Microsoft preparing to pull the plug on Xbox and usher in Next Box?
XO4 downgraded and Xbox 2 to be unveiled in Jan 2005?
MS hype machine moving on?
It has been revealed that Microsoft is no longer planning on hosting an X04 conference in Europe this year. Instead, MS has chosen to concentrate on “individual country activity”. So instead of gathering together half-pickled journalists in surroundings as salubrious as Pierre Cardin’s villa in the south of France (which saw host to the X01 event), this year’s promotional activity is more likely to take place in distinctly less glamorous locales.
That's not to say that there won’t be sufficient Xbox projects worthy of promotion. Halo 2, Forza Motorsport, Fable and Jade Empire are all waiting to put in an appearance. It will just be relatively low key compared to previous events. At this stage, Microsoft hasn’t offered an official reason for this downplay.
In addition, it has recently been suggested that Bill Gates is planning to unveil Xbox 2 during his keynote speech at the International Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas at the beginning of January 2005. This does seem entirely plausible, as Microsoft readily admits its intention to pre-empt its competitors with the next generation launch, and the first MS console was also revealed at a previous ICES event.
When these two pieces of news are viewed side by side, it’s a strong indication that Microsoft is preparing to close one chapter and open the next. As Nintendo and Sony are working to extend the lifespan of their existing consoles, via new peripherals and price-cuts respectively, it would seem that Microsoft is fully intent on shifting its vast resources behind the next console project.
That's not to say that there won’t be sufficient Xbox projects worthy of promotion. Halo 2, Forza Motorsport, Fable and Jade Empire are all waiting to put in an appearance. It will just be relatively low key compared to previous events. At this stage, Microsoft hasn’t offered an official reason for this downplay.
In addition, it has recently been suggested that Bill Gates is planning to unveil Xbox 2 during his keynote speech at the International Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas at the beginning of January 2005. This does seem entirely plausible, as Microsoft readily admits its intention to pre-empt its competitors with the next generation launch, and the first MS console was also revealed at a previous ICES event.
When these two pieces of news are viewed side by side, it’s a strong indication that Microsoft is preparing to close one chapter and open the next. As Nintendo and Sony are working to extend the lifespan of their existing consoles, via new peripherals and price-cuts respectively, it would seem that Microsoft is fully intent on shifting its vast resources behind the next console project.
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Comments
ohms 11 Aug 2004 10:43
1/12
XBOX and Gamecube are just getting in to their strides with some great titles out and more on the horizon for both consoles. We dont need them to be unveiling successors to these machines so soon, it really won't help them sell any more units in the long run.
bbam 11 Aug 2004 10:47
2/12
The whole console thing is becomming rediculus, a console is launched and within a dew weeks there is the sequl console being talked about. Its even worse with games for example Sudeki the sequal has been talke aboutbefore the game has been released.
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Stryfe01 11 Aug 2004 13:30
3/12
I agre with you both. Except for i think this article is speculative and misleading. When the next set of consoles launch, support for the current generation of titles will not just stop. Games are often made still 2 years after a new console is released, and that seems very likely the case with the Xbox. Not to mention it's YOU that makes that decision. I know there is a wealth of xbox titles I have'nt played yet and I plan to do that even after the new console launches. I will get the new one, but I will still play my original Xbox, my Gamecube and my Ps2. Hell i'm still plying ps2 rpg's that i missed. So like i said, YOU as a consumer decide what's best for your gaming needs. Just because it's being said that support will stop in the media, that is just not true.
ohms 11 Aug 2004 13:57
4/12
>When the next set of consoles launch, support for the
>current generation of titles will not just stop.
>Games are often made still 2 years after a new
>console is released, and that seems very likely
>the case with the Xbox.
true, but it will dry up pretty quickly, the consoles launch will be a year away from the first announcement next january, probably, but more developers will start to switch over, many major AAA xbox titles will become xbox2 launch titles.
>I know there is a wealth of xbox titles I have'nt played yet and I
>plan to do that even after the new console
>launches. I will get the new one, but I will
>still play my original Xbox, my Gamecube and my
>Ps2. Hell i'm still plying ps2 rpg's that i
>missed. So like i said, YOU as a consumer decide
>what's best for your gaming needs. Just because
>it's being said that support will stop in the
>media, that is just not true.
of course, I still play my N64, and no doubt I will still play GC when the 'revolution' is upon us, but that's my point, there's still life left in these old machines and they just want to cash in prematurely on new technology. Microsofts thinking is that launching a new machine early with help them destroy Sony in the next gen, but Sony 'have' to annouce PS3 soon, the PS2 is in the twilight of it's years, it's had a great run, and the time is approaching for a successor, but with XBOX it's live fast die young.
I always end up buying into it, I'm a gamer, I want to play the best, whatever, wherever. I know it all comes down to making money in the end, more for $ome than others, 'bring out a new expensive box, with the most badda$$ looking games and make a fortune', but it doesnt mean I have to like it.
>current generation of titles will not just stop.
>Games are often made still 2 years after a new
>console is released, and that seems very likely
>the case with the Xbox.
true, but it will dry up pretty quickly, the consoles launch will be a year away from the first announcement next january, probably, but more developers will start to switch over, many major AAA xbox titles will become xbox2 launch titles.
>I know there is a wealth of xbox titles I have'nt played yet and I
>plan to do that even after the new console
>launches. I will get the new one, but I will
>still play my original Xbox, my Gamecube and my
>Ps2. Hell i'm still plying ps2 rpg's that i
>missed. So like i said, YOU as a consumer decide
>what's best for your gaming needs. Just because
>it's being said that support will stop in the
>media, that is just not true.
of course, I still play my N64, and no doubt I will still play GC when the 'revolution' is upon us, but that's my point, there's still life left in these old machines and they just want to cash in prematurely on new technology. Microsofts thinking is that launching a new machine early with help them destroy Sony in the next gen, but Sony 'have' to annouce PS3 soon, the PS2 is in the twilight of it's years, it's had a great run, and the time is approaching for a successor, but with XBOX it's live fast die young.
I always end up buying into it, I'm a gamer, I want to play the best, whatever, wherever. I know it all comes down to making money in the end, more for $ome than others, 'bring out a new expensive box, with the most badda$$ looking games and make a fortune', but it doesnt mean I have to like it.
Mecha Ghandi 11 Aug 2004 14:19
5/12
I think this is slightly missing the point of the article.
As it states, there are plenty of top-quality Xbox games still on the way. It's certainly not over for the Xbox...
BUT it looks like MS aren't promoting these with the same intense marketing activity seen previously. It just wouldn't be sensible for them to bang on about how amazing Xbox is and then a few months later try and explain why we all need Xbox 2...
Nowhere in the article does it say that support for the Xbox is about to stop. It's just that Microsoft isn't pushing so hard on the promotional front.
As it states, there are plenty of top-quality Xbox games still on the way. It's certainly not over for the Xbox...
BUT it looks like MS aren't promoting these with the same intense marketing activity seen previously. It just wouldn't be sensible for them to bang on about how amazing Xbox is and then a few months later try and explain why we all need Xbox 2...
Nowhere in the article does it say that support for the Xbox is about to stop. It's just that Microsoft isn't pushing so hard on the promotional front.
SPInGSPOnG 11 Aug 2004 15:35
6/12
Dude, I think the reason why Microsoft doesn't want to take a bunch of ungrateful coke-snorting reporobates on a luxury all-expenses paid holiday in support of their multi million dollar loss making console will forever remain a mystery.
ryohazuki-san 11 Aug 2004 16:22
7/12
Rod Todd wrote:
>Dude, I think the reason why Microsoft doesn't
>want to take a bunch of ungrateful coke-snorting
>reporobates on a luxury all-expenses paid holiday
>in support of their multi million dollar loss
>making console will forever remain a mystery.
lol, yeah, i agree, there nxt console may not even fit in the room, so those that wanna get1....... betta save up for an extension. :p
>Dude, I think the reason why Microsoft doesn't
>want to take a bunch of ungrateful coke-snorting
>reporobates on a luxury all-expenses paid holiday
>in support of their multi million dollar loss
>making console will forever remain a mystery.
lol, yeah, i agree, there nxt console may not even fit in the room, so those that wanna get1....... betta save up for an extension. :p
bbam 11 Aug 2004 16:26
8/12
ryohazuki-san wrote:
>lol, yeah, i agree, there nxt console may not
>even fit in the room, so those that wanna
>get1....... betta save up for an extension. :p
Right now you have given me a great opetunity to say this, if you lay the ps2 on top of the Xbox you will find that there is an inch at most on all four sides more than on the ps2. So the xbox isnt that big and I am quite willing to give up 1 inch around the console to prevent myself from having to pay 20 pounds for a memory card that cant hold anywhere near as much as the HDD.
OMGPLSKTHX
>lol, yeah, i agree, there nxt console may not
>even fit in the room, so those that wanna
>get1....... betta save up for an extension. :p
Right now you have given me a great opetunity to say this, if you lay the ps2 on top of the Xbox you will find that there is an inch at most on all four sides more than on the ps2. So the xbox isnt that big and I am quite willing to give up 1 inch around the console to prevent myself from having to pay 20 pounds for a memory card that cant hold anywhere near as much as the HDD.
OMGPLSKTHX
ryohazuki-san 11 Aug 2004 18:09
9/12
bbam wrote:
>Right now you have given me a great opetunity to
>say this, if you lay the ps2 on top of the Xbox
>you will find that there is an inch at most on
>all four sides more than on the ps2. So the xbox
>isnt that big and I am quite willing to give up 1
>inch around the console to prevent myself from
>having to pay 20 pounds for a memory card that
>cant hold anywhere near as much as the HDD.
OOOOoo, looks like ive hit a soft spot. hehe, u joka, its all a bit of fun, besides Microsoft is always gettin bigger n bigger day by day, im jus wieghin da equation 4 der next consoles SIZE. besides, many ppl find the x-box as a gud training tool, build up dem arms, trust me, i got a sore back workin in GAME in XMAS liftin dem up. Noticed da definition on me arms afta dat.
Plus, i went 2 da US, n if i had 2 represent the obiesity der wiv an object.........its gotta b an X-box. Both larger den life! :p
but Nuff of da jokes, we all no dat it does well in power and visuals, but please Microsoft, wots happenin in da looks department?!
___________________________________________
Dnt H8 da playa H8 da game!
>Right now you have given me a great opetunity to
>say this, if you lay the ps2 on top of the Xbox
>you will find that there is an inch at most on
>all four sides more than on the ps2. So the xbox
>isnt that big and I am quite willing to give up 1
>inch around the console to prevent myself from
>having to pay 20 pounds for a memory card that
>cant hold anywhere near as much as the HDD.
OOOOoo, looks like ive hit a soft spot. hehe, u joka, its all a bit of fun, besides Microsoft is always gettin bigger n bigger day by day, im jus wieghin da equation 4 der next consoles SIZE. besides, many ppl find the x-box as a gud training tool, build up dem arms, trust me, i got a sore back workin in GAME in XMAS liftin dem up. Noticed da definition on me arms afta dat.
Plus, i went 2 da US, n if i had 2 represent the obiesity der wiv an object.........its gotta b an X-box. Both larger den life! :p
but Nuff of da jokes, we all no dat it does well in power and visuals, but please Microsoft, wots happenin in da looks department?!
___________________________________________
Dnt H8 da playa H8 da game!
SPInGSPOnG 11 Aug 2004 18:11
10/12
bbam wrote:
>say this, if you lay the ps2 on top of the Xbox
>you will find that there is an inch at most on
>all four sides more than on the ps2.
Dude, it's as high as 26 PS2's stacked up. It's a f**king suitcase.
Plus, your sig kinds shows that you are a tad biased.
>say this, if you lay the ps2 on top of the Xbox
>you will find that there is an inch at most on
>all four sides more than on the ps2.
Dude, it's as high as 26 PS2's stacked up. It's a f**king suitcase.
Plus, your sig kinds shows that you are a tad biased.
almondVanHelsing 11 Aug 2004 18:22
11/12
Rod Todd wrote:
>Dude, it's as high as 26 PS2's stacked
>up. It's a f**king suitcase.
Laughs out loud!! This guy cracks me up.
I think that there should be life left in old consoles, look at PS1, but MS has always tried to force upgrades with Windows, I bet they do the same with XBox2.
>Dude, it's as high as 26 PS2's stacked
>up. It's a f**king suitcase.
Laughs out loud!! This guy cracks me up.
I think that there should be life left in old consoles, look at PS1, but MS has always tried to force upgrades with Windows, I bet they do the same with XBox2.
config 11 Aug 2004 19:01
12/12
almondVanHelsing wrote:
> but MS has always tried to
>force upgrades with Windows, I bet they do the
>same with XBox2.
IMO Microsoft's talk of "we're gonna get the jump on the competition" and "Xenon is going blow them away" is just a ruse to get Sony or Ninty into launching early - show their hand, and make a mess of the hardware and launch lineup.
Being first doesn't necessarily matter - getting things right is what counts.
> but MS has always tried to
>force upgrades with Windows, I bet they do the
>same with XBox2.
IMO Microsoft's talk of "we're gonna get the jump on the competition" and "Xenon is going blow them away" is just a ruse to get Sony or Ninty into launching early - show their hand, and make a mess of the hardware and launch lineup.
Being first doesn't necessarily matter - getting things right is what counts.