[UPDATE] Microsoft reportedly set to reveal next-generation platform at one-off event in April; second report also suggests April reveal.
[UPDATE] Following the publication of this story, The Verge also reports that Microsoft will hold a press event in April to announce the Xbox 720.
The original story follows below
Unspecified developers and "industry professionals" have informed CVG that Microsoft will announce the Xbox 720 at a one-off event in April. This is later than the rumored March event and would notably take place after the 2013 Game Developers Conference.
In addition, a "senior Sony official" who asked to remain anonymous told the site that the PlayStation 4 unveiling this week "at first caught Microsoft off-guard." This person added that, "We definitely ruffled some feathers."
Microsoft spokesperson Larry Hryb--aka Major Nelson--took a shot at the PS4 event this week. Writing on Twitter, he said "Well then. This meeting is running a little longer than expected," followed by "Announce a console without actually showing a console? That's one approach."
The PS4 is officially due out this holiday season. Microsoft's Xbox 720 is also believed to launch during this window, though Microsoft has yet to comment on the rumored console.
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
I'm a diehard Playstation fan and I'm actually really curious to see the unveiling of this thing. It's gonna be hard to top the PS4 press conference, and if Microsoft pulls it off, I'll be flabbergasted. But still, I will be purchasing the PS4 simply for its exclusive titles. I really don't think I'll be missing a whole lot on the new Xbox, plus their stats seem almost identical. So it's really a matter of which banner you carry.
I don't know what to think about this console. Part of me WANTS a diskless Xbox. BUT there needs to be a non-proprietary hard drive so you can go buy a 2TB laptop one to stick in there (if there isn't a maximum that is). Because steam is great, just so convenient even with relatively slow download speeds, just leave it on overnight. Prices should either stay exactly the same or drop, any more and it will be hard to justify not buying games on Steam. The always online thing is one of those areas where there aren't many tests done. Sim City was a test but because it was EA behind the wheel, it can't be held totally to account for what can be done with it. If microsoft nail the servers it could be a very powerful aspect to the console. I have high hopes for the new Xbox (just hope it isn't the 720, sounds like something a child would come up with....YAY I can double a big(!) number).
If the XBox720 insists on only being able to play when online, they should heed the warning that SimCity has been totally broken.
Any idea if all my stuff on the 360 will be transferable, as it must be a must in this massive digital downloading world, or have i spent tons on money on games, movies and music that will just become useless?
Major was right how can you hold an console event without showing anything but the controller and some game videos
1 Like So listen up everyone...I'd like to announce the best car ever made...gather around and take a look... (curtain drops)...
"So here we have a nice picture of what the engine will look like, and check this out...a nice shiny steering wheel that we've been working on...but trust us, this car is gonna be awesome"
Way to go Sony.
I've been happy with the Xbox 360. Looking forward to the new MS console. Hopefully they will officially announce it in April and then have a showdown at E3.
Well we know the PS4 isn't ready. Sony even told us themselves. The controller is probably almost done though, but I think they still have a ways with the system.
1 Like Wow this could be a blood bath. I have no doubt that Microsoft was not expecting Sony to have such an amazing pressconference. Yes, they didn't show us the actual system, but personally I can't remember a time when I was like oh look how cool the actual system looks as a reason for buying it. This thing could look like the Ps1 for all I care as long as the games are good and the systems power is evident. Good Luck Microsoft I hope you didn't focus your system too much on the Success of Windows 8.
Prepare yourselves folks for 2 systems that aren't ready to be released but will be anyways.
I see lots of update talk in our future.
1 Like I'm a Sony gamer through and through and probably will be for the vast forseeable future.. however I'm still pretty excited to see what Microsoft are bringing to the party.
E3 will be the killer event, and both companies know it. These teaser conferences are just designed to get people talking.
The mistake Microsoft would make would be actually showing the thing in April, if they do that then Sony would effectively have the biggest reveal for E3.. then again though the amount of stick Sony got for not showing it makes me think somewhat otherwise?
Tough act to follow really the Playstation conference.. To reveal or not to reveal? That is the question.
@warhawk-geeby negative feedback swings back harder then a reveal could do positivelly ;)
And you know this how, Do you work for Microsoft. Did Bill gates visit your house, Sit down for tea and tell you & you only him self. Small minded people. Nothing is set until its under retail, Until its here and your holding it, Stop with the lies
1 Like @Lost-to-Apathy Please enlighten us then. Have you somehow divined the name of the next Xbox before any of us through some spiritual method?
Chill the hell out. Who gives a crap what people are calling it? Who the hell are you to say it won't be named the 720?
Honestly, I wold most like to know the name ASAP. I am tired of not knowing what to call it. Xbox next, Xbox 720, next Xbox, or Xbox 3. Other things I really want to know:
1. Live price? - 2. Backward compatibility, or any aspects thereof. - 3. What is their Focus (social gaming (al la Sony) Hard-core gaming, gaming for the masses (kinect) ... What?
The rest: specs, controller, dashboard... I can wait for.
Microsoft's announcement needs to include some exclusives, not just the console itself. Preferably something other than just the next Gears of War, Forza and Halo this time. Xbox will always be popular in America, but Europe, Japan and the rest of the world will likely continue to favour PlayStation if they don't get some exclusives going.
@hadlee73 Since Epic made it a 3 deal exclusive, I wonder HOW much MONEY they are dropping on Epic's desk to keep it exclusive??
Will Epic keep it exclusive with next gen consoles??? I really do not think so unless Microsoft increases the amount of money by MILLIONS!!!!
I hope microsoft does a way BETTTTER Announcement than SONY and they INEXISTENT PS4, were they only talked shit and just show us their fuking controller ><.
I hope this event doesn't have circus freaks like that one on MTV years ago.
It was pretty funny to watch though. lol
1 Like Only a fool would launch a console against this holidays current gen game line up and expect not to get burned. Why would you buy a new console to play a higher res version of FIFA or Madden when you can play GTA 5 on the old gen.
@bsnimunf So you're implying that Microsoft will follow suit and release it during the holidays as well, right?
@tionmedon @HowlPendragon @bsnimunf I was just saying that since bsnimunf said "Only a fool would release a console [during the] holidays" that his statement would include Microsoft in that category. Because I believe they are fools.
Then again they would be wise to do so to steal sales away from the PS4.
2 Like I wonder what Microsoft will release. I'm 100% Playstation since I love most of the exclusive a lot, but I'm also a techno fan, so I can't wait for more about both consoles! ^_^
A little rebuttal to Major Nelson: Does it really matter what the actually box looks like when we know almost everything else? We know what the controller looks like, and that's the most important physical thing about the console, since it's what you're holding for hours on end. We "know" what the games will look like, and what will be there in the launch window. We know of it's online features. We know the technical specifications. Does it matter what the physical box looks like? It'll be the thing we'll look at the least.
If you see a nerd's rage at a product, be sure that product will sell better. Kinect is shit, but it will boost the sales.
@hawaiiinsomniac
Given that MS have aquired the Domain: xbox8.com, it could indicate the next console may be named 'Infinity' or something along those lines, where the '8' is a verticle infinity sign.
%s
1 Like @hawaiiinsomniac I have a feeling that the next one (if this one is in fact called 720) will be 1080 and not 1440. It makes more sense to add 360 each time than it does to just keep doubling the number. Although at some point, the numbers would get ridiculous either way, if they aren't already. However, they probably don't want to call it Xbox3 because it may seem inferior to PS4 just by the smaller number in some consumer's eyes. That would also cause confusion with some people like the Wii vs Wii U did.
1 Like @ZOD777 The name "360" never made sense to me in the first place though. A 360 degree turn ends up in the same exact spot you started. Sure, it sounds cool, but 180 would have made more sense imo.
@HowlPendragon Yeah, I always thought it made no sense too based on the same principle. They cannot keep using multiples of 360. Diverting to something like colors or metals might be the better route. Xbox Copper/Silver/Gold/Platinum for example. People would still get confused by that though. Who knows. One thing is certain though. Calling the second one 360 was somewhat of a mistake IMO. Although people would get confused by the metals too because of Xbox live Gold/Silver.
2 Like @ZOD777 - true true...
as long as it isn't crazy like mobile phones..
Xbox 720 i4D XXL Magnum Platinum
Xbox VS PS is going to be the major war of this generation, hopefully Wii U will keep on the sidelines and please everyone who doesn't care xD
Sony are only releasing the new PS4 so soon, because the hardware code was cracked and passed out around the internet. Theirs still a lot of life left in the 360 and PS3, and I bet a lot of Sonys plans for the PS3 have cost them quite a bit of money, due to them having to bin their plans.
I am glad its forcing the next xbox out =) but as stated I think the 360 still has plenty of life in it.
@Rapidwrath I do to, but mostly with 3rd party content, as I think Microsoft will focus most of their 1st party content on the Next XBox.
@Rapidwrath I agree there was life left in the consoles, but unfortunately not the industry. Look at the amount of companies that went bust this past year? Due to the recession gamers are looking after their money, if it doesn't razzle and dazzle it won't sell. A shift forwards was needed for everyone.
1 Like @Rapidwrath there is no life left in current gen consoles. the gap between console and pc is getting wider all the time. next gen should have been a year ago at least
@shuffles88 @Rapidwrath there still is life in the current gen but its time to upgrade to the next gen just like they do every six years.
@mercenary_cloud @shuffles88 @Rapidwrath The longer the life cycle of a console, the better for customers and developers. PC has nothing to do with the main market of video games. 10 years ago, it was different, because there were too many PC exclusive AAA titles, that force many ppl to build PCs and also force console makers to start a new gen to cope with new standards. But right now most of the AAA developers base their games on console hardware, and PC only get a few enhancements.
@shuffles88
Once and for all...console games are designed for "duh" friggin consoles. What does the pc specs have to do with the console games since the developer is already targeting the specs of the console?
Do you think the developer is really concerned about the PC when he is programming to maximize the Cell processor or the Power PC triple core chip?
There is still life left in the current consoles. Just look at how they achieved Witcher 2 on Xbox. Console games get better every year due to developers learning how to max out the hardware. This NEVER happens on the PC. Want better graphics on the PC...spend another $200 for a better video card or rebuild your whole system just to run a $60 dollar game at max specs.
@ciphfer Current-gen consoles are definitely maxed out. True, the Witcher 2 looks gorgeous (I don't actually own it myself to see firsthand though), but take a look at games like Dark Souls: Lacking texture, running at 720p, and still having framerate issues (on both Xbox and PS3!). As far as Halo 4 pushed the Xbox 360, true playing with multiple people on the same console, and your experience will be far from smooth. Borderlands 2 can run on my Macbook Air with 2gigs of RAM, a 1.6Ghz dual-core processor and integrated graphics along with Steam, Skype, web browser, and the like, at the same quality as the console version. It is time for new console hardware, and hopefully with similar architecture to PCs. I don't say this just for ease of development, but the technical limits of PC gaming will go up if the consoles, the larger gaming market, take a few leaps forward toward current PCs.
CEO Paul Raines says "the world is going to stand up and take notice" when Microsoft announces new machine.
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