Microsoft is recruiting for the next iteration of gaming products and services, including the next Xbox and a brand new Xbox Live experience.
The vacancy, as advertised on Games on Deck, calls for a Program Manager to join the server-backed games team to help implement the first of generation of games to run on a brand new Live experience.
"Want to be involved in the next release of Xbox?", reads the advert. "Join the server-backed games team, part of the Xbox Live team that's responsible for creating a completely new way for mainstream audiences to enjoy the Xbox and Live."
Specific responsibilities include managing both external and internal development of games and contract negotiation, which sounds very much like a completely new product to Xbox 360 and the current Live service.
While Microsoft has been quick to deny any development of a new console, last week analysts stated that they believed the company would release a new console by 2010.
If "next console" battle cries are emerging now, do you really think the 360 is going to last another 10 years?? I think not. The first Box lost them money, the second box was broke - hell, post all predictions for what might go belly-up for the third box!
Whilst the second box has undoubtedley had issues, it's also been extremely successful.
I applaud the news of a new console in development, but it must:
1. Allow you to play 360 games 2. Keep your current Gamertag and account 3. Have no red rings!
I wonder if this one will have Blu Ray (i doubt it), or if M$ will start using Solid State storage devices, or some new kind of flash storage, which would be more reliable, and much quieter than optical media.
cant see a new consol by 2010 myself as i feel the graphics and processing power are top notch at the moment and there would be little improvement. it would be great though.
If "next console" battle cries are emerging now, do you really think the 360 is going to last another 10 years?? I think not. The first Box lost them money, the second box was broke - hell, post all predictions for what might go belly-up for the third box!
If the O/S is based on Vista... It won't matter if they have 20 processors in there, it will be slow, won't work with the 360's devices and the 360's games will run slowly and unreliably.
Another dig at the 360 for the red rings, typical sony fanboyism from cvg again.
I think the fact the 360 sells so well in spite of its unreliability is testament to how well MS have done in producing what we really want, a great 'games console'.
I think the fact the 360 sells so well in spite of its unreliability is testament to how well MS have done in producing what we really want, a great 'games console'.
Yep, agree 100% with that.
And it wouldn't surprise me at all if every console manufacturer was already working on the next model in some (albeit probably small) way before the current model is even launched.
i'd welcome a new xbox, as i would all new consoles. I know that Nintendo have always said they're working on thier 'next' machine before they have released their 'new' one, and I'm guessing Microsoft and Sony are doing the same.
I hope Microsoft are not planning on doing a Home type service which I believe will be a white elephant. The current 360 interface and the live service are excellent, quick to switch through options and lots of features that are layered on top of the software.
I would quite like the console manufacturers to have staggered hardware releases, say 2 years apart from each other.
I suppose if Microsoft do release a new 360 it is likely to be technically superior to the PS3 by quite a margin (otherwise why would they bother?) and this in turn should shake-up Sony's plans for it's 10 year cycle. could be very interesting...
A new 360 by 2010? I haven't even bough the current one One important point with game consoles is that you don't have to upgrade them every 3 years like you upgrade your PC. I don't need another PC that is actually a crippled version of a PC.
At least Sony has tried to make their product give a run for it's money.
It makes sense that Microsoft are doing this - they want to maintain the momentum of success that they're currently having, despite setbacks such as the RROD.
New consoles should play old games in my opinion. I can watch old films or listen to old music. I want to be able to play old games. In my opinion, that is priority number 1.
Would be a little annoyed if they released a new console anytime soon though, i've only just got the xbox 360. And if its called Xbox 720, it would be ridiculous.
Well to be honest it makes sense for this to happen, i am sure Sony haven;t just tohught they'd take a break, and a PS4 is at least being discussed, and i'm sure Nintendo are trying to find a way to make the Wii-2 but changing it enough...
That's not to say it's coming out in the next year though is it...to be honest i don't see what major improvements could be made on the 360 and PS3 to warrant a next-gen so soon unless Xbox just want to get another console out way before the PS4. But with sales of the 360 going well, and the PS3 sarting up this generation i think is in its early stages.
Or i could be babbling crap, who knows, who cares. I just don't want consoles released as often as a PC...
it would make sense to release a new xbox machine towards the end of 2010, afterall that would mean the 360 has had 5 years (longer than the xbox) and after all it is the industry average, and all of its power should have been tapped by then.
For xbox 1080, after all MS didnt call xbox 360, xbox 2, so people would see it had a 3 in the name and go for that. Hence i will call it 1080, to do with the resoultion it pumps games out at.
It must be nice to look at. mustnt break down as much. must allow you to move your gamertag and score over to it, from 360, play 360 right off the bat.
That means the graphics must be a new ati chip and the processor must be the same power pc tech
Heck im going to say it will be the Cell 2 chip, since IBM own the tech and sony and toshiba just help with the costs, IBM can license it out to anyone they want.
If you want to know what processing power the next Xbox will have take a look at a top of a range PC now. In two to three years the components will be extremely cheap and Microsoft will stick them all in a box and slap the Xbox brand on it.
To be fair, it's actually going to make a great console. Quad core processor, blu ray drive, 4Gb memory, 200Gb hard drive and GTX graphics card. Bloody good console if it sold for around £300. Just make sure its well put together and is quiet.
Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, UK BA1 2BW England and Wales company registration number 2008885
One important point with game consoles is that you don't have to upgrade them every 3 years like you upgrade your PC. I don't need another PC that is actually a crippled version of a PC. 
Or not.
