Microsoft: No next-gen Xbox in 2012
E3 rumours squashed
Those anticipating an Xbox '720' reveal at games industry shindig E3 2012 will be disappointed. Microsoft has insisted it will not discuss next-gen consoles at all this year.
Company spokesman David Dennis quashed widespread speculation that the world was preparing for a major console unveiling this summer.
“There will be no talk of new Xbox hardware at E3 or anytime soon,” said Dennis before insisting: “For us, 2012 is all about Xbox 360.”
Following the announcement, two unnamed moles said Microsoft is set to squeeze out a least one more year of sales from its current-gen console, Bloomberg reports.
Announcing the next model so soon could hamper such sales, and with Xbox 360s still flying off the shelves, there is little incentive to turn to the future just yet.
Still life in the ol' boy yet
Earlier this year, Microsoft's Cedrick Delmas hinted the console may not make it to E3. World+Dog refused to believe.
Now that his claim has been officially verified, speculation can continue on the mooted 2013 or 2014 release dates, much of which will depend on competitive pressure and sales throughout the coming year.
It seems increasingly likely that for those who still want a next-gen console in 2012, the Nintendo Wii U will be the only option. ®
COMMENTS
Good
Yes, the 360 is 7 years and old arguably getting rough around the edges, but it is not done yet. There are still good games coming out for it, and I don't think a replacement would be justified yet. I at least another year in it, maybe two.
Atleast they're giving it a decent lifecycle, and not trying to flog us something new for no other reason than to squeeze more money out of us. I'm sure there would be squealing from some quarters if that were the case. I remember feeling that the original XBox was replaced to early, so I welcome this change.
Re: Good
^ This! Not once have I played on my Xbox and thought "I wish the graphics could be higher res/faster/whatever". On a 50" plasma at sofa distance, it's all fine.
I'm happy for my investment to run for another year or two. The only thing I don't like currently is the abominable Metro UI that they foisted onto us recently but I got 4OD as compensation so I'll live.
Good
when a new generation of consoles come in quality gets worse initially as no-one bar in-house developers has any experience making games for the thing. It seemed to me last time round that the shift to the next generation came just as people were getting to grips with dragging the best performances out of the the XBox and PS2 they were capable of.
When I think of the games that came out for the PS2 at the end of it's run vs some of the early days cack the PS3 had it makes me shudder.
Re: Come on! New console please!
PC gaming, or any other platform, is not being held back by consoles.
It is being held back for at least a few different reasons
1 : Difficulty in creating something truly original.( there are a few exceptions but they are very rare, Limbo anyone).
2 : The sheer expense required for game creation . Programmers have to eat while they program and if the game takes a few months months or more to build.......
3 : "Corporate Greed". Electronic Arts etc have become the Hollywood of the gaming industry, it's all about pleasing shareholders rather than the customer. franchise, franchise, franchise......
4 : Any combination of all/any of the above.
.........
Re: RAM Packs!
If only it was all about RAM. Unfortunately they use an ancient (in technology terms) GeForce graphics processor, meaning they'd still have to keep the detail and polygon count low.
Agreed that this console is holding back PC gaming. I've always been a PC gamer, and since the Xbox 360 and PS3 have been around, have noticed a marked reduction in game quality on the PC.
The graphics are still much better on a PC, sure, but you always get the feeling that they're lacking the new engine innovations they can use now that the hardware is so much more advanced, all because the developers want to ensure it works on all platforms.
