Microsoft Finally Admits to Xbox 720

[Vandalsquad]

Now, shortly after a forum user leaked details about the development kit of Microsoft's "Durango," we have the first unofficial-official confirmation of the console from the company itself. Speaking to The Verge, Windows Live General Manager Brian Hall mentioned "the new Xbox" in a list of upcoming Microsoft products.

While this may not be the most shocking revelation, it is the first time a Microsoft employee has mentioned the Durango, or Xbox 720, on record. Hall did not confirm any details about the Xbox 720, though he did imply that the console may be hitting shelves by the end of the year. Specifically, he grouped the Xbox in with other products set to launch before 2013; speaking about the updated Outlook.com, Hall said that Microsoft is releasing it to coincide with "the new wave of products," including Windows 8, Office 15, the next generation of Windows Phones, and the aforementioned Xbox.

More at The Escapist http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/118907-Microsoft-Finally-Admits-to-Xbox-720

I have doubts because of there being any killer launch titles such as Halo when Halo 4 is just about to launch on the 360, Forza just being recently launched.. But if rumours are true it would be a killer blow to Nintendo and Sony.

[Osiris]

It would be incredibly powerful to see a new xbox launch around the time of Win8, WP8, Surface...but I dont see it happening. I dont think will see a new xbox any earlier then next year more likely 2014.

[the better twin]

More at The Escapist http://www.escapistm...its-to-Xbox-720

I have doubts because of there being any killer launch titles such as Halo when Halo 4 is just about to launch on the 360, Forza just being recently launched.. But if rumours are true it would be a killer blow to Nintendo and Sony.

I think he meant the new Xbox UI. The next Xbox will NOT be launching this year.

[MikeChipshop Member]

No way will they be launching the new hardware XBOX at any point this year.

He's simple referring to the XBOX Dashboard Autumn (Fall) update.

[George P Global Moderator]

It's the new dashboard UI (which i'm liking btw), I however expect the new Xbox for holiday 2013 and not in 2014. The 360 is more or less done, they'll do what they can with the few exclusives it's got in the first half of 2013 but that's it. After this they'll probably give it a nice price cut and sell it as a $99 media hub and casual gaming device I bet. Also depending in the specs and abilities the next Xbox could retail for $399, that's with a Kinect 2 device as well.

[Rigby]

If they actually name it Xbox 720 I'm done with Microsoft.

[dead.cell]

If they actually name it Xbox 720 I'm done with Microsoft.

No kidding! If they name it that, I'm just gonna do a 720? turn and walk away!!! :angry:

/s

[The_Decryptor Veteran]

If they actually name it Xbox 720 I'm done with Microsoft.

I don't get the reasoning behind the (fan created) name "Xbox 720"

It's twice as much as a 360? It can do 720p? etc.

[GuJu]

MSFT lawl.

[Rigby]

I sort of wish they would just drop the name XBox completely, come up with something fresh and original.

[TheLegendOfMart]

Xbox is the brand though, theres no way they would dump the name at this point.

[theyarecomingforyou]

No way will they be launching the new hardware XBOX at any point this year.

He's simple referring to the XBOX Dashboard Autumn (Fall) update.

This.

Even if Microsoft had confirmed a follow up to the X360 it's meaningless without specs, screenshots of upcoming games or a launch date. Obviously Microsoft is working on it but don't expect it for at least another year.

[ITFiend]

I would argue that it is the wrong time entirely for Microsoft or Sony to release a new console. 1080p's reign is about to end, 4k's is about to start. It?s better for all of us who will be spending a lot of money on next gen consoles for both of them to wait until 4k is here, and video tech is slightly more advanced and able to support it for cheaper.

Only Nintendo could get away with releasing a new console at this point in time, because no one expects them to ?look great? on current tech anyway, let alone next gen.

[nub]

I don't get the reasoning behind the (fan created) name "Xbox 720"

How do you not get it? 360 degrees is a complete circle (or revolution). Another revolution would be another 360 degrees otherwise known as 720 degrees.

[Rigby]

How do you not get it? 360 degrees is a complete circle (or revolution). Another revolution would be another 360 degrees otherwise known as 720 degrees.

As a name that is unoriginal and really dumb though. I seriously doubt they will name it 720, and since they are renaming Metro maybe they can come up with an interesting name shared by both since the 360 is now using that interface and the next one probably will too (unless Metro fails spectacularly).

I would argue that it is the wrong time entirely for Microsoft or Sony to release a new console. 1080p's reign is about to end, 4k's is about to start.

I highly doubt that. Not everyone even has an HDTV at all yet, and there's no way that they are just going to make Blu-Ray and all the technology we have now based on 720/1080p obsolete. On a home sized television it would be completely pointless to go higher. 4k TVs will flop harder than 3DTV.

[MDboyz]

Yes, and this is why they don't let you to name it. If you do 720? turn, how can you walk away?

No kidding! If they name it that, I'm just gonna do a 720? turn and walk away!!! :angry:

/s

Maybe they just need to call it 'The New Xbox'. :p

[George P Global Moderator]

It won't be a number, the 360 will probably be the last numbered name we see for the console. Seeing how MS has mad "Xbox" the entertainment brand, or rather the entertainment umbrella brand with lots of other things under it, i.e. Xbox Music, Xbox Video, Xbox Live, Xbox for Windows now as well. The new system will have it's own name, not a number I bet. It's be Xbox "something" and they'll just call it it by it's second name most of the time.

[dnast]

No kidding! If they name it that, I'm just gonna do a 720? turn and walk away!!! :angry:

/s

I laughed. :laugh: Thanks for the flashback. Almost made me miss the 2005 era of the Gamers Hangout. Almost.

Yes, and this is why they don't let you to name it. If you do 720? turn, how can you walk away?

(Just change the 360 to 720 :p)

[The_Decryptor Veteran]

I would argue that it is the wrong time entirely for Microsoft or Sony to release a new console. 1080p's reign is about to end, 4k's is about to start. It?s better for all of us who will be spending a lot of money on next gen consoles for both of them to wait until 4k is here, and video tech is slightly more advanced and able to support it for cheaper.

Only Nintendo could get away with releasing a new console at this point in time, because no one expects them to ?look great? on current tech anyway, let alone next gen.

4k stuff is still ages away, most games don't even render at 720/1080 on current consoles.

How do you not get it? 360 degrees is a complete circle (or revolution). Another revolution would be another 360 degrees otherwise known as 720 degrees.

Now that kind of makes sense for the 360 name (Although I thought it was more about how it encompassed the store/friends/MP/etc.), but it seems strange to use that scheme again for the next console (Most people wouldn't get that it's a 720 degree rotation, or "two revolutions" from the first console). Most people would probably think it has something to do with that "720p" thing written on their TVs.

[madd-hatter]

They should call it the X3.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Did anyone believe that Microsoft would launch a next-gen console by the end of this year? Let's look at the evidence here: A) There has been no marketing whatsoever for a next-gen Xbox. B) The timing isn't good because it would "interfere" with the sales of Halo 4 and other games like Borderlands 2, Assassin's Creed 3, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.

A product launch as significant as a game console requires more than just a surprise release. It requires marketing to build interest and hype for it, deals with developers and publishers to deliver launch titles, and good release timing.

[MikeChipshop Member]

They won't drop the XBOX brand.

XBOX is being pushed as the new brand for all things entertainment. For a new console i fully expect them to tac on some sort of extra bit after the word 'xBOX'.

I don't think it will be a number.

[dipsylalapo Supervisor]

Even if they don't launch this year doesn't mean that the console itself can't exist right? Not an expert or anything but I'm sure consoles have massive development cycles.

They should call it the X3.

I was going to say this too, I quite like this name. X³ :D

[Ryoken]

If they actually name it Xbox 720 I'm done with Microsoft.

Still wouldn't be as bad as Nintendo Revolution becoming the Wii.. o_0

[dnast]

Did anyone believe that Microsoft would launch a next-gen console by the end of this year? Let's look at the evidence here: A) There has been no marketing whatsoever for a next-gen Xbox. B) The timing isn't good because it would "interfere" with the sales of Halo 4 and other games like Borderlands 2, Assassin's Creed 3, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.

A product launch as significant as a game console requires more than just a surprise release. It requires marketing to build interest and hype for it, deals with developers and publishers to deliver launch titles, and good release timing.

Yep. The Sega Saturn is a prime example of why you don't do a surprise launch. Lots of companies were ****ed and some stayed ****ed after the Dreamcast was launched years later.

They won't drop the XBOX brand.

XBOX is being pushed as the new brand for all things entertainment. For a new console i fully expect them to tac on some sort of extra bit after the word 'xBOX'.

I don't think it will be a number.

I agree. While I thought MS should have lost the "Windows" in WP7/8, getting rid of Xbox would only confuse consumers, IMO.

They should call it the X3.

That's not too bad, but X3 sounds like an abbreviation of XBox 360. I don't think they'd go with that.