Microsoft has long spoken of its ten-year plan for Xbox 360, but that doesn't rule out a successor launching during the period, according to European Xbox boss Chris Lewis.
"I'm not going to announce specifically or talk about timing," he added. "But you could imagine there could be overlap, it depends. We're not being specific about the next generation at this stage. We're very fixated on what we're doing right now and the success we're enjoying."
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said last month he expects new consoles to launch "soon", while reports have suggested Xbox 360's successor will be unveiled at next year's E3.
Comments
31 comments so far...
StonecoldMC on 19 Aug '11 said:
I read that interview over lunch.
Reckon you can pull a few more articles out of that one CVG, really good interview actually.
OT, well duh! They wont do to to the 360 what they did with the original XBox, much like Sony continue to supportn the PS2 although there main focus is the PS3.
chunkysatsuma on 19 Aug '11 said:
Yeah this makes sense, the PS2 overlapped a couple of years with the PS3, Xbox 360 has sold so well it would be a stupid move to kill it dead with a new console rather then slowly phasing it out.
It was one of the few things Sony did perfectly with the PS3 launch, provide people with a reason to upgrade willingly rather then trying to force it on them,
gmcb007 on 19 Aug '11 said:
Yeah it's nice to be able to play new games on a current gen without the latest console being forced down your throat. Unfortunately it depends on the publishers who tend to just discard the current gens.
Channel4 on 19 Aug '11 said:
Well PS3 is ahead of 360 sales wise, the Wii U is out soon and the 360 is being phased out in Japan. It'll definitely overlap the nextbox but I doubt it'll last 10 years, 9 at most.
kirankara on 19 Aug '11 said:
Sigh, and yet last time the whole 720 and ps4 coming soon article was posted, and I suggested, that it would be couple of years yet, and would overlap into the whole 10yr life cycle, I was told I was crazy.They still have too much invested in this gen consoles, and only just making profits, would be crazy to ditch them now.
tirich91 on 19 Aug '11 said:
please... sooner rather than later. The current gen consoles are outdated. very very outdated.
TOKEN on 19 Aug '11 said:
agreed althought developers will mmake money on this gen because of console numbers and being cheaper to make a game.
But i feel next box needs bluray or an HC disc and bluray is now cheaper to buy and have larger maps and levels also detail.
After seeing BF3 pc online i hope they release it again for next gen consoles.
chunkysatsuma on 19 Aug '11 said:
The PS3 is still 3 million behind the 360, give it a year or 2 and when the PS3 overtakes the 360 Microsoft will try to bury that news with the announcement of the next console
metallicorphan on 19 Aug '11 said:
you all say hurry up with next gen because this gen is outdated....but this October and November is the first time i have wanted pretty much every game that's to be released and i am also the most excited,the game due are going to be fantastic and pretty much the greatest time being a console owner,and next year we have Bioshock ,Borderlands and Mass Effect sequels,and Aliens Colonial Marines...so still some great games on their way,take yer time MS
and Kirankara,who the hell called you crazy because i think EVERYBODY knew that it would overlap and would be a couple of years yet..EVERYBODY!!
kirankara on 19 Aug '11 said:
Quite a few ppl when last article on subject of new console rumours was posted , were arguing about whole 10 yr lifespan , whether it was literal or not, and whether it included overlap of new consoles, so there u have it!!!
only_777 on 19 Aug '11 said:
Disagreed.
This generation has miles to go yet, and no one apart from graphics whores have anything to gain from a generation jump.
Although the Wii is on it's last legs, the 360 has a lot of life in it yet and the PS3 has still not been pushed to it's processing limit yet.
At a point when there is a global downturn releasing a new console now and push the price of development up is bad for everyone in the industry.
ricflair on 19 Aug '11 said:
If this generation has so far to go, why do so many games have s**tty frame rates, screen tear etc? May be that more of a question for devs pushing graphics over performance, I can see why they do it though.
Having a sexy screen shot on the box is much better than "V Sync Enabled", "Less than 5% torn frames!" or "Never drops below 30FPS!!".
That said, I'm sure one of the reasons COD got popular was the smoother gameplay and frame rates, yet it gets s**t from people on forums for having sub HD graphics.
LordVonPS3 on 19 Aug '11 said:
For gaming, I'd say bring on the next generation of consoles but only if you're ready and have big launch titles prepared... Otherwise there's not much point.
A next gen of consoles would need to focus on even better graphics, new input devices / controllers & output devices. "The Lawnmower Man" headsets with full body tracking as well as compatibility with classic controllers and steering wheels...
Otherwise, with regards to bringing out a new living room media centre hub, I think this generation of consoles is sufficiently adequate to meet today's and tomorrow's needs for the foreseeable future.
Fr33Kye on 19 Aug '11 said:
At one time i had like 11 tabs open and i realized how many games i'm actually looking forward to. This long console generation has been f**king awesome for games. We are now getting such a variety in software and varied pricing models.
Shadmeister on 19 Aug '11 said:
We need the next next gen now - EA are restricting the data rate for online play for BF3 due to imposed microsoft restrictions.
They have also stated that the frame rate drops to low if they attempt to implement the full BF3 PC version - so we are limited to 24 players.
Restricted data rate limits the update to the destructible environment - so we are being held back by a limited console and Microsoft data rate restriction.
As long as it is backwards compatible with the old XBOX360 - who cares.
chunkysatsuma on 19 Aug '11 said:
Actually you are the only one to say that
icedmetal57 on 19 Aug '11 said:
That's because these developers have had experience with this current gen. hardware for a while which helps when making games.
IndySandbagT on 19 Aug '11 said:
This is the first console lifecycle i'm hoping to last longer and longer... the graphics are still improving with each new seasonal release schedule (skyrim/uncharted3/me3 etc), and developers are seemingly unlocking more graphical potential in new games.... I am happy for no new consoles till 2014 to be honest.
The main group that will whine the loudest will be the graphics-orientated pc only gaming crowd.... being an avid non-graphics obsessed pc gamer myself (mostly for slightly older titles/gog etc) I can somewhat understand their position, but to be honest I think graphics are sweet right now.
2011/2012 looking to be a bumper time for new releases... love being a multi-platform gamer at the moment!!
fonjackerjon on 19 Aug '11 said:
Amen, brother
gmcb007 on 20 Aug '11 said:
So you're saying 24 players is a bad thing and that Microsoft has ruined this game? Utter b*****ks. No matter what generation the console is, the game will always be a slimmed down version of a PC-focused game. BF3 doesn't seem to have suffered that much anyways. From what i've seen of the PS3 version of this game, this generation still has plently of potential. It sounds like you should just take up PC gaming with your requirements.
Bazcube85 on 20 Aug '11 said:
This was always going to happen not everyone jumps on the band wagon straight away. Thanks for a article that state what most all ready though CVG.
F_Underbird69 on 20 Aug '11 said:
interesting to see the conflicting responses to this, personally i think there's no need for next gen just yet. the line-up of games for the next few months alone proves it.
wasted-again on 20 Aug '11 said:
Lets see what happens next year with the Wii-U, because if the market is as ready for the next gen as I think it is, Nintendo is in for a lot of demand, and could make an absolute killing.
craiglackenby on 20 Aug '11 said:
I just want Mass Effect 3, I'm not bothered about new consoles. Oh a Divinity 3 would be good too. Thanks.
cult on 20 Aug '11 said:
@ wasted 2up
Very true indeed.
I have the money for a new console and basically that feeds my desire for something new.
However there really are loads of games coming out that dont need a new gen.
The wiiu is interesting by the fact that nothing about its power is certain at the moment.
Its been quoted from being slightly more powerful than the PS3 (the .5 I am always quoting) to i7 technology that will blow our minds.
Could turn out by accident that the wiiu is perfectly timed.
I dont think it is but I am willing to be wrong as it still pushes one of my favourite hobbies forward anyway.
Shadmeister on 20 Aug '11 said:
I should have added more information. The BF3 console game is at the limit of the game design for XBOX360. The BF3 design is at the limit for frame rate, destructible environment update and upload/download data rate to the servers for online play. DICE have stated this in their blog posts.
Hence we will only get more of the same and the games for consoles (XBOX360 anyway) will not progress into something more. This is based on DICE's stament. To improve frame rate they will have to remove some the destructible environment aspects etc (their words).
COD/MW seems to be offering the same gameplay - no destruction, so perhaps this is why the frame rate for COD/MW is higher ?.
I think that EA/DICE should be congratulated for taking the FPS genre into new territory - but for consoles the development from DICE's statements on blogs by their developers, is that we have reached the limits for their BF games implementation in their current form.
fonjackerjon on 20 Aug '11 said:
2012 reveal for a Christmas 2012 release??? please please please!! I want a new machine I have more money than sense so bend me over Microsoft and screw me over £350 for a new console Im ready with and I have lube
JuiKuen on 21 Aug '11 said:
This gen has been outdated for a long time now. Its all copy & paste games now. To be honest, I doubt I will even bother with the next gen or anything after, save for maybe the Wii U. Would like to try the Nintendo stuff in HD
kenneth50 on 21 Aug '11 said:
Personally, I hope the 360 doesn't see another 365 days! Time to stop milking it and move on.
I will honestly buy one as a doorstop just remind myself that I never ever have to put up with the RROD again...
Multiplayerking on 21 Aug '11 said:
For the record I have a PS3, but I don't want the next gen just yet. There are far too many great games coming our way, and the current consoles still have much to offer! Hopefully we have a few years left.
Two Pennys Worth on 21 Aug '11 said:
I was really happy with my 360 until i laid eyes upon battlefield 3. I want to play 64 player multiplayer with those graphics and the 360 is not up to it. Next gen cannot come soon enough for me