Microsoft sources play down reports of new Xbox in 2010

By Tom Bramwell Published 16 June, 2009

"No new console necessary" for Natal.

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.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (33) 2 months ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Xerx3s #1 3 years ago

    "a next generation experience"

    ZING! And there you have it, the first mention of 'next gen' for the coming gen.

  • MeBrains #2 3 years ago

    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! :|

  • Madafunkola #3 3 years ago

    At no point did they not say there won't not be a not new Xbox...

  • Freek #4 3 years ago

    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.

  • Les #5 3 years ago

    "I think part of the excitement about this announcement is that in many ways we are delivering a next generation experience this generation."

    LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL etc.

  • MyPointIs #6 3 years ago

    @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.

  • jjolley #7 3 years ago

    I'm actually surprised. I would think that using Natal would impose some limits on throughput because they're using USB. USB 2 isn't as good as say Firewire but whatever. I'd also hope they'd bother to make more reliable systems because i'd buy the bundle just to test it, i'm mad like that.

  • miiiguel #8 3 years ago

    Bah un-sexy article. Let's go back to speculation. Come..., and bring that fellow william from down there.

  • Darren #9 3 years ago

    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.

  • Dizzy #10 3 years ago

    "USB 2 isn't as good as say Firewire but whatever"

    FYI USB 2 is faster than most Firewire specs (the 2008 FW spec is almost twice as fast as USB 2.. but nobody has that one). The difference isn't that big actually. USB 2.0 is more than fast enough for Natal.

  • des #11 3 years ago

    Yeah MS is going to release casuals oriented console and bump the specs to push more pixels...lol
    Only an idiot would believe that.
    Casuals don't give a shit about pixels,textures,true HD...just look at the Wii and DS

  • penhalion #12 3 years ago

    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!

  • HolyJebus #13 3 years ago

    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 by 1 at 16/06/09 @ 11:09

  • Mortey #14 3 years ago

    I don't want to be Tom Cruise, I would have to pay lots of money to a crazy man who wrote a Sci-fi book and cut my legs off at knees.....can I still buy Natal when it comes out?

  • hiruu #15 3 years ago

    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....

  • Garulon #16 3 years ago

    "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.

  • HolyJebus #17 3 years ago

    @Mortey

    Of course you want to be Tom Cruise, don't be silly.

    And anyway Natal is only a working title. It's gonna be renamed Cruise Control for its release.

    WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO

  • Penguinzoot #18 3 years ago

    It's gonna be renamed Cruise Control for its release.

    Hehehe, I like it ;)

  • Spekingur #19 3 years ago

    @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?

  • zedzee #20 3 years ago

    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.

  • zedzee #21 3 years ago

    @ 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?

  • geeza2020 #22 3 years ago

    who cares?

  • TitusCrow #23 3 years ago

    new 720 lanch at e3 2011 followed by itbeing on sale xmas 2011? sounds reasonably plausable? * scratches head*

  • 3william56 #24 3 years ago

    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.

  • brappbrap #25 3 years ago

    "I can confirm that Natal will run on Xbox 360 so no new console investment will be necessary."

    The important word being "necessary", implying that there will be at least a new SKU, but you can play Natal on your current x360.

  • carlitoswagon #26 3 years ago

    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.



  • LowEnergyCycle #27 3 years ago

    @3williams56

    Brilliant.

  • Nephirion #28 3 years ago

    PS4?

  • zedzee #29 3 years ago

    @ 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 by 2 at 17/06/09 @ 10:02

  • shawnlee100 #30 1 year ago

    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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  • keysie #32 8 months ago

    I can't wait for the new Xbox. I am trying to get a hold of it but it just flies of the racks.

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