No matter what anyone wants to say about the Xbox, the bottom line is that Microsoft gave up on the Xbox after only 4 years. That’s nothing in gaming years. Microsoft simply took their ball and went home, leaving fans that paid hard-earned money stranded at the carnival without a ride home. Fortunately for Microsoft, Xbox fans, in general, are a loyal lot.
Well, if Bobby Bach is to be believed, Microsoft is getting ready to do it all over again. If that’s the case, count me out.
Robert Bach, the President of the Entertainment and Devices division of Microsoft gave an interview to Venturebeat.com recently and many gaming sites picked up on one tidbit in the interview:
Microsoft wants to be the first one out of the gate with the NEXT, next-gen console. Specifically, he said, “If you take the question of whether it was the right thing to try to be first, the answer to that is definitely yes. It has given us a leg up in a number of places that are super important. It has given us a leg up with game developers. It has given us a leg up from an economics perspective. It helped us expand Xbox Live quickly. At a strategy level, if you asked if we wanted to be first again, I would say yes.”
While this factoid, in and of itself, isn’t a big deal, when you couple it with what we know about Microsoft and their gaming hardware cycles, you’ll realize that that release date is fast approaching.
If 2010 or 2011 really is their window for releasing the next Xbox, I don’t think I’ll be one of those early adopters. You’d think, by now, that Microsoft would have learned their lesson about being “first” and “quickest” to the market. Their haste to get to the starting line first resulted in a loss of over a billion dollars and a loss of unquantifiable consumer confidence, no matter what the PR spin on the Red Ring of Death fiasco is this week.
I don’t want another new console to shell out $600 bucks for. Sony has repeatedly said that they plan on having a 10 year life cycle for the PS3 and I applaud them for that. Will Sony ever realize the potential of the PS3? Who knows, but at least one company is sticking to its guns and isn’t out searching for the next big thing.
Sure, if the next, next-gen Xbox is launched in 2011 it will be six years from the 360’s launch, but what about people that aren’t early adopters? There’s a lot of us out there that didn’t buy an Xbox 360 until 2006, or 2007, or even more of us out there that still haven’t purchased the console yet. What about us, Microsoft?
Microsoft, don’t run out on us, like you did to the original Xbox guys. In your rush to be first, you may end up leaving the rest of us behind… Permanently.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
I do believe that a high-end individual at Microsoft (I think it was Kim…Don’t know their names, don’t really care) stated that they were aiming to have a tail on this generation, so it won’t end as abruptly as the first generation.
*stares off into space* FOXDIE! Sorry, saying “generation” is giving me MGS4 flashbacks…
Back on topic…So, nanomachines…
Err.
Expect to see games continue to be released for the 360 even after they move on to the new hotness. Just don’t expect to see the latest and greatest. It’ll be like PS2 games are today…They still trickle out, long after the PS3 hit the market.
WAY TOO EARLY, just because they almost ran out of exclusive games…??? seems to me that just want to have a new version on Halo with super ultra graphics, they want to do with the console the same that they have done with the PC, at that step who knows if you will start buying upgrades for your console (NO WAY), the main reason for me to have a console is that I get the graphics that I will be able to have on a really expensive PC, not only that but the games as well. MS should try to develop more and better games instead of wanting to have what at the end will become “another brick in the wall”
Pathetic text.
I don´t like to spend more than 5 years with a console… I really get tired of the experience.
2011 is a GREAT release date.
Guys, what Sony meant by a ten year life span is thats how long they’ll support it, not thats how long till they realese a new playstation. Sony supported the PS1 till 2004, back then you could buy one new at walmart for $50. They’ll support PS2 till 2010 even though they already realesed PS3, and will support PS3 till 2016, realeseing PS4 in 2011. Sony can support more than one console at a time, even if they focus on one more than the other.
@Lono: Kaz, is that you?
This is just another rubbish editorial without any concrete basis. Microsoft have no intention of leaving xbox 360 customers after a new console is out, they will use the same routine as Sony does with the Playstation 3.
The only thing you have to worry about is if your launch xbox 360 RROD’s in the years past the next gen console launch.
Another BS article just to get people to your site, get some real facts or don’t waste your words.
You’re right BOB. Your opinion is soo much more valid than mine or anyone else’s on this site… Especially with all of those AWESOME facts you brought to the table to back up your opinion.
I guess it’s just another BS comment to get people to read your commentary, you should get some real facts or don’t waste your words.
Hi Lono,
I have just posted an article in response to yours:
http://www.thegamergene.com/xbox-720/xbox-720-in-2011-count-me-in/
Cheers,
Tim Hanlon
At least give us a decent webbrowser for Xbox Live. Chances are that we just end up copying the Wii browser, and that’s no good…
Sounds like another useless gimmick to most…
Not to me.
We have some epic-win on our hands boys.
Lano have you even thought it through? Or are you just blabbering your mouth off?
Microsofts 3 red lights wasn’t because they were first. It was because they didnt spend much time on testing it.
So if they start now (Which your moaning about) Then they will have plenty of time and test it fully this time. Then it should be fine for releasing first.
Sometimes I kind alose faith in SG, Seems like they post controversial stories just for the hits rather than taking care of there current members.
Lono is bring sarcastic,its all just a joke calm down it is called sarcastic gamer after all.
4 years is not nothing in gaming terms.
4 years is a lifetime in gaming terms.
And I fail to see how the declared intention to be first translates to your deadline of 2010/2011.
If Sony are sticking with PS3 till 2016, micorsoft can wait till 2014 and still have a 2 year head start.
a lifespan of 6 years (2005-2011) is more than enough. actually it’s way too long imo. technology is moving much faster than that.
anyway, whoever comes out first with the next gen is gonna be the winner, once again. and we all (except those few fony fanboys in denial) know that it won’t be fony.
calm down, everyone. Lono’s opinions are something you get used to after awhile.
it’s what makes us love him so much!
It would be stupid for Microsoft to wait much past 2011 for the 360s replacement. They came out early with the 360, this allowed them to establish a stable enough foothold to allow them to no only survive but prosper in spite of the hardware problems they had up until the past year or so.
They had to make compromises, most notably the lack of an HD disc format, you will see more and more 2 disc games and eventually it will get annoying.
Coming out first again in the next cycle, while making sure they don’t repeat the reliability problems the 360 had, will allow them to dominate the next generation.
@Robert Aitchison
I agree. Remember FFXII had multiple discs (4, I think) and Sony’s system didn’t suffer from criticism because the quality games available on the system compensated for that.
if you are so angry with the concept of ending of a life cycle, why did you buy a ps3 when you can still be playing your ps2?
that is 6 years of using my 360. (Nov 2005 – Nov 2011) by november 2011 I will be ready for a new console. With new technology and new features. The concept of 10 year life span is a great idea, but even today, looking at my original xbox and ps2, i have no intrest in playing a ps2 or original xbox game. I will be looking forward to new great games in the next console. Even if MS was still supporting the original xbox, i would be buying games for my 360.
Jesus, it’s hot in here…
Lono, the article makes sense…
Bottom Line (this is for all of you who don’t want to read the rest so you can go back and play CoD4)
The man finds it bad if M-soft ditches the most-supported console in just six years.
Back in the day, when them TVs was black and white, you had the 8-bits. Those little boxes were around for for a good 11+ years. Progressively, console lifespans (Their support) has gotten smaller and smaller, because as the tech gets more innovative, the systems get outdated. That’s the law of technological progression. In fact, the previous generation (excluding the Sega Abortion) was supported for about six years. But recently, t3h int3rwebz has become an integral part of the current video game console experience. Keep in mind the Abortion had multiplayer, but it was limited to a lovely dial-up modem. Then, out of nowhere “POW” it’s Xbox Live, the saving grace of the Microsoft Meltdown. That opened the shiny, solid-gold door to online gaming. Then developers and manufacturers and publishers and the like got smart and releases console software and firmware, plus game patches, thus, intheory, etending the life of a console by adapting to current technology. Not by the nuts and bolts on the inside, but what pops up on your TV, and what makes the console more functional with (the limitations of) the hardware.
Face it, we’re like the beta testers of the future of gaming.
That would make for a good article…
Dousing Flames,
DWK
P.S. Lono, great job on grabbing more page views on the site. You’re our hero. They really fell for this one.
Lono isn’t being sarcastic. He wouldn’t keep responding so harshly to those disagreeing with him if he was.
I’m really sorry everyone who bought their 360 late in the cycle (as I did) feel like they’ll be getting ripped off when MS releases a new console and stops 360 support but honestly, where does it end? Right now PS2s are only $100 at Wal-Mart. Can I buy that and fully expect that I’m going to get five years of use out of it?
What about when the “720″ comes out? The 360 will undoubtedly go on sale, and what if someone buys one then. Should that person expect to get more than five years out of that console? If I buy a 360 tomorrow, I’m not getting as much use out of it compared to someone who bought on launch day. That’s the price you buy when you don’t buy at launch. I really don’t get what the big deal is here – how can someone be shocked that the lifespan of their console is lower if they choose to buy it later? That’s the way life works.
@ Still Garbage: I only respond harshly to those commenters that attempt to insult me while arguing. Feel free to make a great fact based or opinion based argument, but keep it civil…
I like these discussions, that’s what this website is for. I’ll keep it simple… you don’t insult me, and I won’t insult you… Easy? Right?
I’m not really opposed to it… but that’s probably because I’m also a PC gamer with a hunger for power. I upgrade whenever a leap in technology happens which happens between 1 and 2 years.
PCs are already more powerful than consoles (yes, much more expensive as well) and I’d love to see where they’re at three years from now. Too bad Vista pounds hardware like a leather drum.
So I’m not opposed to an XBox 720 in 3 years, but I can definitely see how some console gamers would find it unacceptable.
@ DWK: you made some very good very good points there.
firstly, this article did get pretty steaming fast. its just one persons point of view, its not like he’s trying to force his views on anyone.
secondly, very good point about software updates. consoles have gotten to the point where we can enhance our consoles via updates, without the need to go out and buy a new one altogether.
just think about the 360/PS3/PSP, think about what there could do when they were released compared to what they can do now, the psp didnt even have a browser, and now the PS3 is getting in game XMB.
our consoles have gotten to the point where they can be upgraded do do close to anything, the only real reason to get a new console would be for hardware and graphics upgrades, and when you think about it, do we really need to upgrade those (bioshock, gears of war, MGS)
also you should take into consideration that 360 is still young, we havent really seen what developers can get out of it
its not impossible. when the PS2 was belived to be at its peak, developers managed to keep bettering its games neer the end of its life, and the same could apply for the 360.
if you are so angry with the concept of ending of a life cycle, why did you buy a ps3 when you can still be playing your ps2?
that is 6 years of using my 360. (Nov 2005 – Nov 2011) by november 2011 I will be ready for a new console. With new technology and new features. The concept of 10 year life span is a great idea, but even today, looking at my original xbox and ps2, i have no intrest in playing a ps2 or original xbox game. I will be looking forward to new great games in the next console. Even if MS was still supporting the original xbox, i would be buying games for my 360.
69 DWK // Jun 18, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Jesus, it’s hot in here…
Lono, the article makes sense…
Bottom Line (this is for all of you who don’t want to read the rest so you can go back and play CoD4)
The man finds it bad if M-soft ditches the most-supported console in just six years.
Back in the day, when them TVs was black and white, you had the 8-bits. Those little boxes were around for for a good 11+ years. Progressively, console lifespans (Their support) has gotten smaller and smaller, because as the tech gets more innovative, the systems get outdated. That’s the law of technological progression. In fact, the previous generation (excluding the Sega Abortion) was supported for about six years. But recently, t3h int3rwebz has become an integral part of the current video game console experience. Keep in mind the Abortion had multiplayer, but it was limited to a lovely dial-up modem. Then, out of nowhere “POW” it’s Xbox Live, the saving grace of the Microsoft Meltdown. That opened the shiny, solid-gold door to online gaming. Then developers and manufacturers and publishers and the like got smart and releases console software and firmware, plus game patches, thus, intheory, etending the life of a console by adapting to current technology. Not by the nuts and bolts on the inside, but what pops up on your TV, and what makes the console more functional with (the limitations of) the hardware.
Face it, we’re like the beta testers of the future of gaming.
That would make for a good article…
Dousing Flames,
DWK
P.S. Lono, great job on grabbing more page views on the site. You’re our hero. They really fell for this one.
70 Still Garbage // Jun 18, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Lono isn’t being sarcastic. He wouldn’t keep responding so harshly to those disagreeing with him if he was.
I’m really sorry everyone who bought their 360 late in the cycle (as I did) feel like they’ll be getting ripped off when MS releases a new console and stops 360 support but honestly, where does it end? Right now PS2s are only $100 at Wal-Mart. Can I buy that and fully expect that I’m going to get five years of use out of it?
What about when the “720? comes out? The 360 will undoubtedly go on sale, and what if someone buys one then. Should that person expect to get more than five years out of that console? If I buy a 360 tomorrow, I’m not getting as much use out of it compared to someone who bought on launch day. That’s the price you buy when you don’t buy at launch. I really don’t get what the big deal is here – how can someone be shocked that the lifespan of their console is lower if they choose to buy it later? That’s the way life works.
71 Lono // Jun 18, 2008 at 6:48 pm
@ Still Garbage: I only respond harshly to those commenters that attempt to insult me while arguing. Feel free to make a great fact based or opinion based argument, but keep it civil…
I like these discussions, that’s what this website is for. I’ll keep it simple… you don’t insult me, and I won’t insult you… Easy? Right?
72 FlintSteelton // Jun 18, 2008 at 8:15 pm
I’m not really opposed to it… but that’s probably because I’m also a PC gamer with a hunger for power. I upgrade whenever a leap in technology happens which happens between 1 and 2 years.
PCs are already more powerful than consoles (yes, much more expensive as well) and I’d love to see where they’re at three years from now. Too bad Vista pounds hardware like a leather drum.
So I’m not opposed to an XBox 720 in 3 years, but I can definitely see how some console gamers would find it unacceptable.
73 Farko // Jun 18, 2008 at 8:29 pm
@ DWK: you made some very good very good points there.
firstly, this article did get pretty steaming fast. its just one persons point of view, its not like he’s trying to force his views on anyone.
secondly, very good point about software updates. consoles have gotten to the point where we can enhance our consoles via updates, without the need to go out and buy a new one altogether.
just think about the 360/PS3/PSP, think about what there could do when they were released compared to what they can do now, the psp didnt even have a browser, and now the PS3 is getting in game XMB.
our consoles have gotten to the point where they can be upgraded do do close to anything, the only real reason to get a new console would be for hardware and graphics upgrades, and when you think about it, do we really need to upgrade those (bioshock, gears of war, MGS)
also you should take into consideration that 360 is still young, we havent really seen what developers can get out of it
its not impossible. when the PS2 was belived to be at its peak, developers managed to keep bettering its games neer the end of its life, and the same could apply for the 360.
Holy balls I have posted my comment 3 times and it still fails to come out … grrrr I bet this son bitch comes out A-OK..
moose
OK lets try it in small parts :-
Hey Lono – I think you need to plaster – IT’S JUST MY FRICKIN OPINION DUDE !! – on the front and end of each post you make :O)
MS arrived LATE to the console wars, sony and nintendo had been fighting it out with Sony wining over the big N. Then along come M$ with the XBox and tries it’s luck. With mixed success.
So, if like me, you picked up a XBox when it hit the £100 mark as a spare – and just for the GFX on Escape From Butcher Bay – you had ayear or so of new titles before M$ threw sand in your face and took it’s ball home. Now I don;t mind this so much as I use my original XBox as a media extender BUT if I had sunk the cash in for a machine that dies 12 – 18 months later I would be PISSED.
What your forgetting guys is that MS wanted to be first this gen and they succeeded. With that comes a price (ask Sega about the Saturn and Dreamcast or Atari about the Jaguar.. or Commodore about the CD32 – LOL!!). That price is that you risk rushing the builds (HELLO RROD!!) and you risk no one picking up your console. MS lucked out and people clamored for a “next-gen” experience. The problem is that Sony (and Nintendo) took that time to develop their next move (all be it in different directions). Now Nintendo took a new path so we will leave them out of this, but Sony took the time to cram a SHED LOAD of new tech into their console – yeah you paid for it but it was/is worth it.
<<>>
The other problem you get from being first is that your system (unless your very lucky) will start to age and look sub-par in comparison to the newer system – so what choice do you have? Well you can take the Nintendo/Sony (stick with it, push the console as far as poss and make some great titles) route or the Sega route (Rush build what you think is the next BIG THING and ditch the old console) – and I just hope MS don’t go this route again.
For all their lead and new found standing in the gaming / developer community MS kinda screwed the pooch as far as longevity goes. And as we all know R & D and manufacture of any new console is NOT cheap.
Yes, we need evolution. Yes we need to push these things BUT we don;t need to do it all at once. The comment by Trekster Gamer calling Lono a fool (apart from being rude and childish – you can give an opinion without being derivative) states :
“[we would be left with] Gamecube, Dreamcast and original XBOX.
And Voodoo/geforce mx200 video cards! “
Now, no one says you can;t have evolution but FooMe I don’t want to buy my Geforce 2 MX200 today at £200 and then in a years time be forced to buy the next one after they announce they are no longer writing drivers for the MX200 and my games won’t play – I don’t have that kinda cash to piss down the drain my friends – and I work in IT !! ;O) (also the PC gaming market is very much different to the console one when it comes to hardware)
Ah crap I have rambled… my point being – don;t be a mug. Both the 360 and the PS3 have YEARS left in them – sure the X360 will not be able to compete with the power/gfx that the PS3 is outputting in 2 years time – but it was never designed too!
I give up – now I can;t post the end of my er.. post… maybe I will try later or maybe all 10 of them will appear at once… soz
moose
2011 when the 360 was released in late 2005 is reasonable, however, in my OPINION, the “720″ will be no more then a Blu-Ray drive(taking into consideration that digital media hasn’t completely taken over) internal wi-fi, full HD version of the 360 with slightly better graphics and more emphasis on being the center of your home entertainment system (Media Center anyone?) and btw, I don’t feel sorry for anyone who is a late adopter of the 360 or any console for that matter, it just means that you have a more robust back catalogue that is way cheaper than when they were released.
Ok first off its 2011/2012 not 2010 also that will make it a 7 year life span which from what I know is normal for a console life span look at the N64 was 1996-2001 and GameCube to Nintendo WII was 2001-2006 so its not that crazy that there making a new one. also PlayStation to the
Ps2 was only 6 years so its not like the Xbox to the Xbox 360.
and you know that you don’t have to buy everything that comes out.
They have said they have been all ready thinking of what there going to use for the next cpu for the next Xbox before they even shipped the 360.
and you can not listen to what Sony says do you really think there going to say a year after the realize of the Ps3 “ya expect to see the ps 4 in 2010″ Absolutely not! why would anyone buy into something that will only last 4 years with a $600 price tag. so of course they will say 10 years you won’t know till 2016…
Sure there could still have problems when the 720 is realized I hope not tho. but I don’t find it that strange that there realizing on in 2011 or 2012. I think its cool, it gives video game developers more chance to bring out more amazing games and have more hardware to play with. I like that new consoles come out ever 6 or so years it makes the gaming industry work harder to produce better looking and more groundbreaking stuff think if we only had one console and it was the super Nintendo we would have no 3D graphics so who knows what could come up.
Just so no one screams fan boy or anything I like all the consoles but the Nintendo Wii so non-hardcore gamer for me to many mini games. With out competition there would be no advances.
I personally believe a new gen would be great. this would mean smoother graphics, larger play environments, and vastly larger multi-player scenarios among other things. 2010 is’t to soon. Look how quick sony did away with the PS1 for the PS2. As for the ones that say the 360 is cheaply made, I tboned a car at 60 mph with my 360 in the truck two nights ago and it still works fine. If you would like pics of my truck e-mail me.
Uh…guess what? The 360 is backwards compatible….with almost 500 games. PS3=0 unless you were lucky enough to buy one of the first ones out.
And if the game you want to play can’t be played on your 360, then break out the old school xbox…dust it off…and play away. It’s not like the console stops working because you bought a new one.
Well, my take on it is this. Xbox came out with their system while the P3 was tripping on setting the price at a stupid high level for consoles (at that time). Don’t forget how everyone was getting on them for that. Turns out they had a very good system for the price! The Wii is basically the NEXT genre in gaming. MS had some problems this time yes..but they have always put out good-fun products. They realized “WHOA..we are behind these other consoles” and are trying to catch up now. I believe in second chances. If my next Xbox ends up getting the Ring of Death, I might stop getting them and Just do PC gaming. I love Xbox and I HATE P3’s little kid controllers. They cramp your hands up! Let’s see what they do this time and then make a decision. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Also—for the price you paid for a P3, Even with the Ring of Death, if you paid for the warranty or even sent it back for repairs, you still came out cheaper than 600 bucks. Your system was fixed, and you were up and running again in no time. I know NO ONE wants that hassle. But you think MS is gonna make the SAME mistakes again? I wouldn’t. Not after all the flack they are catching and especially when the Wii and P3 are VERY GOOD systems to contend with. I don’t think we will be seeing the Ring of Death (which is really the only problem) or any HD problems the next time around. When it comes out! IM BUYING IT. With the warranty this time. It’s ALWAYS better to get the warranty on anything you buy. But if I have the same issue, back to PC gaming full time. Watch, they are gonna fix the bug, kill the ring, and we are gonna have fun either way. XBOX RULES!!! Just not this time. P3 players…..Thanks for letting MS know where it needs to be to compete. You guys have an AWESOME system too. But if we BOTH aren’t careful….THE Wii IS GONNA SNEAK UP AND GET US ALL!! THAT SYSTEM ROCKS!!! Especially Zelda! THAT IS THE REAL NEXT GEN! AND IT WAS ONLY $250. If we could, we’d get all three systems. So instead of fighting each other, FUN RIVALRY as it is…. lets gang up on and try to become more like the the Wii while staying true to our roots. Imagine a fused system like ours AND can do what the Wii does also. THAT WOULD ROOOOOCK!!!! Remember
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend!”
HI THERE COUNT ME OUT TOO BECUASE SEGA IS GOING TOO HAVE A VERY FAST SSD SOLID STATE FLASH DRIVE X-BOX AND SONY WONT LOOK INTO SSD DRIVES OR THE DIGITAL WESTERNS RAPTOR AT 10,000 OR 15,000 RPMS WE NEED FASTER DRIVES NOT CHEAPER CONSOLES.
HI THERE I FOUND THE SPECS ON THE X-BOX 720 3.6 GHZ CPU 4 GB OF RAM AND TERIPPLE RAPTORS AT 10,000 RPMS SOO THE X-BOX 720 WILL SCREAM
i’m sorry but xbox 720 will be out in 2013 my father works there and he said that xbox 720 will be out in august 2013
Hi Chris Redfield, can you confirm your comment about xbox 720 will be out in August 2013. It sound too good to be true. Email me with confirmation at dryhands2@yahoo.com Thanks!.
HI THERE ONE WEB SITE SAY WE NEED ULTRA HIGH DEF TV IS LIKE 8,000 BY 4,000 RESOLUTION SO WE NEED ULTRA HIGH END TVS TOO GO WITH THE NEXT GEN CONSOLES
well, count me in anyway.