Paul Thurrott: Next Xbox is expensive - 500$ or 300$ for sub

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

On the latest WhatTheTech podcast, Paul Thurrott weighed in on the NeXtbox rumors shared some info from his sources.

Apparently Microsoft is launching a 99$ Xbox 360 codenamed "Stingray" this November alongside of the Next Xbox.

According to Paul this is because the next Xbox isn't going to offer backwards compatibility for 360 games.

He mentions that it's going to be expensive. Apparently around 500$ for a normal unit, or 300$ for a subscription model.

It was also relayed to him that the device does indeed require a constant internet connection to function

PT via NeoGAF: http://www.neogaf.co...ad.php?t=536163

[Duffydemon]

PS3 costs around 500$ in India, and i expect PS4 to be at same price when it launches here. Xbox was cheaper though, will wait for official price announcement as i am really thinking to buy a new console this year.

[+Majesticmerc MVC]

This could all be true... If Microsoft has gone off the deep end.

[Mr. Gibs]

Yeah ok Paul. You were wrong on so so so many things related to Windows and Windows Phone in the past that most people have pretty much regarded you as a trash source. You also tend to throw a major ****y fit when Microsoft doesn't give you insider access.

Always on thing aside, MS isn't stupid enough to make the next console $500. They saw what having the more expensive console did to Sony and they aren't going to release a new console that costs almost $100 more than the PS4.

You stopped being relevant a long time ago.

[.Markus]

Sounds like a bunch of made up stuff just for personal publicity and with usual Microsoft name-shaming...

[F_C]

Out of interest, what kind of things has Paul get wrong?

I always thought he was quite reliable, but I'm probably very wrong! :)

[t3chmachine]

I do think Paul is reliable more than others. You might be talking about that TMZ network called TWIT with Leo Laporte. That network is a joke all they do is ask for you to buy from their sponsors and you listen to them read news from Tech Crunch, TechSpot, Neowin, Engadget, and The Verge.

[TheLegendOfMart]

Yeah ok Paul. You were wrong on so so so many things related to Windows and Windows Phone in the past that most people have pretty much regarded you as a trash source. You also tend to throw a major ****y fit when Microsoft doesn't give you insider access.

Always on thing aside, MS isn't stupid enough to make the next console $500. They saw what having the more expensive console did to Sony and they aren't going to release a new console that costs almost $100 more than the PS4.

You stopped being relevant a long time ago.

It's not just him saying these things though, sources all around the internet, people in and out of the industry are all meshing together.

I'll be happy to eat crow if this is all incorrect but Microsoft is arrogant enough to make these mistakes, they did it all this generation making people pay to play online and having all the apps and stuff behind a paywall irregardless of how successful it was, its not like people have a choice if they want Xbox they HAVE to pay or they can't play with their friends.

Lets sum up:

Always online required even for SP games

Anti used games

Probably will still have a paywall for online play and apps

More media centric than games focused

Potentially weaker specs than PS4

$500

This has trainwreck written all over it.

[HawkMan]

^ wow, seem to have something personal against Paul. he isn't wrong on alot of stuff though.

And microsoft has made ALOT of stupid decisions the past 5 years, so making a few more wouldn't be surprising at all.

That's how guessing works, especially when your guesses are an either/or, half the time you will be right.

Either way, if it's always online and online required(two different things) then there will be a good reason for it. and some of the options are very positive for a lot of gamers with no negatives for all but a handfull.

[neoadorable]

five hundred is what we expect to pay..no news here.

[HawkMan]

It's not just him saying these things though, sources all around the internet, people in and out of the industry are all meshing together.

I'll be happy to eat crow if this is all incorrect but Microsoft is arrogant enough to make these mistakes, they did it all this generation making people pay to play online and having all the apps and stuff behind a paywall irregardless of how successful it was, its not like people have a choice if they want Xbox they HAVE to pay or they can't play with their friends.

Lets sum up:

Always online required even for SP games

Anti used games

Probably will still have a paywall for online play and apps

More media centric than gamer focused

$500

This has trainwreck written all over it.

IF there online required(always online is something else) it will essentially be the same fucntion as the anti used games, as that means it's the same as the third rumor that all games will need to be installed. which means all games will be treated as digital downloads and the disk is just another delivery of the data.

IF that's how it works, I see that as a positive not a negative.

Not sure what you mean with your paywall or online play and apps. the solver gold will possibly stay the same if that's what you mean, but noone knows anythign about that yet.

what do you mean more media centric, it's games and media centric. games furst, but it can also do media just like the current xbox, just better. yeha, what a terrible thing that is :rolleyes:

the price another rumor form the oh so trusty Paul, who was a complete trainwreck over Vista rumors, 7 rumors and 8 rumors... either way. The hardware is worth it. his rumor also says it costs 300 if you buy it with 1 year of XBL.

Also, irregardless is not a word.

[TheLegendOfMart]

IF there online required(always online is something else) it will essentially be the same fucntion as the anti used games, as that means it's the same as the third rumor that all games will need to be installed. which means all games will be treated as digital downloads and the disk is just another delivery of the data.

IF that's how it works, I see that as a positive not a negative.

If you install a game on 360 currently it still requires a disc in the drive, I HIGHLY doubt that they will allow game installs to play without the disc in the drive. Anti used games isn't a positive either, neither is console suspending your game after 3 minutes without internet.

Not sure what you mean with your paywall or online play and apps. the solver gold will possibly stay the same if that's what you mean, but noone knows anythign about that yet.

Exactly everything is behind a paywall, I admit Sony hasn't shared its plans yet but its unlikely Microsoft will change its model considering how successful Gold is which means all the good apps, web browser, playing online will all be locked out to basic accounts.

what do you mean more media centric, it's games and media centric. games furst, but it can also do media just like the current xbox, just better. yeha, what a terrible thing that is :rolleyes:

If the rumours are true the specs are a lot weaker than the PS4, the rumours about tuners and all that means that the console is geared more towards media which means games take a backseat, when you spend $500 on a GAMING console you want it to be GAMING focused.

Also, irregardless is not a word.

That's nice dear, don't have a credible argument, lets pick on people spellings.

[srbeen]

Heard about the 'stingray' before, and the $99 was a subscription model price, where you were required to buy xbox live for 2 years similar to a cell phone subscription, and it always needed to be online to be used. Seeing as 360s were outright being sold several times this year for the $100 mark, it wouldn't suprise me that a board redesign could be done and the disc drive mechanics could be switched similar to the new PS3 style to further cut costs and power consumption to fuel a profitable $100 sale. Seems MS is going to keep their 360 cash cow around, which signals to me their successor won't be revolutionary, or compatible with xbox/360 titles, but for sure A+ titles won't be releasing on the 360 any longer to drive sales...

As for the next xbox, I heard nothing but rumors from every nook and cranny. My take is the 360s successor will NOT REQUIRE an always on internet connection when all is said and done, but will fail to properly function (reduced onboard firmware features) but be assured that the successor to that console that will release in like 2018 WILL have this requirement, and will be no more than a local decryptor. Hype it up now so people think 'phew, glad they didn't do that this time!' so they are more understanding of it later, as MS could make this requirement after-sale too. I understand their online always goal of having a 'live' or virtual firmware/update/dashboard system, so electronic hackers can't steal games if everything is streamed to the unit rather than locally stored...

[Brandon H Supervisor]

PS3 costs around 500$ in India, and i expect PS4 to be at same price when it launches here. Xbox was cheaper though, will wait for official price announcement as i am really thinking to buy a new console this year.

i'm actually betting the PS4 with both be cheaper than the PS3 release price and cheaper than the next xbox (not including the gimped base model microsoft is most likely gonna release)

[HawkMan]

If you install a game on 360 currently it still requires a disc in the drive, I HIGHLY doubt that they will allow game installs to play without the disc in the drive. Anti used games isn't a positive either, neither is console suspending your game after 3 minutes without internet.

So we're only selectively believing the rumors that fit out anit box agenda now ? all games being treated as Gamed on Demand is another rumor, which happens to coincide with these. and being able to ply without a disc was half of the "games need to be installed" rumor....

[ShareShiz]

Just RUMORS -_-

I like the $99 version. Games (offline/online) and HTPC is all I need.

[George P Global Moderator]

i'm actually betting the PS4 with both be cheaper than the PS3 release price and cheaper than the next xbox (not including the gimped base model microsoft is most likely gonna release)

I don't expect two models of the next Xbox this time around, they're going to make sure there's one model so that devs who make apps as well as games can target. Things like a hdd as default which is really the only piece of hardware you can mess with for a console. What we do get could be a model with different size hdds again or with and without Kinect 2 but nothing "gimped".

[matt4444]

Paul blocked me on Twitter.

[HawkMan]

If the rumours are true the specs are a lot weaker than the PS4, the rumours about tuners and all that means that the console is geared more towards media which means games take a backseat, when you spend $500 on a GAMING console you want it to be GAMING focused.

We've been over this before, specs don't make games better, and none of us know how much the other functions of the 360 affects performance yet either so they may perform equally.

Also I have seen no rumor about tuners, but HDMI in.

As or media, last I checked PS4 was also media focused, but hey lets ignore that. doesn't fit the agenda.

personally software quality is more important to me than minor difference in specs and performance that will translate to nothing in the real world. And if MS follows up on the rumors and allows multitasking with other apps in the background and modern apps. they've got a winner. Spotify streaming in the music in the background, hell yeah, quick switching between the game I'm playing an modern apps. oh yeah.

[NightmarE D]

Hi...I am Paul Thurrott. I usually get stuff wrong when I report it. Then when others have info that may be true and I didn't get it first, I turn into a spoiled brat. I then go on to report what the others are saying and throw in a little BS to make it appear as if i I knew all along and start talking trash about Microsoft. This usually gets me some e-mails from Microsoft telling me to shut up and gives me the scoop to make sure that I do.

Been doing this for years now and they fall for it each time. Remember when I called for the world to boycott IE 7 because I knew nothing about it and threw a hissy? Same thing.

[adrynalyne]

Hi...I am Paul Thurrott. I usually get stuff wrong when I report it. Then when others have info that may be true and I didn't get it first, I turn into a spoiled brat. I then go on to report what the others are saying and throw in a little BS to make it appear as if i I knew all along and start talking trash about Microsoft. This usually gets me some e-mails from Microsoft telling me to shut up and gives me the scoop to make sure that I do.

Been doing this for years now and they fall for it each time. Remember when I called for the world to boycott IE 7 because I knew nothing about it and threw a hissy? Same thing.

Sounds like the typical blogger.

[Eric Veteran]

Paul blocked me on Twitter.

I wouldn't be surprised. I got the same response from Gabe Newell when I tried to ask him to clarify his position on Windows 8. Everyone's all mouth and no ears nowadays on the internets.

[MorganX]

Actually always online/DRM sounds appropriate for a cheap subscription device. Not sure why the vitriol towards Thurott, for this. This rumor has been buzzing around for over a year without a denial by Microsoft. Makes sense to me.

I actually think MS wants out of the console business or only wants a subscription model.

[George P Global Moderator]

Actually always online/DRM sounds appropriate for a cheap subscription device. Not sure why the vitriol towards Thurott, for this. This rumor has been buzzing around for over a year without a denial by Microsoft. Makes sense to me.

I actually think MS wants out of the console business or only wants a subscription model.

I don't think they want out at all, what they do want is to make it more than just a game console. Core gaming is small compared to everything else media related. Apple tv, roku and so on are direct competitors for the center of your living room. MS has said it already but more time is spent on the 360 doing other things besides gaming. They already have a subscription model as well with gold, selling you the system for less but with a 2 year gold sub sounds fine to many people.

Keeping the 360 around for a while at the lower $99 price point just shows that they want to target it at the more media centric users out there till the new Xbox can come down more in price.

[+Majesticmerc MVC]

Actually always online/DRM sounds appropriate for a cheap subscription device. Not sure why the vitriol towards Thurott, for this. This rumor has been buzzing around for over a year without a denial by Microsoft. Makes sense to me.

Assuming the rumours are true though, $300 is A LOT of money for a subscription device, especially if the PS4 is going to release at the same price without any subscription BS.

The way I see it, Microsoft are playing a risky (but perhaps wise) game here by keeping us in the dark with these rumours. Imagine the following:

• Microsoft announces NeXbox
  
• No rumoured always-connected DRM.
  
• Releases at the same price as PS4.
  
• Full support for used games (without needing to pay for a pass).
  

The internet would light up with the relief that none of the rumours were true, Xbox looks like a great console, sells well as a result.

Now consider this:

• Microsoft denies all the rumours
  
• Internet gets hyped up about how good the NeXbox is going to be
  
• Hype machine goes into overdrive following various 'leaks'
  
• Microsoft announces console
  

Internet is underwhelmed because it already knew all the good stuff, Xbox looks like a dud, sells less well.

It's also entirely possible that Microsoft are observing the reactions to these rumours quite closely, and using that reaction to determine if they should include such "features", or if they should ditch them.