Xbox 720 in 2012 rumours are 'silly', says Pachter

NewsPublish Date 22/11/2011 - 10:00am GMT

Microsoft won't replace the Xbox 360 while the platform is still selling well.

Rumours of a successor to the Xbox 360 releasing in 2012 are "silly", analyst Michael Pachter has told IndustryGamers.

A recent Edge report rumours that the next Xbox will be out by the end of 2012 with Ubisoft Montreal already in possession of target development boxes. However, Wedbush Securities' Michael Pachter doesn't believe the Xbox 360 will be replaced so soon.

"Those rumors are silly," said Pachter. "Microsoft is still selling a ton of Xbox 360s, and they won't replace the existing one until sales begin to slow. I think the rumours are based upon leaks about modifying the current Xbox 360 to allow it to operate Windows 8. I fully expect a new model of Xbox 360 by holiday 2012, but don't think we see a new console altogether from Microsoft until 2014."

VideoGamer.com Analysis

Pachter isn't always right - in fact he's been wrong on many an occasion - but he raises a good point; why would Microsoft replace a platform which is currently selling so well?

Bringing out a new console whilst on top would give Microsoft a strong platform on which to launch a successor, however. Microsoft could repackage the Xbox 360 as a budget/Kinect-driven family gaming system and make room for a high-end core gamer system.

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Batmamerc

I reckon an announcement at some point in the E3/gamescom show season 2012 but think it will be announced for at least a year later with an october 2013 release date. I think Microsoft have already started to push the console off as a more family machine to a gaming machine with the launch of kinect I felt that the 360 started to lose it's pro gamer status that consoles always have at that point. ps1 started to die out n was followed by a ps2 announcement after the camera games started the kick off and more families started to get them, then same again with ps2 with games like buzz been popular in family homes and then the ps3 was launched. I never had an original xbox so dunno wot killed that off onto families but going by the playstation history I imagine the kinect was the beginning of the development of the next Microsoft console, launching kinect to provide the console will still carry on for the non gamer Market once a new console comes as all previous playstations have done. But it's a console war and playstation also have there family pusher gimmick with the ps move so in same retrospect as kinect I think there on development of the playstation 4, so it comes down to who wants to be first.

I personally don't see the need for a new xbox yet anyway new releases have great graphics n plenty of gameplay only downfall Is though that you know wen there pushing the limits as the big games have multiple discs e.g la noire, final fantasy. But that's only because of an error backing the wrong format, games aren't limited by this really and ps3 games are no better than xbox graphically or gameplay wise I think anyway.

The playstation 4 will be launched first maybe march 2013 but no earlier.

Posted 12:42 on 22 November 2011

87Sarah @ Endless

Agree wholeheartedly Endless. I'd pay £100 every year or so over a period of 5/6 years to upgrade my current console than try to justify shelling out up to £500 for a brand new one. Especially if all the games I've spent so much money collecting are then rendered useless with the arrival of the new console too.
They would get more money from me in the long run and my partner wouldn't think it was too much of an expense if it's spread out. It would be a win win for me! :)

Posted 11:56 on 22 November 2011

Endless

Silly? I wouldn't say it's silly. it might be too soon, rushed, under-conceived and overly expensive. But silly? not hardly. When our handheld systems are approaching the levels of home systems, it's time to think about upgrading.

Consoles have managed thus far by being 5-6 years behind PC technology, I dont think there's any call to start worry too much about it now. A console with current PC hardware now will still outperform a PC for gaming for the next 2-3 years imo and the remainig 3 or so years that PC steams ahead again... we'll still have more fun with our console versions, the experience is more saleable than the technical achievements.

Nothing to stop the new consoles having plug and play hardware swap outs for graphics, cpu, memory and hardware mind. It's not like it's a new concept, N64 had the expansion port, the Wii has Wii MotionPlus, the 3DS has it's abomination of a second circle pad. Both PS3 and 360 have hard drive options. All hardware advancements that some games are likely to require. It hardly any different to provide incremental hardware upgrades in a cartridge style box that you just swap out.

I realise this puts us closer to PCs, but if the architecture and underlying make-up is controlled at the source so that software developers arent totally hamstringed by each new hardware update. Then I'm all for it. Make it simple, that's all it needs to be. I'd much rather pay £100 every few years for a console upgrade than £4-500 every 6 for an entirely new system that may or may not work with my current game catalogue. £500 is a lot of money all at once, £100 or so is a much easier decision to make.

Posted 11:43 on 22 November 2011

87Sarah

Whatever year it comes out, i won't be able to afford one until 2016 anyway.

Posted 11:04 on 22 November 2011

FantasyMeister

Considering Intel have just shown off their latest 50-core one-teraflops chip in Seattle last week, anyone in the console business might want to seriously rethink any architecture for next gen that they were currently considering. The big leaps in PC performance are happening now, so if consoles want to compete they'll have to start from scratch today and release 2-3 years from now.

Sure they can try and get around it like Nintendo did, but us console gamers like our big leap in graphics each generation. I think the engines are ready built to deliver that, and they can do on current PCs, it's just the hardware isn't quite ready for consoles.

So I agree with Mr Pachter.

Posted 10:47 on 22 November 2011

munkee

Being a Playstation fan, I'm actually really hoping that the new Xbox doesn't get too much of a lead on the next Playstation. I'm quite happy with my PS3 at the moment and would be happy to keep hold for a while longer. But, if it means seeing a level start in the competition, then I would also happily embrace a new Playstation console if it was released.

Posted 10:33 on 22 November 2011

Woffls @ guyderman

That concerns me as well, but they've had 6 years to sort it out, and it's much easier to squeeze power out of a box without it blowing up these days!

Posted 10:33 on 22 November 2011

guyderman

The only thing is we don't want MS to rush a console out as we all know where that leads! I'd sooner wait and get a fully working model!

Posted 10:29 on 22 November 2011

Woffls

If they ship a console next year, it will be to stop Nintendo from having too much breathing room, and to make sure they're on the market before PS4.

I think it will be launched late next year, 2013 at the latest.

Posted 10:18 on 22 November 2011

munkee

Perhaps getting it out by christmas 2012 is a long shot. But, I can't see the 360, as it is, maintaining its status for another 3 years. It seems to have achieved peak performance with the PC platform storming ahead technology-wise and the PS3 really starting to shine.

Oh, unless everybody buys a Kinect.. lol

Posted 10:07 on 22 November 2011