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The long wait for the terribly long-in-the-tooth Xbox 360’s successor is set to end on May 21, when Microsoft says it will finally lift the curtain on its eighth-generation console at a special event. Despite Microsoft’s formal announcement of the Xbox 720 curtain-raiser event, the rumor mill hasn’t stopped buzzing. With Xbox 720 rumors thus far running the gamut from the unlikely to the unreasonable, no one can blame you for thinking that you have heard it all. But have you?
The latest Xbox 720 rumors worthy of your attention come from a rather credible source; someone renowned for breaking Microsoft-related stories ahead of everyone else. If you haven’t guessed it already, we are talking about Paul Thurrott, who last month revealed May 21 to be the date of the Xbox 720’s unveiling — nearly a month before the official announcement in this regard.
According to Thurrott, among the many things that he knows about the next Xbox is the fact that it will be based on the “Core” version of Windows 8 and that it will, as a consequence, have a similar, if not the same, apps platform as Windows 8.
Other Xbox 720 details that he claims to know include the presence of a Blu-ray optical drive and the need of an active Internet connection in order for the console to be usable. Thurrott claims that when the console hits the market later this year — November if he is to be believed — it will be available either as “a standalone version for $499 and a $299 version that requires a two-year Xbox LIVE Gold commitment at an expected price of $10 per month.”
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satrain18
April 27, 2013 at 1:15pm
Does anybody remembered how EA's always-on DRM worked for SimCity 2013?
...Oh, wait, it didn't
petrol42
April 27, 2013 at 5:42am
Most people will get over the always on internet connection because it doesn't impact the user unless your internet service goes down. And let's be honest, how often does that happen?
What will be interesting to see is if consumers are going to go for Microsoft's pricing of the console, assuming this Thurrott guy is correct in which he seems to have a good track record, at $499 and $299 w/Xbox live subscription @ $10/month which comes out to $120/year.
Historically, consoles have never sold well when a console is priced at $500 or more. Examples would be the 3DO, Neo Geo and launch PS3s.
$299 is the magic price point at which launch consoles sell in good numbers so it'll be interesting to see if consumers are going to want to be tied to a two year Xbox Live contract.
I predict that we're going to see the death of the traditional gaming console. The Nintendo Wii U launched with hardly a blip on anyone's radar, including the media, and that has a start price of $299 and it includes a cool controller that developers are never going to take advantage of. The new Xbox and PS4 don't seem to be generating the same kind of media buzz that the PS3 and Xbox 360 did.
What IS going to take off are cheap $99 Android consoles like the Ouya. These consoles aren't going to have a 5-10 year life span like traditional consoles do but are going to be replaced every 6 months to a year because they're going to release these like they do new mobile phones so you're always going to want the newest and fastest models. Ouya is going to be the first but there will be many that follow and the beauty of it is that most of the games should be compatible with the different Android consoles.
The game developers are going to like to develop for cheap Android consoles due to it's wide distribution potential without the need for a bossy publisher.
Get ready for a decade of the market flooded with cheap Android consoles. It's going to be a mess!
vkt62
April 26, 2013 at 7:24pm
There are places in the world that barely have internet and these guys want to have an always on feature??? Even my 15mbps network can go down due to some reason or another.
Dane Henson RF
April 26, 2013 at 5:30pm
Dang, there is a TON of rumors going around about the next Microsoft box. Naturally I'll reserve my judgement for May 21, quite interested in seeing what the Microsoft has cooked up for the next Gen. Oh yes, and console flame wars are bound to occur, those are always fun to watch lol
Ashton2091
April 26, 2013 at 4:15pm
The 720 having windows 8 as it's core is not a surprise. The XBox has always been based on a windows platform. It only makes sense that they would use windows 8 for this one. Metro has been part of xbox 360 for a while. It doesn't make sense to go with anything else. Personally, I'm not a fan of 8. but judging from their vision, it was destined to go that way. Also, Paul Thurrot is a very reliable source. I've been reading his blog for many years. He has a pretty good contact base in Microsoft.
PCWolf
April 26, 2013 at 4:01pm
Reminds of when I saw the XBOX 720 banner in the movie "Real Steel" back in 2011
CoyoteWilee
April 26, 2013 at 3:20pm
Great, now they're going to go from the 'Red Ring Of Death' to the "Blue Ring Of Death"?
Sirius
April 26, 2013 at 1:41pm
I'll reserve judgement until Microsoft tells us what the features will and will not be. Until then, everything is rumour and conjecture. I definitely prefer my Xbox 360 over the Wii and the PS3. But whether I will like the "720" over the PS4 remains to be seen.
KenLV
April 26, 2013 at 1:26pm
Well, I was going to get one until it came out that it was going to require an always on connection.
Aw who am I kidding, I was NEVER going to buy this piece of shit.
Engelsstaub
April 26, 2013 at 3:22pm
Yeah, I have to admit I was looking for an excuse too. This rumor is just one of many really good ones. Screw XBox Live.
nadako
April 26, 2013 at 1:14pm
Microsoft has the financial means to take the gamble with the always on feature on the next xbox.(Unlike Sony) and the wii is nothing big on online play. If the always on feature makes the xbox a huge turn off for its customer base they would simply push out an update that would turn off this feature.
Jaeger_CDN
April 26, 2013 at 12:48pm
"Always On" on paper may be a wonderful idea but the problem is that what's on paper and what reality is are two entirely different things. The last year of product releases from Microsoft have been more or less flops and I can't see the Xbox changing that trend.
yes some people may say that Win 8 is the greatest thing ever but it was too divergent from the previous 23 years of the same UI that made incremental changes per iteration which is why Win8's adoption rates suck.
Back on topic, another group that won't be buying the new hardware would be anyone out on military deployment. Access to reliable high speed is often impossible. As will some colleges/universities that limit connections in dorms which is where really their core market lives for a large part of the year.
Overall, if the rumours are true it'll be another disappointing product release from Microsoft.
Deal with It!
Cythrawl
April 26, 2013 at 10:43am
How is the Xbox an 8th generation Console?
This would now be the 3rd Generation of Xbox.
Sirius
April 26, 2013 at 1:33pm
It will be a third generation Xbox, but as far as consoles in general, it will be an 8th generation console. An example of first generation would be the Magnavox Odyssey. Second gen example would be the Atari 2600. Then you get into the third generation with the NES and the SEGA. So on and so forth. When they say the Xbox "720" will be an eighth generation console they are referring to console systems in general.
koenshaku
April 26, 2013 at 10:16am
The windows core and app access alone is quite enticing. If it is always online to play a game however then PS4 for me.
middlehead
April 26, 2013 at 10:11am
A Windows core is fine, but requiring always-on internet will cost them my money. I do have a reliable 10MB internet connection so it's unlikely that I would be negatively affected by the requirement, but it's the principle of the thing.
andrewc513
April 26, 2013 at 12:27pm
Well the thing to remember is that it's a double edged sword. *You* could have zero downtime ever, but you're still screwed if Microsoft's servers go down.
Warrior247
April 26, 2013 at 9:55am
"the need of an active Internet connection in order for the console to be usable."
This is the stupidest feature to ever put in a console. M$ has just alienated any and all gamers that don't have an internet connection by default! Count those as lost sales. If this is "true" and not spelled out to the consumer, expect ALOT of returns for M$'s hardware. M$ has been on the bad end of some bad decisions and has had to reverse themselves. Like putting the start button back in Windows 8. This is one of those decisions that they'll reget.
Sirius
April 26, 2013 at 1:48pm
They are putting the start button back, not the menu. That's hardly a reversal. It's nothing more than a graphical representation of where you would already click to access the Start Screen. Putting the button back along with the traditional menu tree would be a reverse. I don't miss either honestly. But to each their own. Always going to be someone that completely dislikes something you like and vice versa. As for always on Internet, it's merely a rumor. And more than likely it won't be required to actually play the games. I suspect it's more likely to be needed to "activate" the games.
jgottberg
April 26, 2013 at 9:32am
Yeah.... No thanks. If it really is based on the Windows core, I definitely won't be remotely interested. Like all Windows-based machines, the 720 will be subject to the same hacks and attacks as a PC. Factor in AV/firewall and what you have is a gaming console with a lot of overhead.
The always on Internet connection is a non-issue IMO. My PS3 is always connected now, what's the difference? I can't remember a time I needed to turn off my connection for any reason. I must be missing something.
Gezzer
April 26, 2013 at 9:38pm
IMHO there's a few factors at work hear.
First off of course is any user that doesn't have a reliable connection. It pretty much makes playing a coin toss for them in the best of conditions. Or not playing at all in the worst.
Secondly when you consider all the horror stories that abound due to always on DRM. The fact that not just your game, but your whole console and thereby you ability to enjoy it, are potentially held hostage by this prerequisite and that adds more people to the growing mob. It seems like you have to have MS's permission before your allowed to play.
But lastly when you add the fact that a lot of gamers are getting tired of how we're more and more having our choices dictated to us with arrogant responses such as "Deal with it" and I think that's where the majority of naysayers come in.So how else do you send a message that we're not just going to "Deal with it" because we have no other choice? Don't buy into it is how, and all of a sudden their ability to dictate is eliminated and they think twice about being so high handed the next time.
If there is a next time that is.
DarkStarX
April 26, 2013 at 10:35am
For most people it shouldn't make any difference, but requiring it would basically exclude anyone who doesn't have broadband or one variety or another.
Beyond that why should someone need to be connected to the net to play a single player game? And as annoying as getting dropped from an online game if your connection gets wonky it would be absolutely infuriating if the same thing would happen in single player games.
Paper Jam
April 26, 2013 at 8:45am
Where you at, Wario247? Looks like you would have something to say now that the 720 looks to be a true PC with a dumbed-down version of Windows, x86 architecture, and Radeon graphics. Except, of course, that these parts won't be able to be swapped out, and the OS will be gimped and less capable than actual full Windows 8. But it's a console, so that makes it superior, right?
Warrior247
April 26, 2013 at 9:36am
The idiot train has come to a stop and a couple of fools jumped off. It's funny now to see PC fantards embracing the much hated console as the second coming of the "PC" while the gaming industry can't stamp the PC out fast enough! What's that, it has a drive? But I thought you said... Bah! Nevermind, what you say is not important or even accurate! Once M$ *AHEM* "announces", the players "that matter" will have all entered the next gen race. So games and launch dates are the order of business from here! Has anybody seen or heard of Steam's fartbox? What about smelled it? Must be downwind, waaaay downwind.
Paper Jam
April 26, 2013 at 4:48pm
@Wario247
So are you saying you love it or hate it? I saw you ranting but I didn't see you address the fact that it will be built from PC components, and have a PC OS.
And I saw where you besmirched MS for requiring always-on internet. How can this be? The Xbox is a console. You worship at the alter of all things console. Or is it because the Xbox is no longer a true console? You know, having PC parts and Windows and all.
PubstarHero
April 26, 2013 at 11:13am
Not sure if just trolling but I'll bite:
Isn't LoL the most played game in the world? And if you're a pro gamer, the best way to make money is off of MOBAs and RTS?
Warrior247
April 26, 2013 at 11:50am
Played game, or "games"?!! Didn't WoW and the many versions of The Sims have this stigma a few years back? Being soooo popular that nothing else in the genre or on the platform mattered or even registered on the ricter scale? On the PC, didn't they hold like 6 out of the top 10 spots? Did any of that help the PC? Nope! From what I understand there is ALOT of cheating and looking the other way in LoL. What makes a "pro gamer"? Is it competeting or pay? Look, the industry has been showing it's @$$ to the PC for years now and I see nothing changing. It is what it is.
PubstarHero
April 26, 2013 at 4:32pm
There is some glitch abuse, but I rarely see it. Other than that, since all the state information is held server side, you can't really cheat.
As for the second part, competing and getting paid. I played a bit of competitive stuff back in the day, just not so much anymore. Trying to get back up to my old skill level in DotA 2, maybe get competitive with that again. Either way, consoles are garbage. I only use them when training to EVO/SBO (neither of which I've even made past qualifiers, sadly).
Warrior247
April 26, 2013 at 5:06pm
Abuse? I actually can't think of a AAA PC game this year or last that didn't have some sort of massive problem at launch. Playing competition or being paid means what? Exactly. Consoles are the backbone of the industry and have supplanted the PC long ago in terms of gaming. It's not even a contest anymore. The plug has been pulled on Retail PC games and it's all but dead. The body is still twitching, but all over.
captainjack
April 26, 2013 at 9:16am
Haven't seen much of Warrior in the past few weeks. My guess is he discovered how much fun PC games are and he hasn't had time to do anything else.
TommM
April 26, 2013 at 8:35am
Although I'm not even remotely interested in console gaming, I'm really not getting the angst over the "always connected" requirement that people are voicing.
If you have cable or satellite TV, your TV is always connected. If you have a cell/smart phone you're always connected. If you have a computer at home you're always connected. Your computer at work is always connected. If you have a tablet you're always connected depending on if you have the wifi version or not.
It's just the way it is these days. You want to play with tech toys? Then you need to be connected.
Neufeldt2002
April 26, 2013 at 9:23am
The difference here TommM is that all the products you mention will still work if they are not connected. Sure there may be limited function but you don't need a cable or satellite connection for a TV to work if you watch DVD's or play a game through a console now. A basic cell phone is dependent on your provider, but a smart phone or tablet can work with out a sim card you just can't use certain functions. But a console that has to have a connection to function is useless if you don't have a reliable connection or no connection at all. Until they actually say what the limitations are for the always connected device is we have no idea, but if it is the worst case scenario where nothing works without that connection then everyone has a right to be upset. MS by keeping quiet on this whole subject isn't helping the situation.
TommM
April 26, 2013 at 10:35am
Understood and thanks for pointing it out, but I think your examples aren't realistic. People who have no cable/satellite or even on-air connection for their TV? Maybe if you're out in a cabin in the middle of nowhere and just relying on DVD's for entertainment. What's the percentage of people that fit into that category? Using smart phones (especially) and tablets without a connection? The whole point of those devices is so you can be connected via phone or internet. You take away their connectivity and what you're left with is a bad version of a hand-held game player, calculator and at most, a very expensive Kindle.
I really don't get the concern over it. Users now have 10 different devices that are somehow/someway connected to the net and it's OK. Now another device is requiring it (coincidentally from Microsoft) and it's all of a sudden a problem. Not to mention you turn it off and you're not connected anymore just like any other electronic device. It's not like it's going to be on 24/7.
I think a lot of people are just using this (potential) requirement to bitch about MS which is one of the world's favorite things to do. And in the end they'll buy the console anyway.
Paper Jam
April 26, 2013 at 5:01pm
I'm not happy because of the motivation for the always-on connection. MS is attempting to kill the used game market, most likely at the request of the game companies. They will say it is to combat piracy, but that is just an excuse. And as a side effect, we will no longer be able to borrow or swap games with friends, nor will we be able to rent games.
DarkStarX
April 26, 2013 at 10:54am
"Understood and thanks for pointing it out, but I think your examples aren't realistic. People who have no cable/satellite or even on-air connection for their TV?"
Well not only are there game consoles in vans, RV, campers and cabins, all without high speed internet access, but that's also beside the point.
The point is that you can still use your tv without a cable connection, you just wont have cable, but you can watch dvds, play games (if the console doesn't require an always on connection) and many other things. The same thing goes for cellphones, sure usability is limited but when you switch your phone or tablet into airplace mode you can still use it to match a movie or read a book that is stored on it.
In addition to the above situations, and in addition to tossing any chance of a sale to those without a broadband connection, it would make single player games suffer from some of the same problems people have with multiplayer games.
Getting dropped from a multiplayer game because your connection got wonky is annoying, but having the same thing happen to single player games, when there is no reason for it, would probably result in someone setting fire to Microsoft's HQ.
Finally, I have relatives in NYC, and after Sandy hit they lost their high speed internet for more than two weeks, and constantly up and down for almost another month and yet as soon as power was restored people were able to use their entertainment devices, but if this feature was built into them they would have been screwed.
Warrior247
April 26, 2013 at 9:22am
Always connected? Always charged out of the @$$ too. There is no "need" to do this to a console. Gamers will regret it.
Pball1224
April 26, 2013 at 8:12am
If the rumors are true, then it's unlikely I'll be buying. The always online requirement sucks, as does the doubling of the xbox live gold price. I don't utilize live enough to justify the price now!
Paper Jam
April 26, 2013 at 8:36am
They're doubling the price of XBL? If I wasn't already leaving the platform, this would/could be the final straw.
middlehead
April 26, 2013 at 10:08am
No, they increased it a while back. I don't think it was quite double, but it was a significant jump.
sundropdrinker3
April 26, 2013 at 3:22pm
What are you people smoking? It's still less than $50. Well, $50 at Walmart, and $48 at a few other places. It's still the same price as it was when it first came out.
wh3resmycar
April 26, 2013 at 2:27am
as long as you're not making a new sale, devs don't get paid.
well you can fool yourself thinking your doing good by doin it but you're not.
Engelsstaub
April 26, 2013 at 12:14am
I know it's only a rumor at this point (the always-online BS,) but I would be inclined to believe it. Mostly based on the fact that I've put up with similar MS-BS since three weeks after the 360 launched.
If it's true it makes no sense at all. Piracy is not a huge problem with consoles as it is with PCs. I only know one person who had a modded 360 (lives in the Netherlands.) Dude got busted almost immediately when he tried to play online with it. MS booted his ass off XBL for a really long time.
That's alright. I'll buy a different console for the household and go right back to playing occasional games on PC. The only time I personally yearn for a console is when games like GTA come out and I don't want to wait six pheckin' months for it to hit PC. (By then all the little fucksticks have gleefully told you all of the spoilers because they think they're such clever trolls.)
germanogre
April 25, 2013 at 11:24pm
I thought MS just recently officially stated that they were not considering always-online for the new Xbox. Could be I misread whatever article said that.
Engelsstaub
April 26, 2013 at 12:06am
Last I heard their response was one of "neither confirm nor deny."
AFDozerman
April 25, 2013 at 10:39pm
Wow! An X86 based system with radeon graphics and a windows NT kernel based OS! Give it a dual booted BSD based OS and you'll have the exact same setup I do, with the exception that mine was built in '09 and still blows it out of the water!
kerndaddy
April 25, 2013 at 10:15pm
this console generation me and the wife skipped the playstation 3 and had 2 360's online. this one coming up we are freaking DONE with Microsoft and getting ps4's. unless of course sony makes the same idiotic decision as Microsoft and goes always online. than forget consoles all together. but I will quit gaming all together if these greedy companies continue to pursue this idiotic always online crap.
fung0
April 26, 2013 at 9:26am
The real choice is between closed, proprietary platforms and open, accessible ones. You need to stop supporting ANY of the former, if you expect to see real choice and innovation. Your logical alternative to the Xbox '720' is not the near-identical PS4, but a Steambox, an Ouya, or even a PC with Windows 7 (which at least remains an open software marketplace, for now).
Consoles are the fast-food chains of computing. They'll never be nourishing, never be cost-effective, always produce evil externalities. And they'll always appeal only to people who haven't really thought about the alternatives.
