10 Reasons The Next Xbox Will Launch In 2009

"The hypothesis of this gameplayer article is simple: that the Xbox 360 will have a four-year lifespan just like its predecessor, and that its successor will be rushed to market. That the next Xbox, whatever it is called, will go on sale in the US, Europe, and Japan in time for Christmas 2009, and will arrive in Australia and New Zealand in March 2010.

Why would Microsoft do that? Why would the mighty 360 be abandoned? It has a substantial install base, a healthy attach rate, and an online service second to none. Yet there are flaws so glaring that the engineers and marketers responsible could be forgiven for wanting to sweep it under the rug, and just pretend it never happened.

What reasons could Microsoft possibly have? We're glad you asked. Without further ado, we present…"

[Chris_GTR1]

thatll be soo cool if it does.

[neogeo]

nuff said

[Twizlex]

because it won't be released in 2009. I don't think Microsoft is going to set aside a BILLION dollars for the 360 and then just stop supporting it. And none of the reasons in the article are reasons to just abandon the 360 and release a new one. Almost everything that's "wrong" with the 360 could be "fixed" with redesigns and modifications. It's noisy? That's a good enough reason to stop making it completely? The 360 is too big, but the PS3 isn't? What kind of idiot believes any of this? The person that wrote this article is just some jerk-off that doesn't even get half his facts straight. I mean, Japan is the largest gaming market? Uh, not in the last 10 years it hasn't been! It might SEEM like it is just because videogames are more mainstream over there, but the U.S. is the largest producer AND consumer of videogames in the world. This article was the purest form of flamebait and nonsense I've ever read.

[marinelife9]

I would like the reliability and wifi. Please and thank you.

[DeadlyFire]

Honestly I believe Microsoft and its fans are getting ahead of themselves. 2009 will be 1-2 years from the other consoles launch and could leave for a wider gap. I know it may seem like a smart idea, but I highly doubt Microsoft would just slap together a console like that. Remember what happened to the Dreamcast? I doubt they will make the console set for 2009. I believe they will set it for 2010 at the earliest. Sony as always will follow its same 5 year new console plan and 10 year death of cycle. So expect PS4 in 2011 probally will be lacking a GPU. Since last time Cell was wanted to do all the work of GPU as well, but it couldn't do it all for the PS3. Hopefully with a full launch instead of the staggered launch of the PS3. PS3 has the right power, but its online service isn't even done yet and many games missed the launch. Its all getting better though with some big names starting to come out with a lot of others coming next year as well. Nintendo if they finially stick to a design like whats with the Wii and work on adding in some power then the next console for them could do much better than the Wii.

[DG]

My prediction is the "nextbox" (oohhh Im copyrighting that) will come out 2011. As for most of those issues in the article will be addressed by christmas 2009 ie the Jasper SKU. Yes Ill admit the MS console is not the greatest with all its flaws but it is if you want to play good games now. I just hope MS doesent take the niche market strategy and just be satisfied with 15-30 million consoles sold and only focus on early adopters.

[lawman1108]

Dang, I just knocked my 100 plus 360 games into my ps3 games good thing there are ONLY 3 good PS3 games so they will be easy to find. Last time I checked all the new 360's have HDMI now (of course mine does not) I sewar the next systems that come out I am waiting at least a year to buy......not that that helped the P$3 any.

[SlappyMcTaint]

That's what everybody thought the Falcon 'boxes would do: fix the RROD. It didn't.

Now you think that the Jizzper version will fix those "issues"? Uhh, even M$ doesn't know what it is that's RROD'ing their little 'Box. Neither do you.

a NextBox™ in 09 could crush Sony. The xbot lemmings would be pissed for all of a day or two about M$ ditching the 360 so quickly, but M$ knows it's followers are slaves to trends so they'll pony up and buy it anyway.

[ATLRoAcH]

Not going say what it says but yall can read.Figure it out your selfs.

[ShiftyLookingCow]

more BS from the site today.

[E305]

sad news for 360 owners if true. but I believe it will happen based on the progression of games and the sizes of games these days.

[borgome]

I like buying new electronics, I would buy a new console every 3 years without even flinching. Keeping a console for more than 4 years gets old. Buying a new one keeps things exciting.

[Shankle]

You're a pc gamer, aren't you?

[AngelOFDeath]

but did anyone actually read the reasons, a new console in 09 cuz the 360 is unreliable, to much bs talk, and this is from a die hard ps3 owner

[Proxy]

This would probably be bad for PS3 fans as well. Sony sees MS bust out a new console, and they fallow suit. Sorry, but the PS3 wont be able to compete with what MS can whip together in 2009 for $400, as it stands their not that much different, and by 2009 Moore's law is telling us that $400 is going to get you something TWICE as powerful as the PS3. (Ahh, the complicated love/hate relationship we have with ol' Mr. Moore.) Anyways, the point is Sony sees this and tries to counter with a new console, and next thing we know were at 4 year life cycles. This continues we'll have XBox's named something like "XBox Oct, 2015" to help distinguish it from the "XBox Sept, 2015." (JK, it would never get that bad.)

I'll add reason 11 to that article. 2009 is when PS3 overtakes the 360. :) We Sony boys wont have any room to gloat though, because XBox fans will counter with "Meh, PS3 is LAST GEN" then we'll all cry. (I'm only half serious here, keep reading for my opinion on why the whole idea is bogus.)

Now, I'll debunk the whole article by pointing out that consoles are sold for a loss, and software makes profit. 360 will have a huge base by 2009, and MS will probably want a few years to cash in on the software sales. It may very well be that Sony says "Hey, we can't let MS claim all these software sales, we'll release a new system, and lure everyone in with our superior hardware."

It makes sense that the loser would want to release the next system. If you're losing this gen, just start the next gen yourself. The winner just wants to stay where their at and continue to roll in the cash as long as possible.

Sony is making money on PS2, they probably WANT to still be in LAST GEN, where they make big money. MS was blowing hard last gen, and so they took the initiative and started the next gen, and just look at the commanding possition that won them. :)

Thanks for reading this far. :)

[unlimited]

wow..are you that stupid?? seriously you think Microsoft wants to waste more money on repairs?? they talkin about billion of dollars being lost..they have to drop the 360..only 3 year warranty afterwards the people who dont have it no more..is not goin to bother to fix their 360 just to die again

[Proxy]

I dunno, maybe your right. But if we PS3 fans feel a little defensive about our console now, just wait until the next XBox 2009 has 2 or 3 times the PS3's power.

Sony's not going to leave us hanging either, they'll release the PS4.

Turns out, a short XBox life equals a short PS3 life.

I don't like short lives.

So maybe your right, but I hope not.

[jessupj]

i don't like short lives either. if this would be true, i'd only be playing much next gen concole (that i'm yet to purchase) for maybe 2 years. Hopefully M$ does leave it for a little bit, but i rekon M$ think, like the article, that the ps3 will catch up to them. Because sadly, everthing the article had to say about the 360 was true, it's pretty much already reached it's full potential and it's very quickly going to be out dated when HD tv sales increase and programers figure out how to make a high graphical quality game for the ps3 that the 360 just wouldn't be able to handle.

[bruiser81]

@ proxy, I think the whole point of sony putting everything they put in the PS3 was to prepair it for the battle with the next Xbox. A new Xbox would hurt Micro more than anyone else cause they have to completely reinstall their user base.They would be in sony's current position of playing catch up. Right now the ps2 is competing with the 360, by the time the next box is released the power 0f the ps3 should be fairly tapped into. I think thats what sony means when they say it future proof. Graphics are very important but dont always seal the deal, for instance ps2 killed the more powerful xbox.

[0LDSCH00L]

You all may be surprised! just a BS article, everyone is entitled to they're opinion! @ Chris_GTR1, ATLRoAcH and Maddens Raiders... dont you guy's have a life? I mean, poking around under the 360 tab for some troll material!

[ATLRoAcH]

I don't go to the 360 page just to find something to hate to.I seen this in the pending area and before I approve something I check it out to see if its worthy.Check it I approved it like I approve anything worthy so people can see it.I approve news thats good or bad for the 360 just like the PS3.I read the guidelines and I'm not a hater and I'm definitely not a damn troll.

[bluebrad1974]

The 360 will not see the fate the Xbox did. The 360 is in for the long haul, and will continue to be made as long as sales are there. If MS decides to release the next Xbox 5-6 years into the 360's life, what's the problem? It doesn't mean the 360 is going anywhere.

[funkysolo]

Do you think if M$ release a new console in 09 they would still support the 360? Come on man where have you been. By 2009 the 360 fanbase will still be at the 0riginal xbox1 20 million. How can M$ expect to sell more console if they keep releasing console every 4-5 years...There is now way Sony is going to release PS4 until 5-6 years from now..The problem with 360 is that it stuck with DVD, NO WIFI, NO HARDRIVE, CHEAP HARDWARE you can't win a console war if you don't plan for the future

[bluebrad1974]

Are you that uniformed? 360 isn't going anywhere. Actually, it's just now starting to get wound up. You little Sony minions like to imagine bs like this to help yourselves sleep at night. If the sales are there, no console maker in their right mind would stop making them. You had better be worried about that ps3 fish that's on the bank flopping because it's dying.

[funkysolo]

I think M$ and Sony just figured out that a console at $400 won't sell 120 million consoles. It took the ps2 7 years to do this and that is with all the developer support and cheap price. M$ hasn't made one red cent on the 360 and that's charging $50 a year for xbox live. Sony doent's have to release a new system at least 6-7 years 2015. You want to know why, PS3 can display pixel per pixel with 1080p HDTV which is still going to be the standard, blu ray for high capicity data, Harddrive in every SKU, HDMI in every SKU, reliable hardware, and the all mighty reason it'll be $179 or less. Remember xbots the money is on the software(the more hardware sold the more software sold), so releasing a new system every 4 years you cut into your profits because it takes 2 to 3 years before you break even with the hardware and 4 years before the price is at mass market demand. In 2 years 360 has sold only 11 million consoles and it has only sold around 2 million this year so you do the math 18 million consoles by 2009.

[bluebrad1974]

The 360 is expected to be in the black by the middle of next year. Your not going to see the next Xbox released in 2009, stamp that on your forehead, so you don't forget. Something else that you can burn into your head is that when the next Xbox does arrive, it will be 100% backwards compatable with 360 games.

[MADGameR]

Then they would be the biggiest p***ies in gaming history. If they did that then they would claim that they have ''beaten'' SONY in this current gen and that is a huge cheap shot. They are probably scared that Halo 4 won't sell anymore 360s than Halo 3 did. Its either that or they are cowards. If MS claims they beat SONY's PS3 at over 11M sold then that would be an embarrassment to the gaming industry. A pure downgraded seller, from the PS2 selling over 190 million units in 5 years to the 360 selling only over 10M and MAYBE make it to 20M? Microsoft knows its impossible to beat the incredible sales of the PS2. Maybe it is true that 360 will have a short lifespan..... afterll it only sold 1.7M this year. Next month will be X Box 360's 3rd year start.

[Salvadore]

I stopped right there.

[SacT0wnF1n3st]

May I ask why? because last time I checked it is unreliable.

[Salvadore]

But, why would MS lanuch a new console because the 360 is unreliable?

[SacT0wnF1n3st]

Because they want to make money selling those next gen consoles and they don't want to lose any more money fixing those f*cked up current gen consoles?

[jessupj]

i laughed out loud at this conversation and Sac's perfectly logical explination :)

[razer]

Because not everyone has problems. I've never had any reliability issues with my system as much as the drama queens of the internet would like to make it seem.

[xhi4]

I've actually been thinking about this a lot, before this article. I was thinking, for instance DVD9 cannot compete in the future where Blu-Ray/HD-DVD (which ever one wins) will be the standard....that's just like using a CD instead of a DVD or a video tape instead of a CD. Already developers are maxing out the 360 with titles such as Gears of War, Fracture (in Gamespot's coverage of E3, Fracture's live demo player/developer stated in excitement that their game was "maxing out the 360"), Orange Box (the developer stated the game used up 93/4% of the 360 while they hadn't even used a single SPU for the ps3). If you look at it, Sony has always stated they have a 10 year life span set out for their consoles, has Microsoft ever stated this? Or mentioned it? They brought out the xbox, after four years abandoned it and moved on....forcing everyone to move on as well, and what did everyone do? they moved on....

This is basically Microsoft's main profiting standard taking action, for instance microsoft office, how many times do they force you to upgrade? You're 'outdated' and disadvantaged if you have the previous version. Other companies have caught on to this and have realised they can ask for crazy prices but consumers inevitably buy the new versions and 'upgrade', same goes for Adobe, Adobe Creative Suite, then Adobe Creative Suite 2, Adobe Creative Suite 3.........much difference? slight improvements with the package but alltogether just paying for the same thing all over again.

So yes back on topic, I've been thinking about this a lot, and I must agree, it seems very likely Microsoft will release their next Xbox in either 2009 or 2010, not 2017 like Sony......because really, if Blu-Ray becomes what DVD is now, and DVD becomes the 'cd'.....are people really going to buy a maxed out 360 AND a blu ray player? or just get a ps3?

cheers,

[SlappingOysters]

Nicely put. It is good to see that there are people on this site who do read articles and think about things before they post!

[joydestroy]

you are correct. i definitely agree that M$ will release another console before Sony by at least a few years.

[xhi4]

a 2009/2010 release, realistically seems unlikely, outraging many. Although a 5 year lifespan seems far more likely, 2012 seems a much more realistic timeframe for the next xbox, then in 2017 when Sony releases the PS4 they'll have more reason to make their xbox 460 or whatever owners to upgrade to the next xbox.......hence making a hell of a lot of money, and everyone simply accepting it, getting used to it, 2009/2010 seems to soon and would most likely outrage many, 2012 seems the most realistic and natural timeframe.

[AngelOFDeath]

if something draws back the gaming division of M$ from not even pulling even by March of 08, no way in hell are they going to fund for yet ANOTHER system to be made, not possible, unless they stick to the current market, they put games on the hd-dvd and make things interesting, but as I think of it, HAAAAA yea right

[SacT0wnF1n3st]

People actually disagree when I said the 360 is unreliable. Let me ask whoever disagree that do you know why Microsoft extent the warranty to 3 years? ummm ya. If it is so reliable then they didn't have to do that and lose millions of dollars fixing those consoles.

I'm on my third 360. My first one freeze and scratches game discs like crazy and yes I got the RROD for the second one.

360 has great games and a lot of them and that is its biggest strength but let's face it fanboys it is unreliable.

[BIadestarX]

lol.. you are clueless.. aren't you? You really don't have a remote Idea why people disagree with you? LOL.. find.. I will try helping you... It's NOT because you said it was unreliable... it's simply because companies don't simply launch another product if there is a problem with a component in the product they sell... they simply fix the problem.. it cost them less...

I don't recall Sony making another console when the PS1 hard drive issues.. and when Sony had to face a huge class action suit due to defective PS2... ohh wait.. you don't remember.. ehh? The xbox 360 can't get worst than the PS2 as far as failure is concern... cause I replaced my PS2 3 times..

If microsoft releases the new Xbox 360 in 2009 it will be simply to stay ahead of Sony.. Releasing the next gen console 1-2 years before Sony will always put microsoft console in the same situation the PS3 is compared to the xbox 360.. behind... and with more developer support... Do you have any idea how games on the xbox 720 will look compared to the PS3?

People want to believe that Microsoft stopped trying to push the original xbox for no reason... but it was a logical step... and the state of the xbox 360 is proof that they made the right choice... isnt the xbox 360 destroying the PS3 in terms of sales and game library... forcing Sony to drop the price of the PS3 multiple time within 1 year and make more SKU than any other console in history to try to reduce cost? The original xbox had no chance against the PS2... none.. so why pursue it?

I personally hope microsoft releases the xbox 720 in 2009-2010... standard computers will probably have 6-8GB of ram (standard).. video cards would probably be 1-2GB mem... XNA framework and directX will be very robust by then.. XBox live will be more matured than it is today... the xbox 720.. will simply have more horse power in terms of hardware...

[shysun]

PS1 had a Harddrive?

[hgn]

Are you saying that you rather fixing those f*cked up consoles and lose money then making the new model more reliable and make money off of that?

[GIJeff]

MS will release a new console first again, because it worked better for them this time. didn't work great, time will show that. But it did work better than the first attempt. They will release a new system in 2010, i guarantee it. Meanwhile, ps2 support will have just ended, and there will be 130+ million people craving ps3... Playstation already has found their cycle, and its a damn good one. I wish the other 2 companys would hop on board that cycle plan, so i would feel more confident getting those systems too. For now its ps3 and PC, because at least the pc upgrade crap isnt a mystery.

[SacT0wnF1n3st]

Did you read my comment? I said " May I ask why? because last time I checked it is unreliable." I didn't say anything about MS will release another model because of the hardware failure all I said is that the 360 is unreliable and I got disagree and I thought some stupid fanboys think otherwise. And one more thing did you just say that the PS2 had hardware failure just like the 360? Let me ask you a question then why did Sony DOMINATING (yes they dominated) the gaming industry in a decade because if it had hardware problem as worst as the 360 right now then it would not have that much success. And if you disagree with me saying Sony dominated then you need to get your head our of Bill Gate's ass or whoever ass you got your head into out ok

And at shysun I don't recall the PS1 has a hard drive

[AngelOFDeath]

the ps2 did not have a huge hardware failure as 360, see when you get a RRoD, you have to send in the system, when the ps2 had disc read errors, open up your ps2, which already was out of warranty by the time you got that error happen, and either clean out the dust or change the lens voltage, adding a little more length to your system, but enough about that, let time tell what may happen

[Sez]

lets talk about unreliable shaw we. yes 360 has a failure rate. but what about the ps1. flip it over to read disk.ps2 had problem reading disk after 90day. oh and lets not forget the best one you sony supporter love to forget. sony laptop batteries. how many of them blew up on people.how much money did they lose in that one.when you talk reliable hardware sony is far from the best.even if MS comes out with a new system. it won't be until the end of 2010-2011 and even then it will support the 360 games.

[happygamer]

the big three already working on new game systems or atlest thinking of the technology to use.

[felman87]

Not happening. MS is in this to make money this time around. That means a longer cycle than just 4 years.

[sticky doja]

3: It dragged its feet with wireless guitars.

Oh my god shut the system down, they had a guitar come out that wasn't wireless.

4: The Xbox 360 Doesn’t Have HDMI as standard.

It does now, why do I, with my 1080i tv need HDMI again? How many households will actually have 1080p in 2009? A very small minority.
6: The Xbox 360 doesn’t have Wi-Fi as standard.

I am a hardcore gamer, when I am getting ready to frag someone I not wanna get killed cuz I am using wifi and not a CAT-5. Even though its a small difference it could be the difference between winning or losing.

8: The Xbox 360 is ugly and loud.

Come on, this guy is stretching for reasons. I honestly don't hear it when I have my surround sound on, not even the least bit. Plus the new chips are makin it oh so quieter. And who cares what it looks like? It plays games, doesn't try to win fashion awards.

9: The Xbox 360 is failing in Japan.

Its doin a hell of a lot better than the original Xbox.

10: Microsoft, and everyone else, considers the Xbox disposable.

What does that have to do with the 360 again?

THis fanboy should try a little harder next time. Some of the arguments could makes sense (which is why I didn't try to combat them all) but this guy is pullin reasons out of his arse for webhits I'd
say.

Edit: @GIJeff - Just to let you know their are no football games, or any broadcast for that matter that broadcast in 1080p, nor will their be for at least another 3 years, probably alot longer. 1080p takes up way to much bandwidth.

[GIJeff]

Are you suggesting your internet is limited by wireless speeds? W0W, i want THAT internet...

And when bob and sue go out to bestbuy to get a "HDTV" because bob keeps hearing from joe that the football games look so incredibly nice in 1080p, bob gets a 1080p tv....any big screen now is 1080p...1080i isnt the standard for large hdtvs....i personally play on a puny 1080i, and dont use HDMI, but bob really wants it, and so does every one else who wants to invest in their home entertainment. Having HDMI is a very good thing for an "entertainment hub".

-just sayin zall

@ guy below me
component cables ARE NOT capable of 1080p, they go up to 1080i. I USE THOSE. btw, why would the current minority, and the eventual majority of home entertainment lovers want to get stuck with 1080i on their shiny new tv.... When you go to any electronics retailer, and you see people wanting tvs, where are they? they are standing in the LCD or DLP section looking for a nice big screen. its the way of the present. Everyone with a CRT already has one, theres not much of a market for those like there used to be. The whole Industry is trying to convince people of 1080p, not just sony. People are weak and will buy buy buy.

[SlippyMadFrog]

This author is seriously grasping at straws.

No standard WiFi? Just buy the WiFi adapter if it's so important.

@GIJeff

Bob and Sue is in the absolute minority when it comes to gamers because they can afford an 1080p TV. Also the Xbox360 can deliver 1080p over component cable. Also, I have read a lot of articles stating that the difference between component and HDMI is BARELY visible on a 50" TV when looking closely at the screen.

[Aniperk]

"I honestly don't hear it when I have my surround sound on"

Can you tell me how you listen surround sound on a console that
has 2 channel analog audio output?

[funkysolo]

You do know that 10 million 360 owner's out of the 11 million 360's sold don't have HDMI. I guess you are expecting them to throw their 360 away and go buy another 360 with HDMI.

M$ has not turn a profit on the 360 yet and won't turn a profit until the end of 2008. So you xbots expect M$ to lose money for 3 years and when they finally start to get some sort of profit to just start losing money all over again. I do hope M$ does release an xbox720 because it's going to be the new 3DO. Sony is thinking long term 7-8 years before PS4, they want to sell as many consoles as possible and with the price of PS3 dropping every year they can accomplish mass market with 4-8 years span. There is no way home consoles can survive releasing a console every 4-5 years when consoles are sold at a loss. The business model for home consoles has always been to sell at a lost and get your money back on software. The only way this can work would be for every game to be BC and the hardware would not have the big leap as we are used to having 6x more powerful, it would only be 2 times as powerful to keep price down

[Sangheili85]

Xbox360 supports fiber optic cables. Which supports 5.1 surround sound.

[AngelOFDeath]

you have to look at it like this, ok they said the system is unreliable, but to terms of failure, yes it has a 33% failure or some crap like that, could it be fixed yes, has it, i dont know i dont follow the 360 lol, but unreliable on what other terms, it does have good games n blah blah, will it change, I hope so cause I have a ps3 and I would like the developing momentum to shift to the ps3, but the 360 does have games and a reliable online function, it lags like everything else, but if this article would show more intelligent reasons for a newer system coming out in less then 2 years from M$ then I wouldnt be wasting my breathe saying how wrong this article is

[joydestroy]

i don't think so. but it is possible.

[IdontTakeSides]

This aint gonna happen 2009..?? but then again the first XBOX came out in 2001 and was dead by 2005....so it's totally possible...im pretty sure the XBOX 720...would be still be outsold by PS3...on a monthly basis...lol...

[BIadestarX]

You name does not go with your comments... any ways... "im pretty sure the XBOX 720...would be still be outsold by PS3...on a monthly basis...lol.." lol... just like the PS3 is outselling the xbox 360 in the little fantasy world of a Sony fanboy...

[GIJeff]

just like the ps2 and psp are......follow along....gawd

[Young Capwn]

i just got my 360 coffin in the mail, once i get it back im trading it in for some ps3 games.

[iceice123]

That thing has games?!

[Lionsguard]

MS though I don't support it, is smart enough to not pull a Sega and release too many consoles in too short a time period. It'll just piss off developers causing them to not make games for the system (EA:SEGA) If MS does make another system by 2009 it'll just be a white flag in the air to Sony's system making them seem unsure of themselves. We can already see MS'es frantic strategy to upgrade the 360 a bit more with the new Falcon system and the other new one on the way. Expect to see alot of "new" upgraded 360s to compensate for it's presently lack of power and future security. Say as much as you want but you know Microsoft released a shoddy system on purpose. Why do you think there are so many RRoDs and newer "more reliable" versions coming out now? They rushed the 360 and now they're trying to make up for it because they know if they don't get a beefier 360 out the door in a few years down, the PS3 is just going to melt it's face. Expect a 2009 model of the 360 to be twice as powerful as the ones you have now all the while the PS3 is going to be unchanged for the most part because it doesn't need to be upgraded anymore. In fact, the newer 40gb version is more of a downgrade if you ask me, thats how much Sony trusts the PS3.

[Young Capwn]

You deserve a cookie my friend. 360 is DOOOMED

[BloodySinner]

Bubble from me as well.

[timmyrulz]

But the over all factor about gaming is games,speaking as an average joe most people arent interested in wi fi, hd, size of hard drives etc all they want to do is play games, and leave the multi media stuff to pc's, this is one of the reasons why the wii is doing so well, all you can do is play games, that is why they are known as games consoles.

[Tryst]

You are wrong there, timmyrulz.

The Wii is not doing well because of th games, in fact it is the worst of the 3 consoles for games. The reason the wii is doing (or done) so well, is because of the marketing of it which created a stir and families were like, hey thats cool, I'll get that, and so the average Joe's started getting it. It is these type of people who then leave it under the stairs after a month. I know SOOOOOOOO many people who have done just this.

[MK_Red]

I hope it's not true because:
A. It will turn the next-gen war into next=next-gen war and way more complex.
B. I'm not a millionaire so I can't afford buying consoles so quickly.
C. WTF!?

[skylar2000]

hahah

[CrazzyMan]

It`s definately the second name of this article. =))

[MrWeymes]

It's entirely possible that Microsoft will release another Xbox by 2010 or so. I don't know about 2009, though, but anything could happen. The 360 is a very unreliable system in my opinion. I just hope that microsoft doesn't make the same mistake with the new Xbox. Rushing it to the streets to stay ahead of Sony and Nintendo. I know that by rushing the release date of the 360 that microsoft got a head start on the competition, and established a rather large fanbase, but in the long run, I think that the PS3 will win the console wars of this generation. It's a superior machine in my opinion. I think in a couple of years PS3 games are going to put 360 games to shame.

[GIJeff]

someone sees the truth

[jessupj]

couldn't have said it better myself weymes

[Tyrael]

this generation of gaming is not living up to standards

Microsoft: pushing everything too quick and messing up in the tech department, riding on games and thank god you have so many

Sony: thinking that because you are the God of all electronics that people will buy your super expensive console regardless of the lack of AAA titles, comin in late in the game and the next generation is almost here...

Nintendo: well... i think this guy put it best
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[IdontTakeSides]

yeah just like how a last gen system "PS2" outsold the 360 on a monthly basis until it finally recieved a price cut and the biggest game it will ever recieve..!!

[WilliamRLBaker]

BS the day that happens is the day I stop enjoying games.

[Game Crazy]

Take this article with a grain of salt. The reason Microsoft launched the original Xbox was to gain a foothold in the videogame industry. Mission accomplished.

The reason the Xbox only lasted 4 years was 2 things.
1. The PS2 had already won the console wars for that generation before it ever started. The PS2 launched 18 months before the XBOX starting in Spring 2000-Japan and then Winter 2000-US. Sony was able to maintain a substantial advantage in user install base and 3rd party developer support. Not to mention Microsoft was new, and not recieved very well, especially in Japan.
2. Microsoft did not own its own hardware. They had contracted companies such as Intel for the CPU and Nvidia for the GPU, and thus were not able to reduce the cost on manufacturing the Xbox. They were bleeding money from the hardware manufacturing costs alone, not to mention the PS2 had an insurmountable lead.

Microsoft rushed to launch in November of 2005 because they wanted to get a head start on the competition. Here are the reasons I think they will not repeat the original XBOX's history.

1. Microsoft owns the hardware. RROD and all. So they have greater control of manufacturing costs. And in time as is already apparent they can resolve all manufacturing issues.
2. Microsoft has an established user base install lead on the PS3, why would they abandon that now or anytime soon. Why not just let things play out?
3. Microsoft has much better 3rd Party Developer support this time. Most developers prefer making games on the 360 due to being easier and thus cheaper and less time consuming to make games, and larger install base. Its a win win for both Microsoft and its software developers. Why crap on that?
4. Broadband internet and HDTV's are not standard in homes yet, and seem to be a few years away from having mass market penetration. So HD videogaming and broadband internet videogaming is in its infancy. This latest round of console wars will last longer than 4-6 years. It's only now just beginning.
5. Why get involved in the Blu-Ray/HD-DVD battle. Blu-Ray and HD-DVD only make up 1% of all home video sales. We are several years if ever from either format emerging as the winner and overtaking DVD as the market leader for home video sales. DVD-9 has served the 360 fine for its first 2 years. Only 1 game that is even available for purchase uses more than 1 DVD-9 disc and that is Blue Dragon which just happens to use multiple discs for all of its cutscenes. Worse case scenario for sticking with DVD-9 is multi-disc games. Swapping discs is no big deal if done right.

[unlimited]

microsoft is goin to fix the rrod issue?? lmao..its beeen over 2 years and its still isnt resolve.. The user base is big right now but what makes you think the ps3 wont get any bigger?? 3rd party support the ps3 too..even if they did prefer the 360..Sony is really committed to bring blue ray to success..they have lots of studio supporting them exclusively!! Games on mulitple disk sucks.. no matter if its a great game no one wants to deal with it..If u think microsoft wont ditch it in 2009 you are out of your mind.. they screwed up for releasing it to early and got owned..

[Lionsguard]

You don't seem to realize something, If Microsoft lets Sony win the format wars and ends up successfully burying HD-DVD in 6 feet of scrap, For the next 20 years or so Sony will become extremely rich thanks to revenue from Blu-Ray not only that but some of that money will be coming from Microsoft as well. So basically Blu-Ray wins, Next gen console wars roll out, XBOX720 + Blu-Ray reader = Money in Sony's pocket anyway, Halo 5,6,7? = Sony's money So pretty much for the next 3-4 console wars will be Sony's victory pretty much in any way you swing it, Nintendo and Microsoft could lead for all they care and they'll still be making money. The Format war is the much larger war, the console war is just a school-yard fight compared to the Next Media format.

[ukilnme]

Just a little side note to Sony making money off of MS. It works both ways. Sony manufactures computers and pays MS to use Windows. Although they are competing against each other in the gaming industry, they still do business together in other ways.

[b777conehead]

in texas broad band is preaty standard this day and age.and hdtvs are getting closer to being in more homes. and i dont ms knows how to fix the rrod if the falcon is the fix they should recall all the non falcon ones and replace those with the falcon ones if this was ford our gm etc there would be a recal to fix the faulty equipment not just when it failed

[power of Green]

Agreed more sony BS. Sony fanboys always find the most ridiculous sh*t and make wild comments bashing what they think sucks about a console they hate due to fanboyism.

[jessupj]

I'm not a fanboy, but a lot of the article actually has truthful and valid points

[sticky doja]

It does have valid points, but not 10. 4-5 MAX. The rest is just a fanboy rant.

[power of Green]

You shouldn't pay these rabids any attention don't even reply to any of them with their anti MSFT forum quality rants.

[b777conehead]

yea pow just like when you come into any thang bad on the ps3 fourms and make your coments

[Saint Sony]

1: The Xbox 360 is unreliable.
Why is it that so many people say none of their friends have had problems with it and you can only read about the problems from the internet? I know many people with working system without a single problem. 99% of the red lights are proven to be badly plugged cables.

2: The Xbox 360 has a three-year warranty.
So what? So has many other product in the market, this does not prove anything.

3: The Xbox 360 Dragged Its Feet On Wireless Guitars.
Obviously this idiot does not know that the wireless guitar came out shortly after Guitarhero 2 and has nothing to do with Guitarhero 3.

4: The Xbox 360 Doesn’t Have HDMI as standard.
There is elite for those who want/need it.

5: The Xbox 360 doesn’t have a hard drive as standard.
Orly? So this idiot says the Core is the stantard. ok. Anyhow, those who want it can buy it... yeah that's hard, well, life is.

6: The Xbox 360 doesn’t have Wi-Fi as standard.
Wow, now this sucks. NOT. If you need one buy one.

7: The Xbox 360 is limited to DVD for games storage.
Only lazy PS3 people think changing a disk every now and then is so damn hard.

8: The Xbox 360 is ugly and loud.
Ugly? Ok, ugly sh!t always gets some design awards right? This stupid statement is only opinion of the idiot author.
What comes to noise issue, yes..it might keep some noise when the disc is inside, but not really a biggie, matters only if you hold it on your shoulder while you play and that would be stupid.

9: The Xbox 360 is failing in Japan.
Oh, I see...and the next xbox would not?

10: Microsoft, and everyone else, considers the Xbox disposable.
I don't think so and neither does MS. This dude is pure fail.

This stupid article has no point what so ever, it is only written to start some flame and because this writer has no other stories he has to make them up from the scratch based on his stupid imagination. This article only makes it feel that gaming industry is the only income source for MS.

Anyhow, I would love to see the next Xbox, does not matter when it comes 2009 or 2010, I'll buy it.

[Lionsguard]

Ok I don't have a problem with everything you said but this one line

"Anyhow, I would love to see the next Xbox, does not matter when it comes, I buy it."

is what sets you apart making you look like something this site won't allow me to type. In fact it's not just you theres quite a few xbox loyalists who say this, yet you argue that the PS3 is SO DAMN EXPENSIVE yet you don't have a problem shelling out $300 every few years for another "upgrade". You are probably the type who goes out and buys a new ipod whenever Apple decides it's time to tack on an extra 10gb to an existing ipod and gives it a different name. You = Dumb consumer. But hey I won't mind if a new Xbox comes out tomorrow let's just see how the developers will react. OH wait! we already know, just ask Sega.

[Saint Sony]

Yeah I am a dumb consumer, I have both PS3 and 360. Big mistake, should have stayed with 360.

[jessupj]

All you did was rant and discredit every single point of the article without looking at it objectively. You just biasly disagreed with everything. Doing that only makes you look fanboyish and people won't take you seriously.

[MrSwede]

You just proved to me you´re stupid owning a PS3 when you had the avatar "PS3 dies September 25th". Well, nostradamus, how´s your PS3 doing?

[JCITY]

PS3 IS THE BEST AND SLOWLY BUT SURELY PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO REALISE THAT....DON'T GET MADD BECAUSE U BOUGHT THAT SYTEM BECAUSE U COULDN'T WAIT FOR NEXT GEN GAMING ...IF THE TRUTH CAN BE TOLD A LOT OF PEOPLE COULDN'T WAIT...BUT HEY NO NEED TO BE SAD BUY A PS3...TOODLES

[Saint Sony]

lol

[cvflyboy]

Put It like this.. It only took one "RROD" for me 2 switch to the right side.. the ps3. I didn't pay 400 dollars to have fear running through my veins every time i pushed the power button on my 360. And with games like PGR4 that show no difference to its prequel It just goes to show u that the 360 has reached its limit. its simple more power... better games

[Ju]

Maybe that's intended. Gives you the thrills right there when you press the button. Raises the entertainment value, ha?

[supaet]

think about it.

look at all the reasons, except for the reliable issues, if they are legit, we'll see the wii gone in 2008 by the same logic.

the 3 next gen systems, the two less powerful ones are selling better than the most powerful one. the one that's going some where is the ps3.

360 and wii already has a "stable" manufacturing model, cost of production is way less than the ps3.

on the other hand, ps3, how many sku changes within its first year? totally unheard of in gaming industry. sony is still "toying" with ps3 to figure out the best configuration to lose the least money per system sell.

wii and 360 are established, but the ps3 is still in "research"
if you know why ms drop the xbox so fast, you'll realize that the ps3 is in similar situation. if any console were to have a short life span this gen, it'll be the ps3.

look at how long the 20 gb and 60 gb model lasted.

[iMad]

Do you want Crysis? Well on today consoles it can't be possible! mainly becouse of small amount of RAM. Crysis needs 1GB of video RAM in minimum. So in 2009 it will be good to have updated console with backward support for old games from 360.

PS3? PS3 can never handle Direct10 level graphics. It has limited ram architecture (256+256 is bad becouse graphic schene should feet in 256 amount of video RAM) and RSX can't handle HDR, shaders 3.0 well. It is DX9 level. And Cell will not help becouse of his not gaming arhitecture. Parallel computing is a good thing...for scientists, for big simple and straight calculations with little amount of interruptions, with low amount of events to handle. But it has very little task to do well in gaming: physical callculations - good, graphics - bad. Who need good physics with bad grapics? You can say - "look at ray tracing on PS3! That's is graphics!" Well one single item raytraced on PS3 has nothing to prove. NOTHING. IN games we need about 100 items to be raytraced! In real games with modern technologies in computing full RAY Tracing for about 100 items will be available only in 10 years.

I want Direct10 to run widely in 1 year!

[cvflyboy]

I disagree.. I believe by march everything is gonna change for ps3 for the better.. Metal Gear 4.. Kill zone 2... Ratchet and Clank... and Uncharted Are the first actual next gen games i have seen so far. oops my bad and GT5 GT5 Gt5.. yea baby

[Xbox is the BEST]

you played any of those games yet?

[JokesOnYou]

8 out of 10 reasons are laughable, only 2 reason worthy of a response:

Unreliable: its fixable, ask sony, they fixed the ps2 drive problem after they were sued and they went on to do pretty well, in fact there are signs that 360 is much more reliable than in the past, this also relates to one of his other "reasons", becuase it seems this guy is grasping at ANYTHING he can as some sort of CLUE of 360's demise and turns the warranty into a negative, simply put the warranty HELPS improve confidence for current and future customers because the bottom line is YOU wont pay out of pocket for RROD.

DVD storage for games: 1st of all space itself doesnt make a game good, more gigs doesn't make a game good, dev's make games good, a good dev will make a great game on a 25 gig BD or on 4 DVD's, if it bothers you that you might have to change the disc a few times to play a great game on DVD then I think you are in the minority, most gamers see it as a non-factor when purchasing games, in fact I remember a time when the *misconception was that when games came out on multiple disc it somehow meant they were better than most single disc games, obviously alot has changed and gamers love convenience but I still never heard someone in real life ever complain about a game being on multiple discs, he uses Lost Odyssey as an example, but how many games over 360 life cycle will see 20hrs of cutscenes or as much as we see in most jrpg's? not many and again multiple discs if needed arent a concern for most gamers.

Well he did say these are just his theories, not unlike many of the theories we've seen before for the ps3 or 360, everybody has a prediction indicating this one or that one will fail, etc funny thing is 360 has mostly succeeded so far after many different types of predictions of failure, those reasons he gave in the begining are exactly WHY I think his 10 reasons a very wrong=

JOY

[Mr Marbles]

Has already said they plan to build a new xbox in 2012, not 2009.

HDMI IS standard now on all 360s manufactured, where have you people been?

The reason Sony is saying the PS3 is a 10 year console is because they know dam well they will not make a dime off the thing for a very long time, therefor it must be around a long time. M$ will do the same, these companies have to keep the consoles around long enuff to make the money back that they invested in them. The reason xbox was dropped is because it would never become profitable, M$ was using other peoples technology in it and they could not lower component costs as a result.
360 guts will get cheaper and the box will become profitable, if it is not already.

In fact due to the extra billion bucks M$ had to sink into the 360 it may be around even longer to make that cash back. I see a new xbox coming no sooner than 2013. Keep in mind M$ does not need to rush, Sony will not be dropping PS4 for "10 years" that is like 2016.

[supaet]

also, just to make a case that this article is pure bs.

which of these 10 reasons even closed to contributed to ms dropping support of the xbox1 so early? none.

which of these next gen consoles looks like the xbox of last gen? ps3?

[demolitionX]

it's so simple in 2008 360 has nothing to show, PS3 has a lot to show. it's a very simple equation, 360 architecture is similar to PC, by next year all pc games will look ugly on 360, no denial on that!!!! if u take pc games from 360, they end up with nothing, sorry ya halo.... on the contrary, PS3 has yet to reach its potential: uncharted is already using 30%-50% of PS3 power.
I don't know why all 360 are all of a sudden became IT experts, PS3 doesn't need ur DX10 crap, they use openGL morans. could anybody answer me 360 experts, why wardevil was dropped for 360?

by the way, killzone 2 and wardevil graphics are superior to any thing so far, they are CGI type of graphics, can anybody tell me a game that uses DX10 better than those games.

[iMad]

We are talking about DX10 LEVEL of graphics. We are talking about COMPLIXIVITY of graphics. This level can be achived on OPENGL too for sure. But not with PS3! DX10(OpenGL XXX) level needs different hardware i.e much more memory.

[Ju]

Can you explain to me, why an API (DX10) defines the features of the HW ? And what exactly is so special in DX10 which can't be done on the PS3? Details, please, not rants.

[Lionsguard]

The ps3 may be losing now but it won't remain this way, you underestimate the Playstation name, not only this but the brutal truth is that Sony does not need to win this console war. They need to win the HD Format war. Because if they win with Blu-Ray they will win for the next 20 years no matter what machine Microsoft pulls out of it's bag for next-gen and next-next gen and the next gen after that. Think about it, Blu-Ray movies, music disks, XBOX720+ game discs ALL BLU-RAY who do you think makes the money? that's right...Once they bury HD-DVD expect to seem a much meaner Sony who's going to be showing a lot of teeth for the PS3 like they did with the PS2. If you compare the advertising they did with the PS2 and the PS3 it's like as if they never told anyone about the PS3. Sony's full frontal assault is on the HD-Format front and their presence is no where to be seen on the console front for the time being. So enjoy your peace time revelry.

[Mr Marbles]

you are so ignorant it's scary, i wonder how someone like you can be left to survive on your own and make your own decisions. Sony and the playstaion name are not god, they are both deeply flawed, you need to understand that first of all. Everything Sony has set out to do with the PS3 since before launch, they have failed, they have also managed to blow a 70% marketshare that they enjoyed for better than a decade, in mere months. Bluray and HDDVD will both survive, and they will only be around a short time. Digital distribution is the future, Japanese are hardware focused, but Americans are software focused, and software is the way of the future. The next xbox and PS will not have any disks, if they do it will be purely for BC purposes. Bluray for 20 years, yeah right, they already have a more advanced disk in the works. You are blinded by your love and nastalga for Sony, let it go, you sound like an idiot when you place so much faith in a misguided japanese firm that just barely can figure out what sku they really want to sell. Grow up, already.

[Lionsguard]

Yea because you can see into the future right? DVDs were proven to be a long time format and as for now disc storage will stil be viable down the line. Why would the next gen systems NOT be disc storage? that's just dumb, that's just another Phantom system trying to push for mass storage. It's idiotic and doesn't work, One failed hard drive and BOOM all your games are gone GG with that. I also agree that Sony has failed, they talked a lot of trash and came up short I agree, but really it won't last is it because of my blind faith? perhaps but what good is a system without the backbone fanbase? Oh and I put my faith in Sony because they have indeed won the last 2 generations, I'm a loyalist and if I were to just abandon them then there would be no reason for me to defend them. I'm not a fanboy though, fanboys see no wrong in their god, and I do see wrong. Sony is slacking the games department, and is pushing the console to be something else than what it should be. My post was to re-state that Blu-Ray will win and you can talk big about your digital distribution or whatever but the mainstream won't buy into it for a looong time. Fanatics like you might be willing but not the mainstream, Blu-Ray wins this war, they'll have it in big for a long time. Not forever but for a long time.

OH and this is a bit off topic but THIS COMMENT SYSTEM SUCKS!!

[demolitionX]

what next gen u refer to DD, u mean >50 years from now.

[BUKKAKALYPSE]

What if Blu-Ray doesn't win?

[Thugbot187]

If Microsoft did this Sony would follow suit no doubt. The advantage of Microsoft doing this is that Sony would have to push the PS3 into the current PS2 role much sooner than Sony would like. Sony’s strategy is to slowly build the install base of the PS3 over a ten year period, also banking on the fact that it will take about that long to tap the power of the system. Microsoft on the other hand knows it will be cheaper 2 years from now to build a console that out does today’s top of the line technology. Just think about it IBM has already improved the Cell processer; Nvida has already improved its video cards. This can be a blow to Sony’s pockets by not allowing enough time to recover money from the PS3 or to build an adequate install base. Just think MS already has the framework for game development (DirectX and various other tools; So from day one developers will be able to utilize the consoles power. This time round Sony is fight the war with the wrong weapon (a Knife instead of a Gun).

[iMad]

Very vell said!
All that we need is a XBOX 360+ wich will be DX10 level and have backward compability to older games. And XBOX 360+ will arive just as another SKU. quite and simple.

Becouse DX10 (Open GL XXX) is a revolution in PC(consoles) graphics.
When people will see games using this technology they quickly will buy hardware capable to run it. Just as they wanted a color TV when it first came. Becouse that's is really really good to play such a beatifull games with so complex graphics.

[Genki]

I still disagree that we'll see a new one in 2 more years. That's just not gonna happen.

IF I DID AGREE, then the only points I would agree with are the HW issues and disc space. If the Falcon models start burning up, a tornado of doomsday headlines will certainly follow. "360's continue to die after inclusion of supposedly improved internal components" is but one example of a flurry of potential headlines. A few people that work with me, and they aren't even gamers AT ALL, are fully aware of the 360s regular HW failures. This won't scare away existing consumers, for obvious reasons, but potential customers WILL be turning the other cheek. I know because I'm one of those at this point in time.

As for disc space, it's hard to tell. We can either see devs compromising PS3 titles, 360 titles, or not even releasing one version or the other. "Game X can't be done on console Y because of reason Z" would become more prevalent, but not because of the BS political reasons we're commonly given, it would be an issue of disc space and coding. Game X would be so tailored to the 360 that it would be impractical to port it to the PS3, and game Y would be the same, but vice-versa plus more space.

I could actually see MS buying rights to 3rd part franchises more often(Gears, Halo, PGR, Forza, etc.) for fear that the games may look and play better were they to migrate over to the competition. It's a pretty realistic concern if you ask me, especially with all of what's been talked about up to now.

Oh well. Like I said, I don't believe it, but those are the only two valid concerns IMO. We won't see a new console until 2012, mark my words. In fact, the only company I would expect to even release a new one by '10 is Nintendo, because their fanbase is largely occupied by the casual crowd(assuming).

[Wii60_FTW]

yet more sony fangirl drivel found on N4Girls. not surprised.

[test123123]

Don't might to have a new version of Xbox

[Mallow]

2009 would be too soon, 2010 would be better. This list sucks though, I mean sure the disc does hurt it a little bit but not a whole hell of a lot. I do enjoy the Blu-ray for PS3 though

[dazreah]

What has happened to this site needs to change its name to N4fanboys.com. You sony fans need to get a life go play your last place ps3 and leave the 360 fans alone. Stop jumping on every biased crappy story please!

[computerjeff05]

I could see MS releasing a new console in 2010, 2009 seems a little too early. We will have to see what happens between blu-ray and HD-DVD. I do think it was a bad idea for MS to not include a hard drive in the 360, even the original Xbox had one. Plus games run better with a hard drive due to system caching. I think the design look of the 360 is very nice so I disagree with that part. But they should have put airflow in the front under the DVD drive. Also a few extra USB ports would of been nice.

Who cares about blutooth or wifi. If you need either of those then buy the accessories. Why drive the price of the console up for things 75% of the people don't use. Wireless = lag.

[Bullseye]

My sentiments exactly. Major MS messup on HDD, but other stuff not essential.Still, had either console been given decent amounts of RAM i would have been happier.

[Bullseye]

Before i add my comment i must correct one thing from the article. I have never been the slightest bit worried about turning on my 360,ever. Right, there's some valid reasons mentioned why the 360 isn't the most reliable or the best designed piece of kit out there, no arguments from me on that score.We 360 owners are all acutely aware of its failings,but its successes, fortunately for most of us,out weigh its failures.Certainly, i don't regret my purchase, because had i bought a PS3 i would now have a 100% reliable machine with questionable 'inbuilt features' gathering dust under my T.V and would have paid twice the price for it! Instead, i have the machine with the games I want to play.Finally, I have no problems with MS releasing a new model at the end of four years as long as they provide BC in some form, then for me, thats exactly what i want! I want the latest and best games and thats what i have. It may be a piece of unreliable sh$t to some,but personally that's not my experience.My only general complaint would be directed at both consoles.Neither are performing to next gen expectations due to insufficient memory, but again,that's just my view.

[CrazzyMan]

1) First of all, to create great NEXTgen GAME today cost around 20$ mln.
The more complex game is, the more it cost..
so to create a great game in 2009-2010 on a new hardware will cost even more.

2) New console always cost money to create, and company`s sales them for lower price, then it cost. x360 400$ - 735$; ps3 600$ - 840$. Unless there will be some GF8800GTX in next x720, they will definately lose money on it.

3) again, new console, new install base, low game sales.

4) if x720 come in 2009-2010, sony will release in 2011-2012 even better console, because this time they will have enough time for creating good gpu + nextgen cell, which will own everything.

5) crysis, ut3, id tech 5 will define games which will come in next 2-3 years. And while those games looks awesome, there won`t be real big difference, till developers get close to x720 hardware.

6) anyway, x720 and ps4 will only make graphics close to reality or CG. If FFXIII already now will be close to CG, as much as Ratchet already is. Why would anyone need x720?

7) the real nextgen will be, when it comes to virtual reality.

[computerjeff05]

I just love how PS2 fanboys keep talking about the RROD. My PS2 DVD-drive broke within the first 18 months and was not covered under warranty. At least MS extended the warranty for everyone and reimbursed those who bought the extended warranty at stores. What did Sony do for their customers? NOTHING.

[Greysturm]

But i guess people need reminders...

ps2 failure rate 3% (Abut 4 million defective consoles is its lifespan)
Xbox 360 failure rate 30% (about 4 million defective consoles in its lifetime)

So even though they are similar 7+ years 120mil sold vs 2 years about 12 mil sold really tell the difference.

[gamesblow]

I siad this last year. MS blew their wad "so to speak" already. Halo 3 and Gears of war... We'll see 1 more gears of war next year and that'll be the end of the xbox 360. In late 2009, you will see the enxt iteration of the xbox. Bank it. 4 year life cycles for the house on all MS supported consoles... Lovely times ahead with this new found monopoly!!!! What a joke!

[ASSASSYN 36o]

What is the big deal with why the 360 isn't blu-ray or hd dvd. PC games aren't either and no one is complaining. When pc's pick a different format for game than dvd's shared by the 360, thats when I would be worried.

[MrSwede]

All PC´s have hard-drives, maybe that´s the reason. No gamer minds having 3 dvds when installing the game as long as they don´t need them during the game.

[SnakeCL]

PC games can also use Intensive (and slow) data compression techniques, since you're not actually playing the game off of the disc like on a console.

[Azurite]

This may be the first time I agree to all points in a "10 Reasons List".
I don't know about the year of release, it seems too early, but it wouldn't surprise me much.

[SofaKingReetodded]

we will see another xbox, MS has made 0 nada nothing, get it? They haven't made one cent from the xbox franchise. The losses are now in the billions and i doubt the shareholders would tolerate another costly venture it what has essentially been a money pit for MS.

[Hooby]

The only console I have is a 360, so take this for what you will.

I do not think the console has failed, but I definitley agree that it is not a true next gen console, only halfway there. The article stated all the exact issues with hit, holding it back from reaching the truly epic proportions in games that the next few years will be bringing to us. Lets be honest, the more stuff we can get in a game the better, meaning dvds are too damn small. When you can get 10 times the content on a disk, then You can be sure it will be the new standard to have 10 times the enemies, 10 times the levels, etc, etc. Video games are becoming the new movies, because unlike movies you are engaged and interacted, you are the movie, in order to rach that vista you have to put us in these fantasy worlds with tons and tons of stuff, dvd just won't cut it.

ANd theres all this little stuff that the xbox doesn't even really have the potential for because while it is well laid out and has good features, theres things that really should be standard that aren't. Instead of making a big fuss about wireless, why aren't things like that standard? Wireless headset? Not important in the least, but why the hell not just make em all like that? Wireless internet...Why the hell woudl you spend 170 bucks on that?

I enjoy the xbox and the games it has, but I think once 2007 is over it has probably reached its limit as far as what it can do, and I doubt anything else will surprise us. It will get stale and dull, we'll know what scale to expect in games, etc. Unless this isn't true, which I doubt, and GOW 2 really shows us something then this console truly is only halfway to the gen its trying to compete in.

Yes it is succesful as far as consoles go, but lets hope they set themselves up for "infinite potential" so to speak the next time around so games continue to get better and better and better graphically, content wise, everything wise on the exact same console for years and years to come. Imagine, there is no need to ever upgrade the console because you can keep developing better and better games for it because its limits can be pushed and pushed. So 4 years after it comes out instead of needing a new console, you just need new games, and the games coming out then are in 8657z instead of 1080p, games are twice the scale that they were, etc, because they created the everlasting console. The ps3 may not have better games yet, but it is a true next gen console since some of these features come standard. Other things like massive hard drives cheap and standard built into the console, with gmaes that only need to be inserted once then you never need to worry about the disk again, features like that may be the new next gen. Ultimatley we want to play fun games, so for now 360 is clearly the winner, but it will eventually diminish.

And remember, the only console I own is a 360, this is the friggin truth, do not deny it xbox owners.

[God of Gaming]

MS wants to turn a profit this gen.. that means making the 360 last longer than 4 years.

[Shadow Flare]

lol MS is not gonna turn a profit this gen

[God of Gaming]

Well I said they WANT to turn a profit. And they already said this holiday they plan on making money for the first time.

[zonetrooper5]

The 360 will be on for a long time to come, I don't think we will see the next Xbox until 2010.

[Kulupoo]

If they release it 2009... then I won't buy it till 2011... simple as that, they really should at least support 1 generation of console for 7-10 years...

[demolitionX]

the problem, SONY and MS are into 2 different paths. MS wants to sell and make money with policy"who gives the sh!t for consumers", and they will be attached closely to PC architecture which changes drastically every 2-3 years. MS wants to suck our blood every 3 years with a new hardware. I am not a fool to follow MS path, NO WAY.
SONY on the other hand, are more innovative, re-defining gaming is their main goal. and the most important part is that their console has longer life span, see sony had 3 consoles in what 12 years!!! so each console has like 6 years span to 3 for MS. I still have my PS1 and PS2 working to date. RELIABILTY which MS won't achieve in 100 years from now. I am happy um not a fool to follow MS steps.

[hamsterfist]

I would buy this new console in 2009 as soon as hell froze over. Microsoft had better be waiting until 2011 or 2012. If not I am never buying another Microsoft product.

[Shadow Flare]

I like this article cos it pretty much sums up why i don't like Microsoft and why i'd never buy an xbox product

"That’s the way Microsoft works. It’s a company that has made countless billions by endlessly rolling out new and (supposedly) improved products, making arbitrary changes to consign older software to the dustbin of history (with the exception of Notepad – you can’t improve on perfection). Microsoft makes money not by producing superior technology, but by forcing people to upgrade.

The folks at Microsoft are in the business of making their own products obsolete. They do it very well. Whether it’s Office, Windows, or an Xbox, it’s doomed as soon as it goes on sale. Sure, other companies do the same thing. It’s just Microsoft is better at it."

I prefer sony's tactics in where their new console is ground-breaking and incredibly more advanced then their previous console. I feel i get more value for my money.

Plus sony knows how to work the gaming industry, they know how to make and bring great games to their platforms and they have great variety

Sure xbox 360 has great games, but its the principles man, and i don't like microsofts way of doing things. And at least i have some proof for my feelings:

-MS have never made a profit with xbox or xbox 360, they've lost millions on the products

-360 is built like crap

-MS have won 0 console wars

I pretty happy with the console i've chosen

Play Beyond

[nobizlikesnowbiz]

I need to watch my step at N4G. Don't wanna step in the bullsh!t.

While I doubt MS will release another console in '09. I think they'll at least be in the stages in development of their next-next gen console. But I doubt they'll release one for at least a few more years. They've put a lot of cash into the success of this console, ala IPTV, XBL, XBLA, RRoD cash, etc.

Whatever. Whoever releases next consoles, I'll still wait to purchase until I see which console is going to turn out the better gaming experience.

Gee I'm glad I didn't gobble up the Ps3 like so many, and end up regretting it.

I even stood in line for a Ps3...eh. Bad memories. So glad that I was number 11 in a line that only had 10 consoles.

[bison812]

I see ppl saying that Microsoft wouldn't leave the 360 for a new system. Yes they would look at the install base for the Xbox. They abandoned that system for the 360, so the theory is probable for them to create a new system.

[Drewminati]

Gates also said if they don't win this generation they'll play again.

But ... i don't see another xbox to 2010 or 2011. They said this xbox will last longer then the first one

[x440Magnumx]

This is just mindless b.s. created by a news site that knows that some good flamebait will generate a lot of hits, and earn them a lot of ad revenue.

When you have a community as biased as the gaming community it's only too easy to do.

[Blitzed]

Its amazing how much some of the 360 fanboys sound like the PS3 fanboys before the PS3 came out. I guess you're not so different afterall.

[mcgrawgamer]

#1. the reasons are BS. If anything it'll make MS stay with the 360 longer. abandoning the console in 2 years in my eyes admits failure and I don't think anyone will support the product not even investors.

#2. this is nothing but igniter fluid for a flamewar as we can already see.

#3. this site is located in Australia a country that has openly admitted it's pro sony.

microsoft has hit a few bumps with the 360, vista, and iptv. If anything they'll support these initatives extra hard in an attempt to garner consumer loyalty.

[Xemnas]

You know what nvm....

[teto83]

Great article.I could see a new XBOT in 2009 to adjust to the new high definition market and the 360 as a $199 entry level console.After all is Microsoft that we are taking about,so it would not be any different from their business model.
Viva la PS3...putting xbot360 owners out of their misery for just $399 at the time.

[Goshyujin_Sama]

the 360 is simply not built for the future.

[borgome]

I like buying new electronics, I would buy a new console every 3 years without even flinching. Keeping a console for more than 4 years gets old. Buying a new one keeps things exciting.

[caffman]

My whole house is wired up with points in cat-6!

[Relientk77]

microsoft will def release their next system first b4 Sony and Nintendo... like last time ... the pts in this article are valid.. and microsoft needs to do something about it... and they will try the same strategy again by releasing their system first ... it could be "rushed" again and have probs? ... microsoft better watch their footing carefully

[Kokoro]

of course, it could be announced in 2009, but not realease. And the points are really stupid: because it's ugly? I love my PS3 but I think it's not prettier than my 360. That doesnt mean it will realese in 2 years!

[MaximusPrime]

never have any interests in Microsoft's consoles. Ive been supporting Sony for a long time. Never will i defect.

Im interested in Windows Vista but Microsoft got to spend more time fixing the bug.

[razer]

Go wave your pompoms for Sony articles and GTFO of this one..

Nothing like confessing your love for Sony in a completely UNRELATED ARTICLE!

Troll.

[BUKKAKALYPSE]

did nasim write this article?

[Silver360]

and one year of profits would be very dumb business wise really dumb.

[ry-guy]

Is that Microsoft will announce their next gen console the same time Sony will but Microsoft will push their product to be released 1 year before Sony's Playstation X. The reason? Because that buisness model worked this generation, why tweak it?

[HondaSIRowner]

for sure

[Arutha]

What I find funny is a 4-5 year life span for a console is more then long enough. High end graphics card for PC's cost the same as a console or higher and those get released every year and people still buy them year to year to upgrade. I think with consoles you still get a deal IF (and that is a huge IF) they were going to release them every 4 years.

I think the article was an interesting read and nothing more. My guess is though is in 2009 MS may announce they are working on a new console with a release date of 2011 or 2012. When they come out with that then I will be ready to pick one up as well as a new PS4. Then again if the Wii had a HI Def unit I may even pick one of those up.

[BlackCountryBob]

More likely would be a complete redesign of the console in Xmas 08 like how Sony did with the PS2slim, something smaller, more efficient, quieter, reliable and cheaper to manufacture with wifi in the box as standard.

IMO Xbox 720 in Xmas 2010.

[HondaSIRowner]

360 had most of its amazing games released way too early and why are some devs saying that they used most of 360s resources for GoW. Sony is spreading their powerful games out and not cramming it all within 11 months like 360s titles Bioshock, Halo3 and Mass Effect (soon to be released). You can't expect your console to win with AAA titles being rushed out like theres no tomorrow. LOL!

This is why I keep saying PS3 will outlast 360, due to the fact that devs still don't know what the PS3 can do and the amazing amount of power-titles that are being SPREAD to FILL its LIFESPAN. The plan for PS3s games are pretty good, the appetizers, main course and deserts. MS from the looks of their games release, they had their titles stuffed all in one shot and leaving an open gap in the future. It looks like they are trying to win so badly by rushing out hit after hit. So at the end of the day 360 is expected to have a short life, maybe 2010 for a next box.

[razer]

This article is pure SPECULATION from some nobody website and people are arguing in this thread like MS just announced a new system..

PS3 people on the attack, 360 people on the defensive.. Why am I not surprised..

I would say it will be a few more years before the 360 is retired and 5 years seems just fine for a console life span.

[borgome]

I pitty the fool that disagree's.

[BUKKAKALYPSE]

dude you get a bubble from me just for your avitar! TPB for life represent sunnyvaille

[borgome]

Thanks man.

[EdoBMP]

Lets get some real news here or respectable editorials. This writeup starts off semi-intelligent maybe providing some indicators of what the industry be heading towards, but then the author can't help but muck it all up with opinionated criticism of the 360. Is "ugly" and "loud" and "asymmetric". Not like the PS3 as he stated so clearly. I enjoy reading up on current events on electronics and gaming because I'm a gamer, just like a football fan might be concerned with changes in the drafting rules or league news in general. I hate coming on here then gotten hit with all this bashing from either side. Present the facts then get out. Hey I don't mind him mentioning the unreliability that many have had with their systems, thats fact, but many of his criticisms were misplaced towards the end of the article. The should not be the hottest story of the day, this writer is not worthy of the clout and clearly blind if he finds the 360 "ugly" and "asymmetrical" over the PS3. I mean come on when the PS3 was released thats all you heard was how big and odd shaped it was. Well thats my personal opinion and in a comment I am allowed to have it. I am not posting some pseudo serious news article and those who do should be held to a higher standard.

[Pain]

Id bet a cookie that NEw xbox is Released in 09, Just cant compet with what ps3 has,
say what u kids want but OLDER TECH CANT COMPET WITH NEWER TECH plane and simple
and it is MS after all, its like bringing a VW to a Indy race and saying 'Bwa! My VW is a Super Car!
Vvrroom!

[riksweeney]

Microsoft will announce the next Xbox towards the end of next year, I guarantee it.

Why? Because the limitations of DVD are going to become more apparent in 2008, so they will need to fix it by releasing a new console with an HD-DVD drive in it.

[cheetorb]

I didn't read all 166 comments but did anyone mention it's been pretty much maxed. Sure they'll be some people who squeeze a little more juice out of it but it's limited to what more it can offer. Not to mention it is butt ugly, loud, and has a stupid name.

[MikeGdaGod]

1: The Xbox 360 is unreliable
FACT - i don't know anything on the market that has had the high failure rate of the 360. the fanboys taking up for MS doesn't help either. it's you guys fault MS hasn't taken a stance to really fix these problems because they have you taking up for them no matter what they do.

4: The Xbox 360 Doesn’t Have HDMI as standard
FACT - and this point is something alot of people forget, "720p is still the de-facto resolution for 360 output; 1080p wasn’t part of the console’s original vision, and only added later via a firmware update".

5: The Xbox 360 doesn’t have a hard drive as standard
FACT - this has already been gone over many times but one part of this article makes things even more clear "Not only that, but the available hard drive is proprietary, and you can’t swap them around like memory cards – you can only have one. Compare that to the PS3, which lets you bung in any hard drive you like."

7: The Xbox 360 is limited to DVD for games storage
FACT - this also has been constantly debated but think about this which was stated in the article, its 2007 and "Lost Odyssey will come on four discs."

8: The Xbox 360 is ugly and loud
FACT - nuff said

9: The Xbox 360 is failing in Japan
FACT - nuff said

10: Microsoft, and everyone else, considers the Xbox disposable
FACT: - MS always does this and it's because they know they have people like Bladestar and Power of Green that will blindly follow whatever they do and say it's a good thing.

i hope they don't do this because they'll be in for a big surprise. no one but a few idiots will follow them to another console in '09.

to all those that think it would be a great idea if they brought another console out in two years i got just one word for you: SEGA

[zonetrooper5]

The 360 in design is actually better looking than the PS3, yes it can be loud but why don't you turn up your sound. The 360 is not maxed and please don't use that Gabe Newell (sp?) quote as HL is not the best looking game out there tbh. Great game btw.

[mikeslemonade]

This further prooves that in the long run the PS3 is cheaper than the 360. PS3 won't hit it's prime until 2009 with Final Fantasy XIII finally using all cores in the PS3. Im glad i haven't fell in to MS's ploy.

[HarryEtTubMan]

Who cares except for the 4-5 that actually liked Halo... by then Ps3 will be selling very very well and I will have mine. I've rea;ized in stead of buying an outdated Pc I'd rather just play my PC.

[AngryTypingGuy]

Let's start with reliability. Not every 360 is unreliable, especially newer ones. He kills his own argument with the last paragraph, saying why the 360 is no longer unreliable (I'm paraphrasing), but then says "it's too little too late". Really, fanboy? Now that Halo 3 is out, there are millions playing online at any given time (you can actually see how many are playing H3 when you are playing it). At least we know several million are working fine.

The 3 year warranty - Microsoft screwed up somewhere along the way, and they needed to do right by the customer. There is nothing wrong with standing behind your product and letting the customer know that if something does happen to go wrong, it won't cost them. Maybe customers will remember that when it comes time to choose their next console.

Lack of HDMI - If they were going to rush out another Xbox, they probably wouldn't be putting HDMI on all of the newer Pro's and pretty soon Core systems.

No HDD or Wi-Fi standard - Not everyone may need these. For the record, I would've preferred that HDD is standard like the PS3 or Xbox 1, but your casual gamer may not want it. Microsoft has stated though that they left these out so customers would have the choice of whether to add them or not. Not everyone needs the Wi-Fi. Building it in would've driven up consumer costs.

The 360 is ugly and loud - Granted, it's not the most quiet system, but it's not unbearably loud. When you're playing games, you don't notice it, at least I don't. But ugly? That's just an opinion. I think it's concave design looks awesome. He rags on the size of it too, but the 360 is not even the largest console of this gen.

The 360 is failing in Japan - Guilty as charged. I give them an A for effort though. At least Halo 3 is showing sparks of hope in Japan, with it being the highest selling console game. Maybe it will help the Japanese realize that western games are so much cooler. On the bright side, they're kicking ass here and doing well in Europe!

Microsoft, and everyone else, considers the Xbox disposable - Microsoft went next gen so soon because 1. They wanted to make money...hey, let's not kid ourselves; and 2. Because they knew that there was no way Xbox 1 was going to be the winning console.

If the 360 maintains the lead, and keeps selling the most games (it dominates console games sales at the moment), then I would like to think that they would let the 360 ride as long as it can.

Finally, I would hope that Microsoft learned its lesson about rushing out a console. After the billion dollar RROD publicity, I would like to think it did.

[b777conehead]

ms should replace all the 360s they knew it was defective day one and only offered a 90 day warranty they only offered 3 years to keep from having a law suit. why do people defend ms for the rrod because they offered 3 years in this day and age with the technology thats out this should have never happened if ms had done it right and delayed the 360 till they fixed it our instead of rushing build it right from the start

[darthv72]

For all previous consoles and their successors. What was the longevity between:
NES-SNES-N64-GC-Wii
SMS-Genesis-Saturn-Dreamcast
PS1-PS2-PS3
Hell, even 2600-5200-7800-jaguar.

Why cant a new console come out every 5-6 years. Allot of changes to the expectations of games can happen in that time frame.

If PC gfx can evolve every 8-13mo then consoles can have a 4, 5 or 6yr lifespan. I can accept that.

[spammy_nooo]

I'd be mad as hell.

Knowing microsoft, I wouldn't be too suprised. They launch a new windows every two-three years with minimal updates(I'm looking at you, Me. haha I had to say that, it sounds funny) and Windows OS's aren't exactly cheap when they come out.

I doubt many people would buy it. Developers probably wouldn't even really bother.

edit: This should be called "Ten reasons Microsoft shouldn't have rushed the 360 out so soon"

[d3l33t]

it wont happen, the devs wont want to stop production and start on a new system on the fly like this, its not how it works. it takes YEARS do plan and develope a game, so what makes you think that thwy would F the devs....wait, dont answer that

[pshizle]

the xbox360 will be the next ps2 not as big in sales but up there

im seeing next xbox 2010 since if the ps4 is released in 2011 there would not be a huge hardware difference if the next xbox was released in 2009 different story ps4 would be superior if released 2011

but hey its microsoft i would not be surprised if released in 2009 ahh i wonder what games microsoft would have in 2009??? GOW2 anyone???

[Myth]

Microsoft will probably plan their next system release 1 to 1 1/2 year prior to it's competition. I think they started a trend with the 360.

[ps4]

i think that is likely but they just released halo 3. the Xbox 360 has some great games like gears of war, halo 3, call of duty 4, the orange box, mass effect, bio shock and many more. they are most likely going to do that because they did that with the original Xbox. i think it will come out but it will do bad the first year just like the 360.

the next xbox looks cool

[TheXgamerLive]

It's just a pic somebody made up back in 2004 of what they guessed the new next gen. Xbox 360 would look like.

[TheXgamerLive]

Meaning the next X console will be about 2011 or so maybe longer as the Xbox 360 is doing AWESOME!

Oh and BTW the reason 1. Unreliability is a joke now, the new 65 NM chips are already going out, my neighbor bought one Thursday and it's the new chip, super quiet super cool, doesn't even get hot to the touch even after six plus hours of play. I say well done MS:)

p.s. Sony sucks.

[b777conehead]

your praiseing ms for something that should have happend at launch and you have the gall to say sony sucks .

[jmac53]

Did anyone notice who the site sponser for gameplayer.au is?

Sony Playstation banners are plastered all over the site. Hmmmmmm...

[SlappingOysters]

yeah, but it is also the site for the official xbox magazine in Australia. see at the bottom of the homepage.

[DJ]

2009 will probably be the E3 announcement. Depends on how the system does post-Halo.

[Unknown]

so that means since the ps3 is expensive to the average citizens and is difficult as h3ll to develop for, that SONY is just going to scrap it in 2009 as well. Pretty cool. NOT!!! The reasons listed are problems that MS must face and are solving but that doesn't mean that the 360 is going bye bye. I just find it funny that just because MS sets aside a billion dollars to take care of their customers that that equates to them wanting to end the 360 soon. Look at SONY and their once(not sure if it still is but it was around the time of ps3 launch) dismal financial situtation. If they can manage to stay in the game so can MS's game division. You got to spend money to make money. So times you lose a little, other times you lose alot more than expected. But as long as you have a solid game plan you're okay and MS has that. They have the STRONG xbox live growth that equals revenue. They have STRONG attach rates which equals to revenue. SONY at this point in time doesn't have this. They don't even have the caliber of games that MS doesn't at THIS DAY AND DATE. Yes they will be not NOW. Oh and for everyone that keeps saying the 360 is maxed out has not a clue as to what they are talking about. Developers are still saying that the PS2 go alittle further if the next gen consoles hadn't arrived. The gpu in the 360 is among the first of its kind. Developers don't just learn a system in a year. Code can always be optimized to make it run better and more efficiently. Last time I checked we still had games using only one or maybe two cores and they weren't even using that at 100%.

[mephixto]

That's funny, xbox fanboys bought 3 consonles(Xbox, Xbox360 and Xbox720) in less than a decade and that without counting if you buy the core sku and later a pro or elite, while ps owners only 2(PS2 & PS3). And many bash the PS3 because it's expensive LOL!! . Go microsft!!

[jaja1434]

This is really nitpicking but your comment screams "I'm an idiot" so I'll nitpick.

Last time I checked I don't own a 720 and I suspect that no one else on this planet does, so how can the 360 owners have already bought one? And "you" bought 3 console in an 11 year time span so I'm not sure how you can even comment on such a thing.

And for SKU's, yea MS started it but Sony( for better or worse) has taken the idea to a whole new level. I think there is either 4 or 5 with another rumored around and about. Again good or bad, Sony has taken this pie and ran with it much further than MS.

Anyways this brings me back to my original thought, your an idiot.

[Pain]

Notice the pic is a "Circle" xBox? that MS thinking for ya round peg in square hole

golf clap.

[bootsielon]

lol, PS owners only needed PS1 for almost 10 years. PS2 owners can still be satisfied for a few more years, more so than PS3, 360 and Wii owners. Combined.

[bootsielon]

Very well fvcking written. I could have said it better myself, but oh well... it's not like I'm the only one on the net. LOL ;)

Anyway, I'm glad I have my PS3 so I don't have to deal even more than I already do with my 360 which has failed 7 times already (3 deads, 2 defective HDDs, 3 scratched discs).

[MINION]

go here and hopefuly ull understand all of u-
http://redskull180.blogspot...

[jaja1434]

Apparently that the how shall I say...never mind,I guess the writer of that work of literature has something against periods. And I guess you have something against the keys "y" and "o".

But I guess with the blind thinking that you are demonstrating here the little grammatical oversights are the least of your worries.

Cheers mate.

[7ero H3LL]

....can't wait to show my friends this article.

by the time Xbox 3 comes out ps3 will be on it's 6th SKU,20,40,60,80,160,......and lets not for get about that ps3 with excellent backwards compatibility that comes with a 300 gig hardrive so that you can do what with....download movies?

[DJ]

Core
Premium
Elite
Arcade
Premium w/ HDMI
Halo 3 Edition w/ HDMI

[367 To Your Ass]

even my self and many of us MS fans don't like multiple sku's.

but Sony said long ago that they would not do this (multiple SKU thing)

i don't know why they even tried such a thing.....maybe it mite not be that bad.

[feejo]

They will learn from their mistakes, lol. Like palpatine Emperor in star wars philosophy: "Let them do the first move", the Bill Gates quote: "Let's copy them". = Xbox philosophy.

They have to be more honest: that is not nice to people, espacialy the youth: they buy a console that have 1/3 chances to crash. MS=Irresponsible.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

I like my consoles like my PCs updated every 4 or 5 years. What would be great is that MS would make sure 100% of all new games and the still updated BC list of the Xbox would be compatible. MS isn't like Sony they wont drop BC because they arn't selling consoles, they support it because Xbox owners ask for it and they deliver. Sony's PS3 will be outdated in just a year or two (if it's not completeley off the market that is) while 360 fans will be seeing the next super console.

[7ero H3LL]

1 THEIR GOING TO MAKE PS4 IN EARLY DEVELOPMENT
2 THEIR GOING TO MAKE ANOTHER PS3 SKU
3 THEIR GOING TO DROP PS3 PRICE TO $299

NEXT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO PS3 WHEN PS4 COMES OUT

1 THEIR GOING TO DROP PS3 PRICE TO $299
2 THEIR GOING TO KILL PS3 THROUGH BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY, IT WILL BE A DIFFERENT STORY IF THEY CAN'T GET THAT DONE.
3 DEVELOPERS MITE NOT EVEN BOTHER LOOKING AT PS3 ANYMORE.

ALSO NEXT WHAT WILL PS4 HAVE INSIDE?

1 BLUE RAY (SINCE BLUE RAY IS NEW WHY INVENT A NEW FORMAT)
2 350 GIG HARD DRIVE (YOU CAN STORE A SH!T LOAD ON A 80,NOW TRY 350)
3 IBM CELL PROCESSER (MITE BE THE SAME BUT MUCH MUCH FASTER)
4 BUILT IN DVR (IF IT DOSE NOT HAVE THIS....THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT)
5 BETTER ONLINE SERVICE(OK YOU PAY FOR XBOX LIVE BUT YOU ALSO PAY FOR PROGRESSION.

[ALMIGHTYPS3]

Awwh,once again we see nothing but mindless ranting from programmed droidbots:i.e-jasonxg1,fabmun- lol.11 mil consoles sold in 2yrs and with NO NEXTGEN COMPETION IN THE FIRST YR!Really sad I'd say.There will be no 720 because bill is teaming with steve to create the ibox!>that would be something!Well,you win some you lose some,sorry xbox you lose; again.........

cheers mate and JOY!

[jaja1434]

You see I really want to call you out on your fanboy comment, but damm if I just don't love the iBox thing.

Imagen it-The power of MS! The creativity of Apple! The also entertaining Mac vs PC commercials...but with iBox vs SONY!!!

The whole thing makes my head spin!

[cheatmaster28]

N4G.com has become a flaming site for consoles rather then news. When i got here it was fine but now all i see is "is ps3 desperate?" or "This game isnt next gen" or "is 360 going to lose the console war by 2009". This isnt not news,just flamebait and is tearing up this site.
What is news is stuff like new games coming out and new content for games or the future of gaming and what we can expect to see with the next generation. Please stop flamebait news it will just tear up this site and anyone who still continues to do it should have their news posting privlages taken away. Please make N4G aware of this so they can fix the problem because i dont think the big guys on top are aware of this flamebait that is destroying the good name of the site and the immature kids that post it.

[computerjeff05]

1) Xbox Live (play, chat, video, email all your friends)
2) Xbox Marketplace (rent movies, watch movie trailors, download arcade games, download map packs)
3) Best AAA games (Gears of War, Halo 3, Bioshock, Mass Effect)
4) Dualshock controller (Best controller on the market)
5) RANKED games (keeps every stat)
6) Longest console warranty
7) Affordable console with many different SKU's for the consumer to choose from
8) Clan support integrated into the dashboard (coming OCT 07)
9) Achievements (great idea from MS)
10) Easy to develop games for

[Wii60_FTW]

sony...is...finished

[unsunghero28]

I'm actually in the position of deciding whether I would rather purchase a PS3 or 360. And the PS3 is infinitely more attractive.

It always seemed to me that while the 360 has the lead now, the PS3 will last much longer. Plus, buying a $100 Wi-Fi thing AND xbl membership for a $350 360 is very unappealing.

Basically, if Sony announces the 40GB for $400 then I've already made my decision.

[computerjeff05]

Lets see.... ummmmm 60fps from xbox 360 or 30fps from sony... touch choice....

[squallsoft]

wow, thats a short life-cycle... how are ppl supposed to afford $400 new consoles at such a fast rate like this? well if ppl want it, im sure they'll make it.

[man0fsteel]

Sony's move at this very moment should be to try to establish blu ray as the Main HD format... That way they can secure at least a market share with M$

I bet you anything if this format war continues till then, and i hate to say it, MS will definitely lean torwards establishing HD - DVD as a standard and will be more prone to eliminate Sony from the market ... its funny how everything in this industry is intertwined.