Microsoft Corrects itself on Need for New Console

Back at E3 09, Don Mattrick - Senior Vice President, Interactive Entertainment Business, Entertainment and Devices Division - had this to say about the power of Natal:

"We can leap into a new era of entertainment without introducing a new console… We make you the controller."

This was taken in some corners to mean that there would not be a new Xbox iteration. (Of course, other corners bit at a report of Steve Balmer's speech in Chicago mentioning a new 'console'. This was before Ballmer apologised for his 'misspeaking'.)

Now Phil Spencer - General Manager, Microsoft Game Studios - has explained to Michael French at MCV what Mattrick actually meant to say: "What Don was saying was that when Natal comes out it will feel like a new generation has come. I see it as like the launch of the Xbox 360 back in 2005 – there will be a launch portfolio of games to support it."

So, it will 'feel' like a new generation but it will be like the launch of the Xbox 360. We're more confused than ever.