everyone knows by now what happened with the Xbox. once the 360 came out Microsoft stopped supporting it. PS2 is STILL going strong and if the Xbox 3 is released any time soon the 360 will lose the console war. lol who am i kidding. 360 has already lost. PlayStation always wins. PS1 beat the N64. Dreamcast came out and failed, as soon as the PS2 was announced. the PS2 then went on to slaughter the GameCube and the Xbox, in terms of sales and games. Sony won with Blu-ray, they'll win with yet another PlayStation console. the Wii will even beat the 360 in the end.

360 is already beginning to fail. look at the line-up for 08 and i rest my case lol

Very poorly written bit of speculation - weak arguments with incorrect information put forward as facts.

2/10 - see me.

I think by Xbox 3, they mean slim version of 360, same thing that Sony did in two previous generations. And this makes cheaper to produce consoles.
When it comes to Xbox "720" if MS releases it sooner that 2011 they are only going to hurt themselves, they can't hurt Sony one bit. They should concentrate about selling 360 in Europe and Japan, especially in EU, market that is similar to USA when it comes to gaming taste, and yet in over 2 years they sold only 4 million consoles, that is pathetic and PS3 will surpass them in couple of months. And what about Japan? Will Japanese even care about xbox 720 if they dont make a name out of 360(to release more original 360 JRPGs). I hope MS releases Xbox 720 tomorrow, because they will put themselves in grave with that move.

"The following is just speculative fun." "And rememeber that for just about every new product area that Microsoft has entered, it is their third generation of that product that gives them world domination" Xbox 3 won't be happening till 2011,2012 the latest. 360 dominating right now

So all the people who bought a 360 will get shafted like the first xbox users.

The best thing about the xbox360 is xbox live, my hope would be that ms stop making hardware and instead focuses on live as a platform in its self. It would be cool if all the next generation of consoles had live on them.

As for ms bringing out a new console early, i think nintendo has changed the console race. They have shown that you dont need super exspensive hardware to be succesful and make a profit. Ms bringing out a new super console so soon would bomb big time and cost a lot of money to support, third party devs would not even consider it over the current gen consoles. This would leave sony in really good position as they would be able to release there next gen ps console years later. It would be more powerful, take advantage of more advance tech, be at a high price but they know how to reduce cost and return to profit, their brand would have more integrity as people will know the would not bring out a new conole again in a couple of years. Sony has also shown that their consoles have legs and sell well even in the face of a newer console. I dont think that the next ps console though will be a superpowerful beast, i think it will be aimed at both the hardcore and casual gamer. I would hope for a few more cells in it and the memory for the cells shine.

bit of a rant and a little messy but i'm busy with my baby girl.

but i think ms should hold out as long as possible so they can add more features and make it the ultimate tv companion

i want a blu-ray player for hd movies
i want a large 500 gig hd
i want it to talk to other devices so it needs bluetooth
i want to be able to record tv programes on to disc / 500 gig hd
i want it to display information about my boller / alarm system and to be able to change settings from the comfort of my tv, maybe some bluthtooth light switches for lighting control if they exist that is
i want it to display a message when the door bell rings and to auto switch to a camera on the front door

internet browsing / karaoke machine / jukebox

360 is not well designed.doesn't mean it doesn't have good games.but the system was a disaster on release because of:

cheap parts.
rushing R&D.
customers having to pay a premium for cheap parts instead of having a choice of third party products.
and then in the end,the company itself having to pay for those cheap parts to avoid a recall/class action lawsuit.

the xbox was designed well for the most part with the hard drive included.but the system couldn't be scaled down to make microsoft a profit.and microsoft didn't learn from the first mistake and jumped the gun to try and beat sony to the masses in the second round.without considering nintendo's next gen response:the wii.

a third system launched too early will effectively kill any chance of making profit on 360(over seven billion lost so far since xbox 1).making it the second time microsoft abandons its fanbase.and making gamers like myself ***NOT*** buy the 360 after the first shafting.releasing a 3rd will make others jump ship like i did the first time.

i'm all for next gen tech.but what about third parties?is microsoft going to FUND the projects that third parties are going to make on 720?big gun games already cost 10 million or more to make.the biggest games in the 30 to 50 million range.it will cost more than that to outdo what we already see on 360 and ps3.EA could do it.activision could do it.even companies like square,capcom or konami could do a game.but if the game bombs,what happens to our favorite companies?

microsoft would be asking third parties to risk suicide in the next round because there is no safety net.the cost would be too high to bare.it's why nintendo went low tech and makes profits on hardware as well as software.yes,wii is a gamecube with a new controller.but it makes nintnedo MEGA money.

microsoft would have to be very innovative and release a powerful,well designed,toshiba made system with touch that costs no more than $250.touch WILL be the next thing next to hands off play like PSEYE.hardcore like myself may not like it.but that's what the casual market will look for.hardcore can no longer be relied on to make games for.

but microsoft may have no choice but to release early again,because it looks like it's inevitable that nintendo will sustain the lead because everyone,including myself,was getting tired of the same type of gameplay being remade over and over.same madden.sames tekken.same old same old.

the japanese figured they had enough.and moved on to protables and wii.and now because of wii,the market has shifted.it's not that they won't buy ps3 or 360.but gamers are no longer in a RUSH to get high priced tech just to have FUN.

mag lev........................... .........

How will it kill the 360 if Microsoft brought out a new gen console?
The PS2 is selling amazingly since the launch of PS3.
Yes Microsoft dropped the original Xbox, it was way to expensive to make from day one, they lost money per console.
Thats not whats going to happen this time. The 360 will continue on while theres a new super powerful console available to buy. I say, where does that leave SONY and their CELL.
You guys say itll kill Microsoft! I dont think so, come on, if it was a really powerfull machine huge specs and some real innovative new ideas, 5inch LCD Wireless controllers 500gig hard drive 360 compatibility amoung other things, wouldnt you want one? Thought you guys were Hardcore gamers, let the casuals have the 360 and PS3...
Its Business.....

If M$ really wants to succeed.

Make the next Xbox as powerful graphically and a CPU as powerful as the PS4 and release it at the same time with a cheaper price.

It's impossible, but its the the only way to seriously win.

MS will see the XB360 adoption rate slowing. The PS3 picking up steam. Only one way to fight it. Drop the XB360 and introduce the XB720. Remember they are not into this to make money. They are losing Billions on this market. They only need to kill of high end consoles from eating into Vista Home / Media Center sales. If high end consoles like the PS3 takes hold in the living room replacing media center - then it is revenue lost. That is why they make the XB360 DEPEND on media center PC's. They make money on that side. But the PS3 can take that revenue stream away - hence - it must be killed. The Wii does not threaten that market - so they are quite happy to co-exist with the Wii.

IF MS wanted to make money - then the original XBox was killed of too early - but that is not the plan. If the XB360 loses steam - then they will have to kill it and bring in the next version. The big problem then would be that they will see them and Sony being half a gen apart - with each console dominating 2-3 years of the generation. So the best strategy would be to drop the price of the incumbent XB to absurd levels to block adoption of a new PS in the next gen - and have a 2-3 year head start.

Once again - the market must realize - they are not in this market for us - they are in it to protect their cash cows. When they killed of the incumbents - expect them to double the price in order to move gaming over to Windows.

Does this website post ANYTHING that isn't speculation? give me some damn facts!

i see a bunch of people making comments like this is happening for real.

jesus, this site is full of sheep that will start churning out tripe as fact

"M$ is going to kill gaming by doing this, they should have stayed in the pc market"

uhhh, they arent. its an speculative article, if you even know what that word means.

the 360 doesn't have the library or the staying power the PS2 had, if they release the xbox 3 most likely people will buy that and drop the 360/buy a PS3.

I'm looking forward to the next Xbox, but I'm enjoying my 360 a lot. Having a new one come out at the end of 2009 is unnecessary. I hope it comes out at the end of 2010 or later.

Look at this quote from his article:

"The Microsoft (MSFT) Xbox 360 is very, very well designed. Part of this design genius is ease of manufacture and potential for cost reduction. So I see this console as having a ten year life. This should easily see it up to 2015."

Seriously, even if you're the blindest of Microsoft's lemmings, you'd have to be pretty f|_|cking clueless to buy this crap.

Sure, it's a well-designed machine, it just has a 33% failure rate, no biggy. It's also as loud as hell, but whatever.
/end sarcasm

Now, if he'd argued points such as the 360's games library, then i'd understand, because, right now, the 360 has the most, and, depending on your tastes, arguably the best games. It's also home to overrated pieces of crap, but that's another matter.

He could have even argued that the 360 has the better online service. I mean, it's not £50 a month better than PSN, but still, it's cool.

What i'm trying to say is, this guy put forward the wrong arguments, and then backed them up with incorrect facts, which is pretty stupid.

My guess - yet another facet of viral marketing.

That was just rich...needed that!

The success of the xbox 360... yes, there is a success story with the xbox 360 though many xbox 360 haters would like to paint it as a failure... but 17 Million and a possible 50-60 million by the time the next xbox comes out is not failure on any business book. those people represent the marketshare Sony had and if the xbox 360 wouldn't exist would have... No one here.. microsoft hater or not can say that the xbox 360 is not doing better than the original xbox... if microsoft plays their cards right... and continue to drop the xbox 360 price and be Sony a run for their money; they will be creating a strong fanbase that will cross right into the next xbox... primarily because of xbox live... it's a service that will be carried between console generations... continue to grow on the platforms... make sure that BC is as much as it can be... when the next xbox is released is going to have hundreds if not thousands of xbox live arcade games.. hundreds of xbox live original, bunch of demos... thounsands of movies... XNA framework will be stablished...

Lots of xbox 360 haters usually talk about Sony's ability to lower the price of the PS3 and dropping the price of the PS3 to $299 and how the xbox 360 would be in trouble... where is your logic? what make you think that if Sony is able to drop the price of the PS3 to $299 microsoft can't drop the price of the xbox 360 to $149? The xbox 360 was released like 1 year before.. the components cost a lot less.... many of you believe that only Sony can reduce cost... Anyone can... and microsoft is on better possition to do just that... so, why is microsoft not dropping the price? well.. even after Sony dropping the price of the PS3 to even cheaper than the elite.. PS3 is still not selling better than the xbox 360 in america... true.. the PS3 may be selling better than the xbox 360 in other countries like japan and germany... but isn't obvious that their primary demographic is the US? why do you think the marketplace does not exist in many of those countries? answer is simple... the problem they are having with xbox live... they just wouldn't be able to handle the demand...
I was told that the reason why xbox live is having problem is because microsoft is upgrading xbox live.. which explains why many people aren't having problem... and in order to add new servers they have to shut down certain servers down.. causing people to lose service... that they are preparing the service for something big... who knows.. maybe free xbox live? adding marketplace in other regions? who knows... we will see...

Fable and Halo 2 were released in the fall of '04 with the 360 launched at the end of '05...now Fable 2 and Gears 2 will be released fall of '08 with a 720 release at the end of '09...they will use Gears 3 as bait for purchasing a 720 and hold it over the heads of consumers for a couple years just like Halo 3...Halo 4 will be the "Gears" for the 720 and will release fall of 2010, one year after the 720 launch...all speculation, I know...call me jcpachter...lol

what i dont get is how you sony guys are saying that if MS released a new xbox people would get upset, drop the 360 an buy a PS3. NO NON NO, because anyway it goes the 360 still has the better games library AND this system will do things that neither of the current systems can do an people would be really hard pressed NOT to get the new system, especially if the new systems make games like crysis look like a mario game. but for whatever reason you guys are still trying to will people into buying a PS3. MOST people are into the latest an greatest like me. if a new system came out next year why would i pay 3-400 for a PS3 when i can pay 500 for a system that will blow the PS3 an the 360 away without even trying plus its the NEWEST tech that i can brag about that i have, think about that!!

last thing you guys say that sony is supporting the PS2 for ten years, so has fell into some good cercumbstances. because of the power of the wii developers can developer games for either the PS2 or the wii without a problem thus extending the PS2 even further. if the PS2 an the wii wasnt compatible graphically developers would only have the PS2 to dev for a how many big games have come out for the PS2.remember Mark Reign said there was no money to be made with that wii tech(PS2),I know they were talking about with their engine but there not the only company that sells or makes engines. GOW2 was the last PS2 game that meant anything. you guys blast MS for dropping the xbox1 but nobody talkies about nintendo for dropping the gamecube. theres no more gamecube games being made but nobody talks about that!!the PS2 was the most successfull system last gen thats why its still around, the xbox 1 an the gamecube wasnt thats why there dead, simple as that!!

Especially based on attach rate and with that, there's no way their going to release a new Xbox system until atleast 2011, also MS has already said their going to continue 360 sales even after the next X comes out. It's in the MS exec.s posting on this site.

No way it will happen soon, remember MS has plans for the IPTV (Media Room) to be in everyone's homes and their working on this now and as it's being played out it's going well and will take a few years, so 2011 is still looking good, maybe 2012 even but not before 2011.

m$ is money making machine they do not care about people, they manipulate them into thinking what they want so in the end they can make more money.
I have ps1,ps2 and got ps3 not long ago and one thing I know is that Im not gonna get f*cked over. indeed like someone said already playstation got soul. Im using windows for 10years now and I always disliked it, but because there isnt anything better for a gamer on the market I just have to stick with it.

they probably wont release anything until 2010 and frankly I dont care what m$ does, I always loved ps and it has proven to me that it is truly a gaming console that becomes a part of your life.

You can see how hard Sony is trying to make consumers content with everything they do, adding new things all the time straggling to prove ones again that they are there for people not only money. they got my respect and if this makes me a fanboy then im proud to be one.

EDIT: Daytone you are deluded person who got brainwashed by m$ bs.
if you really think xbox is most profitable you are really stupid and I dont even know why Im replying to most idiotic comment I heard this week.
They already replaced 40%(not exact number) xboxes they sold thanks to rrod, how can you think a roughly 18mil install base is most profitably?
ps2 sold over 120mil consoles world wide and STILL! outsalling xbox360 in some regions... you need to think for yourself and stop m$ think for you.

MS doesn't the technology yet to move up
OLED is the next step up and Sony developed it and produced it first
so totally a lie.
This new console they are supposedly making I heard was just to fix the reliability problems.
Besides Sony can just do a firmware upgrade and get the technology delivered to the PS3 for free while MS has to make a totally new console.
So even if they did develop another console it won't matter because Sony is 2 steps above them every single time.
Sony will just keep delivering fire until the 360 is completely dead.

Bad idea. People want their consoles to last at least a little while. They'll start buying PS3s instead of the new console knowing that they will still get good games (alah PS2) but not have to pay a premium for years to come.

To each his own, but I know where to find the games that wow me. Playstation.

I won't be surprised to see MS come in third place this gen. Just wait... I think there is a big amount of American pride with the 360. Americans like American product, and Xbox360 fits the bill, however the Japanese don't buy it. That's a worthwhile market they are missing out on. If the Japanese liked it, they may have sold another 3 million units on top of what they have done now.

But what about the people that already own Xbox360s? Japanese and Europeans are less tolerant to the Xbox360, there is no American pride in it for them. When it breaks down, they get annoyed. I have that many disc read errors and freezes that I HOPE it red rings, so I can return it for a WORKING console. I am most certainly NEVER buying an MS console again. I've been absolutely burned by the 360, and I've never owned anything as unreliable in my life.

I can't even sell it on ebay or anything because I'm scared the minute I sell it, it will red ring on someone and I'll get the comeback for it, and I certainly wouldn't wish something this skittish on anyone. Honestly, in a 2 or 3 hour gaming session, I get about 2 disc read errors and sometimes a freeze

Microsoft´s Xbox3 "Could" be an even bigger disaster.

So far, they haven't even shown that they can sell as many 360s as they did Xbox1. All "American pride" aside (believe me, there's plenty of Americans who will not go anywhere near a Microsoft product), are they that desperate that they have to start leaking stories now about a possible successor? Are they giving up on the 360 in an even shorter record time than they did the first one?

This is what MS has always wanted to bring to the gaming industry: an endless cycle of hardware upgrades, poor service, and buggy software. Basically, the PC.

the guy is "speculating."so we as gamers are "speculating" on what would happen.

some say microsoft is so profitable with 360.but i don't see any articles or news conferences that microsoft made up that 7+ billion in losses between xbox and 360.microsoft made a profit "ONE" quarter last year.and that's because halo3 released in september along with other games.

does anyone know of a game that will sell as big as halo for the next six months?anybody?that's right.there aren't any.not having a stable online means people can't buy off of xbox live.having systems that break means gamers can't just run out and get a new game because they are waiting on their system to come back from the shop.

the next round,microsoft had better think real hard.not "BACKPEDDLE" on every issue.and then try to fix it.

1080p
larger hard drive
hdmi
motion control
larger disc medium
and to go along with it,the right,leading FORMAT.
changing the 360 to black to copy the competition.(elite)

everything i listed above,sony got right THE FIRST TIME.they got hammered for it.but the egg is now on the faces of fanboys because sony thought ahead and made an all in one system that's upgradeable and works like a charm with new unproven tech.

ken k. may have had a hard time expressing what he was trying to do with his systems to the "ENGLISH SPEAKING" public.but you can't deny that again(ps2 from ps1),and again(psp),and again(ps3),he knew what he was talking about.

future proof systems that are upgradeable like pcs,without buying new hardware.and getting around moores law by having multiple chips working together in ps3.psp and ps3 prove those theories through firmware and design.

if anything,microsoft needs to talk to him and find out what's next.

mag lev........................

starting with: "The Microsoft (MSFT) Xbox 360 is very, very well designed."

WTF is this guy talking about?!?!

i knew right then, the rest of this article would be total bs and i was right.

Go ahead, shoot yourself in the foot.

hey mag, you said does anybody know of a game that will sell as big as halo 3, i hope you were including the PS3 in that also. hell the PS3 has yet to have a game that sold as much as gears has. an all this sony has got right the fisrt time. where are they !! still last place selling the least amount of games on top of that!!

Kwertie, everytime i see guys that say my 360 JUST RROD or i JUST sold it for a PS3, its kinda hard to believe these people especially when they dont have there gamertag posted on this site. how do we even know you telling the truth because we all know how much fud be spreaded on this site!! you cant sell it on Ebay. come on guy you can sell WATER on ebay.

the 360 launched in 2005 this is 2008 the 360 is almost 3 years old, if they release a new box in 2010 thats the STANDARD 5 years cycle thats been going on for years. the PS1 was released in 1995 the PS2 in 2000 the PS2 was SUPPOSED to be 2005 but got delayed to 2006, but you can see the trend so dont try an dog MS for doing the norm.

http://www.islandnet.com/~k...

heres a little timeline so you can see how the console industry has been going EVERY 5 yeras.

That would be the dumbest think MS could do if they released a new Xbox next year. This gen of gaming is still getting starting also stating the fact that the next console would no doubt cost more then anything else out right now.

Making a new console is almost saying I give up this round and if the PS3 does last 10 years which it probably will if you look at how the PS2 is still doing most people would probably flock to that or stick with the old 360.

MS could be leaking this FUD to get press and take people's mind off of Sony and their inevitable success this year, since they realize there's no way of actually beating them this generation...the 3rd time has always been a charm at MS...and they even brag about it...the 360 is about mindshare...if Gears 2 was on the PS3 I would be done with 360...and online gaming is now a PS3 only thing for me...you can get 30 bucks for a Halo 3 trade in at GameStop...ask me how I know...tell me somethin' good MS...

I won't buy an Xbox 720 or whatever its called until 2011, that time is when my 360 would be very old. I always buy a new console a year or two after launch.

Xbox3 ? bahahahha World domination? did I read that right? The guy who wrote this is a MASSIVE TOOL.

Alaways Bigger stronger and just More, eg. Car Industry of the 60-70's but Bigger stronger more never really wins Hello Toyota~

But if this dosent SCREAM M$ killing console's with PC US style thinking i dont know what dose.
but dose say Dam SONY sure out thought us with PS3.

And then announce x720 on e3 2009. =)) Release that system in the fall of 2009.

But i think, new x720 will come in 2010. That would be LOGICAL
With 199$ premium price, you will be able to get CHEAP HD experience, and unless Sony will figth with more agressive price cut, there will be arounf 35-45 mln. x360 sold by the end of 2010.
That`s much more then 25 mln. of 1st xbox.

All M$ need in this generation, increase it`s user base. They are not going to win, and i think, they are even not dreaming to win, just like with HD DVD blu-ray war, they just were interested making that war longer, not winning.

Those who had FUN with x360 and first xbox, might buy new x720 in 2010. Maybe even in 2009 - 4 years of good HD gaming.

I think M$ made it`s user base. That was their main target. Now, all they need, is to make money on gaming. They still are in 4-6 bln. $ loss.

i already hate M$ and if this were to happen you people would see why- they dont care about their consumers one bit and there is a lot of proof of this

anyway, M$ sucks at hardware(and now software too) and sony owns all my favorite IP's- plus i like sony much more because they are always reliable and ooze innovation (rolly, aibo, PS1 etc etc) and they have some of the most ambitious men in the world working for them or were working for them (if it wasnt for ken kutaragi the ps3 wouldn't have blu-ray and the cell- what a legend)

the sooner mac takes over windows the better and the playstation will always be the console of choice (although that is what they said about nintendo, but i and many others refuse to buy M$ products anymore so only a different company could take over the gaming market with another console)

"Xbox 3 shall have world domination!!" Get out of here.

coming out in late 2009-the year everything goes HD

a smart business move will support the 360 2 years after the xbox3 is out...

xbots have some imagination, but very little brain.
just like the HDDVD losers, they are now cornered and facing a massive payback tsunami so they're more and more desperate, idiotic and irrational. C'mon xbots, it's time to face your fate with calm and dignity, you had your shot, you're about to get pawned. All this nonsense noise is entertaining though, I'll admit...

You people are just a laughing stock.

Fact: There are more than twice the Xbox 360s in the world than PS3.
Fact: Xbox LIVE makes PSN look like 56k dial-up gaming.
Fact: People spend more on Xbox 360 products (hardware & software) than wii and PS3 combined.
Fact: The attach rate, and thus the developer interest (ie: game sales) is highest.

Please, you people, if you want to speculate, go right ahead. But the reality is that the PS3 is FAR FAR behind in every metric to the Xbox 360, and there is no reason to think that it will catch up. None.

Even if the sales are roughtly even (as they seem to be ATM), the Xbox 360 is still +10 Million ahead.

I mean really, you guys are _guessing_ or _predicting_ or _hoping_ something changes, at this point, the PS3 is trailing in third by a long shot.

Dont imagine otherwise.

consoles are not investments,games are.

SO MUCH FOR THE 360 AS THE "most reliable" CONSOLE!!!

Sheesh, the 360 is barely 2 years old and people are already discussing a new Xbox? How expensive would it be? Last year...hell THIS year still, people are bashing the PS3 for costing too much. How much would a new Xbox cost?

Wageslave, have you forgot that the 360 has been out for much longer than the wii and ps3. Of course there gonna be ahead in most areas, people had no other alternative. No they do though so we'll see if the 360 can keep it's lead over the ps3. The wii doesn't count, it's in a league of it's own.

Ya if Microsoft digs really really really deep into their pocket book and construct an out of this world Next NEXT Gen gAMING CONSOLE. Its definately not going to be a walk in the park considering the engineers they hire.

wow a new console already?? I've had my 360 since day on in 05, but now with blu-ray victory, I could see myself buying a ps3 for the blu-ray....but if there is ever a little talk of a new xbox by next year...HELL YEAH, i'm in!! it will be at least 3 more years before Sony puts out a ps4... so another xbox by end of 2009 will be the Ultimate gaming machine with no compitition for like 2 years and could easily blow the 360 and ps3 in terms of cgu and gpu.

on a side note..... since PS3 is looking way more attractive than the 360 due to blu-ray (and this coming from a xbox owner/fan) M$ should start using thier best advantage..PRICE.

IMO....M$ should eliminate all other sku's and just stick with the arcade with the memory card, wireless controllers, 5 arcade games but include the HD cables and headset, and bring that down to $199 quickly!!! and just start selling hard drives, different sizes different prices...40gig for $40 and 120gig for $100. People need to see a big difference in price between the 360 and ps3 now more than ever. ( i know it will never happen, and you guys are going to disagree, but that was my opinion)

PS#3 and Wii like 26 million systems combined compared to the 360 with 16 million. But 360 sells 54% of all gaming software.

If you dont want the next installment on consoles, then your not a gamer.

Ive been playing the 360 since launch, so far the best gaming experience have come from the Xbox 360, and if you havent, youve missed out because your blinded by fanboyism.

The way i see it, is if you want something, dont wait for the "next one" in this case the PS4. Why? I dont understand why you would wait, seeing as there is always going to be a bigger and better thing just around the corner.

And for the Sony fans who are saying the 360 owners are gettin shafted, what a load of BS. It seems 360 gamers are the only true gamers if there the only ones who want the next BIG THING. If you would rather play the PS3 for another 6 years before being able to playu something bigger an better thats fine, but those of us who want the best, will want this new xbox.

SONY NOT IN IT FOR THE MONEY?
Sony put soul into there games ?? Lmao.
Im yet to play a game which blows me away on the PS3.
It all looks the same to me, and doesnt justify the extra cost yet.
not like when i played Gears of War, everyone who did was like Wow.

And everyone knows that everyone envolved in the gaming busines does it for money, they might love games, but would they really be doing it if those big profits werent there? i dont think so.

Gaming is always going to be changing, those who want to wait years extra arent gamers. A gamer will want the best there is at the time.

sorry double pst.

I think the 360’s best times have come to an end. Microsoft pushed hard with the software titles and AAA games up until now I think they don’t have much left to offer besides Gears Of War 2. Too bad because the 360 is a great system and I love Xbox Live, there’s just not much to look forward to from this point on. So far the 360 has kicked the PS3’s ass on all fronts but Microsoft has ran out of steam. The only thing MS can do now is desperately try to take all the PS3 exclusives, have a serious price-cut on 360 and just wait out the rest of this generation... Then release the Xbox 720 in 2009.

I think 2008 - 09 will be a good time for PS3 and I’m glad I have one because there’s going to be some good games coming out soon and a lot of exciting things to look forward to.

I’ma bout ready to trade my Wii in for store credit. Nobody plays it here. I’ll wait and check out BRAWL but there’s nothing I’m even remotely interested in coming from Wii.

This "article" is a ridonculous pile of nonsense from some dude who seems to understand the gaming industry slightly less than even the most obnoxious n4g members (I don't mean anyone in specific, just think of that guy who's posts always give you a laugh and then think of someone more ignorant than that guy telling you what the future holds - that's what this "article" makes me think of).

Hahaha! I get a kick out of this every time somebody holds up Halo3 sales as somehow meaningful. The implication is, what, that the game is the best game out there? Wrong, huge sales of Halo3 are a function of exactly 3 things: (1) the simple size of the install base, (2) down-your-throat tens-of-millions-of-dollars marketing, and (3) the degree to which that system is completely pigeonholed into a single franchise. Every 360 owner buys Halo because that's basically what the system is for - except, now what?

I would say "wait and compare sales of MGS4", as it may ship with a similar number of installed PS3s, but even that isn't meaningful. Why? Because every single PS3 owner isn't as desperate to play that single title. It'll have a huge fan base, but then again so will GT5, FFXIII, KZ2, etc.

And as far as #27 "most profitable gaming system is history" - someone's been drinking too much MS marketing koolaid. You seriously can't believe this, can you? What, if you take just the 3 weeks immediately following the release of Halo3, and don't figure in any of the cost of faulty hardware, etc., I guess you can make the numbers say that. Hell, the NES and PS2, among others, generated far more profit (actual, you know, PROFIT), than the 360 will ever come close to.

I'll be honest, while it would annoy me if MS released another console, I'd still probably want it.

They employed a 4 year lifcycle with last gen, so I would'nt be suprised if they did it again. As long as it is 100% backwards compatible, all SKU's had a hard drive, a bluray drive (or HD DVD, I don't care) and had wifi built in, then I'd be one of the firsrt in the que.

HOWEVER, I do agree with the consensus - it would be a death blow to all the advances that the 360 has made over the past couple of years with the brand.

I still think the PS3 is more future proof then the 360 - Seriously if they do make an xbox 3 what could they add other then a more powerful CPU or graphics engine, and what have we learned from the last gen consoles? GFX dont win wars. What happened to the original Xbox will happen to xbox 3, if they go and compete this early in its life. They'll just copy the PS3's features or Wii's. If the PS3 competes with the Xbox 3 then so be it, it wont gain much ground since MS will have to split the the xbox userbase again and inevitability dilute it.

there are no games like gears or halo that will counter any big guns that sony will have.

GT5 has sold 50 million as a series.name a game from microsoft that has sold that much?forza will never sell as much.halo hasn't sold as much.

and if that game isn't big enough for you.MGS4 is exclusive to ps3.and "WILL" sell big in numbers WORLDWIDE.halo can't claim that ability.how many copies did halo sell in japan again?hmmmmm....must be those american or english speaking gamers buying up shooters.

and lets not forget the biggest gun in sony's arsenal:FF series.you know.....YOU KNOW,that this game will sell in the millions.don't even try to discredit this game.one final fantasy will sell consoles.having "TWO" that are exclusive to ps3,means microsoft had better make a deal with the devil to stop both FF games.

final fantasy will single handedly put sony right over microsoft in sales.and ps3 will most likely be $299 to $399 by then.a lower priced 360 won't mean a thing if the system doesn't have FF.and lost oddessy is not it.

it's just like bluray,hd-dvd didn't have the big movies.and we know how that battle went.not saying microsoft won't have big hitters down the line.but nothing like FF.sony knows this.but square definitely knows.because if they release it,it will be a lopsided victory again for sony.it's why square wants an equal amount of system sales for all three.so that they can make money on all three.360 would get run over.nintendo would be fine,because it will most likely get dragonquest.and that series sells better than FF.

but as you saw with the other square article,they don't really care about 360.just wii and ps3.360 is an after thought for them to just make money off of gamers like you.it's why they have pushed sony to get those systems sold so that they can sell FF in big numbers.

does that answer your question?

mag lev.................

You want Mac's to takeover?

Hot damn no way, Apple can keep thier expensive piece of crap for all I care. PC > Mac and all those who say Mac is not buggy or virus free then if it did have 90% of the market share then you would see the same bugs and virus as you do now on Windows OS.

I point you towards these n4g posts from a few months ago - http://www.n4g.com/ps3/News...
http://www.n4g.com/xbox360/...

I think because of this Microsoft will be forced to release and Xbox 3, not choose to, and as a result this will have a counter effect on Microsoft getting market share, actually aiding Sony to greater sales.

Large parts of this article are nonsense. It talks about the 360 lasting till 2015 and then 6 sentences later its discussing the X-Box 3 that will be released next year. Does this guy get paid by someone? Can I work for them too?

is stupid
he dooesnt even know how to write an article

There is absolutely no benefit to MS cutting off the 360. It's install base will keep growing and cutting it off will piss off the people that it fought hard to get, thus making them less likely to buy the new xbox(whenever it comes out). This is plain stupidity.

Ok first of all most of you guys are sounding like a bunch of annoying fanboys and make no sense what so ever...

You guys have to think about this in a business sense of mind.

MS most likely should release their new systems in 2010....I hope not 09 but they may have to. With Sony losing so much money on the ps3 because of how expensive the parts were....they have to wait a lil while longer for them to release a new system...

If MS can build a new system and still carry full backwards compatibility on their current games they would not alienate any of their customer base and probably would have games being developed for it for a few years longer......So why not 2010???

If sony at the earliest can afford to release a system by 2012/13 cuz they want the system to last longer....then wouldnt you think it would be smart for MS to try and get a 2 or 3 year headstart over Sony??

Its common business sense when another company is down on chips then you go for the throat. I hate reading all you kiddies goin how dirty this is and etc....this is business.....kinda dirty like making people buy a blu ray player with their system no??? Ya know making people adopt their system and not have a choice....and you guys can say o it was for the games etc etc...but everyone knows the blu ray players main objective was to take over the DVD format for movies and makes a ton of money and just ended up being a + for games because of their CD size.

I dont know about most of you guys but I dont like having the same system for longer then half a decade.....sry I like to evolve and not sit in the past.....Hell everything is already outdated in the systems except for the cell...which is its own thing and no one really knows what to do with it....... but both systems are basically restrained and already behind the power of pcs....like really the video cards in the consoles alone are far enough behind....and the wireless.....hard drives.....ram etc etc etc

So if MS can make a new system for 2010? and be totally backwards compatible....Then why not????? Sry but the more of lead they have over new systems then the better.....This is how companies win with electronics and software....so grow up and open your eyes...

And FYI the hardcore gamers know they want new systems at least every 5 years and so do most gamers who have had systems since the NES...and this is jus part of their 5 year plan that most systems have....

Just because sony doesnt have enough money to be pumpn out another system in a 5/6 year plan...doesn't mean that we should all have to sit back and watch technology and evolution pass us by......

So yea that my 2 cents and is totally unbiased since... I dont care..... its just the truth

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooo yea if you can make a comment that actually makes sense and gives us reason why a system in 2010 doesnt make sense I would like to hear it...but read my comments first.

Always forget to add in the other competition in their equations. Microsoft supporters here just think that Sony or Nintendo will just sit idle while Microsoft just freely changes strategies is stupid. Sony did do a fantastic job shaving costs of the PS3 while maintaining the quality of the hardware. I wouldn't be surprise if a PS3 slim is already on the table with reduce costs.

Sony can play the price war game as well in 2009-2011. Sure Microsoft could come with a new console around that time but Sony could easily just thrust the PS3 into cheap mode as well. Could change up their sku's to better compete against the machine. For instance, more memory and a larger Hard drive or even a SSD flash base for better performance since large flash drives should be abundant and cheap 2-3 years from now. Sony could even come out with a PS3 extreme or something like that. With every spec on the PS3 pump up (same CPU but running faster - Same GPU but faster - more memory perhaps even running faster) all which should be very easy and cheap to do without actually changing the architecture or costs. It would still be a PS3 but running faster making it possible for even some older games to play better which could be very appealing.

Microsoft knows this and would have to have an Amazing machine that works with the current mainstream technology at the time (meaning no 2K or 4k support stay 1080p and concentrate on AI, Physics, lighting and color) This would still be expensive even for 2010 and Sony could easily just play a price war with Microsoft that Microsoft can not win with a new machine. Nintendo could also counter with a Wii HD around that time as well (if they even need it).

All that Microsoft does can be countered easily by both Nintendo and Sony.

And for the people that think Xbox 360 is the most profitable here is a wakeup call. Wii is the most profitable. Last gen technology sold at a premium at worst case scenario Nintendo broke even at launch but sales did so well plus software royalties it is more likely that Nintendo is banking on just the small amount of users they have now (small compared to their total sales of last console not within any time period). Nintendo could easily walk away and not sweat it because there was no loss - just profit (even after advertising costs).

If anything Microsoft just needs to stay on track with the Xbox 360 nothing is preventing Microsoft from offering a blu-ray device (they could even offer a 4x blu-ray to slap it at Sony as well as continue to plunge the xbox 360 in a price war that is in Microsoft's advantage with the Xbox 360) These are just some of many examples that Microsoft could do to Keep Xbox 360 alive.

I just don't think Microsoft has enough super loyal fans to do another dump of a current console like they did with the original Xbox. Stay focus on the Xbox 360 continue with slight incremental improvement to Xbox 360 so that if Sony and Microsoft do another price war Microsoft still has an advantage. Continue getting "Quality" titles out and in large quantities would also be in their best interest. 2008 is too late to win (it will be Sony's year) but Microsoft could be back in 2009 on the Xbox 360. Worst case scenario if the awesome games you push in 2009 don't slow the Sony train then start preparing for a new machine for 2011. Minimum Sony will release a console in 2012 but more than likely will have a large enough fan base to wait till 2013-2014 (again with plenty of time to counteract Microsoft's new console in 2011 with the PS4).

By jumping the gun early, Microsoft put themselves in a very awkward situation. Sony can just wait on Microsoft then adjust strategies to counter anything Microsoft puts out. Coming out early is o.k. if your machine is significantly better and has longevity but the Xbox 360 is neither significantly better (calm down xbox 360 humpers I am not saying it is bad just not noticeably better) or has longevity (new gen technology paired with last gen technology DVD9 poor hard drive decisions). Microsoft doesn't want to give Sony too much time to adjust if they decide to jump the gun again in 2010.

It will be interesting to see what Microsoft does but for now Microsoft just needs to focus on what the xbox 360 was supposed to do - bring great games to gamers at affordable prices.

still going strong. no need to rush a new system just to get blown away in 2011 by the next gen of stuff.

is that gamers will stick with the console that *DOESN'T abandon them after a few years.

personally, if i had bought an X Box 360 back in 2005, and suddenly Microsoft said, "Hey, X Box 360 fans, do you want Fable 3? do you want Halo 4? do you want Mass Effect 2 and 3? do you want Bioshock 3? then get the *NEXT X Box console, cuz the 360 ain't gettin' sh*t no more!"

well, i'd be a little *PISSED.

i bought an X Box after being harassed by friends that the X Box, "the best console ever, and KOTOR and Ninja Gaiden were *AWESOME!", not to mention i picked up Fable as well, only to have Microsoft say, "yeah, if you want the sequel to Fable, KOTOR, and Ninja Gaiden, get our *NEXT console!"

i had only had my X Box for about a year or two, spent $200 on it, the 360 wasn't even *ANNOUNCED at the time (and if it *HAD been, i would have saved that $200 and used it to buy a 360 *INSTEAD), so i felt a little burned.

gamers don't *FORGET how they've been treated by the console manufacturers.

if Sony has shown us *ANYTHING during their near 12 years in the gaming industry, is that they will support their previous console well after they should (hell, a Playstation *ONE game was released about a year or two ago, 10 years *AFTER the console launched). the Playstation 2 is going into it's *EIGHTH year now, and is still getting some solid games, while it's newer sibling finds it's footing. *THAT'S why people stick with Sony consoles, and *THAT'S why, to date, the Playstation brand has moved over 250 *MILLION units (110 million Playstation's sold from 1995-2001, 120 Million and *COUNTING Playstation 2's sold from 2000-2008, and about 25-30 million PSP's sold from 2004-2008).

that's how you build brand loyalty.

releasing a new console every 4 years is *NOT how you instill faith in your fanbase.

most people had a hard enough time in 2005 coming up with the $400 for the 360, let alone having to drop *ANOTHER $400 or more for the *NEXT console, when the jump between technology from 2005-2009 isn't as significant as the jump in technology from 2000-2006 (i say 2006, because it wasn't until Gears of War came out in November 2006 that we *REALLY saw some great "next gen" visuals. before that, the games just looked like high res version of PS2 and X Box games).

we all know Microsoft wants to monopolize gaming like they do the PC industry, but they are going about it the wrong way.

while there will *ALWAYS be that group of gamers that have to have the latest tech, the majority of us wouldn't jump at a new X Box if one were to be announced, or released, by the end of 2009.

2011, or 2012. *THAT'S a fine time to release a new console. not before.

no fricking sh*t dude!

i've been playing video games since 1985 and the NES. i was *FIVE years old.

over the past 23+ years of my gaming life, i have seen the rise and fall of *COUNTLESS gaming consoles.

i have seen games go from one color blips and bloops, to fully 3D character models that look damn near indistinguishable from real life.

i know that technology never ceases to improve, but releasing new hardware after *FOUR YEARS??

have you forgotten that gaming is supposed to be a *BUSINESS??

constantly asking your consumers to upgrade their hardware for the latest gadgets isn't conducive to building a viable business. period.

most average gamers have had trouble adjusting to the $400 price point of most consoles, and the $60 price point of their games, and you're asking them to, four years after the fact, to shell out *ANOTHER $400 for a *NEW console, when the current one has barely tapped it's full potential yet? jumping the gun much, are we?

we haven't even come *CLOSE to seeing what the 360 and Playstation 3 are really capable of, and it's only been 2+ years since the 360 launched.

go back and look at the Playstation 2 software library from 2000. here, i'll help you out a bit:

Dark Cloud (Playstation 2 launch title. released in 2000)
http://www.absolute-playsta...
http://www.absolute-playsta...

compare that to

Rogue Galaxy (Playstation 2 title released in the US in 2007)
http://www.newtype-usa.com/...
http://www.trustedreviews.c...

two different games, *BOTH made by the same game company (Level 5). one released in 2000, one release seven years later in 2007. do you see the difference? i know *I certainly do.

i'd give you more examples, but really, i've made my point.

technology improves yes, but so does *CONSOLE game development.

people are doing things with the Playstation 2 *NOW, that 7 years ago they would *NEVER have thought *POSSIBLE.

personally, i'm *ALL for giving the X Box 360 and the Playstation 3 the chance to grow, like the Playstation 2 did.

i mean, look at how far Level 5 came from the original Dark Cloud, to Rogue Galaxy (and everything in between).

look at what they're working on for their *FIRST Playstation 3 game:

White Knight Story:
http://www.psu.com/media/wh...
http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3...

now try and imagine what the game they make *SEVEN years later will look like, if judging from their Dark Cloud to Rogue Galaxy progress.

yeah. i thought so.

from a business standpoint, it's also very, *VERY expensive for game *DEVELOPERS to adjust to new hardware, and the rising costs of development.

after 2+ years in this current, 360/PS3 generation of gaming, they have *FINALLY gotten their tools together to make some quality 360 and Playstation 3 games at a fair cost. and you're asking them to *DROP that tech, and spend even *MORE money to develop *NEW technology for the *NEXT round of machines?

i worked in the gaming industry for over 3 years, and games just don't *MATERIALIZE out of thin air, you know. it costs *MONEY. lots of money.

if i were a game developer in this current generation, i'd want it to last as *LONG as possible. that way, i'd have the time needed to recoup any R&D costs sunk into learning the 360 and PS3 architecture, and spend time refining those tools, which will result in more polished games.

here's one more to go out on:

Final Fantasy X (released in 2003 on the Playstation 2)
http://www.snesclassics.com...
http://www.snesclassics.com...

and

Final Fantasy XII (released 3 years later in 2006 on the Playstation 2)
http://images.slashdot.org/...
http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/...
http://cache.kotaku.com/gam...
http://cache.kotaku.com/gam...

i understand your sentiment of wanting new technology, but it's just not financially smart for not only consumers to have to constantly upgrade hardware (i mean, look at the declining PC gaming market for more proof of this being a strain on consumer's wallets), but it's also not financially viable for the developers and publishers of the games we love either.

longer lifecycles mean longer term profits for developers and publishers.

the 360 and Playstation 3 should last us for another 4 years, and we should be looking at new consoles no sooner than 2010, with actual releases of said consoles a year to two years *AFTER that.

in the console world, 4 years just isn't significant time to max out current hardware specs. devs are *ALWAYS learning new tricks. hell, just look at Playstation 3 launch titles to titles released at the end of it's first year and into the second year:

Resistance: Fall of Man (developed by Insomniac, and released on the Playstation 3 console in 2006):
http://www.dignews.com/admi...
http://www.dignews.com/admi...

Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (developed by Insomniac, and released on the Playstation 3 console in 2007):
http://www.britishgaming.co...
http://www.threespeech.com/...

Resistance 2 (developed by Insomnace, for release for the Playstation 3 in fall, 2008):
scans, but still, pretty good quality:
http://www.n4g.com/ps3/View...
http://www.n4g.com/ps3/View...

as for my Bioware comment, it was just an *EXAMPLE. relax. considering that Mass Effect, Bioshock, and Gears of War are the top franchises on the 360, i used them as an example to illustrate my point. it's not like Microsoft *DIDN'T do that *LAST time, what with sequels to top franchises like Halo (Halo 3 on 360 only, so X Box owning Halo fans *HAD to upgrade), Fable (Fable 2, 360 *ONLY, so X Box owning Fable fans *HAVE to upgrade to the 360 to get their Fable fix)and KOTOR (Mass Effect is just KOTOR without the Star Wars license, so fans of KOTOR would no doubt want to pick up a 360 for Mass Effect and that KOTOR-esque fix).

it wouldn't surprise me if MS did a similar things to 360 fans when they actually *DO announce their new console (whenever that's gonna be).

I think one person latched on to this. I thisnk this dude was saying that they are going to develop the Xbox 3 and continue to market the 360 for a more casual audience.

My guess is they are going to try to win a piece of the casual market with the 360, perhaps develop new peripherals, more family games, etc, and cater to the more hardcore audience with X3.

Myself personally like the idea of moving forward in the console market. Microsoft IS ruthless, and i think at this point its less about money and more about dominance.

Bottom line, i think a new system is in the works, will probably come out in 09-10, pass the PS3 in terms of hardware dominance, and then again in 2015 they will throw their cards on the table again to try to further gain hardcore followers.

Its unavoidable, the 360 HAS won over a fraction of PS2's fanbase, but it still wont be enough. It will be MS next move that will be the big one.

This has nothing to do with Xbot love. It has to do with Microsoft. They like to win and play to win. As far as Im concerned despite their ethics if they put out good games im fine with that. Sony plays more to a Japanese audience, and, well, Im not japanese.

360 will be Microsofts PS2. X3 will try to be the PS killer.

Im fine with a two console market. I like Nintendos exclusives. I would prefer one console for hardcore gamers and so far im not sure Id want Sony to be the one to do it.

Oh and an Xbox handheld would be awesome.

MS continues support for the 360 i don't see a problem with this idea.More powerful console,what's the problem?Three to four years is long enough for any console, because by then it's old tech.I don't mean it isn't any good after 4 years, just that there's better technology out there.As an ex P.C gamer 4 years seems a long time not to upgrade, so i'm all for it.

Releasing a console now or next year would not be very wise in my opinion. MS is just now starting to profit on 360 so kicking it to the curb will eliminate the most profitable times and put MS back in the hole financially for the gaming division. I think 2010 would be the earliest they could release it. Also the fact that most people who have a 360 are not willing to just drop another $300-$400 on another console after recently purchasing this one. I know if either Sony or MS only gave their console a 3 year window the gamers would not be happy.

They also need to wait for technology to progress a little further because as of now the console would barely be superior to what is out and so would not offer much in the way of innovation. All they could do at this point is load in some extra RAM as far as performance goes and that would only affect graphics but not so much gameplay or what goes into it. The next consoles will have more RAM and more powerful processors to allow games to be that much more complex and look much better.

I think we will see the current consoles for a little longer. But that's why this article is bs anyway and just speculative.

MS does need to wait. It's not smart business since to release a new console when you are just starting to make money on your console. Now Nintendo could thrive on a new console because they made a boat load of money with the Wii and DS and N fans and even other defectors like blogger #74 will jump back on the Big N bandwagon. I honestly think that Microsoft will wait to make their new system until '10, or '11. However, MS does need a new system soon because DVD is old technology and it has already start to hinder the system.

Sure...
After burning all their resources last year, when MS finaly get blue numbers, they launch a new console so that they'll need to start it all over again.
That would be just brilliant.