| N4G | VGReleases | BADJoystick | GameNews24 | ZTGD | Price Comparison |

140°

A New Xbox by 2010 and Unquestioned Speculation: Now With Questioning

Ravi Sinha writes: "An interesting rumour agitates into a conspiracy. If you checked out the news on Microsoft's X-Engine, then you've doubtless heard about Project Phoenix as well. We're told (all on good faith, of course) that the X-Engine is a powerful new set of dev tools designed to specifically work for the upcoming Xbox 720 or Project Phoenix. Then, of course, we have Project Natal, Microsoft's motion controller technology that's come under a severe beating since it's E3 showing when hawk-eyed journalists picked out the 'smoke and mirrors' of Lionhead Studios' Milo. Time and again, I've come across these stories. Whether it be the Xbox 720 as a brand new platform or Project Natal combined with the 360 to make…a brand new platform. Now, I'm not going to offer counter-theories and what not, or even refute the rumours that have spread willy-nilly. Rather, I'd just like to poise the following questions. No biggies or mind-benders so relax."

Read Full Article >>

split-screen.com

Nike - contributor
Published: 153 days 6 hours ago | Article | E3 2009 | PlayStation 3 | Xbox 360 | Wii | Gaming

Save | Email | Info | Report | Add Alt Source

Comment Settings

Showing: 1 - 33 of 33 Comments

1 Fleet Fox | 153 days 6 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

Shut this user up

Let user speak

harpua - 153 days 5 hours ago

1.1 -

by kill do you mean having technology that isn't 10 years old?

Agree(5) | Disagree(3) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

TheDeadMetalhead - 153 days 5 hours ago

1.2 -

If Microsoft is going to release the 720 soon, then WHAT'S THE POINT OF NATAL!? Why don't they just work it into the 720 instead of charging 360 owners for it separately?

That just seems pointless to me.

Agree(5) | Disagree(2) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Nike - 153 days 5 hours ago

1.3 -

"The Playstation 3 introduced it’s own brand of motion controller (the Playstation Wand) to be used in conjunction witht the Playstation Eye. Why is this not considered the Playstation 4? For that matter, if Natal is little-more than a “rip-off” of the Playstation Eye, why was the PS3 equipped with the Eye never called the PS4? Is it because it’s still a PS3 on the inside? The architecture of the Nintendo Wii and Gamecube are virtually the same. So why is the Wii considered a new console but the PS3 with motion controls is not?"

To answer your question, Metalhead, they wouldn't be releasing a 720 soon. And Natal+360 is not meant to be the 720.

Agree(3) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

TheDeadMetalhead - 153 days 5 hours ago

1.4 - I certainly hope not...

That would make Natal virtually useless. I mean, why buy an add-on for your current console when a new one is coming in less than a year? That's the exact same mistake Sega made (*cough*32X).

That's good news about the X-engine, though. Microsoft are already preparing developers for the 720, which means that the 720's launch games might not suck (like most console launches seem to).

Agree(2) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Nike - 153 days 5 hours ago

1.5 -

But that's just it. Who says a new one is coming? MS didn't confirm it. Hell, they have Natal to deal with between 2010 end and beginning of 2011. I doubt they'd have kahunas to just drop a new console on every one. My guess: At next year's E3, they'll announce several big-name games to feature support for Natal. Anything is possible, but a new Xbox? Not bloody likely.

Agree(6) | Disagree(2) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

IdleLeeSiuLung - 153 days 4 hours ago

1.6 - A 2012 release doesn't seem too far off for MS. Considering...

Nintendo is probably working on a HD version of the Wii and by 2012, it would have been 7 years since the last console release. Most consoles have been released within 5-6 years and to release earlier than Sony, 2012 seems very likely.

They would probably keep churning out 360s for a while as long as there is demand like Sony with the PS2.

I think even MS realizes that Natal as an accessory (and bundled with newer consoles) might not have enough market penetration and thus preparing to release a 720. The early Natal release is just a prep for the next generation.

Agree(1) | Disagree(2) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

really duh - 153 days 4 hours ago

1.7 -

Figures somebody would post even a more twisted version of the original info.

The X-Engine is a 360 tool kit to get more out of the 360 *and then was later speculated* it was a tool to do what I said above and was compatible with the next Xbox allowing the new box to enhance 360 games and to get more out of 720 launch games and later 720 games.

" Despite our source being adamant that Microsoft had put together an engine for Xbox 360 developers, -we are personally under the opinion- that it is instead a collection of powerful development tools. "

Whats with the The X-engine only being for the 720 BS and the xbox 360 with built in Natal? Looks like damage control spin to me.

Agree(2) | Disagree(4) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

DaTruth - 153 days 3 hours ago

1.8 -

Ya; Lets release a whole new, expensive console in the middle of a recession when the low price is the best thing attracting people to our current console!

Agree(3) | Disagree(2) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

maxcer - 153 days ago

1.9 -

@1.4 "That would make Natal virtually useless. I mean, why buy an add-on for your current console when a new one is coming in less than a year?"

if this happens MS might be looking into a dual system approach, the 360/Natal for the casual crowd and a new forward compatible system for the hardcore crowd.

Agree(3) | Disagree(0) |

2 mdkgod43 | 153 days 5 hours ago - deleted by mod -

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Nike - 153 days 5 hours ago

2.1 -

If you read the story, you'll see it says everything against the Xbox having a new system coming out. Pretty much throws the logic of fanboys like you guys out of the window. :)

Agree(4) | Disagree(2) |

3 mdkgod43 | 153 days 5 hours ago - deleted by mod -

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Nike - 153 days 5 hours ago

3.1 - @mdkgod43

(a) I don't own any console. I just N4G these stories for my stupid colleague who wakes me up at any given time in the night (Indian Standard Time for the lose). He owns a PS3. Take it up with him.

(b) Terms like RROD and the like are reserved for the Open Zone. I may not have a console but I AM the N4G person and I do know that much.

Why turn intelligent discussion into just another flame war? People like you just confound me. Especially when I look at Sony fans.

Agree(4) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

GiantEnemyCrab - 153 days 5 hours ago

3.2 -

All you posted is flamebait.. Reported.

Agree(0) | Disagree(2) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

GiantEnemyCrab - 153 days 5 hours ago

4 -

How many times does MS have to say there is no Xbox 720 coming anytime in the forseeable future? It's almost as if people are trying hard to derail current sales by spreading this baseless rumor like wildfire. I'm glad this article is refuting it.

Agree(9) | Disagree(3) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Nike - 153 days 5 hours ago

4.1 -

"How sane is it to launch a new console so soon, especially when you thump your chest on a daily basis as to how 'future-proof' your console is? And then to tell your customers they’ll need to shell out cash for it? And then to tell your developers to put everything else aside and commence developent, stat?"

The article is neither pro-360 nor anti-PS3. It simply calls into the question all these Xbox 720 rumours or Project Phoenix garbage doing the rounds.

Edit: Well, okay then. :)

Agree(1) | Disagree(3) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Igniter - 153 days 4 hours ago

4.2 -

I agree. I don't think we will see the 720 till 2014/2015. But I wonder if MS may release an upgraded 360? Bigger HDD, more memory, better gpu.

Agree(2) | Disagree(2) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Nike - 153 days 4 hours ago

4.3 - Hmmm, not a bad idea

Jasper was meant to be their major step forward in terms of GPU and CPU architecture. So it may seem unlikely they'll go for that. However, there could any amount of permutations in mind for Project Natal and the 360 together. Maybe they'll include some old games "free" with the package that would be upgraded to support Natal? Anything is possible.

Agree(0) | Disagree(3) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

really duh - 153 days 3 hours ago

4.4 - 4.1

"The article is neither pro-360 nor anti-PS3. It simply calls into the question all these Xbox 720 rumours or Project Phoenix garbage doing the rounds."

Garbage going around? There has been two articles about it, the first was the real article about an insider source telling the site about the X-engine and how it was given to 360 developers earlier this year. The 2nd was an edited version of the first from the same site speculating about universal compatibility with the 360 and 720 (some/few wood be sites rehash the original news).
http://www.gamezine.co.uk/n...
http://n4g.com/tech/NewsCom...

"It simply calls into the question all these Xbox 720 rumours"

^^calls into the question with false misleading info? no one has ever said: "the X-Engine is a powerful new set of dev tools designed to specifically work for the upcoming Xbox 720 or Project Phoenix." anywhere, the original source didn't say that nor did the edited version of the original article.

You found damage control to comfort PS3 fans *saying the new Xbox will be here in no time or no improvements for 360 games this gen*

Natal+360(new super SKU) is a rumor derived from Natal/360 bundle speculation made possible by ignorant people not willing to follow Natal contrsuctively yet make comments about it tracking only the negative opinion/news about it.

Damage control.

Agree(7) | Disagree(5) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Sigh - 153 days 3 hours ago

4.5 - this

the gaming media is really pissing me off with all these constant speculations we've been getting lately. Price cut for ps3, Xbox 720 in 2010 even though Microsoft said there isn't gonna be a new console in 2010, like wtf is next?

Agree(0) | Disagree(4) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

DaTruth - 153 days 2 hours ago

4.6 -

The RROD is not from the console war dialogue and is fair game in the gamer zone, because it's the only name used for a common hardware malfunction on a specific game system!

I'm not agreeing with what he said and I've not even read his comment which was probably stupid since it got deleted; Just stating a fact!

Agree(5) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

really duh - 153 days 3 hours ago

5 -

"technology that's come under a severe beating since it's E3 showing when hawk-eyed journalists picked out the 'smoke and mirrors' of Lionhead Studios' Milo."

SDF damage control article. A beating from a few hundred paranoid PS3 fanboys and pro Sony media on blogs and forums.

Agree(4) | Disagree(6) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Sigh - 153 days 3 hours ago

5.1 -

at least spell forums right.

Agree(1) | Disagree(4) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

really duh - 153 days 3 hours ago

5.2 -

Sigh

I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.

Thanks though

Agree(3) | Disagree(2) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Sigh - 153 days 3 hours ago

5.3 -

gotcha, but why the disagree?

Agree(1) | Disagree(2) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Kushan - 153 days 3 hours ago

6 -

This article might be making a Valid point if it wasn't for the fact that it's bashing Natal based entirely on the Lionhead demo being "smoke and mirrors".

"Investigations behind Natal have been revealing, but no one will deny it was buggy and incomplete. Calling it “smoke and mirrors” or an “elaborate fraud” doesn’t change the fact that it still exists."

Buggy and incomplete? It seemed to work well to me and anyone else that tried it. The Milo demo may have been slightly staged, but that was only using Natal for interactive purposes - which worked, it was the AI behind it that was "fake". But that's all AI is these days anyway, the illusion of intelligence. Milo was no more smoke and mirrors than the Covenant in Halo or the Hellghast in Killzone.

Furthermore, it called Natal a "ripoff of the Playstation Eye". A ripoff? No, that's what the Live Vision camera is, Natal is a completely different technology. Here's a hint: Natal doesn't use a special magic wand for tracking (Note that I'm not saying this doesn't have its own advantages).

Also, well done on comparing September 11th, 2001 - A terrorist attack on the USA - to a global economic recession.

Agree(4) | Disagree(6) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

N4Flamers - 153 days 3 hours ago

6.1 - man do I agree

this article was poorly written at best with backwards convoluted logic. I mean why even write it.

Agree(5) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

DaTruth - 153 days 2 hours ago

6.2 -

All I have to say is Well, "BAM" There it is!

Agree(4) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Xi - 153 days 2 hours ago

7 -

"Then, of course, we have Project Natal, Microsoft's motion controller technology that's come under a severe beating since it's E3 showing when hawk-eyed journalists picked out the 'smoke and mirrors' of Lionhead Studios' Milo. Time and again, I've come across these stories."

most of those stories are like "yeah, it's not done yet, but it's getting there". I've yet to hear any credible site really lambast natal for being what was shown at e3. I've read that it's not like what was shown at the e3 press conference, but that's probably because of:
1 - the demoed version was probably an earlier version then the one shown.
2 - there was some staging as to what was said
3 - the person using milo knew what she was doing

Agree(1) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

KilZoneGeneralStrife - 153 days ago

8 - 2010 new MSFT console?

I learnt my lesson,Im not buying until 2 years after that.my 360 gave me grief since 2006. . .the current 360 took 3 years to sort its problems out. If they rush into the race. . ..for next next gen. . .they might go the way of Sega and the Dreamcast. . .next gen starts. .when Nintendo,Sony and msft says so.none of them alone.

Agree(1) | Disagree(3) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

ASSASSYN 36o - 152 days 23 hours ago

9 -

I love how the inevitable announcement of a new console starts on game forums.
1. Speculation and denial of a new console.
2. Tech specs and we want this 'n' that but yet we like what we got.

3. Potential launch exclusive announced and sudden acceptance of the new console.
4. Complete and utter acceptance and smooth transition to new console....new console wars begins.

Agree(0) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

mimizone - 152 days 21 hours ago

10 - Phoenix reborn from ashes?

<bad joke warning>
Project Phoenix = Xbox 360 reborn from ashes after a melt down?
</bad joke warning>

not a fanboy here, just a stupid joke ;)

Agree(1) | Disagree(2) |

Showing: 1 - 33 of 33 Comments

Add Comment (Gamer Zone)

Gamer Zone Posting Guidelines
The Gamer Zone is for members who want a more friendly and civilized discussion. This section is heavily moderated by the N4G staff, so leave your fanboyism at the door please. Members who are unable to behave in a mature and respectful manner will be temporarily or permanently restricted from posting in the Gamer Zone. Using words such as Xbots and Sony droids, or other words from the console war vocabulary, is strictly prohibited in this Zone.
Read More...

You must log in to post comments.

Username:

Password:

Remember

Join N4G

Login

About N4G

N4G is a social game news site that covers the game industry 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
More Info... | Submit News

- Site Menu
  
  Game Index
  Help & Info
  
  RSS Feed
  Feedback
  
  Full Menu...
  Webmaster Tools