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[Pooya]

"This story is a total fabrication – 100 percent not true," commented EA corporate spokesman Jeff Brown.


http://www.develop-online.net/news/37618/Develop-source-New-Xbox-console-on-desks-at-EA

Develop source: New Xbox console on desks at EA

New system could steal Wii 2’s thunder with shock E3 reveal

The successor to the Xbox 360 console is on desks at an unnamed Electronic Arts studio, Develop understands.

The new hardware, sent to EA last month, is a very early build with no casing – it is in fact being stored inside a PC shell.

EA developers are getting to grips with the tech to create first-generation software, Develop has been told.

“Quite often when new consoles come around they’re packaged into a PC shell, but actually what’s inside is an entirely new console,” a senior, trusted, well-placed said.

Microsoft has declined to comment. EA has declined to comment. Develop’s source is not employed at either company.
Article continues below

The source believed, but did not have certain information, that the new Xbox would launch by the end of 2012. The individual expects an announcement will be made, at least in some form, at E3.

SHOW TIME

In March, new data revealed Microsoft was at the early stages in building the successor to the Xbox 360.

The platform owner had advertised new job vacancies such as Graphics Hardware Architect and Performance Engineer for the Xbox Console Architecture Group.

Microsoft’s new hires will be “responsible for defining and delivering next generation console architectures from conception through implementation,” the company said.

The language of the job vacancies suggested a reveal for the console is years away, but Develop’s source says a shock reveal could be weeks away.


“Why let Nintendo steal the thunder in June [At E3]? It doesn’t want to lose momentum. That’s why I think Microsoft is rushing to make an announcement at E3.”

It leads to suspicion that key next-gen projects are underway at Microsoft’s own internal studios. Some project names Develop has seen would suggest a change of guard.

NEXT GENERATION

Specifications for the device are not available, for now. Develop understands that the hardware will feature enhanced support for Kinect with just a couple of alterations.

[...]

“Kinect will keep the 360 going for a couple of years, but Microsoft knows that if it slows down now it will face trouble,” the source added.

Eurogamer

Eurogamer understands that an E3 2011 reveal for Microsoft's next Xbox is highly unlikely.

Our respected source poured water on Develop's report that some kind of announcement will happen next month at E3.

Develop's report also mentions that EA already has development kits for the new console. To a untrained eye, these apparently look like PCs. But inside are apparently the components of Microsoft's next Xbox.

Prototype dev kits typically are PCs inside a PC box: the first Xbox 360 developer tools were based on dual core G5 PowerPC Macs with an ATI X800 GPU while the initial PS3 dev kits were based around a PC with two GeForce 6800 Ultras running in SLI.

The Develop source believes the new Xbox could launch as soon as the end of 2012.

No technical specifications for the new console were given.

EA and Microsoft both declined comment.

 

[DR3AM]

2013 confirmed

 

[Seda]

Ooo boy

 

[Nemesis121]

All we need now a is a Sony Rumor..

 

[mufraka]

wow, out of nowhere.

 

[Grisby]

Oh snap, it really begins.

 

[Dabanton]

Hmm sounds cool i guess. Late 2012 release would be very nice.

 

[Neuromancer]

It's on like Donkey Kong!

 

[From The Dust]

If dev kits are just now hitting EA, then announcements is ways away

 

[Negator]

RUH ROH RAGGY

E3 of the forever?

 

[Suzzopher]

I believe this rumour.

 

[JaseC]

Interesting. If Microsoft do announce the successor to the X360 in such a throwaway fashion, it wouldn't be all too different to Sony's announcement of the PS3 back in 2005.

 

[BGBW]

First generation software? Pong Confirmed!

 

[GregLombardi]

Looks like Nintendo is forcing the Industry's hand.

 

[Classic_Gs]

My body is ready.

 

[RPGCrazied]

So, basically a more powerful PC in a box? :X

 

[thuway]

Microsoft, you glorious bastards.

 

[Blimblim]

I love this pre-new generation of consoles era. So much speculations, lies and leaks
Edit: Imagine Assassin's Creed 3 being a launch title. That would be awesome

 

[JaseC]

Looks like Nintendo is forcing the Industry's hand.

Certainly not surprising.

 

[Man God]

Pretty poorly written.

We know Sony probably isn't ready with anything more than a "We're working on continuing the Playstation brand" blanket statement considering they decided to leapfrog Nintendo's E3 conference. You don't want to be left on the tracks when that hype train is a coming.

MS is most certainly working on something. What they decide to show though is another matter.

 

[gofreak]

I can believe the bit about tech being on desks is true.

The rest - the release date and E3 bit - seems purely speculative however.

 

[Suzzopher]

Looks like Nintendo is forcing the Industry's hand.

These would have been out for a while now.

 

[Rygar 8 Bit]

june 6th cant come fast enough QUICK TO THE GAF TIME MACHINE!

 

[Cday]

Gotta get those madden ports ready for the next generation.

 

[dankir]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO I love new console hype?!@

 

[MadmanUK]

Moarr powerrrrrrr!! Yes
Loadsa RAM too thankyoupeas.

 

[BGBW]

So, basically a more powerful PC in a box? :X

Merely a shell of its former self.

 

[SmokyDave]

For some reason, I took this as confirmation of a new James Pond game. It's been a really long day.

 

[Neuromancer]

Gotta get those madden ports ready for the next generation.

Believe!

 

[∀ Narayan]

Shiiiiiiiit!

 

[LiK]

E3 incoming

 

[Metallix]

E3... My body is ready...

 

[Mr. Pointy]

Yeah, it'll be at least 2 years before it comes out. Still though, fucking sweet.

 

[MadmanUK]

Gotta get those madden ports ready for the next generation.

Everyone loved those early Maddens right????

 

[nextgeneration]

Good. The sooner next gen starts, the better.

 

[TimmiT]

This year's E3 is going to be great.

 

[ObnoxiousZebra]

Good, I'm ready for the new Xbox.

 

[Krev]

I bet this is the console using ATI Fusion.

Microsoft and Nintendo are setting the terms for next-gen. No matter how powerful PS4 is, barely any games will look significantly better than 720 and Cafe software.

 

[lethial]

YES. (maybe)

 

[donny2112]

Wonder if this is a Slim-redux (i.e. form factor/internal changes, but the same system), a DSi-type (minor improvements, but what would be the point), or a real next-gen system. If real next-gen, it'll be interesting to see. I'd imagine that it'd be more powerful than Wii 2, just because Microsoft wouldn't want to be seen as less powerful than the successor to the Wii. Same price, Nintendo games vs. Microsoft games (third-party would be multi-plat except for HUGE moneyhats). It'd be Xbox vs. GameCube without PS2 in the picture. :lol

 

[this guy]

 

[SPEA]

MY BODY IS READY!!

As Blim said, I fucking love this time of the hardware cycle. So many rumors and skuttlebutt!

 

[The Praiseworthy]

I'm so not ready for new generations in 2012.... :\

2013 ok but 2012 is so soon!

 

[yankeehater]

I really hope MS does mention something at E3 this year. I am so ready for a new MS console.

 

[JaseC]

Wonder if this is a Slim-redux (i.e. form factor/internal changes, but the same system), a DSi-type (minor improvements, but what would be the point), or a real next-gen system. If so, it'll be interesting to see. I'd imagine that it'd be more powerful than Wii 2, just because Microsoft wouldn't want to be seen as less powerful than the successor to the Wii. Same price, Nintendo games vs. Microsoft games (third-party would be multi-plat except for HUGE moneyhats). It'd be Xbox vs. GameCube without PS2 in the picture. :lol

If Sony once again stumble out the gate last with the most expensive console, there isn't a procedure in the world that could remove the palm from my forehead.

 

[szaromir]

I love this pre-new generation of consoles era. So much speculations, lies and leaks
Edit: Imagine Halo 4 being a launch title. That would be awesome

Fixed. And absolutely.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

I love this buzz before a new gen. It's still fairly long off, but the ball is now rolling.

HYPE.

 

[Wilester]

Let's do this.

 

[Sydle]

Exciting. I'd prefer 2013, but I'll be there day one if it arrives in 2012.

And I hope I can use the Kinect I have now.

 

[xKilltheMx]

Good. The sooner next gen starts, the better.

You aren't getting the name quote you want. Also, you're wrong.