[iceatcs]

Nope. Definitely NOT *final* devkits no way josé

It could be first real devkits. Can't wait to see HVD disc.

[FunnyBunny]

Arthur Gies mentioned the new XBOX was going to come out this year until Microsoft had a recent change of heart.

If not this fall, I think it will release in spring 2013. I don't see MS waiting another 18 months.

[hwalker84]

If they just dropped that at E3 that it'd be available fall or some shit, that'd be insane. Also awesome.

Yep I'm so ready for next gen. Hopefully MS makes an extremely powerful system for the next 6 yrs.

[NemesisPrime]

People still do this?

It never gets old!

[Krev]

So, considering all rumors, the Nextbox will be more powerful AND release a year ahead of the PS4?

Maybe, but so what? The same could be said for Wii and 360.
Services and user experience will matter much more than tech specs over the coming gen.

I'm listening....

The idea is that the next Xbox will be sold at a low retail price, but will be subsidised by the monthly payment contract that buyers will be locked into. The cellphone model, in other words.
If there's any accuracy to most of the rumours surrounding the next Xbox, a PS3 esque price point wouldn't be out of the question. Microsoft could attempt to soften this by pushing a contract payment plan.

[BassForever]

I really can't imagine them pulling a Sega announcing the consoles release this year, though it's pretty obvious the console will be shown at E3.

[fluffydelusions]

Things are still manufactured in the US?

Home of the big mac buddy :P

[Krev]

I really can't imagine them pulling a Sega announcing the consoles release this year, though it's pretty obvious the console will be shown at E3.

I wouldn't say that at all. They'll be killing momentum if the media is full of stories about a new Xbox coming soon. 360 is on top of the world right now. It wouldn't make sense.

[Haunted]

Microsoft listening to the fans and reading the mood of the larger industry? People are tired of the old hardware and are ready for the new generation. Have been for a while now, actually.

Them showing new hardware at E3 would be great. A MS E3 conference full of Kinect and 360 games would be disastrous.

I wouldn't say that at all. They'll be killing momentum if the media is full of stories about a new Xbox coming soon. 360 is on top of the world right now. It wouldn't make sense.

The media is full of stories about next generation of hardware already, dozens of articles and reports.

MS and Sony are ignoring the atmosphere at their own peril.

[KageMaru]

I really can't imagine them pulling a Sega announcing the consoles release this year, though it's pretty obvious the console will be shown at E3.

While I agree that we won't see the next xbox this year, MS did announce and release the 360 within the same year back in 2005.

Microsoft listening to the fans and reading the mood of the larger industry? People are tired of the old hardware and are ready for the new generation. Have been for a while now, actually. Them showing new hardware at E3 would be great. A MS E3 conference full of Kinect and 360 games would be disastrous.

I would prepare for a disaster then. =p

[Haunted]

I would prepare for a disaster then. =p

Yeah, I'm preparing for the worst, both from Sony and MS.

[Lord Error]

It could be first real devkits. Can't wait to see HVD disc.

HVD as in Holographic disc?

[mujun]

Remember to cut corners and rush as fast as possible to market. Consumers will inexplicably forgive you for entire years worth of hardware being fundamentally faulty.

Yeah, MS should do what Sony did with the PS3 because they nailed price, online, library, etc right out the gate!

[FStop7]

A MS E3 conference full of Kinect and 360 games would be disastrous.

Then you'd better brace for disaster because that's exactly what it's going to be. They're not going to announce new hardware when there's a new Halo game coming.

I don't see how it would be a disaster, anyhow. It'll be boring and uninteresting to watch but Microsoft stands to make a lot of money off of 360 and Halo sales this year. Hardly a disaster for them.

[east of eastside]

Sounds like bullshit, but if it was anything it would be Xbox 360 mini and not 720.

[Plinko]

Not sure why people in this thread are looking forward to MS introducing this at E3 when they are already on the record several times as saying they aren't doing it.

[REMEMBER CITADEL]

Arthur Gies mentioned the new XBOX was going to come out this year until Microsoft had a recent change of heart.

Not buying that at all, unless by "recent" you mean "a couple of years ago". You have to prepare software for such a launch, and Microsoft clearly put strong focus on Xbox 360 in 2012 a whole year ago.

Microsoft listening to the fans and reading the mood of the larger industry? People are tired of the old hardware and are ready for the new generation. Have been for a while now, actually. Them showing new hardware at E3 would be great. A MS E3 conference full of Kinect and 360 games would be disastrous.

Can I bookmark that and come back to you after this holiday season?

[iceatcs]

HVD as in Holographic disc?

Yes. With 16 threads and 8GB Ram.

[Proelite]

Them showing new hardware at E3 would be great. A MS E3 conference full of Kinect and 360 games would be disastrous.

Disastrous for gaffers, even though only for a day or two.

Since when did NPD numers reflect E3 performance?

[acm2000]

i know for a fact that a very large uk multiplatform dev has no next gen dev kits at all yet (unsure about wiiu tho) so sounds very much likely thats what this is if true

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

Remember to cut corners and rush as fast as possible to market. Consumers will inexplicably forgive you for entire years worth of hardware being fundamentally faulty.

ONE BILLION FUCKING DOLLARS!


Don't talk if you don't know.

[FunnyBunny]

Not buying that at all, unless by "recent" you mean "a couple of years ago". You have to prepare software for such a launch, and Microsoft clearly put strong focus on Xbox 360 in 2012 a whole year ago.

I get the sense Microsoft changed its mind late last year; 12 months before its planned launch.

[BurntPork]

If people still act like the Wii U will be on the level of PS4 and 720, then others will have to use such wording.

Good thing nobody does that, then.

[Plinko]

i know for a fact that a very large uk multiplatform dev has no next gen dev kits at all yet (unsure about wiiu tho) so sounds very much likely thats what this is if true

And every report says that both Sony and MS systems are hitting in late 2013, which matches with this.

[KageMaru]

Arthur Gies mentioned the new XBOX was going to come out this year until Microsoft had a recent change of heart. If not this fall, I think it will release in spring 2013. I don't see MS waiting another 18 months.

I've read that they originally planned to launch in 2014 but had a change of heart due to Nintendo launching the Wii-U, pushing up the planned launch to 2013.

I still hope Sony and MS take a wait and see approach with the Wii-U and launch in 2014 if they could.

[alphaNoid]

Microsoft E3 2012 "We are pleased to announce, the New Xbox! Due for release....tomorrow!" It'll happen.

It could, if its the Xbox Loop, the rumored smaller set top-like box thats not a full 360 successor but something in between.

i know for a fact that a very large uk multiplatform dev has no next gen dev kits at all yet (unsure about wiiu tho) so sounds very much likely thats what this is if true

I know for a fact that a 'certain team' at Blizzard received 2nd revision nextBox devkits last November.

[Zeal]

And would take the legs right out from Nintendo. It would be epic... On man , E3...

Please happen. C'mon MS, you wanna get nuts? Let's get nuts.

[OrangeOak]

Disastrous for gaffers, even though only for a day or two. Since when did NPD numers reflect E3 performance?

I'm pretty sure some gaffers are interested in Halo 4 and Forza ;)

[Clear]

The media is full of stories about next generation of hardware already, dozens of articles and reports. MS and Sony are ignoring the atmosphere at their own peril.

What's the point of releasing new hardware when you don't have software to support it?

The brutal reality is that the software industry isn't in a position to support new platforms right now. And to be honest I don't see things being drastically better in 12 months time. Because by then a handful of teams will have had time to turn around a project, but the vast majority of the industry won't.

What we're going to see very clearly is the impact the collapse of the mid/low-tier in console gaming, and their subsequent defection to iOS/Android/Web development.

If you thought last-gen started slowly... you better brace yourselves because there's absolutely no way this one is coming out the gate faster.

[Proelite]

Please happen. C'mon MS, you wanna get nuts? Let's get nuts.

Halo 4 launch title, 1080p 60fps
Alan Wake 2
New Forza
New Fable
New IP, Samaritan?
IBM PowerPC
AMD 7850 derivative GPU
4GB XDR2
8-10x more powerful than 360
Blu-ray
Kinect 2.0 + Split Controllers
$299 - $399

I wonder what would Reggie say.

[Zeal]

Halo 4 launch title, 1080p 60fps Alan Wake 2 New Forza New Fable New IP, Samaritan? IBM PowerPC AMD 7850 derivative GPU 4GB XDR2 8-10x more powerful than 360 Blu-ray Kinect 2.0 + Split Controllers $299 - $399 I wonder what would Reggie say.

Absolutely fuck all, for once. And it would be glorious.

[Zoramon089]

Going after the Wii-demographic has only been part of Sony's and MS' strategy the last few years. Doesn't change the fact that the vast majority, if not all, of the 3rd party software you'll see on the Wii-U this holiday will also be on the PS360. Of course price will matter, however unless the pad-controller catches on (which I have my doubts), I don't see the Wii-U being that appealing to people outside of the enthusiast gamers who buy every console and the Nintendo fans. This will be especially true if the system is priced higher than the PS360 IMO.

There's usually an overlap between current gen and next gen titles when a new system comes out. The 360 had a lot of it's own versions of Xbox/PS2/GC games when it launched. What's your point?

[Curufinwe]

Arthur Gies mentioned the new XBOX was going to come out this year until Microsoft had a recent change of heart.

He says a lot of things that don't stand up to scrutiny.

[Proelite]

Absolutely fuck all, for once. And it would be glorious.

PS4 follow-up in 2014 using 20nm 3D ICs, stacked memory, and HSA on a silicon interposer would make next generation the best of all time. Plus it comes with a 3D TV headset with motion sensors. Someone get Jeff_Rigby in here.

[FunnyBunny]

He says a lot of things that don't stand up to scrutiny.

Regardless, he's plugged-in to the industry in many ways the rest of us aren't.

I still don't see how Microsoft waits until the fall of 2013. XBOX sales, year-over-year, are down as much as 20%. Sales of the 360 are about to fall off the same cliff the Wii did 12-18 months ago.

[BigTnaples]

There is literally nothing I want more in gaming right now than next gen consoles.

But sadly, I have no doubt in my mind that they wont be shown till next year.


These are probably early dev kits.

[StevieP]

Specs normally get better not worse.

For the 360, the CPU got worse and the memory got much better from initial spec sheets to final console.

Not sure why people in this thread are looking forward to MS introducing this at E3 when they are already on the record several times as saying they aren't doing it.

Nintendo denied the existence of the DS Lite all the way until the introduction.

I know for a fact that a 'certain team' at Blizzard received 2nd revision nextBox devkits last November.

I remember reading somewhere that some 'close partners' to MS had kits late last summer/early fall-ish, around the same time that second generation Wii U kits were shipping. What's the usual timeframe from first kit to system release? ;)

[deadlast]

Regardless, he's plugged-in to the industry in many ways the rest of us aren't. I still don't see how Microsoft waits until the fall of 2013. XBOX sales, year-over-year, are down as much as 20%. Sales of the 360 are about to fall off the same cliff the Wii did 12-18 months ago.

You might be on to something "Global Xbox 360 sales down nearly 50% year-on-year • News • Eurogamer.net". Eurogamer. April 19, 2012.

[ii Stryker]

releasing the 360 successor this fall completely contradicts the recently rumored 360 subsidization program.

unless the subsidization program rumor is for the 720 and not the 360.

hmmm... this texas rumor is related to final dev kits. 720 still fall of 2013 at the earliest *boom*

[charsace]

The only way this happens is if big games like Halo 4 and Forza World would be 100% back compat on the new console.

Wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the games are backwards compatible.

[Dunlop]

What if MS considers Nintendo to be their main rival this time.

I would say Nintendo is the company MS least thinks is a rival. Their emphasis next gen will be on services just as much (if not more) as offering games. And in that regard Nintendo just cannot compete.

Nintendo has always done their own thing and will ride another wave of Mario <whatever game type> titles to success. Nothing Nintendo or Sony will do can stop that.

[Curufinwe]

Regardless, he's plugged-in to the industry in many ways the rest of us aren't.

No more so than a hundred other gaming journalists.

[jaypah]

What they NEED to have is a hologram of Tupac announce the release date

"....see at first it was just about me and Sony, but everybody wanna open their mouth with a f***in' opinion. So this how we gon' do this. F*** IWATA, F*** SHIGGY, F*** NINTENDO AS A STAFF A GAME COMPANY AND A MUTHAF***IN' CREW, AND IF YOU WANNA BE DOWN WITH NINTENDO, F*** YOU TOO! MONOLITH F*** YOU TOO! F*** YOU MY MONEYHATS MAKE SURE ALL Y'ALL SALES FALL FLAT!!..."

Man, that would be the best shit to ever happen to anything.

[KageMaru]

There's usually an overlap between current gen and next gen titles when a new system comes out. The 360 had a lot of it's own versions of Xbox/PS2/GC games when it launched. What's your point?

I agree, it's happened the last couple generations with the transitional console, happened with the DC and the 360 as you mentioned. A key difference here is that both the DC and 360 enjoyed at least some console exclusive 3rd party titles. I don't see the same thing happening to the Wii-U or any other future next gen console.

My point was that there's less incentive to purchase a new console when all the 3rd party games are already available on a system you likely already own or will likely be cheaper than the new system just released.

PS4 follow-up in 2014 using 20nm 3D ICs, stacked memory, and HSA on a silicon interposer would make next generation the best of all time. Plus it comes with a 3D TV headset with motion sensors. Someone get Jeff_Rigby in here.

Please don't. There's a reason why I rarely go into the PS4 rumor thread. =p

[REMEMBER CITADEL]

I get the sense Microsoft changed its mind late last year; 12 months before its planned launch.

Xbox 360's 2012 line-up was revealed much earlier, at E3. Regardless, there was nothing implying Microsoft was getting ready to launch in 2012 except for wishful thinking and baseless "rumors".

I still don't see how Microsoft waits until the fall of 2013. XBOX sales, year-over-year, are down as much as 20%. Sales of the 360 are about to fall off the same cliff the Wii did 12-18 months ago.

Everything is down YOY, and in Microsoft's case it's because the beginning of 2011 was so successful because of Kinect. They haven't had a proper price drop since 2008 (!), that alone should do much to stabilize sales, and there are also some real heavy hitters on the way.

[FunnyBunny]

You might be on to something "Global Xbox 360 sales down nearly 50% year-on-year • News • Eurogamer.net". Eurogamer. April 19, 2012.

I do believe we will see the new XBOX release (in the US, at least) in the spring 2013 at the latest.

And while I know opinion is mixed, I also believe the new XBOX will be fully backwards compatible. I've read several places Microsoft demanded developers use the 360's API - to ensure BC.

Microsoft was lenient with the original XBOX's API - which partly lead to the mess of BC issues with the 360.

[deadlast]

I do believe we will see the new XBOX release (in the US, at least) in the spring 2013 at the latest. And while I know opinion is mixed, I also believe the new XBOX will be fully backwards compatible. I've read several places Microsoft demanded developers use the 360's API - to ensure BC. Microsoft was lenient with the original XBOX's API - which partly lead to the mess of BC issues with the 360.

I'm 100% with you on the BC. They would lose a huge amount of players, or the players would just hunker down playing one game and not upgrade (I'm looking at you halo2 holdouts) .

[GodfatherX]

Arthur Gies mentioned the new XBOX was going to come out this year until Microsoft had a recent change of heart. If not this fall, I think it will release in spring 2013. I don't see MS waiting another 18 months.

and Arthur has been wrong ever since his first 2012 release prediction, and he is the only notable person to suggest a 2012 release. Since making that prediction originally he has been insistant on trying to convince others (and probably himself) that he was right. I have seen zero evidence that a 2012 release was ever feasible with the current rumored specs. Microsoft's internal teams likely didnt start working on Loop titles until last fall or early summer. Plus no way in hell would MS release a new console in the same quarter as Halo 4, and Halo 4 would never be considered for a launch game with no install base. Is it possible that 4 years ago when early R&D started that 2012 was their targeted release? sure. But 2013 has been their goal for a long time.

[ii Stryker]

I agree, it's happened the last couple generations with the transitional console, happened with the DC and the 360 as you mentioned. A key difference here is that both the DC and 360 enjoyed at least some console exclusive 3rd party titles. I don't see the same thing happening to the Wii-U or any other future next gen console. My point was that there's less incentive to purchase a new console when all the 3rd party games are already available on a system you likely already own or will likely be cheaper than the new system just released.

they're not going to launch an new "next gen" system without the software to showcase the new features. There's this to consider also, the 360 is still performing very well.

I don't think the WiiU is the silver bullet every one thinks it to be, especially if I already own a console that plays the 3rd party WiiU launch games.

[ElTopo]

they're not going to launch an new "next gen" system without the software to showcase the new features. There's this to consider also, the 360 is still performing very well. I don't think the WiiU is the silver bullet every one thinks it to be, especially if I already own a console that plays the 3rd party WiiU launch games.

Unless this industry is insane I'd expect many "next next gen" games to hit Wii U as well. Also I think it's legitimate to assume that the successor of the Wii (with a head start of maybe a year) might screw the competition.