The next generation Xbox console will set you back $350-400 in the US, according to Baird Equity Research, and will launch in November. That's a maximum of £247.83 in the UK, then, using current exchange rates and assuming Microsoft doesn't decide to price things up for overseas markets. Which it probably will.
"Given the fragile state of the console game market, we expect the E3 trade show in June will take on added significance, most likely providing the industry with the first public opportunity to examine next-generation hardware," the firm's Colin Sebastian wrote in a note to investors.
A fairly standard next gen prediction list there, but it may interest you to know that Baird Equity reckons next generation machines will be easier and cheaper to develop for. Reassuring, given pronouncements by Epic among other middleware companies about the cost of implementing "next gen" game engines like Unreal 4, CryEngine 3 and the like.
"A PC-based architecture (Intel chips in the case of Xbox) should have a number of advantages over custom-developed silicon," Sebastian detailed. "For one, the learning curve for software developers will be shorter than completely new technology. Second, the cost of production and retail price points should be lower than prior console launches.
"Third, it will be easier to build online services around PC chip architecture, including flexible business models (free-to-play, subscriptions) and multi-media (over the top) content offerings. For Microsoft, this design will also allow for more integration with Windows 8 and Windows Mobile devices."
All we need now is a little insight on the visual design. Hopefully the new Xbox won't look like one of these fan mock-ups. Thanks for the heads up, GamesIndustry.
14 comments so far...
msbhvn on 14 Jan '13 said:
What a load of rubbish! Having an Intel chip is what made the first Xbox so easy to hack. The PowerPC chip in the 360 is easy to program for because MS make Visual Studio and have made developing for 360 very similar to developing for PC.
In over seven years, the 360 dashboard hasn't been compromised. Going back to Intel, even a 64-bit chip, is inviting hackers and pirates to have a field day.
ipsofacto on 14 Jan '13 said:
I thought it would be nearer £350-400, so if there's any truth in that, that's awesome.
CunningSmile on 14 Jan '13 said:
So yet another organisation that has no more REAL intel than most of us releases pretty much the same list of guesses as...most of us.
I still think the bacon grill is more likely.
FishyGinger on 14 Jan '13 said:
Did that filter the fat away? If it's a proper grate style grill it'll be useless for eggs.
CunningSmile on 14 Jan '13 said:
Why would you want to cook eggs on your console? Now you're just being silly
Plamsa wing on 14 Jan '13 said:
It still seems like they're just grasping straws. Although everyone seems to want to release they're games in Q1/Q2, so it's possible this gen could nd this year.
I think it's an eggcellent idea.
cade360 on 14 Jan '13 said:
Wow, thats an ugly looking console. Disappointing.
Edit: That is if the console ends up looking like that :-3
ePg x Ben on 14 Jan '13 said:
well I think I looks nice. would'nt mind this xbox
FishyGinger on 14 Jan '13 said:
Bacon and egg sandwich of course. It's worth them getting a really inefficient cpu etc just so it heats up enough to make toast too.
ChillieBonBon on 14 Jan '13 said:
I'm suprised at how cheap its looking, although if you can't cook eggs on it then why should anyone be suprised?
SilentDark on 15 Jan '13 said:
It still doesn't look like it's got enough ventilation
Seriously though Microsoft, try not to mess up on the massive scale you did this time around. Once is unfortunate, twice is incompetence... OK the first time was incompetence too but you get what I mean
xXPiperAlphaXx on 16 Jan '13 said:
Eggs Box
Xbox11 on 17 Jan '13 said:
Couldn't of said it better myself ,But from what Ive been hearing lately its very worrying that this might actually be true
msbhvn on 17 Jan '13 said:
I think MS might be banking on the DEP and NX technologies in recent Intel CPUs to prevent hacking, as they are a hardware block to prevent unauthorised code from running. The Pentium 3 chip in the Xbox didn't have this. Hackers will get into anything eventually, though, and if I were MS, I'd have stayed with IBM for backwards compatibility reasons.