Microsoft’s Robbie Bach recently sat down for an interview to talk about the Xbox 360’s life cycle. Unlike previous generations, Microsoft intends for the Xbox 360 to be around for a bit longer than usual.
“Just coming up with something that’s faster and prettier isn’t going to be sufficient,” said Bach. “The life cycle for this generation of consoles — and I’m not just talking about Xbox, I’d include Wii and PS3 as well — is probably going to be a little longer than previous generations.”
“When you look at consumers, they are going to be more value-conscious,” Bach said.
“We want to make sure that as the economy does start to recover, that we’re positioned well.”
With current generation consoles having the ability to download games, content and basically everything else in between, there really is no need for a hardware upgrade anytime soon. Plus, it’s better for consumers who are low on cash and don’t feel like standing outside in ridiculously long lines waiting to purchase the next big thing in gaming.
On a side note, we can now use the release of the next Xbox to indicate when the economy is back on the rise. At least according to Robbie Bach.
[Via Mercury News]
I think the execs over at Microsoft are being complete morons not only with this but everything they seem to be talking about recently.
I disagree, Max, I think they’re right. The majority of gamers don’t need more hardware than what the Wii has to offer and both the PS3 and Xbox 360 are much more powerful. Graphics don’t matter as much as the hardcore gamer thinks. I have a feeling we won’t be seeing another console release until 2012
I think Microsoft is being very sneaky and cagey on this one. Obviously they are beating Sony, and ideally have something up their sleave for the next generation. I also like the assumption that new generation of console = end of the depression.
@ Matt
i have to disagree with you on that the majority of gamers barly need more than what the wii has to offer. the wii is a last gen system with motion controls as its only gimmick. and it lacks a hard drive. it is what the majority of extremely casual gamers need. I have a ps3 and i love the graphics, i could not imagine downgrading to the anything less. I did own a 360 for 7 months before it red ringed, and in contrast to the ps3’s blu-ray the 360 standard disc drive is almost barbaric. I loved lost oddesy but i could hardly imagine it taking up half a blu-ray disc. whereas it took up 4 disc on the 360. Id say microsoft should release a new one in two to three years tops or else their advantage over sony will be short lived
@chad – looking at the demographic of gamers these days from all sales data, the general public doesn’t care that much about HD graphics. There’s plenty of data to show that (stay tuned, there’s an editorial coming with all of it).
Of the spare amount of reasons I bought a Ps3, the blu-ray player was far beyond any other decent reason.
the new xbox looks really cool but apparently its expencive
If and when Microsoft decides to make another Xbox, they need to put extra resources into QA/QC, seriously.
a new generation of gaming consoles huh?what are the possibilities?a 300gb hdd,i dont think so..new hardware, new software,new core i mean the cores of the Xenon processor were developed using a slightly-modified version of the PlayStation 3’s Cell Processor PPE architecture. According to David Shippy and Mickie Phipps, the IBM employees were “hiding their work from Sony and Toshiba.so whatever new they come up with hopefully its more advanced i guess.
matt i disagree im a big fan of both xbox and ps3.I think that hd is awsome and xbox could use some blue tooth technology.
I would just like to say that both ps3 and xbox are good, but i am a xbox live gamer, xbox has its faster downloading and i believe, better games, and ps3 has its blu ray and internet browser
actually i really dont belive that there is going 2 be a better system because it took 7 years 2 make the ps3 and its so advanced with the graphics and the internet browser and all but im guessing that there wont be another xbox or ps untill about 2017 at most because right now there really not buying anything but games