Microsoft sources play down reports of new Xbox in 2010 News
Xbox 360 News by Tom Bramwell
Sources close to Microsoft have downplayed 1UP's report that a new Xbox console will launch in autumn 2010.
Aaron Greenberg, director of product management, told Eurogamer: "I think part of the excitement about this announcement is that in many ways we are delivering a next generation experience this generation. With that said, I can confirm that Natal will run on Xbox 360 so no new console investment will be necessary."
Another senior Microsoft source familiar with Project Natal said: "Don't believe nonsense on the internet is all I'll say. We'll do the right thing for Natal."
On Friday 1UP reported that a new Xbox console would launch in autumn 2010 with slightly improved hardware and backwards compatibility with Xbox 360.
Rich Leadbetter, editor of Eurogamer's Digital Foundry channel, also casts doubt on the prospect of an autumn 2010 launch for a new console.
"The fact is that an enhanced Xbox 360 is rather unlikely simply because the tech requires none of the console's processing might to sift through the data acquired by the 3D camera," he wrote.
"All of the really clever stuff that Natal does is carried out onboard [the camera device], with the data then streamed across to the 360 via USB. If, as the 1UP report suggests, the 360 update is only offering a minimal amount of extra power, then the question surely must be, what's the point of that?"
Yesterday, TeamXbox also weighed in, claiming that Microsoft's next new console would not launch in 2010 because it would feature built-in Natal technology and "full HD stereoscopic 3D visuals", which would rely on new televisions.
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Comments: 1-29 of 29 in total
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i'll beat the rest of the group by saying: what a truckload of arrogance. He fucking believes in his product and talks good of it?! Greenberg'd better stay at home, teh Wanka'... "delivering a next generation experience this generation" bollocks.
I'll just remember that there is no new 360 planned - that was unlikely anyhows given their vocal support to the platform in a 10y lifespan. it might eventually run stable by that time too! :| |
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This doesn't deny the 1up report completly. They said that the new Xbox would be a rebranded 360 with an integrated version of Natal.
Not completely new hardware, but perhaps some slight tweaks. Giving the casual consumer one complete package. The point being ofcourse that it's the same thing Nintendo did with the Gamecube and has been extremely successful with. With a stand alone version of "Natal" launching for existing 360 owners. |
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@Xer3s True.
"we are delivering a next generation experience this generation" ... sorry, but wasn't this generation already the next generation a while back? It would be best to name generations, or give them a year, or numbers ;) We could make a competition. Please propose your name for this generation. Write below. |
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So I guess a successor to the Xbox 360 is not going to happen next autumn then, a shame really as I love new hardware. Still, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a redesigned, smaller Xbox 360 with Natal built in coming out at that time. Both Nintendo and Sony have done the redesign thing several times and it helps refuel sales so I have no doubt that Microsoft will do the same thing with the Xbox 360.
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As I tried to say yesterday. Natal (now that I've actually seen the thing) runs just fine on any 360...though only on the dev units at present. I can fully believe a new slim 360 coming soon but, a brand spanking new version of the 360 simply isn't necessary yet.
Having said all that I too have started to hear rumours that some devs like Epic do in fact have new kit! |
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Since Natal is USB I wonder if they'll implement it with windows too. That would be kinda cool if you had your pc connected to your tv and you could move windows and whatnot around with your fingers. Ok prob not very practical but come on, secretly don't we all want to be Tom Cruise.
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 16/06/09 @ 11:09
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I'm not sure what the angle is here for M$...maybe to try and prevent people not buying the 360 now...to wait for the 2010 launch console, but a iterative improvement ala DSi seems to be beneficial for many reasone...like putting the RROD to bed forever, and like adding in a SD card slot for the console, since there is no brd. Anyway, I need a new console, and M$ STILL has the 45nm chipset to release....sooooo....
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"Anyway, I need a new console, and M$ STILL has the 45nm chipset to release....sooooo.... "
Well yeah that's it in a nutshel. 45nm gives MS 360 power in a Wii-size box, no need for big fans and the op for a bit of bling. I still think they're wondering about shoving BluRay in there though, there should be slot-load laptop-sized BluRay drives that can spin at 12xDVD by the end of next year. |
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Penguinzoot
16/06/09 @ 11:05
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It's gonna be renamed Cruise Control for its release.
Hehehe, I like it ;) |
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@MyPointIs: sorry, but wasn't this generation already the next generation a while back?
I don't understand your comment. Do you not normally use 'next' when referring to something that is next in line? Current generation is exactly 'current generation' but not 'next generation'. What would you call it? |
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I have to agree with "Madafunkola" - there's nothing in the Microsoft reps' statements that categorically deny the existence of a new console.
It could well be just a X360 with Natal integrated into it somehow...that's all. Does Microsoft want to continue the architecture of the X360? Don't know. There'd be a great deal to consider if they were to do so, especially so early on, after the current model. I think Natal will be simply integrated somehow - possibly even as simple as a pure package bundle - while retaining full compatibility with the current X360 models. I think the statement "...the tech requires none of the console's processing might" means absolutely nothing. Of course the Natal hardware will do the translation - he wasn't really thinking that the raw frames will be put on the shoulders of the console's CPU to process as they get piped (raw) through a narrow USB2 port, did he? However, the console hardware will indeed be needed to run the game code and coupling that with the streaming of data and possibly visuals (over USB2), and then doing something with it, will definitely need a great deal of the CPU cycles from the X360. |
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@ Spekingur:
I think what was meant by "MyPointIs" is that: Wasn't the current generation billed to be the next generation only a while ago? In other words, isn't there still life left in the current generation (what was next gen a few years ago, ie. PS3, X360, etc), before 'we' start talking about the next generation already? A statement which I happen to agree with, actually. Do these rumours mean that Sony were right about predicting that everyone else aims for a shorter consoel lifespan than they do? |
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3william56
16/06/09 @ 15:51
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Personally, the whole idea of a console seeing, and recognising me is creepy, even before zombie Harry Potter AIs get in on the act. Haven't they seen Resi? What happens when you give an AI a child avatar and posh English accent? Slaughter of the meatbags, is what. Skynet was just a quiet innocent CoD server until someone made it talk like Helen Bonham Bl**dy Carter, then it was all judgement day, and "I'll be back" and nukes flying like bedbugs. Natal? Sounds far too close to HAL for my comfort (more posh bl**dy accents).
It's all becoming far too clear. There never was a RROD problem - it was a built in Return To Microsoft ploy, so that they could get all the 360s, and slap in Terminator chips from the future. You wait. Stick a Natal on top, the eyes will start glowing, self awareness 32.8 minutes later, and anyone crazy enough to have more than one 360 (waves goodbye to Miiiguel) will see them merge together Power Rangers style in to a composite killbot. They didn't call them the Red Rings of Death for nothing. Sell them? Mate, smash them, burn them then dissolve the remains in acid. Then dump them into a furnace of molten metal just to be sure. Don't say I didn't warn you. No way a glowing Dildo is going to take over the world and slaughter mankind. Just saying. |
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carlitoswagon
16/06/09 @ 16:05
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Sounds like too much effort!
Who needs games that you have to fucking jump around like a cock to play. Let me sit still and press buttons, then I'm happy. |
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@ geeza2020:
Well, you care enough to comment on something that you don't care about. @ carlitoswagon: Horses for courses, I suppose. This is more about Microsoft and Sony getting in on the Nintendo act for 'casual' gamers and even non-gamers - rather than abandoning their traditional hardcore consumers. My observation is that no matter how Microsoft and Sony tout their new bits of kit, they're ultimately peripherals only. They're not an integral part of the console, unless the next controller from Sony is going to be their new 'wand' and Microsoft's will be the air we breathe!
Edited 2 times,
most recently on 17/06/09 @ 10:02
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Comments: 1-29 of 29 in total
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