Microsoft Shoots Down Talk of HD-DVD Equipped Xbox 360

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Microsoft has cleared up speculation regarding possible HD-DVD functionality in future versions of the Xbox 360, saying that it currently has no plans to release an Xbox 360 equipped with a next-generation DVD player. The unusually direct statement is a straightforward denial of a report from a Japanese news service yesterday, which claimed that the company planned to launch an HD-DVD compatible Xbox 360 in 2006.

"Microsoft, in both America and Japan, has not announced anything regarding the possibility of a next generation DVD drive being placed in the Xbox 360," a Microsoft spokesperson told IGN. "There are currently no plans to release an Xbox 360 equipped with a next generation DVD player."

Speculation over whether such a device might be forthcoming originated with comments made back in August by Bill Gates himself, who said: "We are looking at whether future versions of Xbox 360 will incorporate an additional capacity of an HD-DVD player or something else."

News source: GamesIndustry.biz

#1 shao on 16 Dec 2005 - 10:37

having "no plans to release" HD-DVD 360 is not the same as "will never release" HD-DVD 360, and is infact no different from what bill said earlier in the year. thanks for clearing that up MS.

#2 Smigit on 16 Dec 2005 - 11:11

I doubt they ever will...and hopefully they wont. Half the point in getting a console is that every person is using the same specced machine thus one never should have to consider compatibility. Currently HD's are optional but they are in reality just an extension of the memory card. If however other components start becomming replaceable you basically have a PC, not a console. In my oppinion a console shouldnt requre updates to play the latest and greatest, otherwise I may as well buy a PC.

With games being playable over multiple disk theres no real need. and with all movies still using DVD there really is no point in pushing that at the moment, and probably not until the next console or 2 years at the least (at which point updating the optical drive probably wont make alot of sense anyway)

#3 Bamsebjørn on 16 Dec 2005 - 13:39

However, if they would deliver XBox 360 machines with HD-DVD players... they won't have to release games on those discs, but it would allow you to use your XBox 360 to play HD-movies...

(1 reply) #4 alister on 16 Dec 2005 - 13:59

I guess that means that Sony Playstation 3 and Blu-Ray will will the HD video war..... The movie companies are going to release movies on the format that has the most players since more players means the possiblity of more sales.

Alister

#4.1 John on 17 Dec 2005 - 18:26

And we all know that no one buys an actual DVD player. Everyone plays DVD movies on their consoles today; no one uses a real DVD player

#5 neufuse on 16 Dec 2005 - 14:20

"or something else" eh?

(1 reply) #6 mcwilliams132 on 16 Dec 2005 - 14:49

Blah blah blah...HD-DVD...get over it already! Who cares?! Game manufacturers haven't exausted the DVD format yet. I don't remember seeing a multidisc PS2/Xbox game come out at all over the last 5 years (extra disc not being bonus content - mind you). Have you?

MS did the right thing not including it. Sony will either sell the Sony Forman Grill at a major premium or eat the cost.

Let's drop this story...I'm sick of seeing it in my RSS reader.

#6.1 Dark Ride on 16 Dec 2005 - 22:58

Sony Forman Grill !!! Hahahahah So funny !

Last edited by Dark Ride on 16 Dec 2005 - 23:07

#7 denzilla on 17 Dec 2005 - 00:19

The only thing they will accomplish by releasing a HD-DVD version now is split the market, which is bad business. They should've bit the bullet and done it to begin with.

#8 eilegz on 17 Dec 2005 - 01:20

well this again gives a HUGE advantage for sony and ps3, no one knows remember micro$oft and $ony are not thiking about games only they have more with Home Entertaiment center, and without hd-dvd rom it just make xbox360 feel less than sony (of course others than specs and everything else).

Thanks to GOD that nintendo its not following their path lets hope that time proves nintendo to be the right choice for us casual and hardcore gamers.

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