier is the fact that you misspelled your screen name. If you're going to steal your screen name from a movie at least spell it correctly. It is spelled "Inigo Montoya".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

[BIadestarX]

Sony fanboys love to hate these articles... Bring it on! I would buy one with a built in HD DVD as soon as it does... will it play games better? No... but that would be my 3rd xbox 360! Hey at least is not like computers... that may not run the games you want to play 1 year after you buy it... one thing is for sure... all xbox 360 will be able to play the same games... and you may need to buy a hard drive if you have a core. You see the Sony fanboys going crazy about HDMI and the ability to play Movies? As if it matter as far as the games are concern... SOny fanboys will love for people to believe their ranting... Would they need to be ranting.. and trying to convince people to hate the xbox 360 and love the PS3? Would they be so involved in helping Sony in marketting the PS3 if it would be the obvious choice? Don't listen to them... look at the games... they forgot long ago what gaming is about... and spend more of the time talking about the greatness of the PS3 heardware and how blu-ray is the future and movies are great... while 3rd party games like Madden keep getting better score on the xbox 360 and performing even at better FPS... those are the facts... buy the consoles that have the best games today and not promises... games can be delayed and games can be cancelled... don't be like these Sony fanboys.. Sony gives them a CGI movie of a game (i.e. Kill Zone 2) and they are willing to pay $600 and wait 2 years before being able to play the game. While they way the 2 long years... what do they do? Play games? No... rant and flame every xbox 360 article that's posted on this site. Gamers ehh?

[toughNAME]

http://www.n4g.com/NewsCom-...

its odd how many sony fanboys there are on this site...you would think there would be more 360 fanboys...millions more

it pretty clear a lot of sony boys dont even have a PS3 and are stilll brainwashed

[Kyur4ThePain]

So-called "Sony fans" actually love these articles.

They would LOVE for the 360 to get HDMI (happening).
They would LOVE for the 360 to get a built-in hi-def drive.
They would LOVE for the 360 to get built-in wi-fi.
They would LOVE for the 360 to get a browser.
They would LOVE for the 360 to get an internal power brick (what were MS thinking?).
They would LOVE for the 360 to get a motion controller.
You know why?

Because MS and their fans ridiculed all these features as superfluous and not needed, and one by one MS is going to implement them, quietly so as not to draw attention to the fact that they fu(ked up.
And you would LOVE for all Sony fans to stay out of these discussions because it pains you to be reminded that you bought a half-assed console.

[TheFamilyGuy]

This barely qualifies even as a rumor. Isn't it strange that the only person who knew about this was some GS employee? I'm sure it was a case of not getting the facts right or something.

[dysfunction]

Seriously, anyone who read the thread on GAF about this with even a small amount of reading comprehension could see that this is not valid news nor even a valid rumor.

The fact that it got posted at gamers-creed and this site is amusing, though not as good as the "rumor" about the Metal gear Solid "Triology" coming to 360 that generated on GAF and fooled IGN.

[pshizle]

why do people hate vista.....

its actually a very stable OS far superior to xp

VISTA FTW

[JokesOnYou]

Mercernary= contributor who spends his days diggin up any BS rumor or negative story with no creditability whatsoever about the 360.

Then of course you have your obvious haters like nasim, bathyj, lord noob, Anego, Madden and the biggest hater of all DJ who are always negative about the 360, if you read all of their whole posts it could be summed up as= "Im going to whine and beeaatch every single day about how much I hate the 360, I don't care what micro does I can definitely find something wrong with it, hopefully if I keep beeatchin long enough like a lil girl then I might convince somebody not to buy a 360 and buy a poo-ray3."

You sony kids will believe anything, if it was the other way around you guys would be screaming "WTF? this rumor is fake, no proof, just some guy who said he talked to some guy from gamestop, WTF?" even if micro did add HD DVD in a yr, it only threatens blu cause it has no bearing on games at all stop acting like OMG the world will end everytime the 360 you hate so much is changed, its crazy you sony kids talk about stuff like HDMI, new heatsink, 65nm chips and even the Halo console like their total different 360's that somehow cut off part of the fanbase from playing 360 games ha ha but of course you would act that way because you need a reason to continue your hate message for one simple reason= FEAR just like I said before you line-up against micro because of your stupid loyalty, ps2 won the last gen for one simple reason GAME LIBRARY, if the shoe was on the other foot and ps3 had a stronger game library you hypocrits would all be bashing 360 for lack of library, unfortunately this is the very reason why ps3 will ultimately never surpass the 360, micro ease of dev and cheaper cost to produce quality games will always attract dev's= MORE AAA quality game in LESS TIME for LESS MONEY which is why this gen 360 will continue to lead in the category that matters most= GAMES. Sony was not focused on gaming this gen, instead they saw the next gen movie format as the pot of gold and they used ps brand to trojan horse it onto the market the consequence was that they made a capable game machine but one less optimal for gaming compared to micro, if they were true to gaming ps3 would definitely not the same archetecture setup and the they would have had a custom designed GPU to go with the cell perhaps instead of the rsx at the last minute.= Its the truth and this is why you hate and fear the 360 because of you are just lonely sony kids looking for attention, poor sony kids=

JOY

[toughNAME]

pretty much all true

but its too late to save the dilluted sony fanboys...just click ignore

[thewhoopimen]

I believe that you are the only one being deluded here. I would gladly welcome this new SKU for the Xbox360 HDMI unit simply so i can put it in your face and laugh. What are you going to do then? Buy ANOTHER unit as Micro$haft hope you do so they can offset their $1.5 billion dollar loss? Absolutely!!! And then you're gonna tell me after you purchase it, how much of a ps3 loser I am because I spent more money than you... Oh wait... I didn't? Whose the loser?

[Maddens Raiders]

bladestar it's simple - you would buy any MS console that they sold you, even if it was covered in Bill Gates afterbirth, covered with J. Allard's (who, where?) sperm, and policshed with Peter Moore's feces and urine. You boy, are a fkn idiot. That's the sad truth. You keep whistling past the graveyard with that L _ A _ M _ E ass argument about Madden when you know damn well EA was time constrained and bound by money to get the game of Madden out of the door. Sure why are they take time to do the PS3 version "right" when they already have the cookie cutter programs for the 1,000 year old 3fix me? I can't believe you call yourself a person in the "industry", and yet you BLINDLY follow this company into the cauldrons of HELL. I bet your not even in the industry. You just took some courses and read some books and act like you work for Nintendo or someone like dumbass Top Lamer Gamer.

============================= ============================== = ====

@tuffname

Now if this gem doesn't tell you how old this pre-pubescent little girl is I don't know what does

-- "its odd how many sony fanboys there are on this site...you would think there would be more 360 fanboys...millions more

it pretty clear a lot of sony boys dont even have a PS3 and are stilll brainwashed" --

Hey, there sparky guess what. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE OUTNUMBERED BY SONY FANS. It's called history and massive, massive sells over time...what? You thought that MS invented VG's with the launch of the XB1? Idiot. Now that's using your noggin'... _@^_^@_

============================= =============================== =

Whoa --- end of rant ...

damn codeazreal...I don't agree w/ your comment, but I love your avatar! Yeah, you go boy!

[BIadestarX]

What do you care what I buy? Who made you my finantial advisor? What if I want to buy an xbox 360 because I want to play the console with the games or if I want to buy a PS3 just to watch blu-ray movies? Why should you care?

[toughNAME]

im not talking about sony fanboys
im talking about PS3 fanboys

when you come on to this site and defend a console with your life! and you dont even have the console...
brainwashed?

doesnt matter what the price of the PS3 is..you do whatevr Sony tells you do

i mean buying a PS3 now can make sense(if you already have a 360)
but the last 9-10 months...there was no point in buying a PS3
brain washed! *sony defense force*

[codeazrael]

This is a very disappointing story. You realize that gamestop employees are as dumb as a rock. Do you really think that Microsoft will release this type of information that would be easily leaked to some zit faced ripoff artist from gamestop???

[Fighter]

Watch out for the N4G po-po

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Say one without Blu-Ray? oh wait without Blu-Ray the PS3 is nothing but a next gen CPU with last gen GPU, gimped memory and a "get what you pay for online service" I wonder how many SKUs Sony will have this gen? they had like what 6 or 7 last gen and three now? the time of updated hardware is here, thats why people laugh at Sonys "10 year console" approach.

I love it when somone allways says "what a way to rip off costumers" I say, hello! welcome to capitalism "stupid" here is your sign. "Oh my GOD! this multinational corporation is out to get my money!" What do I do? I know I will go to a company that does if for free, What you mean they dont exist and the thought of a company that don't take money was a fantasy? So your saying...Nintendo, Sony, MS, Apple, Dell, Coke, Ford and EA do it for the money? OMG!!!

[daous]

You clearly haven't researched ANYTHING factual about Sony's PS3 at all.

"Say one without Blu-Ray?"

More and more PS3 games and MULTI-PLATFORM games are utilizing the greater amount of space on a Blu-ray disk. Some examples:

1. MGS4 creator Hideo Kojima has stated a year ago that a 50 GB Blu-ray disk may not be enough for MGS4.
2. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 for PS3 will have greater details (graphically and content wise) due to the greater size on a Blu-ray disk.
3. Resistance: Fall of Man, which was a LAUNCH TITLE, would've had to use two DVD9 discs if it didn't go on Blu-ray. (19 GB used btw)
4. iD software, the creators of DOOM, WOLFENSTEIN, and QUAKE, stated that their new FPS franchise, RAGE, will be released on ONE Blu-ray disk for PS3... and TWO DVD9 discs for the XBox360. A clear and inarguable evidence from one of the big developers creating multi-platform games. Expect this trend to grow.

"oh wait without Blu-Ray the PS3 is nothing but a next gen CPU with last gen GPU, gimped memory"

Like most ignorant 360 fanboys (not gamers, FANBOYS), you fail to have researched the fact that PS3 DOES have 512 MB RAM. Unlike the XBox360's "unified" memory architecture, where the GPU and CPU share the memory, the PS3 has 256 MB XDR RAM for the CPU and 256 MB GDDR3 RAM for the GPU. Both therefore have 512 MB RAM (and an interesting side note: if it wasn't for EPIC GAMES persuasion, MS would have only given the 360 just 256 MB RAM to work with. However, EPIC Games stated that Gears of War would NOT BE POSSIBLE without doubling it. If MS hadn't, then Gears would not have been made to look that amazing on the 360).

The PS3's GPU, the "RSX", is equivalent to two Geforce 6800 Ultras. That's pretty damn next-gen at the time of the PS3's announcement (since there's now Geforce 7800 and 8800 for PCs, which make the GPUs for both the 360 and PS3 seem pathetic specs-wise). The difference between RSX and Xenos (I think that's the codename for the 360 GPU) is slight. Yes, the 360 GPU is slightly more powerful, mainly due to the 10MB of eDRAM (embedded), which gives all 360 games automatic 2X Anti-aliasing, making multi-platform games look smoother with less effort on the 360.

"Get what you pay for online service"

I'm sure as heck getting a lot more than what I'm paying for for Sony's online service, compared to my LIVE account. I'm paying over $50 (more so, since I'm paying in CDN) just to be able to PLAY online multiplayer for XBox360, in addition to my internet service fees. ALthough the PSN is still a long way to go until it matches Xbox LIVE, I'm paying nothing more than the internet service from my internet provider. In essence, Sony is mainly missing VOD (which is coming to the US and already available in Korea and New Zealand), in-game messaging, achievements (which will be resolved with Trophies) and Gamers' ID Tag.

For how much I pay for Sony's PSN compared to my Xbox LIVE, I'd say that's a pretty good deal.

"I wonder how many SKUs Sony will have this gen? they had like what 6 or 7 last gen and three now?"

Last gen, there were two significantly different SKUs: PS2 and PSTwo (aka PS2 Slim). The key difference is PSTwo's lack of HDD support (for FFXI gamers). Other than that, all PS2s had the same components inside and out. Meanwhile, the Xbox360 has TWO different PREMIUMS: With and without HDMI. Then there's CORE and ELITE. Any changes within the console that merely lowers costs and doesn't isolate different buyers, such as using better cooling system or smaller CPU chips (65 nm) doesn't not count as a different "SKU". This happens to all consoles. However, including an HDMI port to certain consoles, or excluding HDD in certain versions does count as a different "SKU", since it does isolate different 360 owners.

Anyway, that's all I really have to say for now.

This is coming from a person who owns all three consoles this generation (and all four last generation - DC, GC, Xbox, PS2), and has constantly checked on major gaming news sites daily (IGN.com, 1up.com, Gametrailers.com, Gamespy.com, Gamespot.com, Gameinformer, etc.).

[3sexty rulzzz]

they are bored out of the fu(king mind. they dont any games to play so the prey on these threads and rant all day. they need for more people to buy ps3, so any chance they(the trolls) get will try to hate on 360 and mirco

[Fighter]

because every time that I look forward to purchasing one I will hear a rumor of a new model and then the rumors always come true (360 Elite, halo 3 limited edition, price cut, HDMI, falcon chips, etc) and I'm getting tired of this. I only want 1 Xbox 360 and I don't want to feel like a sucker once I buy it and hear that another SKU is in the works in a few months. This is too much. Consumers are getting shafted and it's not fair at all. PS3 only has 2 Models (60GB and 20 GB) when it came to the SKU's specs. The 80 GB is just an extra storage upgrade so it doesn't really count as another redesigned Model. I'm sure Sony will put out another redesign but it will probably be somewhere next year or beyond.

I really hope Microsoft stops the whoring of their system because I will keep on waiting till they decide what the 360 should finally be like. I don't mind if they have a new model every year but more than 3 in one year is too much. Xbox 360 Elite, Halo 3 limited edition(with HDMI), Xbox 360 Premium with HDMI, Xbox 360 Premium with HDMI and Falcon Chipset all in one year is too much.

It would be a bad idea to include HD-DVD next year because that HD format looks to be losing and the internal inclusion would just make no sense since MS doesn't use it as a storage format for their games. I personally think this rumor is just that, a rumor, but the way rumors are coming true in this year alone, I might find it believable down the road.

[JIN KAZAMA]

Bladestar: (*Bends over chair*) Is this the last time J Allard? because I dont think I can take it up there anymore, its really starting to hurt.

J Allard: STFU Boy, you're gonna take this DI(K and you are gonna love it, after that, Peter is gonna get some of it.

Bladestar: (*spreads cheecks*) Ok, I am sorry, i will not say anyhting bad, no matter how much you and peter abd Bill Screw me. You dont even have to use any lube anymore, because I will take anything you give. Thank you sir, may I have some more.

[BIadestarX]

hehe.. I am getting screwed? Do you know why you have to use Personal insult againt me? Cause you have to. Do you know why I don't do the say... duhh.. cause I don't have to... all I have to do is mention a couple of games... such as Madden. Who's paying double for a front row to next gen gaming, "Next Gen starts when we say so" just to get 1/2 the FPS and textures? You are buddy...

I can care less about the xbox 360 not having some piece of hardware that even after 9 months and a PS3 price drop... uhhh.. I have to keep asking myself.. where is the next gen sony promissed?

Not one game was suppost to be better on the xbox 360. Things don't work that way. What do we have today? XBox 360 gamers play games. PS3 gamers wait for games while braging about hardware specs and how xbox 360 gamers don't have built in wifi...

Microsoft didnt lie about what people will be getting when they buy the XBox 360 at the store.. you are not told that you will get wifi, or HD DVD... even when you buy the core.. you know you are not getting a hard drive..... you are only promised you will be able to experience the best games... well.. ask any xbox 360 gamer... you are getting more than what they asked for in the games department... No xbox 360 owner ask for those things that you say we got screwed for...

Now on the other hand... are you getting the things sony promised?

[THAMMER1]

You just posted gay porn. I bet you are speaking from experience.

[alexander22rednaxela]

Gamestop ain`t those microsoft would reveal something like that to first.

[BrianC6234]

Does anyone really care about this rumor? HD-DVD is going nowhere. And it's not like the 360 will use HD-DVD for games. So why bother?

[felidae]

i don't need a hd-dvd built in.

[machine]

if this is true, then this would be a big step forward for Microsoft's 360. saying that, "i don't need a hd-dvd built in," is irrelevant because if its in there, they will use it. it could be like the the 360 2.0
good way to compete with Sony. I'm surprised they did not have it in the elite.

[TheMART]

"has been told by his Local Gamestop store that Microsoft will introduced a brand new SKU with a built in HD-DVD next year."

So we all believe shopowners/sellers?

I've heard many wild stories of the people from different shops:

'The PS3 will be discontinued, to give the PS4 some room actually with games and not as a cheap BluRay player'

'PS3 will have no games untill 2012'

'PSN will have XBL functionalities in 2030'

'PS3 will cut the BluRay and get DVD on board to cut cost and have a normal pricing'

I guess it must all be true then, right?

KEYWORD: LOCAL GAMESTOP STORE

[StrboyM]

The version after that will allow you to go browse online and the version after that has remote play and the version afetr that...is a ps3 (gothcha!!)

[Salvadore]

Why introduce it 2 years after launch?

[TheMART]

Because it's a rumour and NOT true.

Only Bottleneck 3 fanboys need this kind of news to convince them that a BetaBluRay player is nescessary for games.

While in reality it's not. Only pushing a format from the producer that made:

Betamax (failed)
Minidisc (not main format)
UMD (failed)

Do we have to continue?

[mboojigga]

How the hell did this become over 170 post over some poster at a game forum get told by ear about this BS.

[Wotbot]

Needs to be called Bullsh#t for gamers.

[sak500]

This doesnt effect me and my 2 360s (core and premium) been playing amazig next gen games sine last 1 1/5 years. I dint loose as much time in waiting b3yond for any good games. Dont care if they add a refrigerator in the next version, all games would be compatible with my 360s - well with the premium atleast ;)

Edit: To the A$$ole below me. Man you either are brain dead retard or have had lobotomy? You'd think devs will suddenly start making games games for HD only? Even if MS allows HD Drive for gaming you'd think devs would only sell it on HDs? PC games have been coming on cds for years, i have BattleField game which is on single dvd but u can get it on 3 cds as well. So you imbecile try to think first before running of your stupid mouth.

[mistertwoturbo]

What are you? 5 years old? If they make games on a HD-DVD, then YOU won't be able to play them. Moron.

[Imknow1]

Why even produce an elite 360 if they're coming out with a BETTER version?! What's funny about this, MS has the cash to make all these versions of the 360!

[Imknow1]

My assumption (again I'm guessing here) is that they might give the developers the option of bringing their games on DVD9 or HD-DVD

[Genki]

Anyway, I don't believe this for a second...but since we're on the subject, this would only hurt more than it would help were it true.

Anybody think adding these components and changing the internal components even more would help the cost cutting dilemma? Didn't think so. If stuff like this keeps happening, we might see a repeat of the financial situation of the XBox, and it's sad, because from what I understand they were making about $75.00 from each sale recently(until the 1 billion dollar hike for repairs, that is).

Besides all of that, who REALLY thinks that this would be implemented for games...really? Hopefully nobody intelligent, because if it were, it would be a huge disaster. First of all, we'd see an HD-DVD version of the game, and of course a multidisk DVD version, which would be a bear to implement because of the costly launch decision not to include an HDD as standard, so there goes the possibility of installing a game with disc one and running it from the HDD and disc 2.

It's funny, because I remember some people condemning the PS3 to run out of HDD space from constantly installing games...when an act like this could potentially result in exactly that for the other camp.

So, having analyzed all of that, the only benefit this costly and foolish decision would garner is HD movie playback...which is a lost cause by the time it would happen. Mark my words, the PS3 install base will be AT LEAST 7 million by the time the holiday season is over, and by the time KZ2 and MGS drop, I'd be willing to bet on close to 8 by that time. Good luck making a dent with a pair of other consoles as competitors by that point in time.

Anyway, there goes the hypothetical analysis, and I honestly don't think they're foolish enough to do something like this. It would literally offer no benefit to gaming, and if they TRIED to, it would only complicate the situation even further, as we'd have one game shipping on either 1 HD-DVD or several DVDs, MUCH to the chagrin of consumers. I could see a lot of botched Christmas and birthday gifts from picking up the wrong game SKU(imagine that) too, lol.

[secur1ty911]

The company who runs the show seems to me like they don't know if they're coming or going. First they say that HDMI is not important on a next gen console hence speaking of the PS3-- months later guess whos placing HDMI on their console the XBOX360, then they say you know what having an option for the consumer to buy an add on HD movie player is an advantage to the consumer---then this news about them building another XBOX360 with a HD player all in one. Not to mention of course the shoddy engineering WOW they must be on crack. OH WELL JUST KEEP ON BRINGING OUT THE GREAT GAMES.

[xfrgtr]

xbox 360 is just a ps3 "wanna be"

[tk]

1. With a double sided disk they can give you the game on one disk, and the rest on a normal DVD for those who don't have the HD-DVD player.
2. It is the only thing that can save the HD-DVD format.

MS will pour billions into it to spite Sony. But it can be a case of too little too late. It will add to the confusion, and it can become a case of loosing face in front of the public if they do. The Sony camp will be laughing so loud you will hear it across continents. But they will have to watch it closely - because this is the one thing that can endanger the BR dominance. No matter what the HD-DVD fans try to read into numbers - HD-DVD is losing badly. And without a device that gives them more than just watching videos, it is not going to fly of the shelve. The PS3 gives you games and BR, therefore it will get people into HD videos who would not otherwise. I for example would never move from DVD in the next 5 years. But because I got a PS3, now I am in the market for HD videos. Sony made a brilliant move. Hands up how many PS3 owners was planning on getting a HD video player if it was not part of the PS3? Most probably only 2%. Sony moved that whole population right into the HD movie market. Brilliant. HD-DVD has only a few titles out there, and that is all they can offer the market. If the XB360 had a HD-DVD player - that would mean 10 million potential customers. And during the life of the product (OK OK, 2 weeks until RROD) 30% would buy a HD-DVD movie - and that would have handed them the market on a silver platter.

If they do it now, the copying will be blatant, and no amount of spinning is going to make it look good to anyone - well - except for TheMART.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out... grab the popcorn and drinks..

[Da Ghostdog]

The bull**** & Rhetoric on this site has just reached it's peak. I get tired or reading 100% Grade-A Bull**** from articles and fangirls. Rumor articles get more press than The Weekly World News. It just crazy how ignorance from the PS3 camp runs this site. Every day is the same old *** about...

PS3 is better!!!
HD-DVD is dead!!!
Killzone is better than Halo!!!
Xbots this and that!!!

I hate to sound like one of you, but maybe I need to talk like a fanboy to communicate to you fangirls. First off, the PS3 is on the road of getting games this year. At least the 360 launch lineup was stronger. Everywhere I go, you talk about Lair, Heavenly Sword, Killzone and MGS4. That's it?!! Are these the only games on $600 "Computer" you want?!!! Super Mario Galaxies will has more copies in people's homes than the PS3 itself. Let me ask you question, if the PS3 is the "better" console than the 360 & Wii, why is it not running the same pace as the Wii?!! The Wii game selection is weak and it still on the heels of the 360 (Hardware being sold wise)!!! Also, you talk about Xbox live we pay for and Home is free. Do you really think Home will be free forever?!!! If you do, you might as well runaway and join the circus. Someone has to pay for maintenance and upkeep of those servers. Mark my words, once the Home service reaches a pretty good numbers of people online using that service, you will pay for it down the road. At least I get what I pay for with my $50.00 for 13 months. Now, let's talk about HD-DVD versus Blu-Ray. If Sony utilized HD-DVD instead, you girls would be screaming "Blu-Ray is dead"!!! Cry and b1tch all you want about sales numbers, it's not over when Universal says "it's over"!!!! I'm sure you girls read that article in here, if you didn't, here it is....

http://www.n4g.com/industry...

Imo, Until the PS3 has at least 7-8 good games, I holding off of getting one. Fact is the 360 has the strongest lineup of all systems this year. I hate even talking like this because I just stepped out of my chacherter. It' really sad how people post BS negative artices and people run with it. That just tells me how gullible you (Sony)fangirls are. I'm glad you finally have Heavenly Sword & Lair this year. It get just a little tired of seeing you girls post the same 5 games on every thread. You can talk about Halo 3 all you want, but 1 million plus pre-orders speaks pretty loud I say.

http://www.n4g.com/xbox360/...

Flame on the 360 all day and all night. But fact is it still selling and still has good games on DVD9 disc. Whoever is new reading this, don't let the rapture of the Sony fangirls disrupt of reading some good news on this site. And to every 360 owner who is tired of seeing pom-pom's flying all the time, I feel your pain. I try my best to stay away from responding to crap like this everyday.

N4G - "Sony Fangirl Ignorance at it's Finest"!!!

[Nuclear Death]

lol you say

The bull**** & Rhetoric on this site has just reached it's peak. I get tired or reading 100% Grade-A Bull**** from articles and fangirls. Rumor articles get more press than The Weekly World News. It just crazy how ignorance from the PS3 camp runs this site. Every day is the same old *** about...

PS3 is better!!!
HD-DVD is dead!!!
Killzone is better than Halo!!!
Xbots this and that!!!

reality is a b*tch isn't she?

I've got a solution for you though. get the fk out and stfu. there, problem solved!

[omansteveo]

Did you read the interview its 100% wrong the guy has no clue what he's talking about. The employee is an idiot...and is talking out of his arse!...You guy ever think how he got this information. No MS did not tell him that bc that dont release that kinda info to the field reps trust me i know i manage a GS!

[mirroredderorrim]

Blu-ray is STILL being developed with more possibilities in mind, such as 60, 80 and even more than 120gig variations that could possibly be put into play in terms of PS3 games and ofcourse next generation Blu-Ray movies. Playstation still has solid games coming out soon and well..you are forgetting the THOUSANDS of other games from the past generations that can be played as well. With that in mind, while you wait for the gems to show this coming holiday/year you could play awesome games such as Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Xenogears, Final Fantasy, Metalgear Solid and more classics that own.

Backwards compatibility is a big part of what's giving Sony room to breathe and take careful steps not to let their console crash and burn.
They don't have a bottomless well of cash like Microsoft has and it's pretty much been known to the hardcore truth finder or what's really going on that Sony is betting their future on the success of Playstation 3. They have more bite in their push for their system than Microsoft simply because their jobs are at stake.

Sony has done all the right things, even the launch that was an utter fiasco was the right thing to do, whatever they've done.
If they had more consoles, things would have been smoother and if people weren't idiots and bought PS3's just to sell them for thousands more (people were smart to cash in, but idiots not to care about other people in the process) Then Sony's launch would have been more "cushioned"

Sony has discontinued the 20gig model, but that's not really an issue, seeing as more and more people with PS3's are just installing a new, more larger hard drive on their own. I have seriously seen people using compatible HD's with the PS3 that fit snug, with memory over 300gigs. That alone makes the machine more vaulable, along with Linux and people hard at work, trying to crack the system and develope some very nice things with it. Let me tell you, before this machine was around I never cared for Linux, now I got it installed and I am feverishly trying to learn through it.

I'm not dissing on 360, though. 360 is a mean machine and if it does slip last in the console wars it won't do so without a fierce fight.
They have the billions ( Micro.S) to throw at their investment, so only time will tell where this is going.

As for new SKUs, I doubt MS would be foolish enough to include a new HD-DVD drive. I have read statistical reports around the web that point to Blu-Ray is edging it's way in front of HD-DVD. Toshiba is pretty much in a panic, since they are consistently dropping prices on HD-DVD related products that are losing to the more pricey Blu-Ray products but not by much.

I agree with other people, I say false on the built in HD-DVD drive.

[PStriple703]

the 360 is gonna be 600 dollars now if they do this, and it's still not wireless out the box, and still paying for xbox live

[Da Ghostdog]

Well, I got one fangirl raising her skirt up to me. And her name is Nuclear Death. Girlfriend, you (nor have I) never even played Halo 3 and Killzone 2. So how can you say that Killzone is better than Halo and both games are not on the market yet?!! But you say one is better that the other.

Reality is a b*tch isn't she?!
Yes, she is...., So why don't you go somewhere and adjust your skirt, girlfriend!!!

[jlemdon]

for M$ to let game developers decide whether or not if they want to make games on HD-DVD or multidisk. the ppl that disagree are the ones that don't have HD-DVD or a 360 for that matter.

[mirroredderorrim]

I don't either. The thing is it would piss off alot of people loyal to the MS name ( more preferably the Xbox users ).
And for all the right reasons. You don't devaule your current userbase by showing off the same system with more features, after many people have bought your first one. It's rude, stupid and in some ways unfair to the peoples wallet.

And with this format war going on an internal drive would further risk MS's losses, whatever that may be.

I don't really care for the format war, but if I had a say so what format is going to win, it would have to be Blu-Ray.

Although MS has money tied up in HD-DVD, I bet they have more confidence in their console than the HD-DVD format. Bet on it.

[jinn]

microsoft needs to plan everything from now on before they rush it to the market. i'm seriously pissed off enough for the red ring situation. also they reduced the price the week after i bought my 360. anymore mistakes from microsoft and i will convince the world to switch to another platform. trust me i have the power.

[IPlayGames]

if they havent said it already (didnt read every post)

But Ms is just confirming Sony plan by do this. all there new sku's have just been a lesser ver. of a ps3

1. bigger HDD
2. HDMI
3. HD-DVD

Choices

So what happens next year when MS releases the HDD games?? then the choice to buy the core was a f**kd 1.
Then what happens in 2009/10 When MS releases the "must require HD-DVD drive" games then your choice to buy a premium or elite was a f**kd 1.

I know your saying i wont have to worry about for another year or so but just think how much money will be wasted just to keep up with the tech adv. in gaming.

Final outcome
Good for people who dont have a 360 and want to support HD DVD (if its still alive) next year.

Poor planing for MS

Current 360 fanboys get pawned buy there own god. after all this talk of why BR is not needed MS put one in a 360 proving Sony right saying that it is.

[360Crusader]

God why do all of you Sony Fan Boys care so much what MS does.
Even if MS does do this I'm not buying it cause I dont need it.
And to those that want it, can either A. Buy the HD DVD Add on or B. Buy this mythological console. And to those people in the future that are looking for a 360. They can sit their and look at all these 360's, set at different prices and say to themselves. What do I need/want?

I'm done explaining this to every fan boy that only likes to run his mouth.
"They say a empty can rattles the most."

[jcgamer]

First off, this is just a rumor...but...if true...

..Microsoft is just playing Sony's game...

1. How do you feel about the Ps3 20 gb faze out?
2. How do you feel about the $499 price drop soon after your purchase?
3. How do you feel about the 80 gb motorstorm fazing out the model you just purchased?
4. How do you feel about the 80 gb model eventually replacing the 60 gb at the $499 price point?
5. How do you feel about in Spring 08 the PS3 will be $200 cheaper, with maybe another SKU, and certainly a rumble controller, in less than a year/a little over a year than the time you purchased yours? See where I'm going...

Sony has always utilized soft launches for revised consoles...I bought my psp for $299 (Giga Pack) and even then consumers wanted tv output...now they are launching a psp with TV output...Nintendo is even rumored a revised Wii...and we all know the DS Lite story and revised PS2's...how about we play nice...is that cool?

[IPlayGames]

1. 20gb faze no prob to me i bought the 60g model.
2. Im glad they dropped the price it brought some more online gamers 4 me to destroy. Got my console in Feb ($599 and worth every penny) so i dont drop doesnt affect me.
3. 20g more doesnt bother me(not like there adding a HDMI or HD-DVD drive) since i can upgrade to any size i want when i im ready. As for it phasing out the 60 i say to people who want a ps3 get the 60 right now while there $499 but i would admit it pretty dumb taking 60 of the shelf they should just leave it 60 and 80.
4.See #3
5.See #2 and where did u get $200 price drop from??

So now answer my questions
1. How do u feel that MS purposely cuts corners to put defective products on the shelves?
2. How do u feel having to pay to play? Online, charge your controllers or like in my case a ethernet cable to play on cause there mo wifi
3. How do like everytime a new sku is released it comes with something better. More gigs, HDMI, 65mn, better heatsink and maybe a HD-DVD drive?
4. How do u feel that u just got owned by a PS3"fanboy"

[Eagle Eye]

I think one thing should be clarified to those they may not already know this. But ( if ) they do make this console with the HD Dvd player. It will be only good for HD Dvd movies thats it.

Why? To those that are wondering is because MS wont starting making all their games on HD Dvd because there is already 12 million people that own 360's without the HD DVD player.

Do you see my point? MS would lose tons of money if they switched their games to HD DVD, because the majority of the people that own 360's wont be able to play them. You see what I mean?

The only way they could do this, is if they made 2 versions, one DVD version and one HD DVD version for every game that comes out on the 360. Which I highly doubt.

But besides all that ( if ) this 360 is made then anyone who buys it, will have a nice little feature that will allow them to watch HD Dvd movies.

[Da Ghostdog]

I think that the reason for the Core was to get the 360 in the peoples hands who really could not at the time "afford" the Premium system. Think about it, all 360's (Core, Premium & Elite) are the same. Just add HD, and a VGA Cable (for 1080p) and a wireless controller (if you really care for it) and it works just as well as the Elite. Later on down the road, people should have realized that you'll need a HD. I thought the core at one time was a waste. But Circuit City has sold out the Core online. I guess I was wrong and I'm happy I was.

To Eagle Eye,

I totally agree with you 100%. People need to realize companies have to look at the "long run" when it comes to changes like these. That would be a smart move (if they decide to do this) for HD-DVD to be movies "only" and have a huge price drop on the "stand alone" 360 HD-DVD player. One thing I love about the 360 is people have the "options" of what they want within their console system.

[mirroredderorrim]

I don't like the fact there are so many choices of game console for each brand. It's too confusing for some people and annoying.

I aim that at Sony and Microsoft. Look at the Wii..one configuration and it's out selling both consoles together.
Sony had the same thing going for them with PS1 and PS2, now look at them..they release this expensive console in two variations and it's just confusing for some people. Like how all the features from the 60gig model aren't in the 20gig model and it has angered some people.

I think if Sony would have adjusted the price from the getgo with an 80 gig model, cut and dry, they'd be even farther in this console war than they are right now.

Guy on top says if they were going to release HD-DVD movies they'd have to release DVD counterparts... that's a good point. I don't think it would happen as it would cause more confusion that could possibly smooth over or just flop? It can be done.

I don't know why they didn't just make the HD-DVD games in the first place.

If I were Sony, I'd lower the price on the 80 gig to what the 60 gig costs and eliminate the 60 gig from the market to rid confusion and make it simple on the consumer.

That in itself is a risk, though.
I mean we can say what we think should be done, but to the big corperations involved in this mess, money's not a plaything.

And failures can cost hundreds of millions.

IMO, if 360 would have had everything Sony had, I don't think PS3 would have had any chance in this.

Sony needs to thank MS for their blunder, lol...

[vgn24]

The simple fact is, GameStop employees are not privy to any special info. It was more than likely some kid making stuff up. I work in distribution and know before retailers what future SKUs are hitting shelves. Anyone who's spoken to a GameStop or EB employee knows they're clueless to begin with.

[resistance100]

Doubt it.

MS are only backing HDDVD now to prolong the war long enough so DL films can have a shot.

HDDVD will be a dead format within 12months so its unlikey this will happen

[Shaka2K6]

Well microsoft just doesnt get it, they are sinking this sinking boat even lower and lower everyday, x360 is one of the biggest jokes in the history of gaming how old are the fanboys that support them 12 years old.