The internet rumor mill is cranking out "reliable sources" reporting on the next-generation of Xbox, a device that may or may not actually exist. Earlier today, we reported on rumors that the "Xbox 720" (a totally speculative name) will be out in Fall 2013. Since then, we've heard even more juicy rumors about the Xbox 360-2.
According to unnamed sources gathered by game blog Kotaku, the next-gen Xbox will support Blu-Ray discs as well as DVDs, will be up to eight times as powerful as the current Xbox 360, will feature smaller controllers, and will launch with a new version of the Kinect.
That's the good news. The bad news: The console will supposedly not allow gamers to play used games. At all.
Further details are sparse at this time. Should a no-used-games lock be put in place, we're not sure how it would work. And we don't, honestly, even know for sure that the device is being developed. But if I had to put money on the likelihood of these rumors being true, I'd say it's a pretty solid bet. There's nothing here that strikes me as totally unlikely, anyway.
While rumors of the device date back many months, the closest we've come to an official mention of the cojsole was from the screen capture you see below, cheeky product-placement from sci-fi movie Real Steel. It's not official or anything, but interesting anyway.
While many expected a CES 2012 announcment of the device, it didn't happen. The current "conventional wisdom" points to Microsoft officially announcing the device at E3 2012, a possibility that seems much more likely to me.
I've put a call in to Microsoft for a response, and while I hope they'll detail their precise plans for the next gen console, including price-point and release date, I don't honestly expect more than a "no comment." I'll update this post when/if I hear from them.
Update: Here's the official response from Microsoft's representative:
“As an innovator we’re always thinking about what is next and how we can push the boundaries of technology like we did with Kinect. We believe the key to extending the lifespan of a console is not just about the console hardware, but about the games and entertainment experiences being delivered to consumers. Beyond that we don’t comment on rumors or speculation.”
Source: Kotaku
All of the best people are following Stephen Johnson's twitter feed. Also, email me if you wanna.
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bloo58
Oh really Blu-ray, what happened to HD-DVD Microsoft... I thought you said when you released the 360 that would be the industry standard... hrrm guess Sony got it right again... maybe you should give up on your POS console and leave it to people who know wtf they are doing instead of just trying to wring as much money as you can from people...
BigBadBOOM
Maybe somebody is strategically "leaking" these hopefully false rumors regarding the used game issue in an attempt to force MS's hand. Maybe if there is enough backlash the company would feel pressure to come out and tell us something officially about the next Xbox.
Thank you for your time,
Wishful Thinker
Cryptomaster420
well if its true their gonna get sued by very angry consumers not to mention it will be a 100x worse buthurt from when they got sued for the RROD's in 2008-2009
JeeshusChrist
If somehow the system is known to be used than how can you go to your friends house and play one of your games? You would have to carry your Xbox with you. If you want to gain profit from used games you should think of a better solution. I don't think Microsoft would do this because they would probably end up being to only console that would do this. It would just be bad business because people would just search for another console in order to play the games. And I doubt this would become universal between all consoles. Even if it did PC would never pick this up because they already have Steam which just eliminates the need for used games when you can just get great deals and easy accessibility. And with Alienwares X51 its step in the right direction to make affordable gaming PCs. If PCs were going in the same direction as Microsoft in wanting to provide the complete entertainment system and made it affordable that would rule the market.
Diggzy
A lot of people saying it's going all-digital obviously didn't read much into the article. Like past the headline. Hard to go strictly digital when you support Blu-Ray & DVD. Doubt any of the used-game stuff is true. As much as developers bitch about the used game market & they may have a point, on the flip side, having used games is actually healthy for the gaming console. I find it hard to believe that it's as simple as "it won't play used games. at all." There's a few barriers there.. like borrowing games & friendly stay overs amongst friends. Unless they develop an out. Maybe instead of bringing the game over you basically use cloud storage where everything is & you sign in with it on any console. Makes sense but I still find it a bit strange to completely do away with playing games you haven't purchased or haven't purchased new.
Iseehowitis
So its not allowed to use used game f that im sticking with 360 and ps3
kjsmith1980
I have been playing video games since 1984 and i have bought ever game system since. but if all of this is true i will be sayin by by to video games.
Steel3685
If this happens. I am going to make sure the hacking/modding community cracks this load of crap.
AWESOMEgamer875
Look people, there is no need for a new generation right now, all of our games are satisfactory and still look incredible. With new accessories and game titles coming, who needs a new system. A PS4 or Xbox 720 isnt needed now or any time in the near future.
SonicATL
I believe the used games rumor is a lie. The rest sounds plausible.
ninjamatt52
I figure that after some market testing and/or small group studies they will find that people aren't ready to buy all new equipment and games, so they'll postpone it. The 360 hasn't had an affordable price for long, I don't think It will be a good idea to put out an expensive system now. They will probably take extra time to develop the affordability of the technology before they release it. Plus there are still games coming out that wow people, they won't want to cut the lifespan of the 360 short if it still has legs. They will probably wait until it's on the decline first. Besides, they still have Halo 4 coming out this year. So it should be two years at least before we see a new console.
There is also a chance that they are just getting a head start, but putting it on the backburner. On standby. They've said before that they want to release the next system before Nintendo and Sony release their's, just like they did for the 360. So whenever they hear that the PS4 is on the way, they will switch Xbox 720 development to top priority. Their plan would be to be prepared to release the 720 first, without having to rush and release a system that isn't completely ready this time.
theLocust1313
Ask the PSP Go how all digital distribution went. Buying new games digitally on the 360 now isn't any cheaper than retail. No used games would kill hardware sales. All this would do is anger the consumer base and polarize retailers against the hardware and software. No way this is true.
txjedi
No used games on the new Xbox720? Get a life, Microsoft! I can remember back in the 80's when Coleco Vision and Mattel's Intellivision had a expandual module or adapter that allows gamers to play their old Atari, Activision, Parker Brothers and other games and it didn't hurt the game developers at all. In fact, there was no mention about profits. The developers wanted to sell their games in order to get some credit for their work instead of Atari founder Busch Nellsel who wouldn't give them credit. I enjoy playing old games on new platforms, because it gives me a chance to see how it will play and if it runs faster than the original.
Luck702
Wow, if this is true, say goodbye to letting a friend borrow a game.
lordhexeris
well i have to agree with the rest of you, if this rumor is true im staying with my 360
MrNightLinger
This sounds like bull.
"I Am Legend" had a poster for a Batman Superman Movie that never happened. I wouldn't put too much stock into real steel.
lowkevmic
@ericoslin- After thinking about it that makes total sense. I'm thinking if anything, they'll probably go digital by making gamers take full advantage of Cloud saving technology. Where you buy the game, and with cloud it'll follow your gamertag where ever you go, regardless of who's console you're on. Your gamertag will in theory act as your receipt of purchase there in making the game available anywhere. So you really won't own a physical copy of the game, but instead the rights like with Zune music and movies.
gambitjuggalo
ok so no used games? How would this possibly work? I mean if my friend goes and buys a game brand new and then lets me borrow it how could the system say no thats a used game you cant play it when the game was bought as new? If the game touches a disc tray does that automatically make it used? If they do have this device and it works then we might as well go all digital for games since we cant play used games making it pointless to trade them in to gamestop or best buy and why would we bother going to those stores at all if we cant trade them in to make used games since used games cant be played. not to mention your paying the new price either way so why bother wasting the gas to go to the store anyway... Like the video game industry doesnt have enough of our money as it is.
CGROVES1690
Steam (or something similar) for the next gen xbox? If it were done that way I think I could live with it, purchase the games I am really interested in for the full price, then wait for a price drop or special deal for the ones I dont have to have. Could be a decent idea but I still think I would rather have a physical disk mainly because I wouldn't want to wait several hours to download and install the game to my HDD.
batmandarknite
I feel ultimately comfortable with the 360 control size. Making it smaller? I don't think it will be all great. Everything doesn't need to be smaller.
And shutting out used games is not the best idea. I buy a lot of used games, if it doesn't need that abomination they call an online pass code.
Xbox improve, please don't do the opposite.
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