Is Microsoft Already Manufacturing the Next Xbox?

[Vandalsquad]

I know its old news, but still hadn't been posted so open for discussion anyway..

The next Xbox console is apparently in the manufacturing stages. According to an IGN source, assembly of the next-generation Xbox hardware started recently at the Austin, Texas branch of Flextronics. This is the same electronics company currently assembling Xbox 360 hardware, and is the manufacturer of the original Xbox.

Prior to reaching the manufacturing stage, Flextronics created a new testing group separate from the rest of the company. This team was solely dedicated to comprehensive marketing, software, and hardware tests of the next Xbox. With that activity concluded, Flextronics started building the hardware -- but that doesn?t necessarily mean we?ll see the Durango soon.

The most likely case here is that new manufactured hardware would be development kits, consoles created specifically so game designers know what they?re working with. Microsoft said flat-out it wasn't debuting a new console at E3, so rumors regarding new manufactured boxes probably wouldn?t stack up to a reveal.

http://au.ign.com/ar...g-the-next-xbox

[Alwaysonacoffebreak]

As far as you should know- No

As far as developers, QA etc should know - Yes.

[neoadorable]

i think Flextronics are the same people who skimped on the thermal paste that got us into all that stupid trouble back in the heyday of 2006-2008! but still, at least there's something moving in the right direction if this is true.

[George P Global Moderator]

I think early dev hardware is in select peoples hands even now. As with the Xbox 360 they'll go around to the bigger studios and talk it over with them to see what they'd like hardware wise.

Either way, the next Xbox should make the jump to DX11.1, or maybe a early version of DX12 since we're talking 2013 for it's release.

[Growled Member]

They probably are but only a few select testers will get one.

[Xerxes]

I still think the new Xbox is launching later this year to counter the Wii U. My gut feel is despite MS being adamant no Xbox announcements at E3 this year, I think they plan to steal the show with exactly that...an Xbox announcement and imminent release. I could be totally wrong and I expect I am, is just a feeling I can't seem to shake. Be interesting to see how it all pans out...

[Skin]

I still think the new Xbox is launching later this year to counter the Wii U. My gut feel is despite MS being adamant no Xbox announcements at E3 this year, I think they plan to steal the show with exactly that...an Xbox announcement and imminent release. I could be totally wrong and I expect I am, is just a feeling I can't seem to shake. Be interesting to see how it all pans out...

sigh... I just don't want to have to buy an all new media again.

[Xerxes]

sigh... I just don't want to have to buy an all new media again.

You can't avoid it forever, nature of the beast. The Xbox 360 has had it's time and it's been a good run (all in all) and it's time to move forward. PC gamers in particular can't wait for the new generation to start since they've been held back predominantly to ~Dx9 because is all current consoles can do. I suspect MS will keep the 360 going as a budget console (like Sony did with the PS2) so if your not ready to move forward, you don't have too right away. Naturally this is just pure speculation on my part and chances are there will be no new Xbox announced. As I said this is just a gut feel, nothing more nothing less.

[Motoko.]

sigh... I just don't want to have to buy an all new media again.

Wait it out till the new product matures. that's the most logical thing to do

[fintechfooty]

I hope it is released this year at E3 and not 2013. I don't want to wait so long.

[notuptome2004]

I hope it is released this year at E3 and not 2013. I don't want to wait so long.

Microsoft has already made it clear NO NEW Xbox hardware at E3 this year Period and if a new Xbox is in production right now it is in very rough early stages not even prototyping . The only new system to be released this year and to be shown more of @ E3 is the Wii U

[Emn1ty]

I still think the new Xbox is launching later this year to counter the Wii U.

I don't think MS and Sony consider themselves in competition with Nintendo anymore. They've released Kinect/Move and that's probably as far as they'll go.

The next X-Box is sorely needed. As great as the current platform is, I'm playing it less and less. I think the rush of a new generation of consoles would motivate me to stick with MS but so far I'm sitting on Steam more than I am on Live. All of my friends have switched to PC gaming as well (mostly, I feel, due to a lack of anything really new on the 360).

[+Ryster Subscriber²]

I agree with Emnity, a new Xbox is indeed sorely needed. It's been weeks since I played on mine... mainly due to the fact that I find the graphics to be very lacklustre these days. PC games are once again far superior.

[George P Global Moderator]

Seeing how multimedia abilities are becoming a bigger and bigger part of Xbox Live I don't think they're in any rush to release a ton of exclusive games or the next gen system like in the past. For me, I've been playing my 360 often, finished ME3, Assassins Creed Revelations and I'm now in the middle of my first playthrough for Catherine with the newest Ace Combat waiting after that. The only games I even think about playing on the PC first are FPS games which at this point I know for sure are going to be short and not worth the price of their console versions. I also don't care about mp so that factors into it as well.

[BajiRav]

Seeing how multimedia abilities are becoming a bigger and bigger part of Xbox Live I don't think they're in any rush to release a ton of exclusive games or the next gen system like in the past. For me, I've been playing my 360 often, finished ME3, Assassins Creed Revelations and I'm now in the middle of my first playthrough for Catherine with the newest Ace Combat waiting after that. The only games I even think about playing on the PC first are FPS games which at this point I know for sure are going to be short and not worth the price of their console versions. I also don't care about mp so that factors into it as well.

The point is though, most of these media "apps" are horribly slow (youtube anyone?) and/or awkward to use(FiOS, Zune Video/Audio for example) or just plain butt ugly ("redesigned" Netflix). I still use my Xbox more for media than games but they need a more powerful box sooner than later. Or they should somehow fix the apps.

[George P Global Moderator]

The point is though, most of these media "apps" are horribly slow (youtube anyone?) and/or awkward to use(FiOS, Zune Video/Audio for example) or just plain butt ugly ("redesigned" Netflix). I still use my Xbox more for media than games but they need a more powerful box sooner than later. Or they should somehow fix the apps.

There's an update to the dashboard coming as well so I think it'll bring needed performance updates and or updated apps shortly after. Other than that I want to see more of the services expand out of the US but that's probably not something we'll start to see till the next Xbox which, since I bring up the dash, will probably use a very similar dashboard to what the 360 has/will get this year I bet.

[pack34]

I'd sure hope that they are pushing out some units already. You need to have the hardware in developer hands a good bit before a commercial release. I'd say that this may put us at an announcement at E3 next year and a potential Q3 or Q4 2013 release.

[oceanmotion]

No doubt. That guy who got fired for mentioning Durango or whatever it's called not too long ago. That will be the new platform. Some devs are already in next gen development so not hard to believe they are working towards something as MS like to get input from devs and engine makers.

I think MS are just trying to get as many content providers as possible and do the best they can with current hardware. It will all converge next gen to something a lot slicker and faster. They might tweak some things but nothing major, they will want the big splash to be the next gen hardware and software platform.