Oh look. It’s yet another rumor about the Xbox 360 receiving an add-on Blu-ray drive. Except, this time, wait for it, this might actually be true!
Hit the jump for more rumor mongering!!!As seasoned SG readers might be aware, there has been a rumour or two about 360 Blu-ray attachments over the past wee while. Time and time again, Microsoft have fervently stood up and declared that no, the Xbox 360 will not receive a Blu-ray attachment and that the company is not looking into it at the present time. Been there, done that, not bought the disc drive because it doesn’t exist. You get the idea; it’s happened a lot.
Looks like there might be something credible cropping up this time though. According to some eager analysts, Microsoft is on the brink of announcing a Blu-ray drive for the 360 at long last. “Market sources”, whoever they are, are reporting that TSST (a Toshiba/Samsung merger company) have been contracted by Microsoft to produce Blu-ray drives for the Xbox 360. Much like the HD-DVD drive it’d be an external attachment retailing for (if rumours are to be believed) $100-150.
It’s obvious that Microsoft can’t wait much longer before dipping their toes into the big Blu-sea. Blu-ray is PS3’s secret trump card. The console is really starting to shift units now and Blu-ray movies are shifting with them. With internet capabilities in the bag to keep it up to date and the added function of being, oh, a games console, Sony’s behemoth is pretty much the best-value Blu-ray player out there.
Microsoft can’t just stand there and watch the PS3 swipe all of the profit. Were a Blu-ray drive to come out for the console it might just put off some people from buying a PS3. Buying a 60GB 360 console and a Blu-ray drive might cost you the same as an 80GB PS3; that might just sway a few buyers here and there, so it’d make serious business sense if this report is true.
No release date has been announced (since the device itself hasn’t even been confirmed as being in existence) but the chances are you can expect it either as a holiday season surprise or, more likely, next year, where Microsoft can pimp the device to the max at a mainstream electronics show to attract gamers and HD buffs alike.
Y’know, if it even exists.
Microsoft Preps External Blu-Ray Disc Optical Drive for Xbox 360 – X-bit labs via EDGE
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Now the REALLY BIG question…….
Will the (accused)drive be utilized for (accused)games, or will it just be an (accused)blu-ray player?
I hope that was sarcasm, caffeinedisaster.
There’s no way Microsoft is going to require people to buy a $150 addon to play certain games that they feel like releasing on blu-ray.
Movies only, forcing your install base to buy an add-on is market suicide. I’d buy one if the rumour turns out to be true
You never know.
Many people buy whole consoles to play one or two games. (see Wii)
Its a waste of money for MS if you ask me, they are increase the visibility of blu-ray and by making it an option are not neutralizing the issue. Its still a point in sonys corner.
Wow, horrible timing!
I’m a loyal Xbox 360 fan, but with the announcement of Star Wars: The Clone Wars coming out on Blu-ray, I finally bought a player. My brand-new PS3 will be arriving any second now.
Xbox 360 has been and always will be my primary gaming console, but now I’ll use the PS3 for Blu-ray and games that aren’t on Xbox 360.
If this rumor is true, then I would have just gone with this add-on instead of a whole new console. Not that I’m complaining… I do like having two consoles around.
Maybe I’ll pick up one of these for the Xbox 360 in my bedroom?
As much as I like my HD DVD add on I wouldn’t really get this. I have a PS3 for my blu-ray player due to the fact that it can get all it’s updates via the internet and I hate putting the extra strain on my Xbox. The PS3 is hands down the best blu-ray player no matter how much the add on might be.
This really doesn’t make sense if they are trying to increase their install base, with the $100-150 addition to the price it will eclipse the price of a PS3
It would make sense if you are an xbox 360 owner still holding out though
I really wish they would have done this a year ago. I waited as long I as could, but ended up with a PS3 a few months ago, pretty much for the BR player. I was a 360 hold out.