Microsoft Rumored to Be Planning the End of the Xbox Brand Name.

Microsoft wasn?t kidding when they said they planned on launching Natal like an entirely new console. It appears that the company intends to finish off the Xbox name after the Xbox 360. This is obviously a surprise considering the time and money that goes into building an identifiable brand name in the video game industry.

This news, which we?re classifying as a rumor until more details arise, comes from a FOX Interactive Media employee who said that the FIM subsidiary IGN was in the process of phasing out the TeamXbox name and site in preparations to consolidate the Xbox-only site?s content into IGN due to Microsoft's decision. You may remember that IGN shocked a lot of people when they fired TeamXbox.com?s co-founder and editor-in-chief along with several other employees back in March. Since that time, the site has seen a noticeable decline in content, traffic, and updates.

Around the same time as the firing at TeamXbox, FOX Interactive Media rebranded the site with the ?Powered by IGN? slogan. Everyone knew the affiliation between the two, but slapping the IGN logo on there was odd.

In addition to the rumor coming out of FOX Interactive Media, Microsoft has been sending out new box art and PDF pamphlets which show new logos for the upcoming products and games. In addition, some of the box art clearly is missing any mention of the Xbox name, which we thought nothing of until the tip from the FIM employee.

We?ll keep an eye on this rumor as it develops since it impacts longtime users of TXB and fans of the Xbox brand. The most important thing is that a name change won't impact the hardware or quality of games. That's been proven by past successes like Nintendo and Sega.

If true and I mean a pretty big if, that seems very unwise to me. :?

Golly, this thread is gonna end well. *Grabs popcorn*

That is a very odd business move and I personally think they are wasting their time with Natal. Motion controls are out there for $250, why would people run out and buy a $300 console and then a $100+ controller that isn't used in most games?

This whole Natal thing is a bad joke in my opinion. The videos of people playing it are very sad (people jumping around and looking like fools), the games so far that I've seen have been nothing more than enhanced Playstation Eye games that I played back on the PS2, and to top it off the prices are going to be way to high.

Microsoft should stick to their strengths. An increadibly powerful online network. Use that to their advantage even more. Get some more R&D money going to 1st party titles and really use the strengths of the 360 to make some AAA quality titles that sell.

That is a very odd business move and I personally think they are wasting their time with Natal. Motion controls are out there for $250, why would people run out and buy a $300 console and then a $100+ controller that isn't used in most games?

This whole Natal thing is a bad joke in my opinion. The videos of people playing it are very sad (people jumping around and looking like fools), the games so far that I've seen have been nothing more than enhanced Playstation Eye games that I played back on the PS2, and to top it off the prices are going to be way to high.

Microsoft should stick to their strengths. An increadibly powerful online network. Use that to their advantage even more. Get some more R&D money going to 1st party titles and really use the strengths of the 360 to make some AAA quality titles that sell.

Wasdie

doesn't seem microsoft cares though, if the willing to let valve(don't quote me on that), bioware and bungie go. there could be more but I do not know.

I just skimmed through that.... but am I supposed to believe that somehow IGN knows what MS is doing in terms of business? You think MS gets on the phone with IGN.... "Oh, hey guys... by the way, the XBOX brandis no more... ssshhhhhh..... okay, don't tell anyone".... yeah right.

Xbox is actually a bad marketing name after all. Even today people still dont realize that DirectX, MSX and Xbox are under the same banner. But i think natal is a good name neither.

[QUOTE="Wasdie"]

That is a very odd business move and I personally think they are wasting their time with Natal. Motion controls are out there for $250, why would people run out and buy a $300 console and then a $100+ controller that isn't used in most games?

This whole Natal thing is a bad joke in my opinion. The videos of people playing it are very sad (people jumping around and looking like fools), the games so far that I've seen have been nothing more than enhanced Playstation Eye games that I played back on the PS2, and to top it off the prices are going to be way to high.

Microsoft should stick to their strengths. An increadibly powerful online network. Use that to their advantage even more. Get some more R&D money going to 1st party titles and really use the strengths of the 360 to make some AAA quality titles that sell.

TheShadowLord07

doesn't seem microsoft cares though, if the willing to let valve(don't quote me on that), bioware and bungie go. there could be more but I do not know.

what next windows? :P

doubt they will drop the Xbox brand.

Xbox is actually a bad marketing name after all. Even today people still dont realize that DirectX, MSX and Xbox are under the same banner. But i think natal is a good name neither.

HFkami

milk that consumer microsoft.....milk em good. no one does it better.

milk that consumer microsoft.....milk em good. no one does it better.

MajDingleberry

[QUOTE="MajDingleberry"]

milk that consumer microsoft.....milk em good. no one does it better.

noodlevixen

[QUOTE="MajDingleberry"]

milk that consumer microsoft.....milk em good. no one does it better.

noodlevixen

yes, but few have reached jedi-mind-trick status. they somehow bamboozled me into buying 3 separate 360's. there was the initial purchase. then the second time wasn't really a "new" 360, but my first one crapped the bed and my warranty had just expired. then my third purchase came in the form of an outdated 360.... i had just bought a brand new plasma and my 360 didn't have an HDMI output before 2006 (mine was a 2006, just missed it, go figure). so i bit the bullet, traded in a perfectly good 360 (for basically peanuts) on an elite. so yeah, i've been had by mircosoft.

Sounds like BS.

A company would have to be pretty dumb to pour billions into building a viable brand and then just dumping it.

And if it does turn out to be true, people who are comparing this to Nintendo having a new name should realise that Microsoft don't have nearly as much heritage in gaming as Nintendo.

[QUOTE="noodlevixen"]

[QUOTE="MajDingleberry"]

milk that consumer microsoft.....milk em good. no one does it better.

MajDingleberry

yes, but few have reached jedi-mind-trick status. they somehow bamboozled me into buying 3 seperate 360's. there was the intial purchase. then the second time wasn't really a "new" 360, but my first one crapped the bed and my warranty had just expired. then my third purchase came in the form of an outdated 360.... i had just bought a brand new plasma and my 360 didn't have an HDMI output before 2006 (mine was a 2006, just missed it, go figure). so i bit the bullet, taded in a perfectly good 360 (for basically peanuts) on an elite. so yeah, i've been had by mircosoft.

MEH

if they really do abandon the Xbox brand and abandon maturing their core lineup of games then i really won't care about Microsoft's console side anymore

this reeks of Sega all over again

[QUOTE="TheShadowLord07"]

[QUOTE="Wasdie"]

That is a very odd business move and I personally think they are wasting their time with Natal. Motion controls are out there for $250, why would people run out and buy a $300 console and then a $100+ controller that isn't used in most games?

This whole Natal thing is a bad joke in my opinion. The videos of people playing it are very sad (people jumping around and looking like fools), the games so far that I've seen have been nothing more than enhanced Playstation Eye games that I played back on the PS2, and to top it off the prices are going to be way to high.

Microsoft should stick to their strengths. An increadibly powerful online network. Use that to their advantage even more. Get some more R&D money going to 1st party titles and really use the strengths of the 360 to make some AAA quality titles that sell.

WilliamRLBaker

doesn't seem microsoft cares though, if the willing to let valve(don't quote me on that), bioware and bungie go. there could be more but I do not know.

*looks at link*

Gofanboy.com? Takes their words as BS since it's nothing but Fanboy's making fake articles.

That is a very odd business move and I personally think they are wasting their time with Natal. Motion controls are out there for $250, why would people run out and buy a $300 console and then a $100+ controller that isn't used in most games?

This whole Natal thing is a bad joke in my opinion. The videos of people playing it are very sad (people jumping around and looking like fools), the games so far that I've seen have been nothing more than enhanced Playstation Eye games that I played back on the PS2, and to top it off the prices are going to be way to high.

Microsoft should stick to their strengths. An increadibly powerful online network. Use that to their advantage even more. Get some more R&D money going to 1st party titles and really use the strengths of the 360 to make some AAA quality titles that sell.

Wasdie

I can't believe my own fearless leader falling for this? :?

[QUOTE="noodlevixen"]

[QUOTE="MajDingleberry"]

milk that consumer microsoft.....milk em good. no one does it better.

SecretPolice

[QUOTE="noodlevixen"]

[QUOTE="MajDingleberry"]

milk that consumer microsoft.....milk em good. no one does it better.

MajDingleberry

yes, but few have reached jedi-mind-trick status. they somehow bamboozled me into buying 3 separate 360's. there was the initial purchase. then the second time wasn't really a "new" 360, but my first one crapped the bed and my warranty had just expired. then my third purchase came in the form of an outdated 360.... i had just bought a brand new plasma and my 360 didn't have an HDMI output before 2006 (mine was a 2006, just missed it, go figure). so i bit the bullet, traded in a perfectly good 360 (for basically peanuts) on an elite. so yeah, i've been had by mircosoft.

Really? You've been had by yourself is what it sounds like. For starters, you don't need HDMI unless your TV doesn't have component which I doubt. 1080i or 720p is just fine.

Second, your timelines don't match up. If you had a 360 from 2006 the initial one year warranty was extended to three and people were refunded any repairs they had paid for. I know because I was one of them. HDMI models were in 2008 or possibly earlier which means you were well in the three year warranty.

Third, by trade in I am guessing you went to that garbage outlet Gamestop. Well in that case I don't feel bad for you because everyone should know by now THEY are out to screw consumers.

You should have paid for ONE non HDMI and if you needed to "upgrade" that badly to HDMI so be it but welecome to the world of electronics. Technology changes rapidly and this happens with everything: cell phones, Blu-ray players, TVs, etc.

At least Microsoft doesn't do what Sony does and take away features AFTER you already paid for them.

Well, what could you do after deciding to skip from nothing to 360? Hyper/Mega/Super/Ultra Xbox 720? :P

That is a very odd business move and I personally think they are wasting their time with Natal. Motion controls are out there for $250, why would people run out and buy a $300 console and then a $100+ controller that isn't used in most games?

Wasdie

I don't think Microsoft and Sony, while we're at it, are targetting new consumers. They're likely targetting old consumers who haven't decided to buy a Wii, though I have to question exactly how big of a target group that is. I also have to question said consumers reason for not owning a Wii. Money? Okay, MS and Sony have a potential custormer. Think the idea of motion controls is stupid? Good luck, MS and Sony.

As for the lack of support...*shrugs* Going over the article, I'm thinking of the launch of Natal and Move as a transition or a[n expensive] demo more than new systems. The Ultrabox 720/PlayStation 4 will likely support Natal/Move. There's no other explanation for what all of us believe to be a financial disaster.

That is a very odd business move and I personally think they are wasting their time with Natal. Motion controls are out there for $250, why would people run out and buy a $300 console and then a $100+ controller that isn't used in most games?

This whole Natal thing is a bad joke in my opinion. The videos of people playing it are very sad (people jumping around and looking like fools), the games so far that I've seen have been nothing more than enhanced Playstation Eye games that I played back on the PS2, and to top it off the prices are going to be way to high.

Microsoft should stick to their strengths. An increadibly powerful online network. Use that to their advantage even more. Get some more R&D money going to 1st party titles and really use the strengths of the 360 to make some AAA quality titles that sell.

Wasdie

I think it would be a smart move

Home console = casuals

PC = Hardcore

maybe thats why soo many xbox games r also on the PC, because they know that lots of gamers wont leave the PC. splitting both will probably be win win, than soon they will make natal into everything, and DD, I think its microsoft using its past projects and putting everything into one, like there kitchen counter top computer, there computer table. they will add natal into all those things, which takes us to the next step of being in the iron man world

[QUOTE="MajDingleberry"]

[QUOTE="noodlevixen"]Oh please, every big business milks their consumer.:roll:

rp108

yes, but few have reached jedi-mind-trick status. they somehow bamboozled me into buying 3 separate 360's. there was the initial purchase. then the second time wasn't really a "new" 360, but my first one crapped the bed and my warranty had just expired. then my third purchase came in the form of an outdated 360.... i had just bought a brand new plasma and my 360 didn't have an HDMI output before 2006 (mine was a 2006, just missed it, go figure). so i bit the bullet, traded in a perfectly good 360 (for basically peanuts) on an elite. so yeah, i've been had by mircosoft.

Really? You've been had by yourself is what it sounds like. For starters, you don't need HDMI unless your TV doesn't have component which I doubt. 1080i or 720p is just fine.

Second, your timelines don't match up. If you had a 360 from 2006 the initial one year warranty was extended to three and people were refunded any repairs they had paid for. I know because I was one of them. HDMI models were in 2008 or possibly earlier which means you were well in the three year warranty.

Third, by trade in I am guessing you went to that garbage outlet Gamestop. Well in that case I don't feel bad for you because everyone should know by now THEY are out to screw consumers.

You should have paid for ONE non HDMI and if you needed to "upgrade" that badly to HDMI so be it but welecome to the world of electronics. Technology changes rapidly and this happens with everything: cell phones, Blu-ray players, TVs, etc.

At least Microsoft doesn't do what Sony does and take away features AFTER you already paid for them.

:shock: Lmao, why did you have to jump so hard on this guy again? Grrr this place is stupid sometimes with this pettycompetition of the consoles. (Even though is is System Wars it doesn't change the fact that it's stupid IMO.)

Back to the topic though ending a brand name isn't anything interesting,now if they where going to stop making game consolesin general now that would be some news but this ending the Xbox brand is nothing more than free press to get people talking I think.

So, now that they finally have a successfull Xbox consol, they will end the brand? :|

It´s hard to believe

That'd be an odd decision since the XBOX name is pretty big now.fabz_95

I think its just as big as 360, saying xbox 360 sounds weird because welll, the first Xbox was a box with a big X on it. i hear most people just saying 360 and not xbox or xbox 360

[QUOTE="fabz_95"]That'd be an odd decision since the XBOX name is pretty big now.gamer-adam1

I think its just as big as 360, saying xbox 360 sounds weird because welll, the first Xbox was a box with a big X on it. i hear most people just saying 360 and not xbox or xbox 360

I don't buy it. "Xbox" is pretty much a household name at this point and I am sure that Microsoft are well aware of this fact.

That is a very odd business move and I personally think they are wasting their time with Natal. Motion controls are out there for $250, why would people run out and buy a $300 console and then a $100+ controller that isn't used in most games?

This whole Natal thing is a bad joke in my opinion. The videos of people playing it are very sad (people jumping around and looking like fools), the games so far that I've seen have been nothing more than enhanced Playstation Eye games that I played back on the PS2, and to top it off the prices are going to be way to high.

Microsoft should stick to their strengths. An increadibly powerful online network. Use that to their advantage even more. Get some more R&D money going to 1st party titles and really use the strengths of the 360 to make some AAA quality titles that sell.

Wasdie

..

INteresting. I would usually say this is a horrible move on the part of MS. Xbox is probably the first successful console brand since the PS1 first came out. Three companies have never been able to stick around before without one dying off. Seems short-sighted for MS to get rid of the Xbox name unless they plan on following Nintendo and instead of (as an example) Xbox Future it will be Microsoft Future.

... Why? That's just weird and not logical.:?

Microsoft already has a brand name. It's called MICROSOFT.

If they ditch the Xbox brand name, that really isn't going to be a bad thing. The name Xbox might be intimidating to the casual market, so they'll come up with something like how Nintendo came up with Wii. They'll make Natal the selling point. Since us gamers keep up with gaming, we'll have no problem with brand recognition, and simply know what is what. And the casuals will all jump aboard this new Natal based console with delight once they see what it can do.

It's a win-win for Microsoft. I don't see how some of you can't see that.