Next Xbox in 2011?

TechTree writes: "Whispers on the wind suggest a 2011 release date for the neXt box. Moreover, Intel wants in on the action as well: According to the industry insiders close to the Inquirer, Intel is rumored to be pursuing Microsoft quite aggresively, with the intent of putting its upcoming Larrabee chip inside Microsoft's next XBOX console. Yes, you read it rigt -- Microsoft's next-generation XBOX console -- already.

In a related development, AnandTech predicts that Microsoft is already planning for the next Xbox console -- let's call it the Xbox 720. For a historical perspective on this timeframe, recall a Peter Moore interview -- March 2007, with the Electronics Gaming Monthly magazine. Back then Peter Moore was the head of Interactive Entertainment Business division for Microsoft (he is now gainfully employed by EA), he had indicated that the production team was already working on next-gen Xbox. Fast forward to June 2008 when Robbie Bach, president of the entertainment and devices division at Microsoft also indirectly confirms that people were already working on new technologies."

[Capt CHAOS]

The progression from xbox to 360 wasn't so bad and I reckon the next step will be just awesome. Look forward to it, I'm also sure that the backwards game compatibility will be alot better..

MS know that backward compatibility is important.

[butterfinger]

Backwards compatibility and more reliable hardware will definitely lead me to purchasing a 720 on day one. A blu ray player wouldn't hurt either. That way I wouldn't always have to turn off the 360 then boot up my PS3 to watch my movies.

@ Logikill
How has MS played coy with BC and Nintendo fully embraced it? Nintendo didn't have BC until going from GC to Wii which is almost the exact same thing. Nintendo's refusal to go to the disc-based format prevented them from being able to make more of their games backwards compatible. I can play PSone games on my PS3, but you can't pop a Super Nintendo game into your Wii, can you? As for MS, they have 2 consoles and their second gen console has BC with their first. I don't even understand what you were trying to prove...

[logikil]

The only company to fully embrace BC was Nintendo. Sony and MS have both played coy with BC, so I'd be curious if there really will be BC in those systems.

[thenickel]

Strange your getting disagrees but oh well I guess there's a certain cyber clan going around trying and hoping to kill the 360 momentum. Good news though and hopefully a leap this time well beyond what consoles can do today.

[logikil]

My disagree was mainly aimed at BC..I'm not sure that MS will necessarily learn that BC is important and will either leave it out completely or go the route of removing it bit by bit. The hope is that because MS owns the chip design in the 360 that emulation or hardware BC will be much easier to achieve.

I'm actually a pretty big fan of the 360.

[MURKERR]

i dont seriously see how the 360 can hang on till 2011 what with ps3 seriously gaining momentum,bluray showing its fruits and ps3s exclusive library building,

theres only soo many price drops you can do

[logikil]

Only talking about this generation of games as it relates to last gen:

The Wii is fully compatible with the Gamecube even going as far as to include the same memory card slots. That's about as fully compatible as you can get.

The 360 uses software emulation, and only supported it enough to get some of the popular games working. It's better than I expected by a long shot, but still not full compat, so they are a question mark moving to the new system. Granted owning the rights to the chip design will make that much easier.

The PS3 started with full on hardware compatibility and he progressively moved to remove it from the system, save for PS1, which I suppose must be really simple to emulate, since that has yet to be removed from any of the skus that I can tell.

So my reason for calling them coy is that the strategy for BC has changed so far with the life of the 360 and PS3. MS said BC wasn't all that important, but then introduced it and seems to have moved away from keeping up with the updates. Sony went at BC whole hog, same as the Wii, but then took at hardware, went to software, and then even took that out in some skus so that the system only has PS1 BC. Makes me wary of just how much MS and Sony are going to stick BC in the next systems.

[butterfinger]

because Nintendo did a good job on BC from last gen to this gen, that makes them fully supportive even though they clearly rejected it throughout every other generation of games? That is BS. The gamecube didn't have enough quality titles to even make BC on the Wii seem that great. Do you honestly play Gamecube games that much on your Wii? I'd rather play Crash Bandicoot on my PS3 or Halo 1&2 on the 360. MS and Sony will never fully dispose of BC, and whatever limited BC their new systems have will provide playability of many more quality titles than Nintendo's new system will be able to provide. I wish I could play the original Mario Bros. on my roommate's Wii without having to use the internet to re-purchase a game that I already own.

[Ju]

PS1 emu is easy because its so old and slow. 100% SW emulations existed before (no dedicated 3D HW, R3000 cpu, rest is just pixel filler. Easy to do in SW with a 3.2GHz cpu). That is not rocket science. PS2 is a different beast. Uses a lot of custom HW (timing, etc). They managed to get the MIPS/VPUs to run in SW but haven't done the GS emulation.

But emulating a PS3/360 even with the next-next gen will be very tricky. The speeds went up quite significantly. Even if raw power will exceed these machines, timing is pretty crucial in that case. Larrabee uses a x86 ISA, and SSE SIMD, 360 uses a PPC (970) ISA and VMX SIMD. And 3 cores. I would be very curious to see that getting emulated. Even with 15 cores you'd need 3 dedicated to emulate the 3 PPC cores, I'd guess. In real time. The 360 still has trouble to emulate a 700MHz celeron, and future emulation technology will be even more challenging. I give MS the edge on graphics emulation if they strictly enforcing DX now. The gfx HW should not be the problem.

And I agree that BC will be an issue. Except, they'll keep the 360 alive as a entry level machine, and have the 720 on the top end (main reason why Sony abandoned BC is because the PS2 sold so well, IMO - and actually makes money, while SW BC costs money for 0 revenue). But all the issues with the 360 and liabilities, I could imagine MS wants to move on as fast as they can.

[ASSASSYN 36o]

Hey butter did you even read the article. Particulary the mention of opting for a high-capacity proprietary optical disc format which holds more GB than Blu-ray.

[BISHOP-BRASIL]

6 years is a normal cycle indeed. Pretty healthly decision if true.

That said, given the price of games and consoles this generation, I would not complain about longer life cycles. Still, this is OK, none the less.

[DeadlyFire]

Does noone read stuff on the internet anymore. They just post more stuff with more speculation. Microsoft wants to be first next time around they said that already. Microsoft can't be first if Sony and Nintendo are releasing in the same week in 2011. 2010 is when Microsoft will release the 720/460 or whatever you wanna call it with DirectX 10.1 support in 2010 no latter than that. Intel's chip will be worked on and fit into the schedule for the 720 if Microsoft accepts it as the GPU for its new console. Likely the date of launch will be around November 2010 as always while Sony and Nintendo fall somewhere into 2010-2011 time line.

[butterfinger]

Hey assassyn, did you even read my comment. I read the article and threw down what I want. If blu ray continues at its current adoption rate (which is better than I'm sure you are willing to admit considering you are just a fanboy), Microsoft would be stupid to introduce a totally new format, unless it was just for games. If MS decides to use HVD or Green Ray or whatever other rumor-based format you can imagine, that doesn't mean that the 720 or XBOX 360 will not have blu ray capability. They would be smart to make it compatible in order to generate more sales. My perfect XBOX 720 goes as follows; 500GB HDD, built in wi fi, reliable hardware, 360 BC, blu ray, and a quality sequel to one of the 360's amazing AAA titles (i.e. Gears 3, Bioshock 3, Halo 4, etc.). I would pay $499 for that console on day one.

[Megatron08]

@butterfinger I dont really see them using blu ray just cause its a made by sony. It actually make a lot of sense for them to use hd dvd. This might be a dead movie format but there is no reason it cant be used as a game format plus with it be dead they could buy the drives and the disc dirty cheap. Allowing them to keep the cost of dev low and release the next xbox at a lower price. The only reason to use blu ray is if that they feel that you cant have a gaming system that doesnt support moive play back.

[butterfinger]

Just because Sony is the prominent member of the BDA does not mean that MS would be afraid to use blu ray in on of their consoles. Do you remember that blu ray attachment we have heard so much about? MS and Sony team up all the time for certain things. Doesn't Vista have blu ray support? Don't VAIO laptops use Windows OS? It's all about money, and if the demand is there for blu ray, they will include it in the next XBOX. HDDVD would make them look like morons.

[Coltrain]

"Robbie Bach, president of the entertainment and devices division at Microsoft also indirectly confirms that people were already working on new technologies..."

"Indirectly confirms" is now my new favourite article quote :)You can't ask for surer that that.

[Lex Luthor]

2011, seems reasonable to me.
Does anyone know when the 360 came out?

[thenickel]

I believe it was November 2005.

[logikil]

The system release Nov 22 2005. That's a span of 6 years, more than the traditional console cycle. This actually sounds about right. And talk of the next PS3 is aiming at 2012, despite the whole 10 year life cycle claims. Odds are each company will release their new systems and keep the current gen systems in play similar to Sony with the PS2.

[TheWiseguy]

Hence the 10 year cycle sir. PS2 came out in 2000 and its still going....Sony never said PS3 will be their only console til 2016....Theyre just using the same formula, supporting a console well after the next-gen unit arrives

[DJ]

Sony has ten year life cycles for their home consoles. That means they're on the market for about that period of time, and fully supported. But they release new Playstation consoles about every 6~7 years. PS1 was supported years after the PS2's launch, and the PS2 is still selling just as well as the 360 eight years post launch. It's a very smart decision that benefits developers in the end.

"You spent millions of dollars creating these titles for our system. The least we can do is give you the longest shelf life possible."

[logikil]

I know the 10 year cycle includes lifespan of the console after release of the next gen, but not everyone does. My reason for pointing it out at all was because of the original article. The author seems shocked that the new system might come out in 2011, even though that is absolutely in line with when it should come out. If the date was 2009 or even 2010, then I could see reason for any shock. Also I'm guessing the 360 will finally get to see a long tail similar to the PS2, same with the PS3. The wii would be the one system I don't see having the long tail.

[thenickel]

You know I read somewhere awhile back where Sony planned on releasing the PS4 a lot sooner then some would think.

[Ju]

MS could push the 360 down to ~$100 and keep it while introducing a new console. Sony, I don't know. I would even give the PS2 a longer lifetime then the PS3. Don't get me wrong. The PS2 has a great cost advantage for the <$100 segment. Keeping the PS3 alive after a PS4 release would require the PS3 getting down there. Maybe it will. But I could imagine the PS4 as a substitute to the PS3 (with fully compatible HW) at PS3 price level but brushed up specs. Console manufacturers never build a direct successor to previous machines, though. Maybe they will this time (but in case of PS3, NVidia might see some competition in a next gen "SuperCELL". They'll like to push the GPGPUs - and a compatible PS4 would require a RSX like companion, I'd guess). MS again has the edge here. They own the ATI design, I think and are not so dependent on HW (because of DirectX). If MS chooses Larrabee, I think Sony needs to keep the CELL and push it to the same level. OTHO, a 2 or 3 core CELL with a texture unit would have a huge advantage for a next gen xbox as well. This one could be HW compatible to the Xenon.

[Megatron08]

MS has said for a long time that their goal is to have the next xbox out by the 2011 or 2012. However the writer of the article obviously is only guessing and for the most part doing it very poorly. Everyone knows that the next xbox wont be name 720 that is just an internet name that people use for it. Also 6-7 is a very good lifespan for any system.

Oh and the ps3 whole 10 year thing people take it completely the wrong way they never said they wont release a ps4 before 10 years they simple said they plan on supporting the ps3 for 10 year. They release the ps3 in 06 and here we are in 08 and they are still supporting the ps2. So its the same thing .

[xhairs9]

The real question is accessories. Are they going to make the same stupid choice in leaving out all their accessories again like WiFi? Lets hope they don't make the same stupid mistake -- lets not forget the HDD for 3x the average price.

[DevastationEve]

"But I could imagine the PS4 as a substitute to the PS3 (with fully compatible HW) at PS3 price level but brushed up specs."

I dont think it'll be PS3 price level with higher specs. They can't make an "extension" to the console if what they want to do is "substitute" it. It's got to be one way or the other. PS3 already being as complete as it makes it a difficult choice for them. Do they outdo the console tenfold, or do they just build on what they have?

Personally, I think it's a wiser decision to carry PS3's architecture to the next console. In that way they could deliver on PS3's 10year life and at the same time be able to "slip in" a competitor to x3.

This will be an interesting generation...

[Ju]

"PS3 price level" and such. Yeah, well, I understand. But it was more meant like a substitute for the PS3 with an overlap until the PS3 price level can be reached (and then drop PS3, because it will be 100% assimilated by the PS4).

Whatever it will be, the next generation flip will be very interesting compared to the current. For all parties, MS, Sony, and also Nintendo (will they break BC, and make a state of the art HW like they did back then with the N64?). The whole thing sounds fairly easy (easiest) for MS, IMO. Cut the 360 down to 100-150, and introduce a new second machine (similar like PS2/PS3). For a $100 nobody will need BC.

[CrazyOrange]

Really good for me.

[PopEmUp]

pp haven't comment much as he used to be, so I might think this is his new account so I guarantee how stupid this account have been comment/posting lately

[Tweeperz]

Who is this pp?Who is this jackwho?

Where is bloodmasks???

[Omega4]

Sounds good, thats about a 6 year life span

Hope it has FULL 360 B/C and not too expensive

[RememberThe357]

"not too expensive" that was funny. I don't really like the idea right now, but maybe in 2011 I'll have wormed up to the idea.

[OOG]

Id prefer 2010....but 2011 is cool as well....I just like having new toys I guess... lol

[Stryfeno2]

Backward Compatible is a must...However, 200gb HDD don't seem like enough space around that time. I hope they up that to 500gb. It will be interesting to see what kind of disc media they will be using.

Larrabee sound interesting...The price range seems to be perfect.
I cannot wait to see this next gen console in action.

[Kratos Spartan]

It would have to be Blu-Ray. There is nothing else in disc media.

And for them this time, it's either 3 strikes and your out, or 3rd time is a charm.

[Stryfeno2]

It doesn't have to be Blu-ray...Why? personally I don't care what disc media they use as long as the games doesn't suffer.

[Kleptic]

they'll probably pay a little exra for a proprietary format based on Blu Ray...that is what pretty much every console manufacturer does except for Sony...they are the only company to consistently use the standard format...

I love articles like this...especially how the author acts surprised that they are 'already' working on the next Xbox...Sony confirmed in 2003 that they were hard at work on the PS3...Sony also already confirmed to already be hard at work on the PS4...why would MS be any different...

and what does he mean 'already'?...the first Xbox was only around for 4 years...the 360 isn't really doing a whole lot more than that system either...its more a matter of 'they better be'...than anything else...

[Kratos Spartan]

Get it right this time. And leave your ego at the door.

[TheXgamerLive]

.

[Kratos Spartan]

Then what? I mean we have to think logical here man. Trying to introduce a new disc format would be a huge mistake. Same goes for trying to resurrect a failed disc format. Like I said, Micro just needs to leave their ego at the door. The world does not revolve around them.

I mean obviously they are here to stay and they have potential, they just need to stop worrying about Sony and focus on strengthening their own gaming division. Even if they have to use Blu-Ray.

Hopefully their next motto is "We will win this generation with the best gaming experiences" instead of "We will win this generation by being first to the market."

[HuntTheWumpus]

Why would it be a huge mistake? If the disc is only used for 360 games than I don't see how it's a problem? The only down side I can see is that it would not play Blu-ray movies but even that could be worked in some way.

[KBDuB]

Actually, I believe MicroSoft would have an easier time introducing a new media format, than Sony did. Sony had the advantage by having influence in the movie industry. But, if Micro made a new media format, they already have two ways to introduce it:
1) By putting it in the "720."
2) Making it the dominant format in the PC.

For the second, you may be thinking about Apple and such, but I don't know if any one remembers but Sony made a deal with Micro to put Blu-Ray into their PC's. I'm not sure if they did the same with Apple or not?

[Fishy Fingers]

Id be happy to see one sooner than that as long as progression from 360 -> 720 justifies the price. I think the 360 will really be struggling by 2011 if recent developer comments are anything to go by.

More reliability is my only demand.

[osamaq]

Xbox 720 wont be available until 2013 , sony has put the ps3 life time to ten years thats mean ps4 will not be released before 2016

[OOG]

You sir are on crack if you think they are gonna wait till 2013 to release a new xbox

[kevnb]

sony releases another console every 6 years, but continues support for the older console for a few more years.

[Fishy Fingers]

Sony stated the PS3 has a ten year plan yes, but they didnt say their next console wouldnt release prior to that.

The PS2 has a ten year life span, Sony released the PS3 in the 7th year. They support more than one console at a time.

[ASSASSYN 36o]

You 2013 idiot.

[kevnb]

that's 6 years, completely reasonable.

[bamyrick226]

they will never turn to blu ray. which is why ps3,4,5,6 will always eventually take over the gaming industry in that current gen, just as it is starting to do now. its called inovation and next generation tec. i think youve all heard this before somewere. microsoft uses all thier power and money to push these garbage systems onto everone just as they do their opperating systems. crap and more crap, "o wait, someone just came out with $hit, lets copy it and make our own $hit." really mic, its called be creative, and when you are make sure the trash works. really im just bored and cant sleep and wanted to get a rise out of someone, and i cant wait to hear some replys on this one. have a nice day!

[butterfinger]

I would be shocked. That being said, Microsoft will undoubtedly use blu ray if the format really pans out the way DVD did. I hope they use blu ray personally, but it won't be a deal breaker for me.

[Diamondwolf]

Judging by Sony's track record, I would highly doubt Blu-Ray to make it into the PS4. I believe Sony would wait an extra year or two to wait for/research/purchase the next hot medium and toss it in (more than likely against everyone's will) just as they have with CD/DVD/BD.

Either that, or they will move to the violet diodes for the 400+GB storage in the next one or possibly completely distribute digitally (which I think is the direction Microsoft will head it more likely and first with their next console)

Me personally, I hope DD doesn't take off or that would eliminate my resell value of games that I've completed that I don't intend to replay. Hard Copies I hope are here to stay.

[N4Flamers]

i think dd could work if you pay about half the price for a game, i cant see me paying full price for a game i cant let a friend borrow, but half price that would be cool, i mean the game wouldnt be distributed no shipping cost, printing costs, cheaper for everyone. i just know they will try to charge full price though.

[ASSASSYN 36o]

You people obviously never heard of Holographic Versatile Disc.

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

[Patrick]

The only problem is HVD is still very very expensive and still will be for years to come until it hits mainstream which I dont see studios and electronic manufacturers sudenly making movies and players for them when they spent money to back Blu-ray. And it will cost them alot more to change their lines again. Wont happen. Not to mention why the heck would anyone use it.. I mean people argue about needing all the space of Blu-ray. Plus, companies are already making Larger capacity Blu-rays that just need a firmware upgrade to existing players to have the ability to read them.

"However, holographic drives are projected to initially cost around US$15,000, and a single disc around US$120–180, although prices are expected to fall steadily."

[Anton Chigurh]

Good

[TheXgamerLive]

Based on what MS was saying in some earlier interviews, I was guessing more like 2012, but if it's all laid out right then 2011 would work for me as well.

The only passing question really is what disc technology will be used b/c even with the Digital Disto. there's still be a need for disc drives for several reasons, one being bought movies.

Blu Ray is out and would never be used so would it be Pioneer's new DVD technology that uses 100 gig storage? or would we be seeing a comeback of HD-DVD, I mean after all if MS put it in there machines, then there be some 50 million HD DVD players out there in no time, but I think a new technology drive will be used by then. Bye Bye BR.

[Kratos Spartan]

A comeback of HD-DVD? You have lost your mind. Blu-Ray isn't going anywhere. What are you talking about?

You are living in some Xfantasy land man, there is no help for you, poor soul. It sounds like you are very young, with little knowledge of gaming.

[juuken]

...What gibberish do you speak?

[TheXgamerLive]

It hasn't taken off and won't. It's just another of many failed formats that people try.

Something else will be the new thing in a couple years.

[Darkwolf]

XGamer you are a tool..

[morganfell]

This is where Microsoft completes their act of gaming self destruction and shoots themselves in the head. Timing is everything and in the case of Microsoft the timing is very bad indeed.

They currently have no next gen disk player in their machine. They currently use this gen storage in the 360os that have an HDD. So what is the issue?

The issue is that MS is building their next Xbox and unless they want to repeat their mistakes they are going to have to have a decent design down and be testing prototypes at least 6-8 months before production. That means the technology available at that time is what you get.

Bluray is much more tightly licensed than DVD ever was. Is Microsoft really going to license Bluray and then pay Sony, among other companies, royalties on every single Xbox and game sold? Microsoft have said that digital downloads are the future. Are they going to actually try that when the worldwide infrastructure really doesn't support it well enough to use it for your entire machine basis? Not even at the end of the standard MS console life will technology have advanced to the point where digital downloads can do it all. Also, they may make publishers happy but consumers who can't trade in games are going to put their sales in the toilet.

Next gen HDD? That certainly won't be ready either in time for launch. Yes solid state storage is available but it won't be economically feasible for a machine that is going to need whopping drive sizes. After all, digital downloads won't be ready to handle the load and digital game streaming is even farther behind.

The fact is though MS has no choice. They are damned if they launch and damned if they don't. A great many customers are not going to want to take the plunge so quick after this generation again. Many are going to take the "Wait and see" attitude.

As MS drops support of the 360 - they do have the history, a few technophiles are going to buy in but the type of sales a new console needs are going to be no show for game day.

[gano]

I'm more so stunned that people are not only preparing
for this, but after being vicked for the second time they
are actually looking forward to a third. And say have blu-ray.
But the xbox ain't a movie player i read.

[juuken]

I agree morgan-well said.

[cemelc]

Aside i can point one more problem for the 720 in a post i wrote before in this forum:

The main problem of Microsoft is that is fully dependant of 3rd party exclusive, they need to get their act together and start creating first party studios ASAP, cos it doesn't matter if your console is better the important thing is that the console have good games only available in that machine

[DJ]

The first year of press for the 3rd Xbox is going to contain the headline "Will It Last?" It's going to take a lot of convincing on the part of Microsoft, and forgiveness on the part of consumers.

[YoshiMeetsU]

That is going to be a huge challenge for them.

[ArmrdChaos]

Not if Microsoft partners up with someone like Toshiba to handle the hardware portion of the project. Teaming up with a major hardware vendor would bring in credibility.

[heylo]

the x720 will return to 16mbit snes-cartridges while the PS4 features BD1000 which could be sufficient for MGS6

[juuken]

As long as it's more reliable than the 360 and has BC...but I dare say that Microsoft will end up screwing over their current fanbase if they come up with a new system so quickly already.

[Egzekutor]

I give it 2010 ;) before new XBOX comes out.
Do you think they give a fuk about you ? ^_^ . Its all about the money, Sonny :D

[Deadman64]

the 360 has been out for some time, 2005 I believe? So 2011 for a new console seems about right.

the first xbox came out what 2001 right?

They do need to figure out what media to use. I like the idea of all digital download. There are just a few issues that need to be ironed out.

[sak500]

@jukken
You dont have to worry about MS screwing its customers since you're not one of them. Infact u hate MS and its console owners. I dont mind shelving another 400$ on next gen xbox since i had the 360 since jan 2006 so in 2010/2011 it would have served me well. We enjoyed new gen gaming from day one unlike false promises of sony and those poor chaps buying it for $600-$700 for pos machine which had one hit game in 2 years. Jeezus if it wasnt for the movie watchers buying it, it would have died a nasty death. I know 2 people from work who just use it for watching movies. As for 360 owners they go and buy all the games they can cuz its so much fun playing on it, no waiting for games, for patches to fix online or feel that we get inferior ports.

No paras cuz i said all in one shot..

[HuntTheWumpus]

6 years is too quickly? Considering the history of consoles is usually on a 5 year cycle before a new one is introduced I think this is more than enough. This is coming from a new console owner who didn't buy one at launch.

I agree that MS needs to be careful with not dropping support of the 360 like they did with the Xbox original.

[KBDuB]

As long as they still support the 360, then they won't screw the current fanbase..

[juuken]

Let me see if I can get this through your thick ass heads.

I DO NOT HATE THE 360 ENTIRELY.

The only thing that annoyed me was the RROD, otherwise I would have had one first by now.

Let me ask you all this.

WHY DO YOU HATE THE PLAYSTATION 3?

You have yet to answer the damn question.

And KB, they'll still support the 360? Just like they supported the original XBox?

We'll see about that.

[Deadman64]

I think I read someone in an interview that microsoft did not want to drop support on the 360 like they did with the original. I have no link but I remember reading this awhile back.

[jerethdagryphon]

thats my predition xmas sales moving into the 5th year of the 360 thats when theell release i think

it will release with limited back compat

as for ps4 ps4 will back compat ps2 natuarlly and some with have ps3 back compat same as ps3 does with 1,2
my opinion anyways

[heavymetal3k]

You really think they are going to release it in alittle over a years time? You're crazy.

[divideby0]

if you can do it right the first time.....rush and get another box out asap..
similar, but not in hardware failures to the original Xbox...PREMATURE ABANDONMENT

The next xbox will be the first console I will NOT buy on launch and we have been lucky to get all consoles on launch day going back to snes...I put my $$ in hardware and rent games and only cherry pick my buy games...In the long run this is better...no dust collection of games

[bamyrick226]

i wasnt saying ps4,5,6 would have blu ray. i was just saying everytime a playstation is released, the next video format comes along with it thats all. and i think blu ray will be around for a while saying all that, even when video downloads start to take over, people like me are still going to want their movies in disc form

[KingDizzi]

I seriously doubt that there will even be a xbox 720 or PS4 but in stead but advanced models will be released, eg a heavily modified blu-ray player. Believe it or not, producing the systems and testing costs a lot of money and considering PS3 has been released for 2 years I cannot see them releasing a new console for at least a few more years.

MS are just releasing a new console (if they are releasing a new one) so they get a head start again but this generation of gaming is it for me, no way am I buying a new console again especially with how rubbish this generation of gaming has been.

[Jdoki]

The next generation console war will be really interesting.

With more and more titles going multi-platform there's less and less reason to own more than one 'next gen' console.

So a console either has to differentiate itself from the competition (like the Wii), or give gamers more reason to buy their console than the opposition (the battle Sony and MS is locked in with exlcusives).

MS has done a great job at grabbing IP's that have traditionally been Sony only, and also presented a very good portfolio of 1st/2nd party exclusive titles.

However a lot of that good work has been undone, to a certain extent, by the RRoD saga and generally poor quality of it's hardware, expensive accessories (Hard drives, WiFi) and lack of innovation.

I've always been a multi-platform gamer, and usually buy consoles on day 1. I think all three companies have made big mistakes this time round (MS for the reasons above, Sony for the high price 'trojan horse' PS3 and Nintendo for abandoning the hardcore) and this has put me in an uneasy position when it comes to purchasing the next-next gen machine.

If MS launch in 2011 I don't think Sony will launch until 2012 or early 2013. In which case I'm much more likely to take a 'wait and see' attitude towards the Next Xbox. The hardware failures and noise levels of the 360 have made me wary of the XBox brand as a whole, but more importantly I need to feel I am getting value for money.

MS have their work cut out for them, and I think it'll take more than releasing a year early to really gain more market share next time.

[heavymetal3k]

I think 2011 is around the right time for the next series of consoles to start releasing or maybe 2012. First the next xbox then the ps4 the following year and the next nintendo system whenever. Hopefully the next xbox goes with blu-ray, which i think the ps4 will keep, and good hardware.

[kevnb]

just thought I would let you guys know, lol.

[SQWERCH]

Have spent alot of money creating engines and buying engines to program for the PS3 and 360. The longer the system stays on the market the better it is for them to make back money they spent. Just think of it if new systems come out they have to spend more to buy or create engines for the next systems and as the systems get more power the more money it takes to develop games for the system. You will see way more support for the PS3 then the new 720 for that reason.

[travelguy2k]

there is no way it will come in 2nd this generation. I am pretty sure that give Sony ample time to make up and surpass the lead that the 360 currently has. It won't happen this year or maybe even next, but it is inevitable.

Still i think the Xbox "720" will be a good machine, with each passing generation Microsoft has learned a valuable lesson. First it was Own your own technology, this time round its "Reliability", the next round will be very interesting indeed.

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

I'd like BC and Blu-ray. It's obvious Microsoft learned from the RROD so I know next gen people will finally shut up about that s#!t. Let it come out in 2011, even if PS3 games are starting to show their stuff, the PS2 still stood around and still is... Im confident the 360. Especially as time goes on and the price gets cheaper, that will get it into more homes alone. The price war has officially started now that it can compete with the wii!

[jlemdon]

If the 720 will have Blu-ray and HDMI 1080-(1440)P I will get it.

Otherwise I'm going with PS4 or Wii2.

[rusgreim]

You know, I've been thinking about the future of consoles, and I have a feeling we might head back to cartridge based games.

The restriction that led from cartridges (faster load times and more reliable) to optical media (cheaper) was simply storage capacity.

In a few years (perhaps even by the end of THIS year) flash memory will be very inexpensive and could lend itself to becoming integrated console cartirdges that load faster with large storage and less susceptible to damage than optical.

I have a feeling that Blu-Ray will likely not be the storage of next gen consoles and perhaps not of many other technologies moving forward.

It will also eliminate the large optical drive and make it possible to make a smaller more steamlined console for the interactive living room. BC can be achieved through download services or and external drive that you can add via USB 3.0.

[ASSASSYN 36o]

LOL!

[DJ]

Solid-state memory (i.e. cartridges) offer vastly superior seek times when compared to disc drives, and the lack of moving parts is definitely a plus. One of the great things about the N64, for example, is that data was constantly streamed off the cartridge in order to fight the small amount of System Memory. It was like every game cartridge was a miniature hard drive.

But cost and security are still huge factors. The cost of a Blu-ray disc (1 penny per GB) is nothing compared to a solid state solution such as Compact Flash ($4.20 per GB), and very few publishers are willing to eat that cost. And while the cost of solid state memory will decrease, so will the cost of Blu-ray discs.

The other issue is security. Unless a proprietary connection and format are used, piracy is going to be a huge problem. But doing so also drives up costs (unless an existing solution is simply modified).

I would say that small, portable Solid State solutions will probably be the future of home consoles in two generations (i.e. 15 years). At that point, the cost of say 128GB would be fairly nominal, and the promise of high speed transfer of data would be too beneficial to ignore. The best part, of course, is that not only would developers be able to choose the size of their storage card based on their title, old storage cards that were unable to be sold could be returned to the publishers/manufacturers to be reformatted for new game titles.

As for BC (backwards compatibility) it takes a lot more than an external HDD and a network connection. Microsoft has had such a tough time with BC simply because the original Xbox ran on x86 architecture while the 360 runs on PowerPC architecture; it's literally been a nightmare for them. Even PS2 BC has been tough for Sony, and that's in spite of the fact that Cell's SPUs contain some registers from the Emotion Engine.

[Tweeperz]

am i really blu?

[Mcrmarcher]

Basically Juuken hit the nail on the head right there.

[ASSASSYN 36o]

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

Next Xbox media format. Or Green Ray as some have called it due to the green laser diode used for the format.

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

The successor to Microsoft's Xbox 360 is commonly called "Xbox 3" or "Xbox 720." Although their chief concern at this time is to lower the cost of the Xbox 360 and had not started on the Xbox 720's development as of November 2006,[3]

Peter Moore has supposedly told EGM that the next Xbox console would be released between 2011 and 2012.[11] Microsoft EMEA veep Chris Lewis said in October of 2006 that work had already begun on the 720, however he did not say just how far that work had gone.[12] It has been speculated that the Xbox 720 will include a camera capable of tracking the movement of its users and not just the controller.[13]

Microsoft has confirmed they are going to begin developing and producing their own computer chips which will probably be present in the 720. The research will be done by two groups, one in Redmond, Wash. and one in Silicon Valley.

The man heading the Silicon Valley research team says that it is probable that voice interactive technology would be incorporated into the next Xbox console.[14]

[Neonvapor]

is it just me or does 60, 120 and 200 GB not seem like enough for a next gen xbox? people are already complaining about the sizes of the hard drives, unless they make it so you can upgrade it like the ps3 did.

[name]

2011 is a good date to come out. I was actually worried MS would announced their new console in 2009.

[Pika-pie]

They should just call it the 360 Mk2 being a revamped version with a hard drive as standard, blue ray drive, smaller, quieter, and fix all the hardware problems i.e overheats.

Id buy it!

[witchking]

The next Xbox (and the next PlayStation) are going to be interesting in terms of how they try to follow the Wii factor. The Wii decided against high tech graphics, against a standard hard drive, against online interaction... and is winning. Why? Innovative control scheme (apparently people like it, though I can't fathom why) and a low price point. Hell, put a free game in the box and sell all that for $249? Magic.

So while there may be a new Xbox in the 2011 timeframe, the interesting question is going to be whether Microsoft continues to build a high end game machine or if they're going to innovate more toward the "fun factor" that Wii apparently has grabbed.

I think we'll see both Sony and Microsoft back off the high cost of producing the machines a bit. They're going to want to make profits, but they need to be aware that there's large marketplace out there for people who can produce a better Wii... and for under $300.

Is this the end of the high-tech gadgetry and awesome graphics capability that the hardcore know and love? I hope not, but the success of the Wii isn't having an impact on just this generation's Nintendo games... it's going to be far-reaching as the hardware manufacturers decide how to tap into both the hardcore market and the mainstream while keeping the price reasonable.

[hfaze]

"I think we'll see both Sony and Microsoft back off the high cost of producing the machines a bit. They're going to want to make profits, but they need to be aware that there's large marketplace out there for people who can produce a better Wii... and for under $300."

While I do hope that the Wii phenomenon does lead to lower-cost consoles next time around (yes, I was one of the people that got a PS3 at $599.99), I also really hope that this does not lead to Sony and Microsoft putting out Wii like systems (just marginally more powerful than its predecessor).

Honestly, the current-gen architectures from both Sony and Microsoft are incredibly powerful (although RAM starved). I would not be disappointed if both of them just put out more powerful versions of the current architectures with WAAAAAAY more RAM.

The ideal scenario would be to either increase the number of cores/clock speed, or put in multiple processors based off the current Cell/Xenon architectures mated with updated graphics chipsets. As long as both the CPU and graphics chipsets were fully backward-compatible with the last generation, backwards-compatibility would be a breeze...

I for one would like to see the next generation of consoles come out for NO MORE than $400.

<edit> Damn... It looks like I just described the GameCube to Wii transition... Hopefully MS and Sony will provide more than just a 30% increase in power over this generation... ;-)

[Ju]

Kind of weird. Nintendo was pretty on top with the N64 and GC tech. They hired SGI HW engineers to design the graphics chip (ArtX, bought out by ATI later). But at the time, they were really creative. Didn't help them. Both consoles weren't a huge economic success. But next time, they might put some cash in. Who knows. Nintendo's accounts should be loaded so far. Their problem will be, do they go new routes, or a Wii follow up... ? If you read their History, its kind a weird how a card manufacturer and distributor became an arcade and later console power house. But they were always creative to do things different. Even with technology if it has to be.

BTW. About all that "we need GBs of RAM" talk. I don't see this happening. There will never be enough RAM I guess. A bit more yes, but a console needs to reach a low price point. If it works with lesser RAM, then that's were they'll cut costs. Looks like PS3 shows stream tech taking off. Some later games show higher texture detail with supposedly lesser vram. This is way cheaper then physical RAM. HDDs (or other cache) and faster media, that's where it'll go, me thinks.

[pshizle]

2010

[Cynical-Gamerzus]

This is the answer to Sony!!YEs
With All the Failures they have had in the past .this their time to redeem themselves!!!

xbox 720 better
FUlly support SSD drives and have a system that allows to upgrade to SSD and fully support Raided SSD drives so we can get Lightning quick loads!!!!

Also better have 2GB Video and system RAM!!!!

Larrabee is the perfect choice!!
Give us a good console this time MS!!!

[jerethdagryphon]

one of the major driving forces away from cartridges was fmv
you couldnt have decent fmv on a nintendo cartridge

so now we can due to new codecs and the style
of the media itself
it could in ded head back that way in fact ds already has moved in that direction it is similar to old cartirges though but is based off sd? cards or is it cf anyways

its a possiblitly but i think people like disks they feel like they have sometihng to keep

[zonetrooper5]

I would rather they build their own chip than use the Intel Larrabee just would be intersting to see how MS's own chip would perform. I reckon 2010/2011 would be a good year to release a new console for MS.

[jerethdagryphon]

if they do that theres a good chance they will lose 3rd party suport

look how hard umd fought to get people onto its bandwagon

if you had to code for 2 differnt arcitrectres and pay for 2 propirtory formats youd pick the cheaper one

it would help against piracy but its a risk psp gc two consoles with propitory media formats

its a gamble and i agree about 3rd time

ms has esabilished themselves by there actions and released a faulty stsyem.. people will remember this and wont be so quick to jump on ms next console
sony faces similar problems with there bleeding edge parts each gen

[jmcorp]

juuken, ali_the_fag

dont you guys have something better to do?

why are u on an xbox 720 topic, nothing in this topic is about the Piece Of Sh!t 3, why dont u go and play ur wonderful consoles...

oh wait i forgot, you have what? 2 noticable games? failstorm, Uncharted drakes Failures...

this is about the xbox 720 expeirience, something u droids are not going to get form the Asian Cash cows...so go watch MGS4 for the 10th time and leave us "bots" alone.

[cmrbe]

they will announce it in 2011 and then release it in 2012.

[HuntTheWumpus]

I just bought one so I hope they at least give me a couple years before they move on. I hope backwards compatibility is a priority or even possible on the new system.

[Naked-Snake]

You,sak500,militant07,Patchsta tion 3,XGamer and Anton Chigurh

Go play Gaylo3 and Queers of war buddy.

[Deadman64]

I think his point was that this an Xbox 720 article, nothing to do with PS3.

So...your post kinda failed. Just a little though.

[KBDuB]

"Damn so many BOTS" Uhm.. I'm not sure if you're stupid, lost, or both. But, this is a 360, or "720," article. It has nothing to do with the PS3.

So, I ask you, what the fck you doin here?

[NanoGeekTech]

Will be out 2009( alittle far fetch but you could never know)-2010.....

the Xbox 720 will not be out in 2011............Microsoft wants to do the same thing they did with the 360(they want to be first)

Reasons why Xbox720 will arrive as soon as 2009 or maybe 2010.......What games does Microsoft have in development that are exclusive for the 360 that will be out next year? I cannot think of one...because if there was one.....the Hype train would have began by now....

Who would have thought that 360 HAS NO GAMES going into 2009???????? and better yet...what the hell does Microsoft have coming out in 2010.....nothing..that I know of..they only rumors right now pertaining to the 360 is rumors about the 720....? what about the games(besides GOW II and Fable II)

Microsoft needs a "PS2" and the 360 is going to be that......they have already establish a hugh install base it may grow over the holiday season..

New LIVE experience is setting the ground work for LIVE on Xbox720........Alan Wake( 720 launch title) Splinter Cell 4( 720 Launch Title) Halo 4( 720 Launch Title) Gears Of War III( 720 launch title)

I have a strong feeling that the 720 will be out no later than 2010.......MS get its "PS2".....and we will have a true competitor to the PS3....

I hope MS does not make the same mistake as they did with the 360
http://www.dailytech.com/Xb...

For the record I will be purchasing the 720 when it comes out.....

PSN: ProPaperPusher
LIVE: KMJFNIGUY

[DJ]

Since Gearbox has been working on Halo 4 for the past 6 months, and the title is meant to coincide with the new system's launch.

[xtreampro_REVENGE!]

why the HELL! do all the BUTT-F@GS say the same thing, over n over n over again,...''Don't you have anything better to do?'', well we could say the same to you, Don't YOU! have anything better to do?...it doesn't mean that because its a 360 article YOU! HAVE to comment on it, why don't YOU! go and do something else, and its funny how the 360 brigade all come out with the same argument...''We have no games'', when if you look at the 360's line up of games since its release in 2005, the only game thats sold well and has ACTUALLY been played all this time is GeOW1 and THATS IT!.....OH! yeah and COD4, so from now on who ever...EVER! brings up this ''We have no games'' argument will just OWN them selves,....so 'jmcorp'.....YOU GOT OWNED!

[Deadman64]

Don't you have anything better to do?

[KBDuB]

Uhm.. I'd say no.

But, what do I know? I'm just a stupid Xbot. (according to Ali_Lil_Dck) Lol.

[TOM]

xtreampro said"when if you look at the 360's line up of games since its release in 2005, the only game thats sold well and has ACTUALLY been played all this time is GeOW1 and THATS IT!.....OH! yeah and COD4, so from now on who ever...EVER! brings up this ''We have no games'' argument will just OWN them selves,....so 'jmcorp'.....YOU GOT OWNED!"

Million(plus) sellers on 360.Totals are in millions.

Enjoy

Halo 3 8.19
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 6.39
Grand Theft Auto IV 5.88
Gears Of War 5.23
Forza Motorsport 2 3.99
Assassins Creed 3.88
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock 3.34
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion 2.54
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Activision 2.48
Madden NFL 08 2.35
Guitar Hero II 2.24
Call of Duty 2 2.22
Tom Clancy Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2.18
Tom Clancy Rainbow Six: Vegas 2.17
Call of Duty 3 2.10
Mass Effect 2.00
Saints Row 1.95
Bioshock 1.91
Madden NFL 07 1.85
Rock Band 1.80
Fight Night Round 3 1.76
Dead Rising Capcom 1.76
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 1.66
Lost Planet: Extreme Condition 1.66
Crackdown 1.47
Project Gotham Racing 3 1.46
Viva Pinata Microsoft 1.46
Need for Speed: ProStreet 1.46
Need for Speed: Most Wanted 1.45
Perfect Dark Zero 1.43
Tom Clancy Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 1.40
Need for Speed: Carbon 1.39
FIFA 08 1.37
WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008 1.36
Army of Two 1.31
Tom Clancy Splinter Cell: Double 1.17
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 1.16
Kane & Lynch: Dead Men 1.14
Devil May Cry 4 1.11
Pro Evolution Soccer 6 1.08
Project Gotham Racing 4 1.04
Dead or Alive 4 1.01

Games seem to sell just fine.

Million sellers on PS3

Grand Theft Auto IV 4.39
Call of Duty 4: 3.57
Motorstorm 3.47
Metal Gear Solid 4 3.20
Resistance: Fall of Man 3.08
Assassins Creed 2.84
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue 1.99
Uncharted: Drakes 1.77
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 1.71
FIFA 08 1.53
Guitar Hero III: Legends of 1.52
Need for Speed: ProStreet 1.33
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of 1.30
Devil May Cry 4 1.24
Heavenly Sword 1.16
WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008 1.00

[Droid]

Thank god it's not TEH CELL.

[xtreampro_REVENGE!]

the Larrabee chip is crap, compared to the CELL, your comparing a chip (a puny little chip LMAO) to a beats of a CELL, so as i said all BUTT HEADS own them selves, so YEAH! nice going in owning your self

[SpartanZero]

cool name 720 cool hopefully its 360 compatible to play cool 360 games

[air1]

the sh!t sony fanatics say. i swear the irony you ppl have, i mean you ppl got 1 AAA game 2 years later but have the nervs to bash on games that won goty and go on to sell in the millions and i dont mean mgs4 millions im talkin bout halo 3 millions

[tomfoolery]

these Sony cobb gobblers are freakin petrified of what the
720 will do to their precious little Sony pisstastion 4 sales.
I mean,if you consider the gouge the 360 is taking out of creepstation 3s sales,well,you dummy droids do the godamn math.

Pisstation brand is king no more.......................cow abunga!

[Shane Kim]

bwahahaha I along with Bill Gates are going to take a huge dump on all you xbaboons when we once again drop the support of our currnet console and shove a "new", (it's basically last gen hardware) defective console down your throaths. And the best part is that all you baboons will buy it and make me rich!!

[KBDuB]

It doesn't matter to me when they introduce, and release, the "720" as long as they keep supporting the 360.

[DFresh]

Yeah that sounds about right.
360 will come out in 2011 and the PS4 and Wii 2 will come out in 2012.
PS4 Rules!

[jay2]

I'm going for 2010 my self.

[big shadow]

meh

[Cajun Chicken]

Don't disassociate the 360 from the 720 as much as what happened with the XBOX and 360.
Really, this is ONE of many reasons why I am annoyed with MS this gen. I sort of liked the marketing image that Microsoft had created with the XBOX, the green dashboard, the way it zoomed in and out...you could rip CDs onto the harddrive, it was awesome.
I had a similar experience once booting up my PS3 the first time and finding out how to customise almost everything to my liking and explore the numberous in-built features.

My 360...not as such. The 360 is all about the manufactured demographic of 'hardcore gamers' I don't buy into that; neither Casual gamers or Hardcore gamers exist, people just play games these demographics didn't exist a generation ago and as a whole, the concepts of gaming hasn't really changed much.

I want to play a gaming console that just feels like a platform for gaming whilst not alienating anyone elses taste of gaming in the progress. I don't need every game to be 'brutal' or 'hardcore' drenched in blood and quick deaths.
I personally found Crackdown and EDF2017 to be the best exclusive games on the 360 as of yet and gave a true feeling of 'Next Gen'.

I think that the 720 shouldn't aim at any 'supposed demographic' and just to be sold as a console also there should be a basic type of account just to play online games for a while with no added features. Free weekends or something, 'Happy Hours' during a week for those with XBL Silver.

I believe this is why The New XBOX Experience is being released, no-one will feel alienated and will feel comfortable with the system. The 360 will be for everyone; one problem. Most the games have already been made and fit to that 'hardcore' demographic everyone insists that exists.
Its a sudden reaction from MS realising that gamers can't be divided into specific groups and everyone likes a bit of everything and a huge percentage of the public who bought the Wii weren't gamers in the first place and were just scared of controllers and the concept of playing a computer for fun.
They wanted to game anyway, they just didn't have the time for addiction or were just scared of the idea.

I'll tell you why I liked the XBOX more than I like my 360, it offered many different types of games in the first party published line up right from the start. I mean you had Halo, Oddworld, Crimson Skies, Project Gotham Racing, Blinx (at least they tried to get a platform mascot from day one) and a great lineup of Sega franchise exclusives...and all I find the 360 promoting is Halo and Gears of War.

Can the 360 be 'corrected' before the 720 comes out? It depends, but in my view; the damage is already done.
A huge diverse line-up would only turn my attention back to my 360; including a sequel to EDF2017 and Crackdown of course and a platformer around the quality of the Ratchet and Clank or the Jak series.

So lets hope the 720 doesn't alienate anyone like how I feel with my 360, then maybe I might buy into it.
Its also about 1st party developers, MS need to STOP getting rid of them as they have in the past and get set in for a long game like Sony did years ago.

Not overly happy with the estimated release of 2011. Still a bit too soon in my opinion; If the 360 is transforming, then its 'rebirth' is only just beginning.
I also hope the 360 isn't abandoned for the sake of the focus on the 720 as what happened with the XBOX last gen.

[hotrider12]

The next XBOX consoles in 60GB, 120GB and 200GB versions would be available for $299, $399, and $499. It will be released in 2011 where it might compete with the Sony PlayStation 4.

hope its not like 360 arcade hollow for 299 the 720

[arakouftaian]

Just a lil better it will be easy to make game becuz most developers r just to make game on the 360, it will have wii like motiocontroles. It may have blue ray if it comes on 10 or in 2011, this is if micr$ wants to go by what thw nintendo did whit the wii n make money!!!

I may even give it a tray for the firt time I may buy a xbox if they make that smart choise, the next nintendo may be like what the ps3 is now in power n features but whit the wii motion thing but it will come out by the same time the new xbox or 1 or 2 years latter but it will be easy to develop for just like the xbox

N the new " PS4 " will come out by2012-2013 it will have over 4000p definition it will use the new blue-ray of over 500gb maybe more maybe less. It may have the old school controls whit the option to splip n be used as a motion controlers or it may come whit a eyetoy n no need of a motion wiilike controls becuz the eyetoy will do just fine n the PS4 will kick ass to everyone n be the best n it will have real life like grafics it may even come whit a virtual glass n put us in a virtual real world ala the tech that is been use for the isomiac guys to make the movies of the game

[bdup46]

Quad HD is twice the resolution as 1080p which means clearer picture look into this article
http://www.tomshardware.co....

[Ju]

1080p with 5x times the features (details, draw distance, polycount, and number of shaders) they run in 720p now and sustained 60fps should do, IMO. I can't see me buying a 4k TV anytime soon.

[Xbox is the BEST]

this launch day

[Raoh]

i never bought an xbox

i bought a 360 about a year and half after it came out

i'll buy the next xbox 2+ years after its release

[Fat Onion]

Considering xbox normally launches in November...New xbox should arive on 11-11-11

I figure PS4 may take the 12-12-12 launch day...if not...maybe Nintendo will.

[Killjoy3000]

It's like microsoft is so f*cken rich that he doesn't know what it's like for the average consumer's wallet to take a plunge from purchasing a system every four years.

EDIT: And to the phantom disagreer, I guess you like spending money on uneccessary incremental upgrades to previous platfroms with a small batch of new upgrades? I guess you enjoy building up a nice collection of software only for it to feel outdated a few years later because of inferior hardware?

Microsoft will destroy gaming if they come out that early. Why? This will force all companies to release a system every four years.

[DevastationEve]

Funny thing disc sizes are being mentioned in all of this. Maybe I'm short sighted, but I just don't see gaming heading into the "hundreds of gigabytes" territory. What then, we would need TB hard disks? To store like what, 10 100GB games?!

If anything is certain, I think hard disk drives are going to play a LARGER role than optical discs. OD will be the way it gets to the customer. HDD will be where the game is played from/expanded to.

[DevastationEve]

I think that there are certain standards that both consoles will still adhere to. I remember at the onset of the generation how 1080 was promised (by both sides) when in reality most games are baseline HD (720). So in other words, the next gen SHOULD see that 1080 is the absolute ideal resolution that all games will run. And although I'd love to see it, XHD is just overkill. I don't really want it, just give me all the other eye candy you can leverage instead of giving me finer pixels. Give me better AI, physics, and sound. Larger levels.

Also, I believe that the services they have running now are going to make a huge leap in the next gen. We all see it as a simple client/server setup right now. They could be working on more innovative connectivity. They need to change the whole system of lobbies and sessions, it just feels like you're doing this whole MMORPG thing. I can't put my finger on how they could change that, but it'd be a WELCOME change!

[CoryPGL]

Backwards compatability is all fine and good, but come time for a new console, I rarely ever go back to my old library. I have downloaded a number of games via the XBOX Live Arcade and Wii Virtual Console, but most of them are new IP's or current-gen reimagings of some of my classic favorites.

Assuming the wife allows, I'll probably own the next-generation XBOX on day one, unless the next-gen Playstation is out at the same time and convinces me it should be the first console I purchase in the next generation.

[gersh]

...

[Time_Is_On_My_Side]

I'll be sticking with my PlayStation 3 for at least 7-8 years before I decide to buy something new. When the new XBOX hits the market with Blu-ray etc. I would already have all that stuff. Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft to impress me with interaction or I'm sticking with my PlayStation 3. Hell we don't even have God of War 3, Alen Wake, or a new ICO game yet, this generation development is a lot slower.

With all the features this generation has, Sony was smart to make their console future proof. I will only buy a new console with better interaction with combination of smart tech only.

[ChickeyCantor]

"When the new XBOX hits the market with Blu-ray etc."

See the thing is that Tech grows Really fast, i know their next console will mostlikely have all the current feature but you will never know what tech brings in just a couple of years.

=P lets see if you really are going to stay with just that console after 8 years =)

[MrWeymes]

I like the 360 and everything, but hopefully their next console will be a little more reliable. I'll wait 4-5 months before buying the new Xbox to make sure there aren't a ton of problems.(RROD, Disk Drive Errors, etc.)

[ChickeyCantor]

All i have to say is invest more in your hardware research, cause it will save you sh/t loads of money!

For some reason i can't wait for the Next-gen of consoles.
Always wondering about specs and design xD

[thehitman]

Is probably the soonest/best year for them to do it. Not to soon so that they dont jump the gun again and not to late that they have the ps3 totally whiping the floor with them.

[Wii60Fan]

Is that we will know something more concrete on the next xbox at next summers e3 show.

[TheDeadMetalhead]

Wow. How long was I gone? XDDD

[Wii60Fan]

The Wii is fully compatible with the Gamecube even going as far as to include the same memory card slots. That's about as fully compatible as you can get.>>

The wii basically IS a gamecube only with a faster processor and slightly better graphics.

[Blackcanary]

as the price isn't stupidly high and it has wifi built in and a standed Hard drive i'll buy it. I will not be spending £500-600 pounds on a console.

[Blackcanary]

MS don't have a standed HDD that you can change and don't rush the console like they did with the 360 so there are no bugs or RROD and make sure wifi is built in.

Then i'll buy one. But if you people really believe that the New XBOX720 will not cost Over £500 pounds or $400 USD then you people are really just brain dead. They also need more first party studios if that doesn't happen the 720 will fail.

[killcycle]

How can you actually want a new console so fast?
As time is going by and costs are becoming more awful its only fair that companys expand the life cycles of these consoles.

When i brought my ps2 i heard some stupid rumour that ps3 was only around the corner and i went balistic.

Am i the only freaking one here that thinks about how long a console will last me before purchasing it?

Look at the damn accessorys,

Camera, headset, 4 controllers, wireless adaptor, memory cards/hard drives, games, downloadable content and all that $$$ spent on its gonna go down the drain.

I swear if sony does this to me and leave the ps3 behind im gonna go crazy as you all are now =D

[Mutley416]

I think the future will include a phone, and more internet options, Wireless every thing. And maybe be PC compatible... Alot can change in 3 - 5 years-

MS will reinvent it`s self-
Bill Gates is already turning into the Dave Thomas of Advertising-
I bet we will see something great the next time around-

[JEDI WOLVERINE]

The new dashboard update is kinda like a new xbox.

Its a new experience and thats what get consumers excited.

Pretty much everyone i know like a new console release for the reason that when you turn it on for the first time you've got a different screen infront of you to play around with.

After the November* update the 360 will be fresh and new all again.

*Most sources point to a November update.

[godofthunder10]

I just can't understand how anyone could belive that sony want release another console for 10 years.If sony didn't release another console for 10 years it will be so outdated it will be a joke.
The ps3 will be around for 10 years but sony will have the ps4 out around 6 years but they will still sell ps3 just like they are still selling ps2.

[DoctorXpro]

Stop calling Xbox 720, its the most stupid name for a console

[-LETS-ALL-GET-ON-]

OR HAVE WE ONLY JUST GOT OUR TEETH INTO THE NEW XBOX 360 AND PS3!?

WHY DO ALL OF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE NEW CONSOLE IS AND WHAT IT MAY BE LIKE? REALLY YOUR ALL STUPID! WE HAVE BARELY EVEN TOUCHED UPON THE NEW CONSOLES, WE ALL KNOW PS3'S FUTURE IS GOING TO BE A GOOD ONE BUT I AM SURE THE XBOX 360 WILL BE ABLE TO BRING IT BACK WITH DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT AND NEW FEATURES. SO WHY THE TALK ABOUT NEW CONSOLES, YOU ALL REALLY WANT TO ACCEPT THAT YOU HAVE WASTED YOUR MONEY ON THESE NEW CONSOLES!? TOTALLY STUPID THE LOT OF YOU! THE MORE YOU TALK ABOUT THE NEW CONSOLES THE MORE THEY FORGET ABOUT WHAT THEY ALREADY GOT. NOW MORE GAMES BEING MADE AND NO MORE FEATURES BEING ADDED BECAUSE THEY GOT TO MUCH WORK ON THE NEW CONSOLES YOU ALL DEEPLY NEED. TOTALLY OBLIVIOUS ARNT YOU ALL!?