February 11, 2005

Xbox Next-Generation Coming in November or October

We're getting a wave of new confirmations today that the next version of Xbox whether it is called Xbox 360, Xenon, or Xbox 2 will be released later this year around November or October. From internal sources in Microsoft, game developers, Electronic Arts' game lineup, and the "dry-up" of Xbox 1 games, it's a pretty sure thing we'll see it this year.

The big questions are will it come with a hard-drive? Will it be backward compatible? Will it use a high density DVD storage format? Inquiring minds want to know. As of now, it looks like the power of the Playstation 3 with its amazing Cell processor specs will blow Xbox 2 out of water in 2006. The battle awaits; we will be watching.

Senior US sources have revealed that third-party publishers are working towards a simultaneous launch for the new format in both key Western territories in time for the crucial holiday season...However, Xbox 2 - which is codenamed Xenon - is expected to arrive this side of the Atlantic within weeks of the US launch, MCV can exclusively reveal.