Toshiba Working with Microsoft on New Entertainment Xbox

According to SmartHouse (Australia) on Oct. 19, 2007:

Microsoft, according to insiders at Toshiba owner of the HD DVD patents, claim that Microsoft is working on a brand new Xbox that will incorporate not only a new HD DVD drive but a large hard drive and new entertainment software that is a spin off from its struggling media center offering.

For Toshiba, the device is critical if it is to be successful in beating Sony and the Blu-ray promoters. A senior Toshiba executive in Singapore told SmartHouse that: "An Xbox with a built in HD DVD drive is critical. They and we are working on it. It also has to be more than a gaming machine. Microsoft recognise this. A version of the device may also be sold under the Toshiba brand name."

The new Xbox device [is reported to] include: extensive wireless networking, 1080p playback, a dual HDTV tuner, EPG capability, an open standard docking port similar to the 17 pin iPod port for an MP3 player, and a new open standard chassis system that allows an Xbox to be slotted into a HDTV screen over 40-inch and allow hard drives to be upgraded and expanded similar to the way that users can upgrade the hard drive on a PC.

The new device is expected to be released late in 2008 or at the 2009 CES show in Las Vegas.

[predator]

well if this is true we know that the xbox 3 will not be out in a few years, the 360 is here to stay for a while

Edit : @ Lucreto, if toshiba is funding this, you never now (and this is pure imagination and prob wont come true but its a thought) they could fund to have the old 360s dvd drives changed to HD-DVD, would be nice, but as i sed probly never gona happen. Just a thought

Edit : @ Round peg. thats additional features of the console not actual specs, there was no mention of different gpu's upgrades, or RAM upgrades, things you would expect if this was to be the xbox 720, is just a beefed up version of the 360.

[ktchong]

To me that seems more like Xbox 720 or whatever you call it.

Edit: The most important thing here is the PRICE. When Sony included Blu-ray into PS3, HD players were not ready for mass market and the price of the Blu-ray player kills the PS3. Its price is still not ready for mass market. By including Blu-ray when it's not ready for mass market, Sony has priced the PS3 out of the market.

It's all about the PRICE. PRICE is an important consideration in creating a product. The PRICE must be sensible.

If price is not a consideration, then Microsoft might as well just include a PCD (protein-coated disc) player and bump the price of the Xbox 360 up to $1,200. That's what all the Sony fanboys want to see: for Microsoft to price itself out of the market. Microsoft is succeeding and Sony is failing because Microsoft price its console sensibly and Sony outrageously.

By 2008 or 2009, the prices of HD players will have come down to a much affordable level. THEN it will be a good time to include a HD DVD player into the Xbox 360.

[PopEmUp]

Look like 360 have add more months toward it life and that make 720 will be release into spring 2009

[actionjackson]

I agree. This generation has been driven primarily on price. As you said this seems most likely as a X720, not a X360. The inclusion of HD-DVD along with the other features would force this product to a very high price at the current time. This is not in MS's favor. But as you mentioned, once the cost these features decreases, then it will justify itself at a lower price. Also, even if they include the HD-DVD player this gen, they will not be able to utilize it as a gaming format, since it will cause them to create a DVD and HD-DVD version to all the games. That would truly cause a stir from current owners, especially the hardcore gamers that were early adopters (the loyalists). These hardcore loyalists are the ones who would spend the money on a system like this, not the casual gamer. And if they are left forced to buy an the external HD-DVD drive to get the best gaming experience on the machine, you would definitely see a lot of bitterness. Third, the user replacable hard drive, although a good idea in the long run, would again piss people off, because a lot of current owners of the X360 have spent some hard earned cash to buy the somewhat expensive hard drives that MS offers for the X360. Lastly, don't forget that every new feature on this new system are feature that MS said are not really needed this generation. The competition will remember this and would stick it in the public's face. MS probably does not want to get tangled in that web. Therefore, as you mentioned, this points to their next gen console.

[reaperxciv]

be happy

[marinelife9]

I'm definitely waiting to buy a 360 now. They will have to release it at the same price point as the 360 now. They're supposed to have $200 HD-DVD players soon.

[pukka_p]

To Microsoft it's just an off-the-shelf drive that they'll sell games on for their next console. They may have gone HD-DVD as an *add-on* for this gen, but i doubt they're wedded to it.

This is a very big and successful company. Clearly, they will evaluate the HD disk market at the last possible moment (like 12 months before production begins) and choose the format which provides the best cost, performance, media cost. No doubt they would also look at all the data on sales of drives and disks, ie to evaluate future prospects.

If they were choosing today, and didn't have a HD-DVD add-on for this gen, I guess they'd choose bluray. But that decision is at least 12-18 months away, so i reckon they'll wait and see how the variables play out. In my view, it isn't good business sense to go with the previous format, just because you might look a bit silly - there's money at stake here...

[Lucreto]

It would seriously screw over the 12 million who bought a 360.

This is what I dislike about MS They keep changing the console features after thousands have been sold. The HDMI in the premium version proves it.

I won't be buying a 360 until they keep the hardware at a constant and they release games I like. They have my interest in two of them at the moment.

[predator]

what two games are they?

Edit : @ Lucreto, there are more diverse games on the 360 than there is on the ps3. ng2, alan wake, banjo, Halo wars, Cry, Enternal soneta, End War, KUF, all coming out, and theres lots thats already out, theres lots to choose from thats not racing or fps

[Lucreto]

Lost Odyssey and Mass effect. I need another 8 games before I think about purchasing a 360. I dislike driving games and FPS games so that limits the field a bit.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

You mean like when Sony makes a slim line or a 40gb version with no backwards compatibility just so they can continue to force Blu-Ray to it's gamers.

[ktchong]

10? (PS3 should offer more than 10 games you want because it's much more expensive.)

What are the 10 games available right now that you want on PS3? I'm very interested in finding out... LOL.

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

@jason

he was not referring to a different model. Remember the old xbox well hes saying that microsoft might drop support for the 360 in the same manner.

[KeMoBLUE]

IT'S HIS OPINION you microfoft riding fools. geez i love how you guys get so offended when someone talks bad about a console (that you didn't create) and go crazy!!

[jeanm3306]

"Jason xg1 - 3 Hours ago- "This is what I dislike about MS They keep changing the console features after thousands have been sold"
You mean like when Sony makes a slim line or a 40gb version with no backwards compatibility just so they can continue to force Blu-Ray to it's gamers."

I think backward compatible is something sony should of remove a long time ago. I have a ps3 i still have some ps2 games lying around i never even play them. I don't even see people playing ps2 games on the ps3 beside god of war 2. The ps2 is a thing int he past move on. Once you play the ps3 you'll never think about the ps2 again. They system is awsome. People who said the ps3 s**k are stupid. The hardware is great, unlike the 360. i guarantee once you buy the hardware you won't be dissapointed. The games are coming, it took microsoft a year to have some appealing software. Sony has a lot of game from their catalog, all they have to do is a sequel and everybody would be jumping. for example, god of war 3 and some other games. Sony haven't even start touching their backward catalog. I don't know if you people are st***id or what. All you people who are saying the ps3 s**k and blah,blah,blah, are just being ignorant. You know once the ps3 reach 300$ you're buying it. you will be the first in line to get it. Microsoft knows it. that's why they are paying for exclusive while company is just offering sony exclusive for free. because without sony around the gaming industry would lose profit. the gaming industry wouldn't be what it is today without sony showing them what it should be about and guiding these people. The ps3 would never fall, you know it, i know it, even microsoft knows it. That's why they launch the 360 a year early because they know they can not compete with sony head to head, that's why they have a faulty system(red ring of death anyone). they know they had no choice. the wii is great because of it's price point(250$) is what the average console should cost. Sony know's the ps3 is expensive that's why they are dropping the price. They realise not everyone would pay 4-500$ for a console and they also realise it's all about the game too., that's why they remove backware compabtible to invest in game for the feature. Would you rather new and better looking game with richer graphic or you rather keep playing last gen.Sony know's if they want to penetrate the market they need a price drop and appealing software. I guarantee you by next year the ps3 will be 300$, that will be the standard price a for while. it's right next to a wii. with appealing software. That's when everyone will jump in.

[Lucreto]

@predator

Enternal sonata looks good but it is on the PS3 next year so I will have to thing about that one. As for the rest of the list none seem to have must interest for me.

@The Round Peg

I have Ratchet, Heavenly Sword, Uncharted, Haze, Oblivion, Folklore. and Assassins Creed This year and White Knight, Final Fantasy 13 series, Devil May Cry 4 next year.

I know there are some multi-platforms in the list and I heard some good things about the PS3 versions.

@Jason xg1

I was referring to adapting current models as the premium had no HDMI and now it does. I have some angry friends with this.

[ELite_Ghost]

haha i got that!

[b777conehead]

jason the 40gig ps3 may not have bc but Sony didn't change the core of the ps3 it will play ps3 games.but if toshiba and ms comes out with this new hddvd and a hard drive that you can upgrade like a computer thats some big differences ie if they made games that utilized hddvd that would upset the masses that do not have a hddvd drive in there 360.Sony waited for bluray and kept it in there 40 gig so ps3 dev know that all sku ps3s have a hard drive and bluray . where the 360 dev are working with some 360 skus with out a hard drive and if they came out with this a hddvd and since all i see from 360 fans is we do not watch movies on our game console why would ms put one in if it wasn't to have more disk space for games.all you people can say what you want about no bc in the 40gig ps3 but it has the core ps3 ie hard drive bluray.

[MrSwede]

They should have done this from the beginning. With the only next gen system available back then they would have sold many consoles regardless of a higher price.

[actionjackson]

I agree. This would have also extended the life cycle of the product immensely. Not to mention the implications it would have had on the format war. Blu-Ray is ahead right now, not only because of movies, but becuase PS3's games are on BR. With these specs for an Xbox, the arguement wouldn't have been only for Sony when it came to the power and specs of the console. The X360 would have been out the gate with cutting edge specs. But the problem would have been the price. A system, like the one mentioned in the article, would have been ridiculously expensive to build and sell. Especially 2 years ago. They would have released this system for the same price, if not more, than the launch PS3, and would have incurred losses on each system. The price probably outweighed putting out a machine like this. But for the next gen, it's plausible.

[Ri0tSquad]

but it would have been really expensive. This should be saved for the xbox 720 and if its not then i don't see this doing well

[Loopy]

Xbots are coming to tell you how much incorporating the hd-dvd into the x360 is great, and how much Sony incorporating the bluray into the ps3 was a disaster....

[ktchong]

if incorporating a HD DVD player into the Xbox 360 increases its price to $500-$600, then it's a disaster.

"Xbots" are not complaining about the Blu-ray. They've been saying incorporating the Blu-ray and therefore making PS3 into a $500-$600 item is disaster. It's the PRICE, as a result of the Blu-ray, that's a disater.

Blu-ray is not at the mass production price level yet, and by including the expensive Blu-ray component into PS3, that's a disaster. And it is.

[leon76]

I'm tottally agree with you!!! but is this hddvd incorporation the real disaster, because if they in the future manage to do games in hddvd (who kmows...), the other millions of owners of the x360 will be screwed up big time!!!!!

[Topshelfcheese]

They can just sell an attachment to all the early buyers, much like the segaCD and 32X attachments. Than a flame war can start all over again, by all the dumb ass loyalists. Play games and don't worry about each others consoles, if you own them all thats great. I own and play all the systems, the way some of you fanboy's talk you would think a sony/microsoft Executive came into your room as a child and raped you.

[TheMART]

Who cares if the HD-DVD is used just for video playback and not for games. Or for those 2% of games that need multiple DL-DVD's on the 360 with a DVD player and one HD-DVD on a 360 that has a HD-DVD possible in the future...

Really. I could care less. The PS3 is sold with a BluRay movie, it clearly indicates its used for pushing the movie format and not so much for the games.

MS could do this just to get on the PS3 and kill BluRay, so that Sony has less and less profit on each sector, gaming, video/hardware. We'll see what happens

[patriotZero]

it's useless escape from NY

[Gina-get-u]

This machine, if it's real, will not supplant the standard 360 skus. Based on the preliminary list of features, it will probably cost more than an ordinary 360 when it comes out in late 2008-2009. And by that time, the Elite 360 will probably cost less than a wii does today.

If it is branded Toshiba, I wonder if it could gain more acceptance in Japan.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

IMO for this to work they will have to go with duel disc formats, like HD DVD and DVD 9 on one disc and then sell it like the Elite. You can almost hear the Droids "shaking" and thinking up some kind of "spin" and nervously "making sh!t up" in their blogs.

[Jandre02]

xbox would be in last place, according to analyst. And xboxz only advantage, price, would be gone by then. It wouldn't make any sense. By that time the format war would be all but over as well. It wouldn't sell

[bruiser81]

yes there are more xbox users, but with the current xbox without a build in HD DVD drive so i dont see how the release of this would end anything. They still have to convince people to buy is just like sony did. And if thats the case sony will by then have a two year head start in the beafed up system area.

[The Brave 1]

yo Jason your an idiot.By the time they come out with this hardware it will be late 2008 0r early 2009.which means that Ps3 will have tied microsoft or probably surpassed them in units worldwide.So your comment is stupid.Why dont you go ride Bill Gates!Maybe he will give you a job or something.

[Blitzed]

I think I must be missing your point. Are you suggesting that all the 360 ownwers are going to run out and get this HD DVD sku?

[n4gTurnsU_WickedGay]

the down side to that is the price. games on blu-ray are more expensive than games on dvd, so a duel format disk would cost what? $75-$80 a game? think about it. even those using the standard dvd drive would have to pay for the hd-dvd format despite the fact that they can't use it.
that alone would be enough to make 360 sells plummet.

[Ri0tSquad]

that is true but if M$ does then there screwing over every xbox 360 owner out there. I say they just stick with the 360 now and just put blu ray in the 720 and stop fighting battling they will lose millions fighting if blu ray wins.

[KingJames1906]

That's great because I was hopping it wasn't true. I feel it's the worst possible thing Microsoft could do to the 360. Look at how the PS3 is struggling. You think Sony came out with 4 different SKU's in ONE YEAR for the consumer benefit? Their trying to lower cost since they can't take out the Blu-Ray player. We all know the PS3 is just a glorified high def movie player. NPD data shows that consistently, with PS3 placing one game in the top 10 software sales or absent for months at a time. If people want a movie player they'll buy one. What I think Toshiba should do is get their players around the 199.99 or lower mark and they will see their fortunes change. Leave the 360 out of it.

[BLACKJACK VII]

I agree with your post completely. Good stuff - Bubbles for you.

=)

[leon76]

Can't get it, don't you? In the future games will spend more space...the blu-ray is going to be a need for that games...look what's going on with assassin's creed...in the future blu-ray reader will not only be a movie player, will be also needed for the games...talking about SKU's from PS3? what about SKU's of x360...they struglling to beat the PS3 in the feautures...

[Gina-get-u]

I would agree with your post except with respect to the Japanese market. The Xbox brand is too deeply stigmatized in Japan, so marketing the 360 under a different name can't hurt. I think a Toshiba branded machine that can play 360 games will help the Xbox gaming platform gain deeper penetration in Japan. It may not help HD-DVD much, but it will help MS.

[BLACKJACK VII]

@ leon76

You are completely clueless. When MASS EFFECT releases next month it will reset the bar for next gen graphics & contain over 30 hours gameplay. BluRay is needed for gaming ? Is that why HS & LAIR are shorter than Bioshock & Halo 3 ??? Where are these giant games with superior graphics & 80 hours of gameplay ??? They don't exsist moron. Sony has pumped you so full of crap you think you need BluRay to game. Is that why the PS3 is still #3 out of 3 in the Next Gen gaming consoles ? Is that why the PS3's attach rate is so awful ? Or are ppl buying the PS3 for what it is: a cheap BluRay movie player ? Sorry, I don't want a movie player - I want a GAMING CONSOLE & GAMES.

o According to the world-wide authority in entertainment reviews, Metacritic, Xbox 360 has 80 titles with a Metacritic review score of 80 or higher compared to just 31 for PS3 and 11 for Wii.

Xbox 360 software revenue at retail outsold PS3's software portfolio 8:1 and Wii's 4:1, selling 3 times more than both platforms combined.

o For the month of September according to NPD, Xbox 360 software represented 74 percent of total software sales for the next generation market compared to 17 percent for Wii and 9 percent for PS3. Even without the sales of "Halo 3" the Xbox 360 portfolio outsold the PS3 portfolio 2:1

o PS3 sales posted an average weekly decline of 27 percent.

Xbox 360 Tops Console Sales in September and outsells PS3 5:1

o Xbox 360 sales built upon its growth from last month, showing a 50 percent increase for the month of September selling an average of 105,600 consoles per week. Total sales were more than 528,000 Xbox 360 consoles sold, compared to 501,000 for Wii and 119,000 for PS3.

http://kotaku.com/gaming/np...

LOL, try to convince someone else son.

[Jandre02]

and as for the NPD stuff both console are selling about 6 million a year. But ur right if xbox releašed a conśole that waś more than the pś3 even with hd DVD it would be completely awful for śaleś

[Laka]

If true, I will be glad to get one.

[mirroredderorrim]

Mass Effect, resetting the bar for next-gen graphics? I hate to burst your bubble, son, but Crysis drops next month. That'll be the game that will reset the bar for next generation graphics.

Mass Effect, Crysis:

[StrboyM]

all you xbots who are thinking this is a great move, think about this.

Toshiba has a serious stake in _______, toshiba and M$ are responsible for the sales of _______. if _______ isnt selling well which company do you think will try to utilize the 360 for sales of _______?

which company is not a gameing company? and doest really care about gameing or game console prices ect ect? M$ has already has goe this far (and created a new sku) without HD-DVD. this pressure is coming from Toshiba.

ohh fill in every the blank with "HD-DVD"...lol

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

..hmmm this would increase the price. Can't wait for the hypocrites to say it was a good move to introduce an expensive sku. (to me it looks like another sku which has hd-dvd in already)

Chances are I will pick this up 2009 if its around.

[Skynetone]

.

[MikeGdaGod]

thats the first thing i thought when i read it

[sak500]

" wow its a ps3 "

But with much better quality games

[JokesOnYou]

even if it does come true, it will not be used for games, why would micro cut their own throat a split their fanbase, its basicly just like taking the available add on features and including them in one sku, those who dont care about hd dvd dont have to buy it, if this was somehow true the price will be a key factor

[green_ghost5]

........and you can have this shiny new multimedia xbox w/ built in HD-DVD.....for $600 dollars......and for all of you who have already bought a 360 your f*** .......Now this would make me angry, better give me a 70 percent discount.

[stonedog]

infers that Blu-ray is what is driving PS3 sales; I would suggest that M$ is better off with games like HAlO3 than emulating Sony present strategy which is presently a price drop and mediocre games for X-mas. Having said that an updated 360 with HD-DVD would be a logical progression. Indeed it is one which Toshiba may be willing to fund as they are trying to win their own format war in which PS3 is Sony's Trojan horse. However if they made the HD-DVD add on $50-$75 I believe there would be a lot of takers.

[ShiftyLookingCow]

the article smells like cr@p and from the alt sources its pretty much confirmed BS

[test123123]

Might be another good stuff to get on my list

[etownone]

Xbox 360-HDDVD....this is what the elite should have been.

and now it must come in priced at least at $400 to compete with ps3...
that means core gets dropped to 199, and premium to 299.

[PopEmUp]

Ps3 is Reducing it's price and on other Hand x-box 360 is increasing it's price that a great strategies simply that strategies to stab itself on the back, great work M$

[kingboy]

See why Sony rocks?Future proof

[Bleem360]

I'd wager this is complete and utter crap.

[mighty_douche]

sony includes HD playback and everyone claims its pointless, no one wants/needs it....

now M$ does it and its great news....

this is one reason i dislike M$'s approach to its consumers, like the original xbox, as soon as a new console is release they completely drop support for their older produces.
expect to see 12 million 360's on ebay in the next couple of years.

[Fighter]

The specs are aimed towards those that like gaming as well as other multimedia features. I may pick one up indeed if the price is right but I'm also waiting to see if HD DVD does lose because Blu ray has yet to release all their big name titles in their cataloge. All Big name HD DVD titles are by Speilberg and he's not yet favoring HD DVD but lots of money can change almost anyone and HD DVD is known to give big pay.

On another note, I don't like how some Xbox fans are bashing the PS3's inclusion of a Blu-ray drive. The games that are going to be coming out in the next few years and beyond are going to require extra storage and Blu-ray is the answer for it but in the near future you may even see games shipping with multiple Blu ray discs.

Take Lost Planet for example. It will be coming to the PS3 with a lot of extra content that can't be included on a DVD 9 DVD. That's the honest truth. The level of compression will not be a factor because future games are going to be huge on all levels of gaming.

As for those who argue about Mass Effect being 30hrs+ and won't need extra storage, it will recycle or loop every scene for different characters over and over again. The backgrounds or environments will always be the same with the exception of new characters, dialogs and game play in them. The game will still be great so don't take it the wrong way.

[bootsielon]

upgradeable hard drive. Seriously, Microsoft is interested with milking everyone's wallets. So NO, I'd have to say the credibility on the journalist is indeed bellow the floor. Sorry Xbots, it would have been nice to have a PS3, i.e. an Xbox 360 with all these features.

[HBK]

oh,

[richie007bond]

Awesome,bring it on,if xbox 360 with a hddvd drive build arrives soon ill be snapping one up,this is the push hddvd needs,lol the war is FAR FAR from over

[HarryEtTubMan]

Lol at Microfart they do everything Sony does and has since day 1. M$ sucks tHEY'RE ONLY GONAA SELL BACK TO THOSE FIRST 12 MILLION AGAIN DURRRR this can't be true, if it is look for Xbox to be finished. Talk about being arrogant, at least Sont sold 125 million consoles the last 2 generations. The 360 is at 12 million... so what people are going to magically start buying the 360 over the PLAYSTATION w/Bluray? LOL Everyones gonna know they're jusy copying Sony after giving them crap for a full year. M$ sucks I'll be getting the superior format.... Bluray.

[mrlakadaddy]

lets think for a second...why would a console company based in america let another company make their machine without their brand name? thats a little farfetched to me and a little unprecedented in the business market. a move like that will not make a dent in the hd-dvd market....think for a second...how many people will actually buy a toshiba box? please give news that is meaningful...these articles based on speculation are another example of wasted seconds of my life that i will never get back
to 27.1...that has absolutely nothing to do with making a toshiba x-box its about product,,,,ibm uses the cell but how many ibm computer are called the playstation edition? none because most companies dont give up their product name

[Absinthetic]

well gee i dont know

why did sony enlist the help of IBM and Toshiba to make the cell?

its not as far fetched as you think

[mirroredderorrim]

A machine with such features would cost as much or more than the PS3.
The PS3 is going down more and more in production costs due to materials going down in cost and new, more cost effective production methods being used to put a product together.

This new SKU would mean they would have to start almost from scratch with production costs and come up with similar methods to reduce pricing as time went on for this theoretical SKU.

While good in theory this probably won't happen because 11+ million Xbox 360 owners will get a huge slap in the face.
As I see it, the only reason Microsoft didn't come out with HD-DVD in their system was because the system would have cost you about $800 bucks or so, a move that would have devastated their launch. That was back when HD-DVD was non-existent. The first HD-DVD players didn't show up till early 2006. I don't know for sure if MS could have had the players in their system but either way it would have been a bad move to put one in as their cost was extremely high.

I don't think it would be any different right now, except the player itself has went down in production costs.
But I am guessing the hardware was built around the concept of DVD gaming.

I ask a question to anyone Xbox360 tech savy; Is the hardware truly built around DVD gaming? Would they have to literally create an entirely new if not almost entirely new SKU that is revolved around the HD-DVD format?

I ask this for the sake of HD-DVD gaming.

[ENNO]

if this is gonna be a whole new Xbox then its wayyyy too soon and will fail worse than Hitler,but if its not and just another new SKU then 2009 is too late...the war will be over by then!!

[guerojose]

Hmmm...

- A gaming machine
- A built-in HD drive
- Wireless networking
- Dual TV tuners with EPG
- 1080p playback
- Upgradable HD drive

Why does this console sound so familiar? Oh yeah, it's called "PS3". So when MS kills off their current botch-job in record short time (beating their own record for their last gen orphan), then I'm sure you suckers will be lining up. Or will we hear all those tired old arguments that nobody wants anything other than a gaming machine? You know, the arguments MS has been only too happy to make in defense of their current lemon.

[demolitionX]

and guess what guys it will have Cell inside, and blu-ray "don't think HD DVD", and... what's remaining? it's a PS3 clone... OMG!!!!! bye bye M$, u're a loser.

[vgn24]

More fuel on the moron fire. If you believe this, shoot yourself.

[Kemicalbeliefs]

.....argh it hurts.

I've just quickly come on to tell you that I believed it but I've shot myself and missed but should die shortly.

Thanks for reading my last words.......

[Dreamworker]

if microsoft really has problems with disc space and an add on HD-DVD would be able to play HD-DVD games. Why not give the HD-DVD add on away for free to xbox360 owners. With this move you would have in a couple month 12 million HD-DVD players on the market and people would buy movies and games and you make the money with software back. The other point you would be able to win the HD format war an movie studios would support your system.

[MvC Xtrm]

WTF? I just bought an Elite and they come out with a better 360? I'm left with some tacky piece of sh*t HD-DVD player add-on and the ugly thing doesn't even match the color of the Elite. I know Microsoft is trying to Stay ahead of the competition but this is getting ridiculous. Face it, Halo 3 has released and that's basically all that's left for the 360. PS3 has not even released it's triple "A" games yet and with this new PS3 @ $399, 360 is finished for the next few years to come. MS, you should have made HD-DVD standard from the beginning. ya just f*cked yourself and I'm starting to see how tacky and cheap your Xbox 360 project really is!

It's a 40gig PS3 w/Blu-ray standard @ $399 for me this Christmas.

[Ri0tSquad]

its probaly fake so I wouldn't worry at all.

[paracardium]

Sony will always win the console wars in the long run. History will repeat itself for the 3rd time.Ms is just going to copy Sony plans again lol.HD DVD is dead almost everywhere but you gotta give em credit for still trying.

[BUKKAKALYPSE]

lol where do you live dude?? both formats are alive and kicking and neither will win this war anytime soon.

do you guys find this funny?... Toshiba owns HD-DVD, Sony owns Blu-ray. PS3 has blu-ray player and cell. Toshiba buys majority stake in cell.Toshiba is close with MS....WTF!!

something fishy going on there

[demolitionX]

PS3 clone box with PROD exclusive

[marcdz1]

So now every Sucker that bought a 360 will be inline to buy a new better 360 in less than 3 years of it's life. If you ask me that costs a lot more than a Ps3 in the long run and that is FOccd Up. Why didn't they make this the standard from the beginning. Sounds like Toshiba is loosing the format war and they just want to convert all 360 gamers from DVD to HD-DVD. This is just Toshiba making a desperate attempt to sell more HD-DVD's If you guys are too blind to see this then you deserve to get ripped off. The only reason why PS3 is lacking in AAA titles is because it's only being around 1 year which is 1 less year than 360 and the only reason the PS3 lost some of it's exclusives was because no company was going to wait 1 more year for the PS3 to come out and sell their games to the public. Don't be tards and talk out of your arses when you don't understand logic. In 2009 I wold have bought over 30 games and 60 Blu-Ray movies why on earth would I go and buy another glorified 360 just to have HD-DVD implemented. I want to go forward with technology bot backwards. People wake up and smell the coffee.

[BUKKAKALYPSE]

why would xbox owners line up for this like you said? how is putting a HD DVD drive in a new sku gonna piss 10 million owners? if anything this will be good and make people happy..HD DVD goes in a new box , MS keeps the price to lets say $499 and bumps the elite down a few bucks..this will bring even more people to the 360 family. The external HD DVD attachment would drop in price therefor keeping the old owners happy. Most people dont even have high def either but this new model might promt people to get into it. And if you dont want it , dont buy it! buy the cheaper sku if you're still on SDTV's.. The more HD DVD players out there the better and the difference is that MS doesnt FORCE you to buy into their format like sony does..is there a cheaper PS3 with no blu-ray out there for the majority of people who arent set up for HD? nope!

the only people who would be mad are the people who buy their 360 a short time before this is released..if this even happens

[Real gamer 4 life]

Thats all microsoft does is copy everybody thing. they copy apple iPod and they bring out their own called zune. I think that Microsoft is scared that Sony plan of including blueray player on their ps3 will actually work and they know that they are hearing it from developers that the disc space is too small. Anyways is too late for Microsoft they cant released this system because there is going to be 11 million pist x box360 owners. by the time this 360 is released sony had already had a 2 year head start. meaning their will be more people with blueray player on their house, by that time Hd dvd is going to be done. Sony single handily destroyed hd dvd. If microsoft does this they will be shooting their own foot.

[Real gamer 4 life]

i was thinking of getting an elite for christmas but now i wont be getting it. I will just wait until microsoft make their mind up on what are they going todo with the 360.

[Real gamer 4 life]

The H dvd camp is getting deperate. they have paid paramount picture 150 million to try and stay alive, and now they are making a hd dvd 360. They are trying to fire back at sony, because they know that sony is owning them.

[Hypnotic]

Just based on that article all those features seem to be getting away from the gaming aspect. I'm still confused on why they would want to turn a gaming console into a media console. It seems to me they're kind of missing the point.

[TetraNinja]

PS360!!!!

[Ri0tSquad]

PS3 uses blu ray for its games. This new 360 will still use dvds for its games and hd dvd for movies ONLY.

[wangdiddy82]

this is really screwed up.. It sounds like they are making a xbox 420 or the 3rd xbox.. People already bought the elite thinking that was the top of the line 360 and traded in there premium systems for it.. Now we have to buy another system.. Everyone in here knows they want the best system out there for the 360 or ps3. Why do you think no one bought the core 360 or the 20 gig ps3? Everyone rather go all out and get the best one..

A lot of 360 owners will be outraged if they come out with this new system.. Especially the ones who bought the elite and the hd dvd add on..

I have a tip for the people who just own a 360.. Buy a PS3 too.. Than you dont have to worry about stuff like this.. Because you will already have all this in your ps3.. Believe me you wont be disappointed you did..

[lodossrage]

All I'm gonna say is I'm NOT going to buy an xbox360 a THIRD time just for some damn hd dvd built in. They should have just made it hd dvd built in from the start the way sony did with blu ray.

I'll be even more pissed off if they're stupid enough to put their games on hd dvd as well. I'll just sell of all my 360 stuff. I'm not pay for a 360 a THIRD time (the first one rrod on me)

I've been playing my ps3 more anyway.

If microsoft does this, the F'k M$

[Absinthetic]

well that will be the PR disaster of the century

[ninja_united]

WHAT A RELIEF I GOT A PS3 ¡¡¡

[sandhawk]

u guys stop bragging every one knows that sony is going to win in the end. Sony is going to last more than gaybox 360 and is going to be 1st out of 3 i onestly think xbox has 100% chance of becoming 2nd and i respect the 360 for all of its achivements but the fact is sony is going to win in this tuff war

(time will crown the king)

[sandhawk]

im looking forward to getting a xbox 360 for its amazing games ill add it to my ps3 :)

[ROCCOZILLA]

R U Fing KIDDING ME.MAN DOES M$ FIND WAY FOR PPL 2 SPEND MONEY.XBOX CAME OUT WAY 2 SOON.OVER HEATING,NO BUILT IN WI-FI AND NO HD DVD DRIVER.DUDE IF U XBOTS GO FOR THIS UR A BUNCH OF TOOLS!THIS IS THE END FOR THE 3SHITTY.(JUST FACE IT)

[pornflakes]

This will just be a xbox 360 like a PS1 -> PSX

[riskibusiness]

The new box will fall under Toshiba's brand name, "Toshiba Media Center XBOX360". Freakin brilliant! MS is off the hook by not introducing a new MS branded SKU.

[Jrome]

PS3 has bluray that is used for games and movies - "OMFG THEY ARE TRYING TO PUSH THEIR FORMAT ON US"

X360 has HD-DVD- "as long as they use it for movies and not games it's ok"

Notice.
Just stating the facts.

[squallsoft]

thats funny, this new model sounds like my PS3 u have sitting in my room right now

[Charlie2688]

If this is REALLY happening I expect the price to be a little bit higher than expected and since there are more cheaper 360 SKUs I dont expect this one to sky rocket in sales making this new SKU the PSX of last generation, remember the PS2 with a LOT of extra features a heavy price tag that nobody really bought cuz of the cheaper PS2 option.

The ONLY thing that really puts some doubt in this is the inclusion of the "free" upgradeable HDD, I find it VERY hard to believe MS will magically lighten up after ALL this time about you buying something for you 360 that is not theirs, they have already told us multiple times how non MS controllers/cables/adaptors/ve ntilation systems/HDD are bad and will potentially void the warranty

And finally the timing might be bad to include a HD-DVD if its late 2008 or 09 and Blu ay continues to dominate including a HD-DVD might be pointless to an audience that will probably be better off buying the cheaper 360 SKUs

[KingOfTheDisco]

How on earth are they not going to price themselves out of the market with this upcoming wonder-machine. They only reason the 360 is enjoying the success it has is because of the colossal price gap Sony's hubris granted it. Good luck with this one, Microsoft...

[Kylen08]

How could anyone possibly belive in this?
Why would MS include a Hd-dvd drive and start making Hd-dvd games for it? What would happend to all of the people that bought the 360 without it? would they need to by the HD-dvd thing just to be able to play new games? No of course not.

[tuffco]

Man if all you xbox 360 owner cant see that Microsoft is getting desperate along with Toshiba you are absolutely blind. I think this could be some of the worst news for 360 fans yet, do yourself a favour and trade in that piece of chit xbox and get yourself a PS3, after 2008 360 is going to go downhill badly mark my words. WOW this is a joke

[vgn24]

They come from both sides.
The xbox fans that believe this are morons because if they followed xbox news, they know this ain't happening.

The PS3 fans are idiots for believing this too. They use this as the "PS3 clone" argument. It's amazing folks. Come look at all the simple minded people who believe anything posted on n4g. It's a spectacle no one should miss.

[dan0368]

Yeah, and then your xbox gets the RRoD while recording your favorite show. I'd never trust a 360 as something important as a fulltime hd-dvd player / cable box/ DVR / game system, etc. I'm already on my 2nd 360 after not even a year later and it was barely used the last 6 months before it died.

[riskibusiness]

I think this is the first step in MS plan to commoditize the XBOX console. First is Toshiba. The rest will follow.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

I just read your post after posting mine. LOL...we are on the same page. And I for one am all for the commodization of game consoles. It will be a very good thing for us if this does start to happen.

Plus side for MS on this is by taking the horns on this....they could effectively set the "standard" utilizing their OS which I think ultimately they would rather see happen. I think if they could pull this off you would see MS back out of making consoles and just be the OS behind the games...just like they do with PC's.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Ok, so I have no real thoughts on this article in particular BUT....there is a VERY interesting read on the back page of the Dec. issue of OXM (its the COD4 issue) and it ties in with this.

Basically the guy talks about how gaming consoles will become "commodified" eventually. And when you read that...and then you take into account about what the above article talks about in terms of Toshiba making their own version of the 360...well suddenly you get the sense of Microsoft making a move to make game consoles commodified. And if successful...it would be a VERY VERY good thing for gaming. Think about it.... MS, Toshiba, Sony, HP, Dell...all making game consoles. They would all play a standardized game platform...i.e. basically how PC's work now but the machine is specifically designed for the living room and media entertainment as opposed to being a PC which in its core is specifically desinged to be a general purpose machine. The bells and whistles could all still be different just like it is in the PC market...but the software..that would be unilaterally the same. Developers would excell under this kind of scenario....and costs for games on consoles would drop like rocks in water.

Unified platforms .... Dennis Dyack talked about it before, OXM wrote a full page editorial on it...and now the rumors of MS letting Toshiba make their own "360". Could it really come to light?

[BIadestarX]

I would like to make two unrefutable facts.

1) Xbox 360 with a built in HD DVD drive will hurt PS3 sells and blu-ray no matter how you put it. Specially if both Microsoft and Toshiba are willing to sacrify some profits in order to spoil Sony world domination attemps.. and release it cheaper than the PS3. you can scream... Blu-ray wins! Blu-ray for the world!... bla bla bla.." and nothing will change the fact that any device capable of playing HD DVD movies is a variable in the format war.

2) HD DVD can and should be use for games if developers choose to. Why? because there is not technical reason why it shouldnt... Let developers deside if they want to...
"but but... grrrrr... lots of xbox 360 owners will get screwed! ahhhh! ahhhh!" actually no... When developers started to make the transition in gaming from CDs to DVD they released most of their game on both formats... and people picked what they needed. For the most part the option were simple... If you have a DVD player then you buy the DVD version if you don't you buy the CD version. Regardless of the choice if you wanted the game you can pick the format best apply to you.

If this would to happen the new XBox 360 SKU will be able to play shipped on DVD or HD DVD... Developers will only use release (DVD and HD DVD games) only when needed... but only DVD version when there is no need.. saving them the extra cost of making their games on HD DVD format... kind of stupid shipping your game on a 40GB disc when you are only using 4...

Gamers owning an xbox 360 prior to this SKU will be able to pick games like blu-dragon in multiple discs... (hehe.. Metal Gear too... just kidding.. don't kill me)... those that own this SKU can buy the HD DVD version in 1 disc....

Only Sony fanboys will complain about this... it's perfect.. and developers can save money by not being forced to shipped their games on more expensive formats when a standard DVD disc is cheaper to distribute...

The xbox 360 installbase is relatively small... compare to what it can become if the xbox 360 wins the console war... during he lifespan that the HD DVD integration can add to the xbox 360.. at least 6 years... the cost will be reduced and many people will probably (just as they did with the PS2) replace it more than once...

You see... Sony do not give developers the option to develop games using DVD9 even if the game is 5GB...

If microsoft allow developers to shipped their games on DVD or HD DVD then no one will care or be hurt... as matter of fact.. it will stop cold those who say.. that multiple disc is last gen.. since there will be a choice to a single HD DVD disc....

you don't want to buy a new SKU for the sake of not having to have the game in multiple disc? buy DVD games in multiple disc... and benefit from othe extra features like HD DVD movie playback.. examption hard drive... etc.. buy new SKU...

And to make things even worst for those Sony fanboys that will complain... Microsoft can allow people that currently own the external HD DVD player to use it for games...

who's your daddy now?

The only requirement for developers is... they must do what PC developers had to do... supply those people that need the game on DVD9.... Period.

Lots of people are willing to upgrade their xbox 360 for the falcon.. for HDMI... do you actually think... people will have a problem upgrading to these new SKU? I wouldnt...

Just like... Sony can upgrade their controller to support rumble... for future games... microsoft can and should allow HD DVD player to be use for games once an SKU is released with built in HD DVD player..

Heck... let me call my RMD(Regional Microsoft Director) I'm passing this Idea... hehe... Die Sony fanboys Die...

EDIT:
----------------------------- ------
@PimpHandHappy - I can response... but what do you want me to tell you... your comments are just stupid...
Sony released like 6 SKU in less 10 months... why can't microsoft release one more... For these new SKU no more research needs to be done... all the components already exist... HD DVD drive.. xbox 360.. all they have to do is assemble... and what make you think.. they didnt plan this a year ago? This new SKU can be announced sooner than you think. why 2009? Specially when Toshiba have so much interest and are willing to give some MUUUULLLLLAAA...

[MikeGdaGod]

you make no sense at all

1) how would this hurt PS3 sales? if anything, this news is gonna hut 360 sells because, AGAIN, there is a chance they're bringing out a newer model. everything MS said wasn't needed this gen for games is in this new sku (if what's written is true). everything you dissed sony for you're now applauding MS for.

2) how is it going to save money for devs to use two formats for the same game? they would have to program the game and the system to be able to read both formats on every game they made like that. extra dev time does nothing but drive up the price! another sku that is different from any other sku thats already on the market wouldn't help the devs, it would slow down everything.

not to mention that MS would again be sh!tting on everyone that was silly enough to buy their "premium/elite" system. what would they called this one? the SuperDuperMostAwesomestDopest 360? and of course you think this is a great idea.

i guess i shouldn't be too surprised. you also said MS should pay a billion dollars each for MGS franchise and FF franchise. LOL!!!!

no wonder you're down to one bubble

[PimpHandHappy]

bladestar your funny

If they come out with HD-DVD game system in 09 and the format is dead why would anyone buy it. I like how with only one bubble you need to try and put up a wall of text. ITS CLASSIC

by the middle of 08 no one buying a 1080p Tv will even look at HD-DVD. Grown adults with kids will see Disney and all there TV spots "In true Hi-Def" "Disney Blueray"

im going to take u off my ignore list because i dont see ppl with only one bubble!

ahahahahahaha

[PimpHandHappy]

im getting my Eltie in 4months. Im real happy i didnt buy one on launch like u and many other fanboys did. If u bought a launch 360 u dont have HDMI and more then likely you have gone 4 weeks without ur system because it broke.

When i get my Elite it will have all those problems sorted out and it has HDMI built in. Just like Sony showed em and even the price will be under 400bucks by then because they had to react to what Sony did.

Just like the Elite. I bet if MS knew what the specs on the PS3 where b4 they released the 360 you would have had HDMI.

to bad u cant respond

hahahahahahahahahaha

[DJ]

something to compete against the Playstation 3? Still a rumor, but we all know Microsoft is foolish enough to attempt something like this years after releasing their console (and after several upgrades). HD Movie Playback out of the box, installs hard drives the same way as the PS3. They already copied the color and HDMI output (though not the same quality), so if they don't include HDMI or Bluetooth I'm going to be pretty disappointed in them.

They really should've released the 360 with those specs from day one; there's obviously a lack of foresight over at Redmond.

[PimpHandHappy]

lack of 4ward thinking is more like it. Something no one can say about Sony!

[brianodom]

holy smokes..lol

i told ya so..

ms ..for the screw up yeahhh....

[dale1]

they can,t put a hd dvd drive in,what happens to all 360 users with standard drives they would be obsolute over night.now that would have major complications for older console users as well as a few court cases.

[g4n]

"Disclaimer: Someone pointed out that David Richards, the journalist who reported the article, may have some credibility issue. Please see Alternative Sources. (Which means you should read his articles with a fair degree of skepticism.)"

then why is it even here? how about this one

"I report that for the rest of your life you WILL play console games on currently 10 y/o DVD" YARRRRRRRRRR

WTF, why is this posted at the top? may as well put my comment up there

[g4n]

i think pricing would be the biggest problem for M$ here. the PS3 has a nex-gen blu-ray player in it already and they only cost $400.00. the HD-DVD is supposed to be cheaper then the BLU-RAY, but the lol box sells for 400.00 with a 10 y/o DVD player in it. they would have to keep the price the same, and im sure that would DROP most LOLbox fans overnight... i'd be pissed lol.

[THE_JUDGE]

being made in the first place. Now you'll get to buy a game system, dvd and HD-DVD player that will break all at the same time. Great idea!

[xc7x]

Toshiba 360 > current 360

[heavyarms]

On both parties involve. Just wait for this to come out and some of you will be suprise to see what the price will be. Will you buy this at $400 price with the specs it will have, and dont forget they did mention a big big harddrive. Dont expect this machine to have 160 harddrive, try 500 gigs or even a terra. Anyways, i've had my 360 for 2 years and and my ps3 for like 4 months and i would love a new box sometime next year, one that will do it all for me. And yes i would pay $500 for it. But i do expect the price to be around $400 because Microsoft wants to screw sony. Did they mention new the graphics card this baby is gonna have, lol lets stay quiet about that one.

[Gorgon]

what new GPU? Why the hell would they do that for!?!??! All games have to run exactely the same on all systems...

sometimes console boys just amaze me...

[Salvadore]

Seems relatively pointless now.

[byaaface]

hmm i wont buy that seeing how HD dvds are complete crap compared to blu ray

[darkside]

MS should give a free HD-DVD player to all the ppl who brought there console before this news.

[THAMMER1]

Also Blu Ray is benefiting from the PS3. A XBOX360 HD DVD combo would do the same for HD DVD. I have to say that the 360 has had a bumpy road but a decent streak of success too. I think this would work for them and Toshiba. If it turns out to be good, I'll just sell my Elite and upgrade. I did the same with my 20gig 360.

Games on HD DVD's. Well we knew it was coming. If they get the price and backward compatibility right they are good as gold.

[Gorgon]

There won't be any games on HD-DVD unless its a special edition or they come both (dvd and hd-dvd) on the same package. Its against the rules of the console market. That would just alienate everyone else that does not have an hd-dvd drive. Games have to play on any console, independet of specific SKU, remember that? MS already shoot itslef on the foot when they launched the SKU with no Hard Drive. Now they (and the consumers) are paying for it.

[power of Green]

That would be cool as hell if Toshiba made its own version of the 360.

#74, I always upgrade consoles in any given generation, so do/did PS2 owners many upgrade anyways.

[OmegaKulu]

MS might as well hand over xbox to Toshiba... =P

[riskibusiness]

Most of you aren't getting it. It will be a Toshiba machine with the ability to play xbox 360 games. This is how Microsoft license out tech historically. MS will avoid egg in the face because it is not a new MS SKU, rather Toshiba's SKU.

[DFresh]

Damn it takes MS 4 systems to get the ability to play at 1080p.
Just in this area Sony still owns this area and MS is just picking up the remains.
More games on PS3 in 1080p only a few on the Xbox 360.
At this point for what Sony has planned for 2008 and beyond MS might as well give up they can't keep up.
If you ask me all game comparisons have been pointing to me that the PS3 still looks better.
The only time that rumor came out about Xbox having better graphics was on those EA Sports Games and hello people it's owned by Peter Moore(Xbox CEO)thus there's the conspiracy for you.
Sony is the future!

[power of Green]

MSFT isn't the company down grading to get it right. lol.

regardless of motivation of this if true, MSFT had a vision of what the future is and the PS3 is designed in the XBOX/ Xbox 360's Image they will do what it takes to not be ignored because of Sony brand reconition.

[xplosneer]

We are being dragged into a PC like gaming market. Not saying that's bad, but the point of consoles was to have a steady platform that devs could work on and get used to for a long time, not frequent processing power updates like PC graphics cards. Hope this isn't true.

[Antiomo]

In that stats of viable hd-dvd player.

I suspect they are going to make an xbox 3 .

[riskibusiness]

Whats really interesting is Toshiba just bought Sony's cell fabrication plant????

[Joecrazy]

Microshiba 720!!

[solidt12]

Anyway its a good thing to keep the competition going. As long as Microsoft and Sony are in the game the consoles will just keep getting better on both sides.

[Premonition]

This is a very bad move, for one lets say by the time this thing does come out, PS3 should be around 8-10million sold world wide, so that would mean Microsoft would have to hope to sell 10million to reach the Blu ray installed based, and to make things worse by that time PS3's should be a little cheaper, and if they release it anywhere from 4-600 they are in big trouble. And one thing I dont get is why do you guys get mad when people see this in a bad way, do you guys even think ahead or do you just think for the present? Do you even know what would happen to the old 360's if MS started making games via HD DVD? do you even know how many old owners would be screwd? No because you dont think. You guys disagree like theres tomorrow because you know its true whether you like it or not, its like really seeing the meaning of what it is to be brained washed, or a scene from a movie where the woman loves to get abused by her husband and when people try to help her she denies everything no matter what. You guys (probably around 15 years and below) need to really open up your eyes and see whats going on here, cause I know you guys dont have those brain cells there for no reason.

[0LDSCH00L]

the face of gaming will change as we know it today. If this is true, it means that MS is willing to license out thier software, which means in the future, the average consumer can walk into an electronics store and purchase a game system much like they would a stereo or TV, no more big three! big industry players such as; Toshiba, Samsung, Panasonic etc etc will be making these consoles with one format, a developers dream!This is clasic textbook Gates!!! the whole Apple, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates 80's thing all over again!!!

[poopface1]

I dont think this is really a bad thing as I dont think microsoft will ever release games on HD-dvd. even if they do it, they can/will(wayyy more sales duh) still have to put the games out on dvd/s. I thisk this will some day replace the elite as the most expensive 360 for all those people that wat an all in one console. The interesting thing is if the make a toshiba HD-Dvd player that can play 360 games. People will be confused into thinking that is the greatest thing ever, and it will defianty sell mad amounts.

[poopface1]

.

[cmrbe]

1.They don't put games on HD-DVD cause it will alienate the current x360 unser base.
2.Keep the cost down to acceptable levels.

This sku will be for those who want a x360 and a HD-dvd in one box.If this ever comes out i am sure this is how MS will proposition it.

[The_Firestarter]

.....does that mean the next Xbox will be a PS3, but with a few more features? Ok, whatever.

Good for you MS and Toshiba! Do whatever the hell you need to do to compete with the PS3.

[ARog34]

So, now MS has a plan to include everything in its box. People are going to have to pay what now? $450+, something more than the PS3?

Sony equiped its system fully (HD) from the beginning on all its SKUs so far. The box is hardware from the late past, MS should have planned this from the beginning... Hmmm copying Sony now? haha, jk...

[The_Firestarter]

I know exactly what you mean. The PS3 is seriously future-proof hardware. Genius! ^__^

[Lionsguard]

I can hear Microsoft now. "All your money are belong to us!" First they sold you an outdated machine for $300 now they're going to push the real system out for even more and the HaloCrack Addicts will gobble it up because they love supporting monopolies. It's thanks to you MS supporters that the next-next-gen systems will just be computers in a console shell and every year or so we'll be upgrading it just like a damn PC, THANKS ALOT! Bring me back my Genesis vs Super Nintendo era goddamnit... This Generation is just starting to suck more and more.

[b777conehead]

i here comments about short games even with bluray.the reason for this is because the game dev creators decided what to put on the bluray if they decided the game was 9 hours long thats not the blurays fault.they may strived for uncompressed graphics are sound and a shorter game but at least they have the room to do it. so if you don't like the short game complain to the devs and creators there the ones who decided how to make the game what length etc etc.and imho i don't thank it would be all that easy for devs to make a game on a hddvd and a dvd9 because even with compression theirs a big difference in capacity on a hddvd and dvd 9

[ALMIGHTYPS3]

desperation

[Bolts]

My old Xbox 360 got the RROD again so I was shopping around for a new one. I was about to buy the Halo edition but now...I'm not so sure. If MS is going to release a new model every 3 freaking months I have no freaking clue which Xbox I should buy. Its totally confusing.

[UnblessedSoul]

Xbox users = We only want to play games ffs not play rubbish HOME LOLZ and we don't want to watch hi-def movies either ffs

Microsoft: we are thinking about implementing something like HOME as well as having a new sku

Now all the xbox users look stupid

[mayanja]

If this is true i hope they take away that powerblock thing and hdmi 1.3. and please add a internet web browser. less overheating my xbox 360 alreadyover heats

[mark09]

If it does come out it will convert some of the existing xbox360 owners into ps3 owners and make sales plummet due to price (It will be everything that xbox fanboys bash the ps3 about). Think about it, If they actually sold this would you buy a ps3 instead so you can get some of their exclusives as well?

They will still have a weight on their back because game developers will only be able to utalize the options they had in the first 360 to make sure all owners are satisfied.

Developers: "Hmm our game isnt going to fit on a DVD 3 years from now, lets put it on an HD DVD"
Microsoft: "We cant do that, not all of our owners have that"
Devs: "How about we utalize the harddrive for some extra space"
Microsoft: "Naww, we will be leaving some people out"
"We can probably just make a new SUK a few years from now that will include everything the ps3 currently does so that its not a problem"
Devs: "What about the old 360's"
Microsoft: "We'll just drop it like the original xbox"

In other words releasing the new SUK can only hurt microsoft in my opinion.