I can't believe they are going to actually do it....

[Anthony1]

Microsoft.


I can't believe that they are actually going to release the XBOX 2 or whatever the hell it's going to be called during the back half of 2005.

Absolutely amazing that this next generation system will actually be on store shelves at some point in November or December of this year.


Man, it's just doesn't make sense. The company that has the most powerfull hardware currently available, is going to be the company to fire the first salvo in the next console war. This is just totally amazing to me that Microsoft is going to actually release this thing this year. The only logical explanation for them releasing it this early, is that the system is going to cost quite a bit, and then need to get it out there, so that it will be that much further along in terms of getting it's first price drop.

Maybe it's going to actually cost like $349.99 or something. That's the only thing that remotely makes sense. Maybe ideally, they really don't want to release it in 2005, they would rather wait till Xmas 2006, but they feel like they have to release it sooner rather than later, because it's going to have a higher price than whats traditional, and they feel that the one year start, with all the early adopters buying them, will give them the time they need to get the price down to the normal price range by the time the PS3 and Nintendo's system hits.


This is the only logical explanation.

[Richter Belmount]

man , they should just wait and look over their competition and make their hardware more powerful than the competition by looking at the other newer systems.

[DeputyMoniker]

man , they should just wait and look over their competition and make their hardware more powerful than the competition by looking at the other newer systems.

Yeah, considering the power of the hardware is XBOXs most attractive feature. I dont think this is a good idea. (although I havent seen the announcement for myself yet)
People arent ready for a new system yet, they wont be willing to pay for it. By the time the price drop comes and PS3 comes out, XBOX2 wont be the new thing anymore and all of us who didnt adopt early could be more apt to buying a PS3.
Nothing very deep here but I wanted to say it anyway.

[soniko_karuto]

the xbox is not too powerful. It may be powerful, but i'd say that the less powerful one is the ps2. The GC is the same, or almost the same as the xbox.

just remember that the xbox is a 700 mhz pentium 3 with a souped up geforce 3 video card and is a legacy free system.

[Bluteg]

Can you say Dreamcast... everyone spell it D-R-E-A...

Don't get me wrong but too early is definately not a good thing as we learned with the DC. Instead of my normal ABB I'm going for ABS (Anyone but Sony) I don't diss Sony as I'm avidly collecting for the PSX right now but damn their US opinion on 2D is shitty. Basically no 2D unless its insanely popular (IE. Viewtiful Joe).

That crap and I'd hate to seem em rule the roost. I love to collect for multiple console. Good 'ol free interprise!

[LiquidX01]

No, I think the reason behind them releasing Xbox 2 this year is to beat Sony to the punch next generation. As for price, I'm thinking $300 at launch and a price drop immediately when the PS3 hits. It's going to get quite interesting between the 2 in the coming months.

[Iron Draggon]

Well considering that Sony and Nintendo both have new handhelds on the market this year, and Microsoft doesn't, this makes plenty of sense to me.

[whoisKeel]

Can you say Dreamcast... everyone spell it D-R-E-A...


That's exactly what I was thinking when I read this thread.

[joshnickerson]

I hate this. I hate the fact Microsoft is pushing system life spans to less than five years. There is absolutely no point to this. If this keeps happening, we're gonna see new systems every YEAR!
It's not like they're gonna break a new graphical barrier. Looking at games like RE4 or F-Zero and I honestly can't see games looking better. Unless Microsoft is planning on jacking the system into our brains, there is no logical reason behind this.
If this turns out to be true, Microsoft will probably piss off more people that just bought a Halo, uh, Xbox, just to find out a new one is coming in a few months.
Madness.

[hydr0x]

Looking at games like RE4 or F-Zero and I honestly can't see games looking better.

ah come, you know that's nonsense... just look at what you can do with shaders, particle effects and so on, the xbox was just the beginning, future consoles will use those things more and more and more and you will clearly see a difference

not saying that i'm already ready for new consoles, but we all know they will push graphics even more

[joshnickerson]

Oooh... games that use particle effects! Yeah, that'll really make games better! x_x

There will come a day where a game will be given a low score, simply because each hair on Donkey Kong's ass wasn't fully rendered in 3-D bump mapping. And that's just stupid.

[crazyjackcsa]

They seem to be jumping the gun a little bit, I don't think the systems are tapped out just yet. My sense is that th emarket isn't quite ready for it yet, I think next year would probably be a better choice, maybe 6 months before the PS3.

[LAGO]

@ joshnickerson I think he was referring to your comment of games not getting any better than RE4. It may be to early for a console but if one does get released the games are going to look better. It's jsut the nature of the console.

[Wavelflack]

Oooh... games that use particle effects! Yeah, that'll really make games better! x_x

There will come a day where a game will be given a low score, simply because each hair on Donkey Kong's ass wasn't fully rendered in 3-D bump mapping. And that's just stupid.

You were talking about graphics. You said that you can't see how games can look any better, and you were subsequently shown how games can look better...and you reply with a nonsense, focus-shifting response.

[mkuo7]

seems like i just bought my xbox even though i got it a month after launch..

[LiquidX01]

There will come a day where a game will be given a low score, simply because each hair on Donkey Kong's ass wasn't fully rendered in 3-D bump mapping.

LOL LOL LOL

[Poofta!]

I hate this. I hate the fact Microsoft is pushing system life spans to less than five years. There is absolutely no point to this. If this keeps happening, we're gonna see new systems every YEAR!
It's not like they're gonna break a new graphical barrier. Looking at games like RE4 or F-Zero and I honestly can't see games looking better. Unless Microsoft is planning on jacking the system into our brains, there is no logical reason behind this.
If this turns out to be true, Microsoft will probably piss off more people that just bought a Halo, uh, Xbox, just to find out a new one is coming in a few months.
Madness.


buy the new game informer, and read their cover story on this new sega/monolith game for xbox2 called Condemed. then we'll talk.

[PDorr3]

personaly I dont care when they release it, as long as the system is quality material, its just more games for me to play and enjoy, no reason to get mad about it.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Sorry to be stuck behind the times, but where has this been confirmed that the Xbox 2 will be released this year?

[vincewy]

buy the new game informer, and read their cover story on this new sega/monolith game for xbox2 called Condemed. then we'll talk.

I read that part, actually I'm still not convinced that we need new system this early, in fact, I just started buying Xbox games on a regular basis this year as I'm seeing more quality games coming out and I almost always wait til price drop to $20 level.

If MS really wants to beat competition early, at least wait til 2006, launch Xbox 2 when PS3 is launched in Japan, Sony will need at least 6 months to cover Japanese terr alone so MS will have plenty of time to get started, I'd not be surprised if PS3 isn't launched til 2007 or even 2008, Sony has resources tied up with PSP right now and I don't see them rushing into new console right now.

[SoulBlazer]

There's no confirmation about the XBox Next (or whatever it gets called, but this seems to be it's working name) will be out this year. There's some rumors and some circumstancial evidence, but no hard proof. We'd need the smoking gun -- the company setting a launch date and price.

I still personaly don't believe it will be out till next year.

I imagine we'll have to wait for E3 in May for any new hard information one way or another. :)

[frodo2968]

Looking at games like RE4 or F-Zero and I honestly can't see games looking better.

ah come, you know that's nonsense... just look at what you can do with shaders, particle effects and so on, the xbox was just the beginning, future consoles will use those things more and more and more and you will clearly see a difference

not saying that i'm already ready for new consoles, but we all know they will push graphics even more

Eventually they will look completely life-like. I mean, maybe they'll be using actually movie cameras to make the games. And film everything possible to do.

Heh :/...sometime they probably will...

[Dimitri]

Heh :/...sometime they probably will...

Not since the mid-'90s. Lest we forget about Digital Pictures... *cough*

[Goodwill Hunter]

When was the last time a console was actually lauched on a date that was rumored before the console even had a name?...relax!

Rich

[PDorr3]

When was the last time a console was actually lauched on a date that was rumored before the console even had a name?...relax!

Rich

he has a good point :)

[Slate]

Eventually they will look completely life-like. I mean, maybe they'll be using actually movie cameras to make the games. And film everything possible to do.

Heh :/...sometime they probably will...

If you buy a Sega CD, you'll find it hard not to buy some FMV games.

Anyway, back on subject:

I hope that Microsoft isn't taking the same path that Sega did with the Saturn. If you recall, the Saturn was released Months ahead of schedule, And the manufactures were not ready to release their games so early, So it took awhile before more games were released.

[slip81]

I'm betting Microsoft is gonna take a major loss. The novelty of the current gen consoles isn't even close to wearing off yet. Xboxes and PS2s flew off the store shelves this past holiday season, and it seems pretty unlikely than anyone who bought/got a brand new Xbox this past Christmas is gonna plunk down $300 for another one less than a year later.

I like the Xbox a lot, but this seems liek an extremely stupid move IMO.

[Dobie]

I'm betting Microsoft is gonna take a major loss. The novelty of the current gen consoles isn't even close to wearing off yet. Xboxes and PS2s flew off the store shelves this past holiday season, and it seems pretty unlikely than anyone who bought/got a brand new Xbox this past Christmas is gonna plunk down $300 for another one less than a year later.

I like the Xbox a lot, but this seems liek an extremely stupid move IMO.

Took the words right outta my mouth. I finally just bought an Xbox this WEEK. No way in hell I'm gonna upgrade to a new one in 6 months, if that is in fact when Microsoft plans to release their next gen. I think Xbox is finally starting to come into its own, after a somewhat lukewarm reception.

[Mr.FoodMonster]

Good, it will bomb out early and the developers can make games for better systems!


/just being an ass :D

[soniko_karuto]

i don't think that it will be bad. nor good. Just look at it this way. Xbox is currently place #2 in the average american, when you get a new system, to wich you already own a lot of games, and you get no backward compatibility, you get screwed. Look at the first success of the ps2. Almost i'm sure to say that about 50% of the sales were made because of the Backwards compatibility.

[Muscelli]

bah microsoft lost so much money on xbox 1, but theyre so rich... it isnt an issue, 3rd party support can be an issue for it, but i doubt that will be a problem

[hydr0x]

bah microsoft lost so much money on xbox 1, but theyre so rich... it isnt an issue, 3rd party support can be an issue for it, but i doubt that will be a problem

ehm money is always an issue, Gates himself once said that if they still lose money with the 2nd xbox they will not continue console development...

[Leo_A]

You must hold the record for the most threads ever created at this message board.

"Man, it's just doesn't make sense. The company that has the most powerfull hardware currently available, is going to be the company to fire the first salvo in the next console war. This is just totally amazing to me that Microsoft is going to actually release this thing this year. The only logical explanation for them releasing it this early, is that the system is going to cost quite a bit, and then need to get it out there, so that it will be that much further along in terms of getting it's first price drop."

Actually it makes great sense, and not for the reasons you thought up, which doesn't really make any sense. :)

"I hate this. I hate the fact Microsoft is pushing system life spans to less than five years. There is absolutely no point to this. If this keeps happening, we're gonna see new systems every YEAR! "

Overreacting a bit, aren't we?

[Crush Crawfish]

Honestly, I'll be very happy if Xbox 2 comes out this year, as long as it's backwards compatible. That should cause a price drop for the Xbox 1, which means I can finally pick one up and play Panzer Dragoon Orta! :D

[Griking]

My guess as to why they'll be releasing it this year is because third party developers will already have games ready for it by then and they probably don't want to sit on them for too long.

As for timing, I really don't think its that important as long as the Xbox 2 is backward compaitble which unfortunately I haven't heard anything solid about this so far.

[Iron Draggon]

Eventually they will look completely life-like. I mean, maybe they'll be using actually movie cameras to make the games. And film everything possible to do.

Heh :/...sometime they probably will...

I'm still waiting for holographic projection games! Something like Princess Leia being played back by R2D2 in Star Wars. Let's see some 3D games like that!

[alexkidd2000]

You guys are retards, I say bring this puppy on. I want all my games in at least 720p, the Xbox 2 will do this. I am sick of the current generation graphics. Anyone who says graphics cant get better is stupid. Seen the hell scene in Constantine movie??? Imagine the next Resident Evil looking like that. Just because alot of you dont want to buck up $500 for the next best thing dont slam it. BRING ON XBOX 2!!

[boatofcar]

The answer is the same as it always is: money. If companies could release new consoles every year and make money on them, they would. However, many (most?) gamers are unwilling to shell out the cash for a new system every year, so details are refined and updated on the new system until enough time has passed that developers fully realize the limitations of the current hardware. At this point, we're looking at around 3 years on average.

Personally, I'm still happy with the level of graphics found on the Gamecube, but it's easy for me to see the graphical limitations on the PS2. I will probably get the next Xbox as my newest console, just because the PS2's lack of an anti-aliasing chip has aggravated me for far too long.

[chadtower]

Looking at games like RE4 or F-Zero and I honestly can't see games looking better.

It would be easy. Release a console optimized specifically for 2D games. That would make them look better.

[Gregory DG]

Since when has the most powerful hardware become the most dominant? O_O

It's not the hardware, it's the games people want to play. If MS can nab some exclusive games that everyone wants, they'll grab the top spot. It doesn't matter when they release the console.

[Arcade Antics]

Eventually they will look completely life-like. I mean, maybe they'll be using actually movie cameras to make the games. And film everything possible to do.

Heh :/...sometime they probably will...

Er, "they" already did! :) Remember the FMV revolution of 10-12 years ago? Check out Night Trap and about two dozen other titles for some good, grainy, full motion video fun.

It was amazing. :D

[sabre2922]

First off Ive read that the majority of developers will not be abandoning the current-gen systems as quickly as they did in previous years no matter how soon the next Xbox or PS3 is released.
Many developers/publishers like Capcom and Konami had made comments to the effect that they (unlike EA) abandoned the original PS1 waaay to early.

I do beleive that Microsoft will release the next Xbox BEFORE Dec of '05.

That doesnt mean that support will drop off for the current gens consoles like it did for the DC especially when it comes to Xbox and definitley not when concerning the PS2.
the PS2 simply has a much to large installed user base worldwide for any Devoloper/publisher to just say ok now that the NEW XBOX OR PS3 is out we will stop releasing any new games on the older :hmm: still popular game systems without any financial loss at all. That just wont happen.

I agree that Im perfectly happy with my PS2 and there are sooo many games that I have yet to get or even play it will be a loooong time before Im very stressed over acquiring a new next-gen system.

Im also under the impression that many ppl including the hardcore-gamers or "in the know gamers" like ourselves are very content with what we currently have be PS2 XBOX or Gamecube.
In my opinion ALL OF THE CURRENT GEN SYSTEMS LOOK GREAT and have a lot to offer just about any gamer.

Hell Im still collecting many old PS1 games and its great to be able to play those as well as the newest releases like Tekken 5 both on one console.

I think that the current gen system might actually have the longest life spans of any game systems ever released especailly when it comes to continued support from both gamers and game companies.
Also with the DVD capabilities of both PS2 and Xbox I see a still very bright and long life for these systems moreso than any home console before them.

I say to whoever else is perfectly happy with their chosen current system to just sit back and enjoy the MANY great games still to come and dont sweet the small stuff ;)

[TheRedEye]

Eventually they will look completely life-like. I mean, maybe they'll be using actually movie cameras to make the games. And film everything possible to do.

Heh :/...sometime they probably will...

I'm still waiting for holographic projection games! Something like Princess Leia being played back by R2D2 in Star Wars. Let's see some 3D games like that!

My little time-travelling cowboy friend would like to have a word with you.

[SuperNES]

Donkey Kong's ass

LOL LOL LOL

[Anthony1]

Why am I so sure that the XBOX 2 is coming out this year?


Because there is no way in hell that Microsoft would be allowing pictures of XBOX 2 games to already be shown in the gaming press. Game Informer has now shown XBOX 2 game footage several times already. The most recently being the Sega/Monolith game Condemned. I'm certain that if Microsoft didn't want pics of XBOX 2 games allowed into the press now, then they wouldn't be. But slowly but surely some XBOX 2 game pics are starting to show up in magazines.


The bottom line is that these leaks will continue up to e3, and then the lid will be blown completely off the system, and it will probably have an announced launch date of November 25th, on Black Friday 2005.

My guess is the name will actually be XBOX Next and the price will be $399.99.


Ok, now, I know that some of you are going to go crazy over this price, but I think that Microsoft will be content with the fact that it isn't going to sell tons of XBOX Next's right away. They will have a limited quantity available starting on Black Friday, and with a super high price of $399, they are only going to get the diehard early adopters, but they aren't going to have a huge quantity to begin with, so they will be ok with that. I think they will actually sell through their entire holiday stock, and it will be sold out and unavailable in Jan 2006. Then another shipment will arrive, and it will sell a little more slowly. Then, days before the launch of the PS3, Microsoft will cut the price of XBOX Next $100 to $299 to match the launch price of the PS3.



I only see a couple of positives for Microsoft with this plan. I see plenty of negatives.


The biggest positive, is if Microsoft fully unveils the XBOX Next at this e3. We see the new design of the system and controllers, and we possibly find out the launch day and price. They have them set up at tons of kiosks with actually playable games for people to try out.

Think about how much press they would get at this years e3. If they wait till next year to launch it, they will be sharing the spotlight with PS3 and the Nintendo Revolution. But if they come out at e3 this year, with a November 2005 launch date and actual playable games, etc, etc, then they will be all over the magazines and all the press this year.

In the press conference they are definitely going to have to make everybody understand that with the high price is because it's totally state of the art hardware, and it will take time for the price to come down. That the reason that they want to release it in 2005, is that they will be that much closer to being able to lower the price at a later date.

The thing is going to have a HD-DVD drive in it, and there is no way it will debut for less than $349.99, but I'm really thinking it will be $399.99.

[digitalpress]

Why are you so hung up on this Anthony? Do you fear the demise of Microsoft? The demise of the game industry? I mean really... haven't we seen a million ill-advised hardware releases over the years? I'd just chalk this one up as "let's see what happens", but don't lose any sleep over it - I'm sure Bill Gates won't.

[Anthony1]

Why are you so hung up on this Anthony? Do you fear the demise of Microsoft? The demise of the game industry? I mean really... haven't we seen a million ill-advised hardware releases over the years? I'd just chalk this one up as "let's see what happens", but don't lose any sleep over it - I'm sure Bill Gates won't.



I'm not that hung up on it. I'm just amazed that they really are going to bring this thing out in 2005. It's just that it shocks me that they are really going to bring this thing out this year.

Also, I would say that of the 3 systems, I'm hoping Mircosoft does well. I would root for Nintendo, but they got their heads up their ass, and as far as Sony is concerned, I would love them to get smacked down.


It will be interesting to see what happens, but I just don't think the need is there for new systems in 2005, but they seem hell bent on releasing their new system this year, so oh well.

I know that I won't be getting one, to damned expensive for my blood.

It's kinda sad in a way, because this will be the first home console that I didn't get at launch in a long, long time.

[Anthony1]

Why are you so hung up on this Anthony? Do you fear the demise of Microsoft? The demise of the game industry? I mean really... haven't we seen a million ill-advised hardware releases over the years? I'd just chalk this one up as "let's see what happens", but don't lose any sleep over it - I'm sure Bill Gates won't.



I'm not that hung up on it. I'm just amazed that they really are going to bring this thing out in 2005. It's just that it shocks me that they are really going to bring this thing out this year.

Also, I would say that of the 3 systems, I'm hoping Mircosoft does well. I would root for Nintendo, but they got their heads up their ass, and as far as Sony is concerned, I would love them to get smacked down.


It will be interesting to see what happens, but I just don't think the need is there for new systems in 2005, but they seem hell bent on releasing their new system this year, so oh well.

I know that I won't be getting one, to damned expensive for my blood.

It's kinda sad in a way, because this will be the first home console that I didn't get at launch in a long, long time.

[Liquid_death]

I dont know if tis is true but i head the xbox next is going ot run on multiple 3 gighz cpu's.When longhorns(the OS) comes out the xbox next's controller will be compatabil with pc's with lonhorns on it. the new OS for the xbox next is supposed to be based on longhorns. dotn know anything about the release date though.got this info of gamespot dont know if its true or not.

[Leo_A]

You're assuming just about all of this, lets wait for some real facts.

[LiquidX01]

You're assuming just about all of this, lets wait for some real facts.

This is what a developer has leaked to the media.

(XBOX 2): (3) IBM 64bit dual-core processors running at 3.5+Ghz. 1mb L2 cache, 256mb main system memory on a 256-bit bus (capable of 512mb of memory), ATI (R520) 500mhz GPU. The graphics chip will contain not only a graphics rendering core, but embedded DRAM acting as a frame buffer. HDTV visuals will be possible, with full anti-aliasing on. 64mb memory cards, and 100Mbit LAN port.

[Leo_A]

Those still aren't facts.

I'm mainly referring to what Anthony has posted however.

[Flack]

You're assuming just about all of this, lets wait for some real facts.

Begone, logic!

;)

[Anthony1]

Those still aren't facts.

I'm mainly referring to what Anthony has posted however.



Well, you can wait until May to find out the facts, but the writing is already on the wall my friend.


I just don't see why they would be leaking screenshots of XBOX 2 games, unless they are preparing the gaming public to open their wallets in November.


We will probably find out a day or two before e3 starts.

[allsport11]

I don't see why you keep saying the Xbox 2 game screens are leaked, it's more of a preview of whats to come. How many months before any console is released do we start seeing screens of games that are being made for it?

http://pictures.xbox-scene.com/4/xbox-360/xbox45frontcd.jpg

[Wavelflack]

^
^
^
^
|



Did those mock up people think that Xbox 2 runs on trillions of capacitors, instead of transistors?

LOL

[chrisbid]

microsoft is publicly owned, and investors are pushing for the release of the new system asap. It seems to me that if MS releases a machine this year, it will lose all of the advantages the current xbox has.

[Jasoco]

It's funny. I can't even get excited about an Xbox anymore.

Back in 2002, I got an Xbox because of Halo... Now it's to the point where Halo doesn't even interest me. Not in the slightest. Weird. So really, I can't see myself getting an Xbox 2 for a long time. Odd.

Funny thing is, I probably won't get a PS3 for a few years after release and will probably buy a Revolution within the first few months because I know it'll have games I want to play.

Wow.. I never thought about this before.

Oh well.. saves me a lot of money. :)

[Anthony1]

I don't see why you keep saying the Xbox 2 game screens are leaked, it's more of a preview of whats to come. How many months before any console is released do we start seeing screens of games that are being made for it?




Yeah, but this isn't like it's a screenshot here, and a screenshot there, these are full on freaking previews of the games in depth. You don't see any pictures at all of PS3 or Revolution games do you? The reason why is because they aren't launching till 4th quarter 2006, and they know that it woudn't be a good idea to show complete freaking previews of games so early. You probably won't see any pics of PS3 or Revolution games till e3. I bet that both Sony and Nintendo show of the design of their new systems and have video running in HD on huge plasma's, but they probably won't have systems on the actual show floor with playable games. They might have them in a back room, but not on the show floor.


The fact that there have been 2 full featured previews of XBOX 2 games is proof to me that Microsoft is launching this fall. Likely November 25th or November 28th.

[Leo_A]

I think it will be released this year, its everything else you've said like the reasoning behind it, pricetag, etc., that you'll just coming up with and posting here that are far from facts.

Where are these previews?

I saw three mockup screens a while ago (A football one, one with a car driving by trees, and another one). I'm obviously missing some big things here.

[Griking]

Personally I think that it will be released some time this year. I've read too many articles where the developer's say that their upcoming and almost done game will be released for the next gen Xbox console. I can't imagine there being previews and this much talk about games for a console that won't be out for over a year.

[Anthony1]

Gee, I guess maybe I was actually right on this one. Not that it would take any Genius to guess that Microsoft was actually bringing this thing out this year. In every freaking Game Informer issue they are showing screens of XBOX 2 games. The most recent one had pics of "The Godfather" by E.A. At the top it said PS2, XBOX, XBOX 2, PC or something like that, but if you really look at those pics, then you can tell they are XBOX 2 pics.

So like five XBOX 2 games have already been shown in magazines. So should this really be any big suprise?

And then there was the leak of the November 28th date, or whatever it was. Still haven't heard a single thing about the leak of that November date ever being confirmed.


You know what's kinda funny? I was in a GameCrazy about a month or so ago, right when the November 28th leak came out, and I asked the employees there if they had heard anything about the November 28th leak that was spreading around the net, and they both looked at me like I was retarded. Then one of the guys said that the XBOX 2 wouldn't come out until 2007, so after laughing for awhile, I asked him to bet me some cash on it. The most he would bet me is $10. But basically I bet him $10 that either slightly before e3, or at e3 Microsoft would officially announce that the XBOX 2 was launching this year. The guy was so happy about it, because he thought for sure that I was going to have to pay him $10, like there wasn't any question at all.

I'm going to print out this MTV press release and hand it to him tomorrow, and see if he just wants to pay me the $10 now and get it over with.

[Overbite]

I usually don't buy a new system until it's been out at least a year. I had a Genesis only up until 97-98! Then I got the PS1 years after it was released. I bought my first Super Nintendo in 2002 8-)

So even if it does come out this year, I'll get it in like 2007 or something.

[-hellvin-]

I'm glad this system is coming out. That will hopefully bring the release of Oblivion to the end of this year.

[jdc]

I'm not worried. Let them release it this year. My Xbox is a month old......and I have plenty of catching up to do before I consider the next-gen machine. I'll simply ignore the backwards compatibility feature for the moment. I don't want to pay launch prices for consoles anymore. I'm tired of it.

[Stark]

The PS3 is already confirmed to be much more powerful than the X-box2 which will mean Sony will continue to be #1. Sounds like Microsoft is jumping the gun by coming out with an inferior next gen console too soon. I won't be in line for 1 but I will be for the PS3.

[NoahsMyBro]

Wow. Didn't you learn anything from the Dreamcast/PS2 ? So many people were convinced, long before the thing was ever even available for purchase, that the PS2 was so much more powerful than the Dreamcast. Then, the PS2 comes out, and even now it doesn't appear to me to be significantly better than the DC. In fact, in my opinion the PS2 is graphically worse than the DC. Yet enough people bought into the Playstation 2 that the Dreamcast pretty much died in the market.

Now you're buying into the PS3 hype and planning on dismissing the Xbox 2, before either is even on the market.

Seems to me it would be more sensible to wait until you've at least played each for yourself and seen the available games on each platform before cavalierly deciding which is good and which isn't. Hell, I'd guess they'll both be pretty good.

But what do I know? My favorite systems to date have been the Atari 5200, Dreamcast, and Gamecube. Clearly I pick losers.

[Leo_A]

"The PS3 is already confirmed to be much more powerful than the X-box2 which will mean Sony will continue to be #1. Sounds like Microsoft is jumping the gun by coming out with an inferior next gen console too soon. I won't be in line for 1 but I will be for the PS3."

Show us these confirmed announcements by Sony and Microsoft on the specs, I've obviously missed them.

[nik]

"The PS3 is already confirmed to be much more powerful than the X-box2 which will mean Sony will continue to be #1. Sounds like Microsoft is jumping the gun by coming out with an inferior next gen console too soon. I won't be in line for 1 but I will be for the PS3."

Show us these confirmed announcements by Sony and Microsoft on the specs, I've obviously missed them.


hahaha, no kidding, what a joke!!!

Everything is speculation until its in our hands, in fact, I bet we won't see xbox 2 until next year, halo 2 is still selling hard, as the same is the original halo itself!

[kainemaxwell]

be happy with what we got now and don't give into MS' hype machine. Remember the Dreamcast, folks!

[Richter Belmount]

I don't see why you keep saying the Xbox 2 game screens are leaked, it's more of a preview of whats to come. How many months before any console is released do we start seeing screens of games that are being made for it?

http://pictures.xbox-scene.com/4/xbox-360/xbox45frontcd.jpg

whoa i can imagine the dumbest gamer falling for that thing.

[InsaneDavid]

When longhorns(the OS) comes out the xbox next's controller will be compatabil with pc's with lonhorns on it. the new OS for the xbox next is supposed to be based on longhorns.

Last I heard Longhorn was getting a massive recoding from the ground up. It was so poorly designed that Microshaft pretty much had to burn it to the ground and begin anew.


You know what's kinda funny? I was in a GameCrazy about a month or so ago, right when the November 28th leak came out, and I asked the employees there if they had heard anything about the November 28th leak that was spreading around the net, and they both looked at me like I was retarded. Then one of the guys said that the XBOX 2 wouldn't come out until 2007, so after laughing for awhile, I asked him to bet me some cash on it. The most he would bet me is $10. But basically I bet him $10 that either slightly before e3, or at e3 Microsoft would officially announce that the XBOX 2 was launching this year. The guy was so happy about it, because he thought for sure that I was going to have to pay him $10, like there wasn't any question at all.

I'm going to print out this MTV press release and hand it to him tomorrow, and see if he just wants to pay me the $10 now and get it over with.

Gamecrazy doesn't exactly have the smartest people working at it - nor the most game knowledgable. (which is why I booked after only eight days, I swear between the DM not being able to get my name right - it's DAVID you idiot, it's such an uncommon name huh? - the other store manager arguing with me non-stop about NES game release years, and then the whole labor code violations - it was time to go)

They'll probably try to buy you off with 40 copies of Super Mario Bros. / Duck Hunt.

[Icarus Moonsight]

What possible reasons could Microsoft have for releasing the second Xbox in late '05? They obviously have some darn good ones. You don't become the richest individual in the richest nation in the world on a wing and a prayer. Oh no, you do so by crushing your competition. This can be done many ways. One of which, I assume it is their main reason for an '05 release, would be to beat your competitors to the market. You should also remember Microsoft's strategy they've used since day one; "Emulate, Evolve and Eliminate."

It is way to early for a new console, for me. But I've never bought any system at launch so that is keeping to my own. I've heard about the Xbox2 units being tiered. $300 gets you a basic model and $500 gets you all pimped out with a larger HD, and more goodies (of which I'd have no idea what they would be). I've also heard that the HD unit for the Xbox2 would be a detachable media center to combat the PSP (I'm expecting an April Fools on that one). From what rumors I've heard about the PS3, at an entry point at $500 Microsoft may just know what they're doing with a '05 release. That is assuming all the rumors are true (which they won't be @ 99% certainty) but we'll just have to see when the time rolls up on us.

Let the conjecture fly!

[FurinkanianFrood]

be happy with what we got now and don't give into MS' hype machine. Remember the Dreamcast, folks!

Don't you mean don't give in to Sony's hype machine?

Not that you should give in to MSoft either....

BTW, an early release can go either way. The PS2 got a jump on the XBOX by showing up early.

Compare the PS2 launch titles to the XBOX launch titles. The time issue is what killed the PS2.

Also note that with all of the BS involved with the PS3, the PS3 hardware seem rather sad with regards to it's launch titles.

If you look at the time gap between the PS2 and the XBOX2, the time frame isn't much different from PS->PS2.
The PS2 is what they are really basing the release year on IMO.

1995->2000 vs. 2000(PS2)->2005(XB2)

They are trying to get PS2 owners who haven't bought a new system since early in the PS2's life. The PS2 was weak when it arrived. The PS3 will follow in it's footsteps.

Anthony, you have nothing to be afreid of.

Sony is making critical errors this time. Someone said that the XB2 might be $400!? I really don't think that's happening. If so, it might actually boost Nintendo. Two $400 systems against a $200 could put a dent in things I'd say.

Also consider that the XB2 will likely have a library that puts the PS3 launch lineup to shame by the time the PS3 comes out.

Also, if the Cell chip is such a tremendous psycho revolution, why isn't IBM using it for Blue Gene insstead of a load of G4's (I don't mean the crappy channel! LOL ).

Again, the hardware is a load of BS. Not to mention what Blu-ray will do to the price point.

Can you imagine how reliable those drives will be considering they will need to be CD-ROM/DVD/Blu-ray?

The PS2 drives are shoddy enough already without adding another head.

I can't say I understand why people like backwards compatablity BTW. But I'm like Nintendo (rationale wise, Super Nintendo for instance) in that regard.

Though the rev is backwards comp... Hmmm

[Bluteg]

I won't buy it. I purchased a Xbox third with game cube coming first. I paid $89 for my Xbox new. thanks to Fry's Re-furb ads and Wal-Mart's stupidity. I'm a cheap ass even with an HDTV I'll wait for a deal. Does anyone smell DeOS in this deal