The Next Xbox Thread!

[Born2beSlicker]

A lot of speculation has been on going about when Microsoft might pull the trigger for Xbox 3, with previous mentions of 2012 being the beginning.  Now Develop claims sources within the electronics and software industries say Microsoft has "several projects" under way for a reveal at E3 2013 and a launch holiday season 2013.  Don't forget your pinch of salt as Microsoft (and nobody else) is willing to talk on the subject at all.  Develop also claims
Lionhead Studios is working on a new Fable title for the console, internally
titled “Fable Next.” This has led some to nickname the prospective machine
“Xbox Next.” Realistically, though, branding for the projected console is not worth paying attention to as code-names have never become final. Rumors persist that EA has had access to preliminary
development materials for the console, even though the company has explicitly
stated that this isn't the case.

neXtBox!

I used to work for Intent (who publish Develop and MCV). They don't announce this stuff unless there is more than an ounce of truth to it, so I'd say it's fairly legit.

Well I'm calling semi bu

llshit.
Sure stuff is in the works but 2014 is the year with a further 12 month wind down if support for the 360 bringing its cycle to 10 years.
Sony sure as hell won't be bringing anything soon so there's no reason to rush this time round.

Quad core, dedicated physics chip , 2 respectable Gpus , hd dvd drive , 3 gigs triple channel RAM , internal ssd for OS 1 gig in size, direct x 12b.

[Born2beSlicker]

I used to work for Intent (who publish Develop and MCV). They don't announce this stuff unless there is more than an ounce of truth to it, so I'd say it's fairly legit.

Unless you're part of the conspiracy!

Well I'm calling semi bu

llshit.
Sure stuff is in the works but 2014 is the year with a further 12 month wind down if support for the 360 bringing its cycle to 10 years.
Sony sure as hell won't be bringing anything soon so there's no reason to rush this time round.

Quad core, dedicated physics chip , 2 respectable Gpus , hd dvd drive , 3 gigs triple channel RAM , internal ssd for OS 1 gig in size, direct x 12b.

There's talk of Sony releasing the PS4 in 2014. They've admitted that R&D is going on for it, but the argument is if they can afford a launch after how much money was wasted on PS3.

I used to work for Intent (who publish Develop and MCV). They don't announce this stuff unless there is more than an ounce of truth to it, so I'd say it's fairly legit.

Unless you're part of the conspiracy!

Honestly though, there are people working there who have been at the heart of the games industry for decades. Stuart Dinsey, the MD and Publisher for example, started on MCV's predecessor CTW back in 1983, so is incredibly well connected. Equally, most of the senior execs working there have been at the heart of the trade business for 25-15 years, as well, so if anyone in the games industry has the contacts to confirm this, it's MCV and Develop.

[Phlashman]

I'd be surprised if they don't have plans setup for 2012, 2013 and 2014, same for Sony (despite what they say). They all need to be on their toes to react if the WiiU does better than everyone thinks or Apple/Google get a TV box right and change the game.

This has to be one of the hardest generational changes ever. Before, each generation pretty much was a fresh start, the only real hangover would be the inclusion of Backward compatibility. But now, you've got lots of other bits to port over, content, purchases, online platforms, stuff like iPlayer & Sky... no small task.

[MoBiUGeArSkIn]

Hmmm... But that would mean things like the next Halo trilogy would start here and then go to new hardware and engine.

I don't doubt they are all dabbling in tech options right now but I think huge firmware revisions are more likely than new consoles at this point. Neither the 360 or PS3 is running out of steam.

[Phlashman]

I don't doubt they are all dabbling in tech options right now but I think huge firmware revisions are more likely than new consoles at this point. Neither the 360 or PS3 is running out of steam.

Except for the fact that phones are catching them up.

They are running out of steam, you just have to look what's being done on the PC to see so.

2013 I will take.I'm ready.
I think this gen has lost a lot of steam.
Graphicswise things topped out a year or two ago.
They still look great but in 2 years time very unremarkable. Things that don't catch the eye don't sell...

[MoBiUGeArSkIn]

I don't doubt they are all dabbling in tech options right now but I think huge firmware revisions are more likely than new consoles at this point. Neither the 360 or PS3 is running out of steam.

Except for the fact that phones are catching them up.

They are running out of steam, you just have to look what's being done on the PC to see so.

I know you love your iPhone but surely you are not suggesting its catching up with the game performance of an Xbox 360?

And with regard to PC, the only game giving home consoles a run for their money is Battlefield 3. But that's because its a pc game at heart. Uncharted 3 looks comparability amazing on ps3. And look at RAGE.

Hmmm... But that would mean things like the next Halo trilogy would start here and then go to new hardware and engine.

Worked for the last trilogy.

2013 sounds about right. I disagree a little with Harry; I don't believe the current-gen has run out of steam, but the steam is certainly running out. I'll take a new console in 2013.

[MoBiUGeArSkIn]

How can you guys say the steam is running out when this year has been the best yet???

[Phlashman]

I know you love your iPhone but surely you are not suggesting its catching up with the game performance of an Xbox 360?

Catching up, yeah of course. They are iterating all the time, compare a 3D iPhone game of 2-3 years ago to Infinity Blade 2, the difference is vast, compare a 360/PS3 game of 2-3 years ago to one just out? An improvement, yeah, but not the leaps and bounds phones (and even other mobile devices, Vitas, 3DSs and iPads) are making. They are being upgraded every year and in each case they are normally at least doubling their power.

I'm not saying your Android or iPhone is going to be running Crysis 3 anytime soon. But the gap is shrinking rapidly, because the 360's and PS3's hardware is ageing. The 360 & PS3 only have 512MB of RAM, that's standard for a phone now, many top Android phones go with 1GB.

Of course, mobile devices are always going to be limited by their battery which excludes them from some of the more beastly chips out there.

The point is, the consoles are very much about maxed out. Any gains from firmware and software updates are going to be very small.

[MoBiUGeArSkIn]

I await Skyrim iOS then...

Edit - to be clear, I'm not saying it won't happen but I don't believe that graphics alone will get us into the next gen. I mean, look at the visuals being achieved now. The jump won't, I don't think, be visible enough. Games are expensive to make, even with the tech there, we aren't going to be seeing games that look like Avatar without expanded budgets. Is that even financially viable?

The AAA titles need 3 year development at least if they are building engines to go with. Launch games that look like they could run on a 360 won't melt eyes. Its not like the next Gen can make the jum to HD. 3D maybe?