Microsoft Plans Blu-ray Xbox 360, Due in May?

Rumours were circulating today (Monday, 18/02/2008) that Microsoft is set to dump HD DVD and bring out a Blu-ray Xbox 360 by as early as May 2008. The move will allow Microsoft to go head-to-head with the Sony PS3 gaming console which has been credited with being one of the main reasons that retailers have preferred Blu-ray over Toshiba's HD DVD.

David Richards reports that insiders at Microsoft in the USA has told SmartHouse that Microsoft have already configured a standalone Blu-ray player that can be connected into an Xbox 360, which could be on sale within three months.

[Le-mo]

So all the negative news surrounding blu-ray and the PS3 was for?????

[permutated]

Shiz N' Giggles? :P

[Bladestar]

lol... for nothing... waste of time... because business is business... microsoft picked HD DVD because they though it served them best... worst comes to worst ... uhhh.. they bring a blu-ray player... done deal... hey if Sony supported VHS after BetaMax went belly up... why wouldn't microsoft do the same.. specially since Toshiba own HD DVD not microsoft.

Once blu-ray wins it becomes public domain... not even Sony can stop microsoft from releasing a blu-ray player.... it's against the law...

[EZCheez]

Sony won't stop anyone from making a blu-ray player, because they'll collect royalties. It's anything but "public domain." More like a cash cow for Sony.

Also, while i can see an add-on being released, I seriously doubt Microsoft would release a 360 with an internal blu-ray drive.

On a side note, is that all one sentence?

[rofldings]

Just because a format wins doesn't mean it's "public domain." It takes YEARS for IP to expire, by then BD will be obsolete. Obviously Sony started making VHS player after VHS won, why lose out on money, but they damn sure payed JVC royalties.

If a 360 BD addon does come out, expect Sony/Panasonic/etc to be taking a cut off the profit.

[psnDevistator356]

Thats funny

[xplosneer]

True, but now they have to use the specs for Blu Ray, which will probably cost them money....

Again though, true, Microsoft did play it pretty smart because it was more uncertain who would win at the launch of 360.

[wageslave]

"Sony won't stop anyone from making a blu-ray player, because they'll collect royalties. It's anything but "public domain." More like a cash cow for Sony."

BluRay isnt anymore "owned" by Sony than HD-DVD is "owned" by Toshiba.

Both are the product of working-groups of technology firms. Neither is "exclusive" to one firm.

"Sony, Matsushita (Panasonic), Pioneer, Philips, Thomson, LG Electronics, Hitachi, Sharp, and Samsung."

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

MS can sell an add-on, or integrated BR device just as simple as anything. And, it doesnt benefit Sony in the least.

-
Edit @1.9:

Would you wager that the license fees goto the BDA? The purpose of which is it maintain the DMR (lets be honest), do promotion and to su

[crck]

But the BDA probably collects $10 to $20 in licensing fees for every player made. I'm sure Sony gets a big chunk of that money. For those that don't think Sony gets money from every Blu-ray player and disc sold. Ask yourself this common sense question. Why would Sony force a blu-ray player into every PS3 raising the launch price by over $100 if they didn't stand to collect a licensing fee in the future? Why would Toshiba lose a buttload of money trying to make HD-DVD the standard? Why would there even be a format war if licensing fees in the future weren't at stake? But there is no reason for Sony to stop MS. Business is business.

[EZCheez]

But someone is making money off of the format and the people who want to make it, hence licensing fees. I have a really hard time believing that Sony isn't making something off of blu-ray as a format.

Oh, and absolutely nothing against you, but I never look at sources when they're from a wiki page. Guess it's a habit from college. Most unreliable sources ever, and absolutely banned in anything professional.

[FirstknighT]

Why would Sony make money on other companies that choose Blu-ray? Sony doesn't own the name Blu-ray. :p

[Bladestar]

I didn't mean "public domain" in the sense that no royalties can be collected by Sony.... but in the sense that Sony cannot lock or stop microsoft or anyone from releasing a blu-ray player... it's against the law.. they also can't over charger microsoft just because...
Microsoft was going to pay royalties to Toshiba anyways... Microsoft main interest was the adoption of their encoding technology... which even blu-ray addopted... microsoft makes money on the hardware (addon)... and therefore profits from that...

Duhh Sony will benefit from this... only as much as microsoft benefits from Sony selling laptops with pre-installed windows OS... and that will run microsoft codex... I thought you guys would know by now that when it comes to business there is no enemies; only competitors... for microsoft blu-ray is no different than HD DVD... they don't publish movies.. they only care about the hardware... ohh and digital distribution...

The biggest loser here is Toshiba and they took a big cut on the Cell... and are also getting ready to make blu-ray players...

It's all about maximising profits... there is no losers in the format war, or any war for that matter... if HD DVD would win then toshiba would make some extra profits aside from hardware...

I'm not sure how this will affect movie studios that probably have to pay royalties for publishing content on blu-ray... but hardware makers pass the royalties (if any) to the consumer... ohh and don't think for a second that Sony can say, "let's charge microsoft 5 billion just because we say so..."; that's illegal... that means that microsoft or any other hardware manufacturer is able to create products that compete and cost less than Sony... just like Sony created VHS that did the same.

Do you know why Microsoft went for HD DVD? because Blu-ray camp didn't want to support VC-1 codec.... well.. now they do... there is no reason why microsoft shouldn't support blu-ray... win win situation for them.

[EZCheez]

I know Sony can't make a licensing fee for Microsoft out of thin air. You're not telling anyone on here anything most of us don't already know.

And seriously, I laughed when I read this:

"there is no losers in the format war"

Yeah, tell that to whoever's in charge of accounting for Toshiba.

[sonarus]

lol funny how quick die hard 360 owners can switch sides. They have gone from hi def isnt needed to market place has all the hi def i need to hd-dvd is better than blu ray to now. Including blu ray in 360 is in the best intrest of msoft. Sony stands most to gain considering they lead the blu ray front they wnt be the only ones gaining but they will gain the most in other words sony haters get over yourselves. The sooner msoft gets blu ray the better because blu ray may soon become an important choice in deciding which console to buy

[LastDance]

I love it how people think you can just make what ever the hell you want.

[games4fun]

whatever helps you sleep at night, that is some wishful thinking that sony will not profit off this, and an add-on will only make msoft look even worse because people will have to add that on to a 360 and it will be costing more than a ps3 on top of that the ps3 has them built in already

[FirstknighT]

I'm a die hard 360 owner and I always voted for bluray since I already own a bluray player. I bought a Samsung 1200 because of HQV processing. Makes my 300+ standard dvd collection to near hi def. I use my 360 for one purpose and one purpose only................games. I dont care about watching movies or surfing the web on my 360. All I want is top notch games and the 360 is second to none.

[tfur]

"Do you know why Microsoft went for HD DVD? because Blu-ray camp didn't want to support VC-1 codec"

Not really. Microsoft thought it was going to make a killing off of HDi, which of course eventually lost to BD-j. HDi was to be the money maker, not VC-1. Microsoft wanted to have their integrated HD "interactive" OS construct on all HDDVD devices. Fortunately, BD-J Java won.

Microsoft does not own the VC-1 codec, it is a part of a patent pool, that includes Sony.

An interesting article about VC-1:
http://www.theregister.co.u...

[IntelligentAj]

The key word in this rumor is standalone. There is no way a standalone add-on for the 360 will compete with the PS3 which has the drive built in. Also you have to remember, 360 owners don't watch movies on their machines, they only play games(as some people have said while attacking the PS3 as a Blu-ray player first and a console second)

[Cyrus365]

Bladestar,

Msoft supported HD-DVD because HD-DVD uses msoft technology iHD, Blu-ray does not, and wil lnot for the foreseeable future, unless they want to make Blu-ray profile 2.5 or whatever.

Blu-ray uses JAVA for it's inter-active stuff, it's more flexible, and allows more options, however it's more complicated (Thus could take longer, more time spent coding, thus $$$$).

[sonarus]

correction first knight 360 games were second to none. They seem to be dulling this yr things could turn around for the better but they still seem to be dulling

[gonzopia]

Ummm... I know this comes from an Australian source, but Microsoft is based in Redmond, WA - where it's still the weekend, and decisions like this typically don't get made on weekends, let alone announced. This is wild speculation. Though it admittedly would make good sense for the 360 to have a BD drive, I can't see Sony giving up their Blu-ray edge just yet.

[sonarus]

I dnt want to spark the wrath of fanboys but compared to last yr i am shocked at the 360 line up. Did they think they could use 1 yr to beat the ps3 so they fired all their big guns in 1 yr? I know msoft is still new in the game and they are still acquiring studios but this isnt their first console they need to be acquiring studios really quickly. The exclusives they had this yr are dissapearing really quick. Splinter cell and left for dead are rumored to be going. Last yr ps3 had a low install base and was really difficult to develop for but when companies like ubisoft and activision are reaping huge rewards for ps3 games its hard for those same 3rd parties to make that same decision a yr later when the ps3 install base is more than half of 360's and 360 has had twice as much time in the market. If msoft dosent win despite their commanding lead 2008 would be the yr where things turned for the worse. I really don't see things getting better for them either because of that lack of key 1st party studios.

[InYourMom]

get over yourselves! Do you think there were people like yourselves saying funny how all of a sudden Sony wants to use VHS or DVD?

If this is to become a standard then what do you want people to do?? If people want HD movies on a disc they are going to have to accept Br. This has nothing to do with the baby games you 2 are going on about. MS has said from day one that if BR was a format winner they would support it, plain and simple.

As well,this has NOTHING to do with gaming, which still hasn't shown that it's needed. Considering all the GOTY winners and most talked about games are not on the Br format. MS does not plan to use the format for games at all.

I'm still doing all my HD movies via downloads and do not plan on spending any money on Blu-ray (didn't spend any on HD-DVD either).

About the games, which you seem to want to derail the topic with are coming along just fine. This "dullness" you are talking about is a bunch of BS. MS hasn't even announced it's full line-up yet and already there are some great games in the channel. If you think MS are going to suddenly give-up or just stop trying you are mistaken.

[LastDance]

In your mom. Take a deeep breath.

Okay.

Lost oddessy is on 4 disks. okay? okay good.
Project gotham had to strip the game down because of the lack of space.

Whats going to happen in 4 years? 10 disk games?
If the rooms there, developers will use it.
I find it funny that you think Technology WONT develope.
So far all the "next Gen" games ive played are barely that. They are polished games that are more or less the same as last gen with a few exceptions.

In the coming years i believe we will see true next gen innovation come.

Compare a game that came out in ps2s 1st year games to the later ones.

It seems xbox has not alot of growing room left for creativity.
If your fine with the games that have come out so far thats good for you.
ive played many lackluster games on both systems that are suppose to be the next gen gaming and I wasnt very pleased.
But im very eagerly awaiting the true next gen games.

[sonarus]

lol. i am not talking about toshiba i am talking about 360 fans who hated ps3 so much by default they decided to be hd-dvd fans. Same ones who said hd-dvd was better and hd-dvd would win in the end. How they said things would chance was the price drops then things would change cus walmart was introducing super cheap hd-dvd player every time blu ray scored it was one excuse after the other. When hd-dvd got paramount and transformers was highest selling it was "see, told you hd-dvd isnt dead" talks for about a week. So despite their strong reluctance to support blu ray its funny to see how everything is just so cool now that msoft is going to support it. Its like i guess blu ray wasnt so bad after all after all microsoft is going with it who are we to stand against microsoft

[drewdrakes]

wageslave - youre absolutely right. 100% agree.

EZCheez - I use wikipedia everyday. School, job, it always works. Its completely reliable for the stuff im searching for. My college actually encourages it. It is quite reliable, you just have to have common sense...

BTW.. i have an HD DVD player, guess what...i get HD movies 50% off from amazon, who can say that without pirating? ya...thanks...

Also, I dont really want to get in a language battle, but people seem to be saying that java is better and more diverse than microsofts languages. The only advantage java has is portability, thats it. Meaning it can be used on various operating systems. Microsofts Visual Studio is SOO much better than anything java has its not even a comparison. Microsoft just knows what theyre doing in this department and knows what developers want.

[m9105826]

@Drewdrakes:

Visual studio is not a language... it's a programming environment used maily for C and C++, and it's a pretty buggy and annoying one at that. Real programmers program in vim...

[f7ss1]

hd dvd=beta max

[whoelse]

I remember a few days ago, a manufacturer reporting they had to pay $30 for every blu-ray player to Sony and Philips as licensing fees.

I doubt that they will make a built-in player, but they probably eventually will make an add-on.

[DEIx15x8]

HD-DVD was and still is a superior format. It's a shame to see it go. Blu-ray may have had more capacity but capacity isn't the only thing that makes a format.

[Mattearl]

But Microsoft will have to pay Sony to use Blu-Ray.

Microsoft will of course adopt blu-ray. It has to if it wants to move forward into the future with a new console. Because BD will be around for 5-7years unitl something else hits the market.

[meepmoopmeep]

and the 360 gets Blu-ray, then all the people who threw stones at the PS will look like idiots. serves them right.

[permutated]

I don't want to beat a dead horse, but I'd rather they focus on making the 360's last rather than adding new features.

I'd like my 360 to last longer than 2-3 years. 500$ is a lot of money.

[sonarus]

if thats what you really want you chose the wrong side

[SCThor]

Xbox 360 plus Blu-Ray player $500, PS3 $400... Buy, Buy Now!

I don't think MS will give Sony more bullets.

[m9105826]

Does the USB bus even have enough bandwidth to transmit a 1080p signal from an external player without compressing it?

[SRuN4]

Read that wrong.

[TheWickedOne]

Guess you gotta do what you gotta do. Jump on that wagon!

[ichimaru]

i'll admtt that hd dvd is just about done, but the us BS

[toughNAME]

It would be the sensible thing...I've been saying this for months

Aslong as Microsoft doesn't force formats on anyone

Choice is always best.

[LastDance]

well now people have to decide whether they can fork out another large sum of money for ANOTHER disk drive to play movies.

choice is best? Do people get to choose to get a refund on their HDdvd player?

[ktchong]

Did people get to choose to get a refund on their BetaMax, UMD, ATRAC, MiniDisc?

[crck]

Why they didn't like the movie? If you mean a player the only UMD player in existence is the PSP which is getting 2 triple A titles in God of War COO and FF 7 CC next month. BTW UMD is still supported by 2 movie studios (Sony pictures and Fox) 3 years after its creation. HD-DVD won't even match that.

[LinuxGuru]

Well, Hatchet, maybe he was saying things OUTSIDE of n4g.

Did you ever think that?

Or did your tunnel vision lead you to believe that everything anyone says on here occurs in n4g?

Think outside the box, will ya' ?

Instead of attacking people, you know....

[Rocko]

You can't seriously f**king be defending UMD as a movie format. You must be smoking crack. Its completely failed at that. Its good for games, thats it.

[LastDance]

6.2 -
Did people get to choose to get a refund on their BetaMax, UMD, ATRAC, MiniDisc?

Your right.

[crck]

What some of you people don't seem to understand is that UMD wasn't suppose to be a competing movie format. Did Sony come in and say this is going to kill DVD? If it was Sony would have released a standalone player right? They would have added it to their Vaio computers right? Or added a UMD slot to the PS2 slim? It was simply a way for people to watch some damn movies on their PSP. Round Peg asked if people can chose to get a refund on a UMD player? The PSP is the only frickin' UMD player on the planet. So he was asking if people could get a refund for a PSP? And I was simply stating why anyone would want to with 2 triple A games coming out next month. BTW find me one person that bought a PSP as a movie player. I know there are 300,000 people that bought a 360 HD-DVD add-on just for movies. And the PSP will have new movies long after the last HD-DVD disc is shipped out. So maybe you the one smoking crack clown.

[nix]

Covenant - 8 hours ago
PM
Track
Ignore
6.1 -
Memory Stick...

ATRAC...

Betamax...

Minidisc...

UMD...

Those weren't exactly embraced by the masses.

But Sony was smarter this time, and made sure that they had strong studio and manufacturer support. Otherwise, Blu-Ray would have been a footnote like the above formats.

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

[kingdre714]

I'm so glad I traded my 360 4 a psp and yes i also have a ps3 i would feel like crap if i still had it

[InYourMom]

What a stupid thing you did right there. You traded your 360 in for a PSP? Pfftt.. I can't tell if your lying are just extremely stupid, probably the latter.

[tweaker]

you made the most dumbest move. congrats.

[thekingofMA]

who w=in their right mind would do this trade

[ASSASSYN 36o]

Self pwnage.

[pwnmaster3000]

ill do da same thing to, but my 360 is a gift so yeah

[The Brave 1]

hey InYOurMoms A$$ last time i checked the psp was selling more than the 360 worldwide so your the dumb a$$!

[ambientFLIER]

Lol, you traded the console with the best games for one with less than PS2 graphics and all the old ps2 games? Lol...

[InYourMom]

Brave 1:

What the hell does the PSP outselling the 360 have to do with trading a $400 system in for a $200 PSP?? Do you know the DS outsells the PSP as well, so why don't you trade in your PSP for a DS? You comments are stupid and your a toolbag. Anybody who would trade in a freakin sweet next-gen console for a PSP is either stupid or a liar..

Maybe I will trade my PS3 in for a DS since it's outselling it according to your wisdom. Btw yes I am In Your Mom mmmmmm.

[The_Engineer]

XBOT HOMOS CARE WHAT HE TRADES IT IN FOR?

FEELING A LITTLE ASSHURT THAT ALL YOUR NOOB PREDICTIONS FOR THIS CONSOLE RACE SO FAR HAVE TURNED OUT TO BE UTTER TRIPE?

[phony force slayer]

TOSHIBA WILL BUY OUT SONY AND WIN.

[BLUR111]

maybe RCA ..ha lol umm nahhh

[Bubble Buddy]

Maybe you guys can clue in that he also got store credit or cash with it?...

[InYourMom]

says an Blu-ray Xbox 360 and then the story talks about a stand-alone player that can plug into 360's(ie Add-on). So which is it?

If MS didn't put an internal HD-DVD in their console I doubt they would put a BR one in it now.

[EZCheez]

It might have been on the second page. I agree with you though. An add-on would be a great idea. An internal blu-ray drive would be the exact opposite.

[Proxy]

I noticed the same thing.

A standalone player that can be connected into an XBox 360. Huh?

So do you need the 360 to use this "standalone" player? Or do the people without 360's just plug it into the TV and it works just the same even without the 360?

Type maybe?

[EvilJoey]

I mean if this happens it could easily take a long time.
I don think it will matter tho... Then what x-box releases games for both dvd and br? then only half the people can play those games.. just makes me wonder.

Im still waiting for movie companies to make having a Blueray worth it... i dont see why seasons of shows or... 3 packs of movies like spiderman... are on multiple discs

[Silellak]

This headline is misleading.

"The 360 will get a Blu-ray add-on" is a lot different than "Microsoft plans a Blu-ray 360".

It's almost certain Microsoft already has an external Blu-ray prototype drive. They'd be stupid NOT to.

[power of Green]

I was just talking about fud being posted and the fact MSFT only had a foot in the HD format war in some other threads.

They played it safe with BD by making the add-on for HD-DVD but they must have prepared for who ever won the war, I mean come on BD has outsold HD-DVD for a very long time.

MSFT just didn't wan't to pay Sony anything" not to mention they had to fight the format war so they could compete with the PS3 better as BD would have been a bigger threat before MSFT could better establish itself, If MSFT did not compete against BD they wouldn't be in the lead right now or the lead would be alot smaller.

[robbo918]

They are in the lead because they had a year with no Wii and no PS3, not because they chose HD DVD and supported it with an add on.

The biggest question I have is what price point could they seriously come up with for a Blu Ray add-on player?

[Guwapo77]

So it is better to pay Toshiba than Sony?

[Anything but Cute]

This could mean a lot of things. 360 price advantage will be gone. Microsoft helping Sony make profit.

Who knows.

[InYourMom]

then Sony/BR Group helping MS make a profit by using the VC-1 codec they developed.

[Silellak]

Yeah, there's a lot of more things like that then people realize.

Sure, Microsoft and Sony are technically in competition, but they're also forced to "cooperate" on a number of things, too.

It's not like Nintendo vs. Sega in the 90s, where they were both primarily gaming companies and would've been thrilled if the other had gone out of business. Both MS and Sony have their hands in so many pots it's impossible for them to not share a few of those pots in common, and there's no way either of them are going to take the other out of business - or really, even out of the console wars. They both have so much money (Microsoft especially) to throw at future consoles that there's really no way for it to happen unless they decide it's just not worth the effort anymore.

[djroberts]

Sony can use AVC and now that HD-DVD is dead most BRDs will be encoded with AVC rather than MS/Intel's VC-1.

In fact, things seem to be going the MPEG-4 route in camcorders, quicktime, consoles, DirecTV/Cable, etc...

Only windows is truly bent on using VC-1. Not that there's anything wrong with it, just your statement isn't very accurate.

[toughNAME]

Blu Ray add on or not...

I won't be buying into any format until TV's become less expensive than my car

[EZCheez]

You might not get that 108" plasma that you want, but you could definitely get a deserving hdtv cheap nowadays.

In fact, three years ago I bought my first HDTV (30" Widescreen Sanyo) for only $500. It even had an HDMI port. I actually sold it to a friend of mine for only $100 who I visited yesterday. He was playing Burnout on it and I was really surprised by how great it looked on it.

Here's a thought. Try looking for local sellers in your area selling HDTV's on ebay. That way you won't have to worry about S&H, and you'll probably get a great price and be able to look at the product before you buy it.

[dc08]

Maple leafs make me cry

[Rice]

Do whats best for the console.

EDIT: Do whats not best for the console.

[games4fun]

at the disagree ill back u up man

[Stinkinmushroom]

F*CK N4G and his stupid rumors.. this site is getting ridiculous..

[djroberts]

It would be a good move for MS to release a USB Blu-ray player just like their HD-DVD player. That way 360 owners will be less tempted to buy a PS3. MS needs to concede the format war and invest in the console war.

On the other, all those folks who some Sony was dumb for including a Blu-ray player have been officially smacked down. You were short sided to think Sony's plan wasn't a good one. I find now HD-DVD/360 fanboys aren't talking a whole lot about their complaints a year ago.

[SKUD]

I don't see MS ever using BLU-RAY. Ever. They will stick with "HD-Downloads".

[Silellak]

Microsoft has LONG said that they could release a Blu-ray add-on if it became the clear victor of the format wars:

"With the announcement of an external HD-DVD drive for the Xbox 360, Microsoft looked to clearly choose sides in the format war. However, all is not black-and-white in the business, according to Peter Moore. In an interview with Japanese website ITmedia, Moore noted that, if the format war concluded with Blu-Ray as the clear winner, Microsoft could release an external Blu-Ray drive for its 360."

This is back in January 2006, mind you. So I'm sure Microsoft already has a prototype drive and may even be ready for mass-production.

[SKUD]

I have to disagree. Just because they "could" release a BLU-RAY add-on drive for the X360 doesn't mean they will.

[LastDance]

I agree they probably will have BR add on but you know...these are the people who also said there was nothing wrong with their console

[Evil Zhuk]

MS:hey can we use your format that is kicking our asses to make our sytem that competes against yours better?

Sony:sure why not!

A real likley scenario eh?

[Silellak]

Sony has very little control on whether or not Microsoft can create a Blu-ray drive. They have a large stake in the propietary format, but they don't own the right to actually *create* the drives.

[Rageanitus]

Their xbox first. The Defect rate is still quite High.

Im quite sure sony will not allow and internal blu-ray drive in the xbox 360... unless they charge large royalties which will drive the price of the xbox upwards .

[INehalemEXI]

To little to late. Since its likely another add on its worthless to me. I already owns a PS3 and 360 so a 360 add on blu ray player would be pointless 4 me. I also like the fact that Blu ray on PS3 is internal and is used for games as well as movies.

[Silellak]

From http://gamernode.com/news/5...

'According to BetaNews, Albert Penello, director for global marketing at Microsoft, revealed that while his company will continue to back the HD-DVD for the 360, that because of the external drive capability of the Xbox, that it would be also possible to ship a Blu-ray drive for the game machine if HD-DVD didn't survive the battle against Blu-ray.

However, Penello also stated that the numbers don't really add up as far as which next gen DVD format is leading. While more movie studios are jumping ship to Blu-ray, he noted that consumers are still choosing the HD-DVD format over the Sony format.

"Consumers are choosing HD DVD, but Hollywood isn't listening. While HD DVD has been trying to sell the format to consumers, Sony has focused on selling the Blu-ray brand and company."

But in spite of the huge blow to HD-DVD with the recent announcement of Warner going over to the other camp, Penello stated firmly that the Microsoft backed format would not be going away.

"Until Toshiba goes out of business, this war is not over."'

Sounds like, by Microsoft's own words, they will soon consider the war over.

[SovereignSnaKe]

I love my 360, even if they do release a new SKU with a built in BR player, it probably wont' be out till this fall. And if you absolutely must have it, just sell your old 360 on ebay!, but to trade it in for a portable...
ewww....

[tweaker]

this is great news. now i can have another bluray player in my other room.

[Covenant]

360 Blu-Ray peripheral?

I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

[EZCheez]

Wouldn't you rather spend a little more and just get the PS3? If the roles were reversed, I would definitely just buy the other console rather than an add-on. I realize it would be more, but I'm guessing a blu-ray add-on for the 360 would be rather costly.

[FirstknighT]

Why would I want to purchase a ps3??? The majority of people that bought a ps3 was for bluray. If I didn't already own a bluray player I might consider buying this add-on...of course I think add-ons or using gaming consoles for watching movies is a poor choice to begin with. They're better alternatives with better quality out there.

So again....An Xbox 360 w/ bluray addon and its huge gaming library with much better quality games or the ps3 w/ build in bluray and limited gaming library? Choice is easy.

[EZCheez]

It can be updated for future blu-ray updates. Something almost all other blu-ray players cannot do. And seriously, the lack of games argument is dead and gone. Trust me. My wallet knows this for a fact.

And seriously, how much do you think a blu-ray add-on for the 360 would sale for? I'm guessing somewhere in the $300 range. Anyone that doesn't want to spend an extra $100 for a PS3 that does so much more than a stand-alone would be an uninformed consumer.

I don't want to argue with you though, because you know what you want far better than I ever will, and we are all entitled to our opinions. Neither one of us are wrong technically. I'm just basing my opinion on the price that I imagine add-on coming out for. It would be really difficult for Microsoft to release one for anything less than $200.

[Lew_Ijgee]

Save your energy. You can't save everyone

These are sad times that we are living in. You tell a guy his back is on fire and he snaps at your for handing him a fire extinguisher.

*Sad face...

[IntelligentAj]

Yeah I'd have to side with cheeze on this one. If Standalone Blu-Ray players cost $300-500(and sometimes more) how much do you think the add-on is going to cost? Be real man.

Cheeze Where did you get that avatar? I can't find it.

[EZCheez]

I honestly don't even remember anymore. My wife showed me a website that made avatars specifically for myspace (I don't even have a myspace page) and as soon as I saw it I used it for my avatar. That was over a year ago though. Wish I could tell you. It's pretty fitting for this website and it's neutral.

[IntelligentAj]

Good lookin cheeze I found it after looking under pacman avatars and not wallpapers. Don't mean to bite but i've got to set this as my avatar.

[Covenant]

Truthfully, I've considered a PS3 for the Blu-Ray aspect.

Problem is, I already own a 360 (with a LOAD of games; yeah, I'm one of those guys that keeps the 360's attach rate so high), and I just bought a Wii for the family. Two consoles is all I can (barely) afford.

If MS releases a BR peripheral for the 360 @ around $150-$200, that's a lot cheaper than a PS3 (even with its quickly declining prices). $200+ buys a lot of BR movies.

I'm not bashing the PS3; I have a lot of respect for it. But it would be more than I would want to spend for a BR player if--IF--something else is cheaper.

360 + BR Player + new HDTV = very happy me.

[FirstknighT]

"It can be updated for future blu-ray updates. Something almost all other blu-ray players cannot do. And seriously, the lack of games argument is dead and gone. Trust me. My wallet knows this for a fact."

So you want me to buy a ps3/bluray player because of future updates??? How dumb is that? It's already known that the ps3 doesn't do well with upconverting a standard dvd. Great for bluray discs but not so great with standard. HQV blows it out of the water in the video quality department. That's why I chose the Sammy 1200. But you want me just to buy a bluray player and hope and wait for a future update??? And yes the ps3 has some good games...I myself have played and beat Uncharted. Good game but not fantastic. Best game I played on the ps3 is either Resistance or Motorstorm. But the fact is the 360 will always have a bigger library of games. I don't know the exact numbers but it's something like the 360 has about 13 games rated 90 and up, and about 80 games rated 80 and up. The ps3 has about 3 games rated 90 and up and 20 games rated 80 and up. That my friend is the reason why I would stick with the 360. And for someone that is looking to get into a gaming console and bluray. Well the 360 is easily the better choice.

[Xbox is the BEST]

Rumor

[pwnsause]

which is bound to happen if they want to keep competing in the market, i guarantee you that PS3s will sell at least 200,000 a month because of the events that took place. MS cant allow that to happen

[zapass]

"You can count on us for the legendary microsoft build quality.
It is comforting to see our loyal fan-base still fervently bent over as we demonstrate once again how better we are at screwing them than at providing them with a nextgen experience."

[zapass]

I thought the 360 was for the 'hardcore' gamers who don't care about 'gay' things like HD movies...?

This is so much fun!

[ASSASSYN 36o]

You think to much. We have High Definition downloads on the 360. Ofcourse we like any human like resolution.

[rofldings]

Right. "High Definition downloads" ... that are upscaled.

[ASSASSYN 36o]

Blu-ray uses the same laser diode as HDDVD.

[mr_potato]

U fanboys are incredible.

U really seem to care which compagny makes money and which one looses money to the other.

U r all sad.

[feejo]

Hope it will not happen, cause PS3 will loose alot there.

[captainjy]

MS can "gouge" customers because they actually have game titles and not movie titles to sell. Amazing concept.

[BLUR111]

ya noew ms shoulda made 360 wlth hddvd add on player ablt after release.. and over mlLLlon's of x360 owners woulda been buylng hd dvd's atleast lt woulda not had come to thls. ps. lm not all a blu ray hater just saylng and do have a bluray player. tu now lm golng to wallyworld.

[bootsielon]

Any gamer with a right mind would rather wait for the cheapest PS3 to price drop to 249 (probably the next holiday season) rather than pay for a horrible add-on that couldn't be any more anti-aesthetic. That way you get the dang best BD player on the market and a console that plays games, some that will never see the daylight (of death, lol) on 360, some that may never. Come on 360 boys, you should get a PS3 the next holiday season, it'll be cheap, redesigned, and awesome.

[vigil2k2]

Well I think a Blu Ray Add-on will probably happen but it will benefit Sony if this were to happen.

MS probably has to pay sony to add a blu ray add-on and those people who buy the add-on will buy Blu ray movies which is also giving more profit to Sony.

Sony is one of the founders of Blu ray so yes they get money for blu ray players and movies since they are one of the founders and huge money backers of this technology.

Winning the New Format War will cause Sony to rise pretty high. Also the ps3 sales will only you rise even higher this year.

I predicted this was Sony year and it seems I am right so far.Last year was 360's and Wii's year for sure. I also only own a ps3 currently.

I guess people are interested in this sort of stuff because it is interesting how the economy works.

A blu ray add-on will combat the ps3 but not by that much. As you have to buy a 360 and the add-on blu ray player which is more than the PS3.

It will keep the 360 owners from buying a ps3 yes but the millions of people who dont own a 360 will most likely choose a ps3. Plus the hype of blu ray and ps3. When I see Blu ray i think ps3.

[snyper831]

how do you know that a 360 plus bluray add on is going to cost more than a ps3??theres a price drop for the 360 happening soon so who knows maybe microsoft might actually come really close to the ps3 as far as price. Also you can say what you want but for games the 360 is the best as far as up to this point, maybe later this year sony may catch up with some supposedly triple A games coming soon but until that happens i will stick with my 360...

[TrenchaunT]

Man am I glad that I didn't open the HD DVD add-on I got for Christmas until the news came out the HD DVD was dead, and I was able to return it. Whew!

[Anything but Cute]

They seriously think that Sony isn't gonna make money from Blu ray?

So they think Sony put their blood and guts into populizing it for nothing?

They will profit huge, the more popular it gets. Microsoft adding it to 360 just helps that happen. Along with making the 360 more expensive.

[Nathaniel_Drake]

Yeah everytime I hear my local news on the HD media they always refer to Blu-ray as Sony's Blu-ray so I think this would mean that they have a huge stake in it

[NexGen76]

Sony own the majority of patents for Blu-Ray so Sony has a very large say.Microsoft can't make a BD player because they want too.People wakeup & educate yourself before you make dumb statement like I've been seeing on here.This is a good move for both Sony & Microsoft.In the end they serve the same purpose...They want to make money.

[snyper831]

what do you mean microsoft cant make a bluray player because they want to?? yea they can!! its all about business just like sony makes laptops with microsoft os microsoft can make a bluray add on, but ofcourse they will have to pay some royalty fee just like every other manufacturer who makes bluray players that don't own the patents..

[DFresh]

Technology that MS doesn't know how to use.
What a shame.
I bet you it's an add on not a built in player just because there greedy like that.
Sony already has it in the bag it's too late for the 360 now.
MS doesn't care about the 360 or Zune they only care about the programs because that's where they make their money from.
If MS really gave a damn about these items they would of took the lead right now.
The 360 and Zune are just short term products for MS to make a lot of money really fast.
Sony already won this fight.
Game over.

[captainjy]

What in God's name are you talking about? This is about the dumbest comment I have ever read on this filty, lame ass site. The BDA has had so many problems with standards for BD and still don't have it right. About the best thing that could happen to BD is HDi and yes, it's a Microsoft product and YES, you will see it in BD titles. What a freakin' numbnut.

[Gamingshouldbefun]

still blu-ray wont benefit xbox in gaming, you will be able to buy addon probably to play movies but they cant use it for gaming cause that will mean they have to dump other 18mil xbox owners... oh wait thats m$ nvm they might actually do that xD

[ThaToNeKiiDKaBaW]

@The Brave 1 - Okay, idiot, so that means the PSP is CRUSHING the PS3 than, eh? Don't be a moron.

It'd be stupid to add the blu-ray now, imo.. Can't use for games and it'd be suicide to tell devs to make the games on blu-ray. If the add-on blu-ray can actually play the games.. I personally think they will do/try the whole digital media thing if they do make a next xBox..

[green]

So what if Sony makes money from Microsoft releasing a Blue-Ray add on.

Afterall Microsoft makes money from every damn WindowsOS equipped laptop or PC that Sony sells.Even now Some of Sonys latest phones are switching to Windows mobile and abandoning Symbian OS.They are all in bed together in several ways and are definately not enimies as some of you fanboys will tend to believe.

As for me i have never been interested in the hole blue ray/hd-dvd fight.So if micro releases a blue-ray add on and is competitively priced then good for them,might consider one in the future.

[green]

do you realise that at the lunch of the 360 neither blue ray or hd-dvd were finalised.So how could it have lunched with hd dvd?

[Snukadaman]

The big reason there was no hd-dvd 360 was the price...If they put in blu-ray thats about 300-400 extra..which in turn kills anything the xbox has against the ps3 at this point....If anything I see a blu-ray add on..but that is until blu-ray dominates regular dvds.

[InYourMom]

for being one of the few people who actually makes sense. I'm afraid your logic might not be loud enough for the droids in here beating their chest trying to sell PS3's like used cars salesmen and trying to justify their purchases.

This will be an add-on and I'm glad MS is going to make it external. I don't want a Br player, they just need to keep kickin azz in the games department and that is all that matters.

[captainjy]

Oh man, think about what you are typing people! Obviously this site is a bunch of 13 year old know it alls. Uh no, it won't cost $300-$400 to add BD to the 360. With the volume that MS will push, the partnerships and the money they have, they will have an add-on BD player for under $200, easily.

[Snukadaman]

No you havent...and with blu-ray winning this format war you wont see it for awhile...since the ps3 is gaining ground theres no reason too lower that blu-ray prices just yet...its what sony would of done if there were plenty of people buying ps3's at launchtime...No..you see microsoft lower the price of the xbox 360 first and then sony follows suit...dont have too be a 13 year old too speculate..and your 200 stand alone speculation covers that base.

[midgard229]

feel sorry for everyone who bought a hd-dvd add on for the 360, they r expensive too. now ya gotta buy a blueray lol, good thing i have a ps3 :D.

MS shud have made HD-dvd the normal format for the games, then the games wouldnt run out of space and no one would have wasted their money on the hd dvd drive but o well

[snyper831]

well everyone took a risk either by buying a bluray or hd dvd player every one knows that, only difference is that 360 owners werent forced to buy a high definition player like ps3 owners were.
And if microsoft should had decided to include the hd dvd player in every 360 since the beginning dont you think the story should have been completely different???

[Diselage]

Expensive? their like 130 now. I still think i'll pick up an HD-DVD player cause they're probably going to be going for 50 here soon enough

[gEnKiE]

This wont happen because M$ won't admit their wrong when they are. They will now focus on downloadable media and forget that they had anything to do with HD-DVD.... Thats how M$ is.

[Diselage]

Microsoft is about the money, thats how Microsoft is. They'll get blu-ray on their console eventually.

[RJ2000]

This is just like Microsoft to always depend on the consumer to pay for what they will not add on. They were able to release their system a year earlier than the PS3 due to the fact that they were not going to INCLUDE their HD-DVD and if they would have HD-DVDs would probably be the norm right now.

[victorMaje]

Sure, now you have no problem backing blu-ray, and as usual you were smart enough to make it look like you backed HD-DVD because you weren't sure about the next gen format, huh MS?

I just know one thing.
Microsoft did not know what to back and went for a losing format (bad strategy). Sony not only knew what to back, but were part of the creation of what everyone is going to use...(good strategy)

Whatever happens, sorry everyone else, i'm betting on Sony.

[Kyur4ThePain]

You have to admit Sony is VERY gutsy.

They were willing to put their body on the line by COMPLETELY backing a format.
MS, on the other hand, were too much like a prissy little kitten, unwilling to go outside their comfort zone because it was raining outside.

No guts, no glory.

[snyper831]

come on man do you really know what you are saying?? microsoft had no reason to back up bluray, matter fact they really dont care about hd dvd either, do you think they will benefit financially if hd dvd won?? Their plan was to to attack the ps3 in different ways, just imagine if bluray had fail?? the ps3 would been stuck with a absolete format with its only advantage memory storage for games but with a big price disadvantage againts the 360 all thanks to that absolete format that nobody would had used except for ps3 games, but thankfully for sony that didnt happen and now sony has an advantage well at least for consumers who are looking for a system that can play hd movies and games.Now microsoft needs to lower the price of the 360 by a 100 dollars wich they could easily do and bring a 150 dollar bluray add on to match the ps3 wich is going to be kind of hard...

[Kyur4ThePain]

"do you think they will benefit financially if hd dvd won??"

"Now microsoft needs to lower the price of the 360 by a 100 dollars wich they could easily do and bring a 150 dollar bluray add on to match the ps3 wich is going to be kind of hard..."

I think you answered your own question.
No, I don't believe there would have been major financial benefits for MS had HDDVD won. But, like you pointed out, there will be significant disadvantages for MS now that HDDVD is about to be no more.

[Mr Tretton]

Putting in BD with the 360 would not have been 300-400 extra. So no InYourDad, he doesn't make sense.

The PS3 costs 50 dollars more than the 360 and it has BD built in. Not to forget WiFi and upgradable HDD.

THAT makes sense.

[phony force slayer]

mr tretton pwned in your mum/dad/grandma

[Snukadaman]

Desperation makes you do crazy things....like have free online...throw in wi-fi..lets be honest...if sony would of sold millions of consoles at 600 dollars they still would be...with their various sku's they dont know their left from their right...you want too say that was a strategic business move too lower their prices....I say desperation too move their stagnant consoles.

[GodsHand]

I think you just did, "Launch" without the ;.

Nothing new comes out being dirt cheap in price, it takes time. Unless Im missing something and the xbox360 has always been the same price, since launch.

[NexGen76]

Microsoft can't make a BD add-on without BDA permission have you every heard of a Lawsuit or copyright infringement? When you post you contradict yourself.How can you tell someone there wrong but you backup people claims in your posts.

[The Milkman]

This will switch the outcome expectation in some sales.

[Figboy]

a Blu Ray add on,
or a 360 with Blu Ray built it would catapult the price of the unit *PAST the Playstation 3.

there's no way they will be able to release a Blu Ray add on for less than $200, and there's no way a 360 with a built in Blu Ray player will be able to match the $500 80gig PS3, and the $400 40gig PS3, especially considering that by the end of this year, i expect the PS3 to drop to $300-$350.

it's a win/win for Sony no matter what. but 360 fans that wanted HD movies on a disc sure have been raked over the coals, being duped into thinking that buying a format that *ALL SIGNS were pointing to *FAIL was a good idea.

i have a PS3 for my Blu Ray movie needs (and great exclusive gaming, of course), and i have my X Box 360 for the handful of games hitting this year that i may pick up. i don't *NEED a Blu Ray add on, or a Blu Ray stand alone player.

there was a *CHOICE, alright: buy a Blu Ray equipped Playstation 3, and leave the 360 as a "games only" console. that's what i did, and i don't have an HD DVD paperweight to remind me of how i backed the wrong horse.

[green]

still aint getting one till the price drops to around 100dollars.Not bothered about hd movies.dont even use video on demand at all on 360.

but hd gaming,thats were i am

[Scottama]

An XBOX 360 with a Blu-Ray add-on. I wouldn't call that a Blu-Ray XBox 360.
I think that to gain THAT title, it would need to be internal.

[crck]

in the wrong place.

[Salvadore]

It was going to happened sooner or late.

[Iron Man 2]

It looks like copy+paste soft might be at it again

$niper

[spoiled9]

And when you get a scratch on one of those 10 disks(which i hear is a common occurrence),then what?

look down

[n00dl3s]

If this is true, then I will forever laugh at the hypocrisy. I don't deny it to make sense, because it's business and business is often hypocritical.

I just remember when everyone chimed on and on about how ridiculous it was for the Playstation 3 to debut at 600$ and how nobody cares about blu-ray, they want a gaming machine, etc. Microsoft, and their army of Xbots insulted Sony for their decision to even include the blu-ray support in their PS3. Now there's a chance we will see a 360 like that? The funny part is that it will definitely be more expensive than the PS3 causing a complete turn of the tables.

[Saint Sony]

HD-DVD was (is) a choice. It doesn't come with the console. Games do not need HD-DVD.

Blu-ray will be a choice as well (if it ever comes). It won't be coming with the console. You buy it if you want to watch movies.

Xbox360 is about games in the end. MS is just offering some extra to people who wants them.

[CrazedFiend]

Come on Microsoft! Get your own! (^o^)b

[Lew_Ijgee]

Here's a bubble for that one!

[stennexxx]

Can you imagine what it is going to be like at school for Xbots and PS3 fanboys. Imagine being suckered by Bill Gates. Look at Lost Odessy, it came with four friggin discs, and imagine using a blu-ray add-on, that's so last-gen. America doesn't take s@#t even from it own. M$ needs to go stick its head in a hole somewhere. By the time an add-on comes out the PS3 will be cheaper and even if the add-on is cheaper the Sony would have already brought out it killer games. Anyway lets all move forward.

[poopface1]

Id rather have my games on 10 disks than on bluray. It takes me less that half the time to switch 10 disks than it takes for bluray to install a game. If it isnt because of bluray what is it, the cell?@#! You people love this 20 min install stuff cause you can "go poop" or "eat a sandwitch" but taking 10 sec to change a disk is soo horrid. IF getting up for 10 sec and changing a disk is a bigger deal than an install that takes 15 min and 5 gigs than you all must be fat and I now understand why you like the "eating sandwitch" part. This addon will not be used for games cause most 360 owners dont have the extra space on their HD to start installing games. aGAIN WE GET PEOPLE WHO DONT HAVE A 360 SAYING THAT SOMEHOW, ME GETTING A CHOICE TO BUY A BLURAY PLAYER FOR CHEAP(PROBALY) IS NOT A GOOD THING. I wont buy this just like I didnt buy the HD(i knew it was doomed) but you all need to stop acting like choice is a bad thing. Just like if you had a choice to install some of those games it would be a benifit and not a flaw.

[tudors]

I did not buy my console for movies I bought it for games, HD movies are just a bonus, and until the dust settles same has before I will not purchase any kind of HD hardware/HD movie player until this mess is sorted out. The consumer has suffered already, if you want my opinion anyone who purcased a HD-DVD player or ADD-ON should get a full refund. But like I said I bought my console for games, the HD movie format does not bother me right now.

[tudors]

"Michael Ephraim the Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment said: "We would welcome Microsoft to the Blu-ray stable. In fact it is quite logical for them as the PS3 has been very succesful in driving consumers to Blu-ray. In fact we believe that it has done more to win the format war than traditional Blu-ray player".

When asked whether Sony would grant Microsoft a Blu-ray licence he said: "That is up to Sony Corporate but I see no reason why they would not do it".

During CES 2006 the then Microsoft's Xbox corporate VP of worldwide marketing and publishing Peter Moore told Japanese site ITmedia that a Blu-ray Xbox 360 peripheral could appear for the system if the need arises. Moore admitted that Microsoft isn't sure of the next-generation format war's outcome, with the worst-case scenario being a repeat of the Beta vs. VHS war of the '80s.

However, he suggested that whatever the outcome of the HD-DVD/Blu-ray war, the Xbox 360 can adopt the dominant format since its uses an external drive."

Maybe they will be a more expensive SKU but you will not have to buy it to play your games, it's called choice.

[funkysolo]

Come on now people, xbox 360 $399, wifi $99, HDDVD addon $199, Memory card $64, Xbox live $55 5 years $275, HDMI not needed, HDD not needed, 90 day warranty not needed....Knowing that 17 million xbox fans got screwed, priceless...I guess by the end of the year the 360 will be a PS3, but double the cost

[Gaara_724]

ADD-ON um this will flop end of

[Citizen Cook]

about this. No w i have no reason to buy a PS3!

[zonetrooper5]

Funkysolo, why does every fanboy have to say you need wifi for the 360, a memory card? etc etc. Most of them things you will only buy if you really need them. The 360 is cheaper, get a Premuim, get Sliver memebershop of XBL if your too cheap to pay £3.33 a month. I still feel that people who bought the Core/Arcade are idiots and I do wished that MS would scrap the damn thing.

Tbh, I don't need HDMI that much and its not that much importance to me. I own a PS3, 360 and PC to play my games on and you do know that PC games have been playing in HD for a long ass time.

[Pricey]

I wonder if the add on will cost more than or less than the cheapest stand alone player.

[sleepbox]

don't bet one it. There's no way MS is going to do this.

[MaximusPrime]

xbox 360 with bluray doesnt force me to return to xbox 360.

Never like xbox from the start.

[sonyfanonly]

you see xbots M$ needs sonys strategy to fight back and all this time you all loved hd dvd well at least now you all get the best movie player see i told you all every one does blu - but still it wont help them sell systems because whats the price of it going to be back up in the 300 to 400 price range - sony has done all they can to lower their ps3 and its starting to sell better than the 360

[QuietStorm]

if i not mistaking, but didnt mircosoft say;

You don't need hdmi (now all xboxs have hdmi)

You don't need a hdd (burnout require hdd for online play)

Blu Ray? why the hell would you need blu ray (its coming!!!!)

It seem to me that their just mimicing the ps3. what next wifi included. Damn if you really think about it, if it wasnt for xbox live. The xbox360 would be a poor man version of the ps3.

[M0rt3n]

... damn winnerjoiners...... :D

[ZombiesNJ]

They should put lost odyssey on a Blu-Ray Disc rather than 4 disks now.

[Citizen Cook]

Go play your ps3 then. Oh wait, you can't. It has no games.

HA HA HA HA!

Meanwhile, i'll continue to enjoy

1.Mass effect
2. Halo 3
4. Forza 2
5. bioshock
6. gears of war

etc...

etc...

etc...

[GodsHand]

You forgot halo 1, and 2.

etc...
etc...
etc...
oh, yeah and your penis.

[felidae]

lol@MS

[solidworm]

Whats next, are ms gonna license the cell before there games start to look like crud next to the ps3,s. MS gambled and backed the wrong horse.

[skagrerrrr]

All the fuss about which format wins, and now, what have we?

[Enigma_2099]

... can you imagine the embarassment on Microsoft's face if this is true?

[ThaToNeKiiDKaBaW]

What is with you PS3 diefans.. The xBox 360 does have an upgradable HDD.. Stop talking out your ass if you're going to 'diss' something than at least know something about it..

Besides, isn't this still a "RUMOR?"

[Superiorrior]

20.. 120.. 20... 120..

Oh yeah theres alot of gigs in between... MISSING that is.

You can swap out the hard drive for a 320GB HDD on the PS3, don't act so naive.

[detroitplaya]

yeah it may have an upgradeable hard dive but how many different brands sell this (hard drive)... oh yeah one. you have to go out and spend $180 to buy a damn 120g drive, and for the ps3 you can get any 2.5 hard drive from any company at a quarter of the price of the xbox's. so yes it may be upgradeable but it is by no means the same a the ps3's flexibility.

[hunter21]

well i dont think sony will allow it that soon, of course sony will make sure first ps3 will be on leading rank agains other consoles before they going to allow MS to have blu-ray

[ROCCOZILLA]

lmao,pay to play games online,make another console in 5 years and now have them trash there hd dvd for another player,WOW.im glad im not in that boat i would have stopped gaming along time ago.PLAY B3YOND waaaaaaaaaay B3YOND!

[ROCCOZILLA]

PS3 4 LIFE!!

[ForROME]

Lets face it, MS has had to keep upgrading the 360 throughout time to keep up now, so heres the deal , thats called a PC. PS3 is doing it to shrink costs not design a new system to keep up with the competition.

I said it from day one, 360 with out its year hard start would have gotten trounced, Globally it cant compete therefore it cant have the largest install base overall which will always lead developers back to SONY in the end.

Check Mate

[Meus Renaissance]

They need to price this reasonably. Considering the prices of Blu-Ray players, this can't cost more than $200. Microsoft are in pickle with this because they can't make the PS3 seem more appealing/affordable but at the same time they can't ignore to offer Blu-Ray otherwise the PS3 may be the only real option for gamers and enthusiasts alike in that regard.

Interesting times ahead.

[GETPWNED]

Ironic news, however unsurprising considering M$ said they would offer one if Blur-ray won. It makes no difference to them or to anyone else. An HD movie is an HD movie. But good AAA games are what PS3rd lacks.

[poopface1]

I always knew BR was gonna win because of the maketing and the PS3. This really isnt very interesting unless you are a 360 owner and want a cheap bluray player. I probaly wont get this and just put that money aside and save for a ps3 after MGs comes out. To all who think anyone with a 360 hates bluray your wrong. I would like a bluray player for my movies but not for my games.

[poopface1]

all of you are like the pubes on sonys ballsac.

[texism]

This is MS. They don't care about loyalty. They want MONEY. They are ruthless and they will go with blu-ray if they deem in necessary. Sony would do the same thing if all of a sudden, blu-ray got dropped and hd won. Why? Because they are all COMPANIES. They do BUSINESS. They don't care that you are supporting them on n4g. They want their money. That is all. STFU fanboys.

[Bleucrunch]

this is so beautiful I could cry.

[Harry190]

STANDALONE

[Myth]

It cracks me up how the 360 fan boys are now facing what they've always slammed the PS3 for, having a Blu-ray player.

[crank]

microsoft is seeing the game over sign right about......... NOW

THEY need to sort their massive SKU problem out NOWWWWWWWWWWWW

**** all those ridiculous corded non HD systems, seriously, it is time they left the core to the desert sun. I really hope they make the right choice. But they probably won't until Sony really starts ripping them open.

[Hades1337]

How is the 360 going head-to-head with the PS3 with Blu-ray? Microsoft are buying into a Sony-maufactured product. Sony benefits in all respects in this case.

[wallace1000]

Holy cow guys. Some of you argue so hard for a company that you don't even benefit greatly from. You guys don't own shares in microsoft or sony do you (and non of that crap about saying a little console worth $300 or $400 dollars is a share). There are more important things to get worked up about in life. Breaking news for you: It doesn't matter which console is better, it doesn't matter which company started the hd format which won, it doesn't matter which console has the better exclusives, it only matters what you personally like and want to own and play. Some people are disagreeing with other people in here when they are simply saying what they own or like and saying nothing else. Only disagreeing because the other person owns a different format or console, is very sad guys. Take a step back for a second. This was just supposed to be a comment section about this news but instead it turned into a pissing match between supporters of microsoft and sony.

[saprano]

its funny how now all of a sudden the xbox boys are ok with blu-ray? when a year ago sony was getting shi#ed on for so called forcing consumers to buy something they dont need. LOL oh how the tables have turned now everybody is on sony and blu-rays di#k.

[saprano]

now hd-dvd was only a shell? give me a break you( just like all the rest) are just jumping on the bandwagon cause hd-dvd is dead. i bet you were one of those people that said sony was stupid for putting blu-ray in ps3,well well look whos stupid now. KEN KUTARAGI MUST BE LAGHING HIS @SS OFF RIGHT NOW.

[wallace1000]

Ken is probably happy because he is a successful businessman. I am sure he isn't laughing his ass off because he isn't a sad fanboy :-P

[aiphanes]

The PS3 is actually the funnest console, when are you by yourself...which is most of the time.

Ok yesterday i bought a wii game for my wii....no more heros....it is a cool as game...but the graphics are so last gen just like in all wii games. After playing the PS3 and Xbox 360 for the last year...i have to say the wii is gonna go down faster than the whore on 11th street. Whoever says it not about the graphics is kidding them selves...ok after playing for an hour with no more heroes.....i played around with the wii, went to the wii store and just messed with the wii interface....man the wii really sucks in the interface department....but it works....for kids and old people....I then went to my PS3, which is always on...been on 24/7 for the last year...i fold@home when I am not playing a game or watching a Bluray Movie....i got about 25 bluray movies, more than DVDs that i own...so whoever said that PS3 owners are not buying bluray movies, is on crack...I played me some pixel junk monsters! Now this game is totally awesome...so fun and so easy to play. A casual gammers game...and they say there are no casual games on the PS3...

Anyways all 3 consoles are different...I still think the PS3 is the best one overall. I would rather play GTA4 on the PS3 versus the Xbox 360...i would be very afraid on my Xbox 360 dying of the RROD! HOME is going to be a casual gammers delight...and MGS4 and Resistance 2 will blow away anything microsoft can come up with this year. And do not forget Final Fantasy 13 and Killzone 2 and Little Big planet...and Socom confrontation...and warhawk keeps expanding too. There is just too many good things comming out for the PS3 this year and next year. Tell me one killer ass exclusive Xbox 360 game comming out this year...and Gears of War 2 is about it...and it is not definate for 2008...

Now i can see having fun playing Super Smash Brothers Brawl, on the will next month...since i can play against my friends and family online...that is something new on the wii....so its gonna be cool...too bad i gots to exchange friend codes....come on nintendo give us a real online service like Live or PSN?

The Wii and the Xbox 360 only dream of 60 player online with 8 player online co-op....(ie Resistance Fall of Man 2) with no lag 32 player online (Warhawk)

Whoever said the PS3 could not do online is on crack too. Remember the PSN network is dedicated servers unlike Xbox live....and its free!!!!

People forget this...People forget that sure the 20GB Xbox 360 is only $349...but you have to play $50 for the Xbox live Gold membership to actually play online...and you have to pay this every year!!! Plus why come the Xbox 360 does not have built in wifi...when the Wii and even the $129 Nintendo DS Lite and $169 PSP and $399 PS3 have built in wifi? Microsoft could have at least added this when they added HDMI!

[Citizen Cook]

Microsoft loves and appreciates it fans. UNLIKE Sony, who leave early adoptors of Blu-Ray machines with old software. Great work sony, screw your fansd like you always do. Why don't you make up some more lies about the graphical potential of you so-called games console. Maybe you could show some fake PC made videos again...

HA HA HA HA!

[Superiorrior]

Old software, that is the dumbest crock I've ever heard, software can be updated, if you knew any better you'd know that the Blu-ray player gets updates every time new firmware is released.

As for the Fake PC made videos? You mean CGI you moron? Look at Killzone 2 right now, what is the difference between the FMV and the graphics now? No difference? Well then, looks like some one made an ass out of you.

[2DARYL10]

Please dont be fooled MS is not some stupid company, didnt take them long to realize BR disc was going to win. I bought a PS3 mid of last year and wouldnt go back ,I love it plays games- in HD, plays BRD, no fees for online play, surf net, good price compared to other brd players i could go on and on about what I like about it. wish they had more titles out for games... i can wait.

[wallace1000]

It always amuses me how people don't seem to realize that companies like sony, microsoft, toshiba, panasonic,.... don't care about stupid crap that fanboys care about, they really care about money. I know this might surprise some people but that is it. Businesses like making money. If microsoft think they can sell a blu-ray add-on and make money then i think they will release one. Once toshiba officially drops hd dvd, surprise surprise i think they will start making blu-ray players.

[saprano]

are you mad cause you have to buy blu-ray now? its ok honey.

[wallace1000]

Not mad, i am actually happy that there is just one format now. I picked up an HD DVD player in boxing day sales and took it back 3 days later when warner switched. Having one format is win win for me because now i can buy without the chance of the format i bought going down the toilet :-). I am a fan of gaming and movies, not of companies that produce them.

[Scions Wrath]

I bet this Blu ray xbox 360 will play Blu ray movies but not Blu ray games like PS3.

There isn't one xbox 360 game that has used HD-DVD.

[wallace1000]

I would think it would be for movies only. That would really chap peoples asses if they started releasing games on blu-ray disc and you had to buy the add-on

[Ateanboy]

This is all good and all, but wouldn't this mean that you would have to buy the Xbox360 SKU that has the HDMI port PLUS buy the Blu-Ray add-on to get full 1080p???

If u have one or the other instead of both, then it's not up to par with the PS3 like the article says. Cause you need both an HDMI cable and Blu-Ray to get the full 1080p as far as I know.

Am I wrong?

Also, isn't the STANDARD of the Xbox 360 just DVD? That's why no games have come out on HD-DVD and no games will come out on BD.
But I'm guessing the author was talking about being "on par" with the PS3 on "Video output capabilities" instead of the actual games themselves.

Which is rather strange, since they're both Video GAMING consoles.

Blu-Ray will probably in time prove useful when making games (if it hasnt already) but that's only because it's the STANDARD on the PS3.

I think that's what really matters, no?

An add-on could never prove as useful as standard hardware.

If you ask me this news is more relevant for people who use their Xbox 360s to watch movies and would like to be able to watch Blu-Ray movies without having to buy a PS3 or stand-alone BD Player.
As far as gaming news. Irrelevant.

But then again, no one asked me. So... Yea.

[magqcc7]

This is a result of microsoft refusing to think progressively, now millions of 360 fans will have to dish out an additional $200 bucks. All the hardcore 360 fans are eating crow, and sony should bow down and kiss Mr. Kutaragi's ass.

[wallace1000]

I don't see the blu-ray add-on being used for games, so why would current 360 owners have to buy it? I have no doubt in my mind that the next console from microsoft will however have a blu-ray drive in it for games.

[cam2030]

they're such copycats, first they copied ps2 now they're at it again!
bet they're going to add extra $100 to gonline with new blu-ray 360. I Hope those new 360s will have extra RROD issues

[cmrbe]

If they release a SKU with in-bulit Blu-ray not only will it cost nearly the same as the PS3 but it will still not be as good as the PS3 Hardware wise as PS3 also uses blu for games.

If MS releases an add-on it won't sell much x360's as IMO the reason why the PS3 will sell alot also as a blu-player is because of the inbuilt blu-ray playback functionality out of the box.

In the end not only will MS give money to direct console competitor but also in a sense validate Sony's PS3 approach with the inclusion of blu.

The only real benefit i see for MS with this move is that they will give their customers an option of buying a blu-ray add-on for their x360 which i think will not drive much x360 sales especially because MS always position the x360 as predominantly as a gaming console.

[jinn]

microsoft has made me very angry after so many ups and downs since the 360's release

[Nick C]

I think the essetial info here is add-on!!

everything seems to be an add on with MS!!!

and if this blu-ray is incorporated into a console package how much are microsoft gonna add on (get it =P) to the cost of the package compared to a normal 360 elite?? i do wonder!!

[Pika-pie]

Microsoft would have to pay Sony royalties on every 360 sold. Funny how things may turn out... HA HA HA

[Alcohog]

They would still be helping Blu-Ray sales which only helps Sony's cause.

[ephoenix6]

I predicted this would happen

[trancefreak]

who cares what ms wants i already have the complete package with my beautiful black ps3 60 gb from launch. i made the right choice so happy

[Not the Face]

not unless its super cheap. that wont sell xboxes. internal might but i wish they just focused on games, obviously sony would put a blue ray in their console to promote the format but look at the ps3, still no games worth buying it for. why? blueray. ms should make a new console thats smaller doesnt break and is quiet enough to have in the same room as you, screw blueray, make a better game system!!!!

[RAM MAGNUMS]

They can spread all types of P.R. media spins but it is common knowledge that the system not the games are horribly wrong and broken. Dont support it, dont return it and dont replace it with another xbox 360. Get rid of it and boycott all things 360! The games will have a home on a playstation 3 people. If you build it the games will come. PS3 needs your support. Eliminate the xbox and you will have a copy of gears of war 2 and halo 4 for sony! MAGNUM-RAM HAS SPOKEN...

[sonyfanonly]

now look at all the xbots they cant wait to get blu ray and all the dissing they done tells you that they are nothing but ignorant fanboys and besides putting a blu ray player in the 360 wouldnt help sales on the 360 because it still cant play games like final fantasy or metal gear solid 4 sorry m$ you tried and this is just another step toward failure