Xbox 2 Reveal Coming In Spring, Xbox 1.5 Later This Year, Xbox TV In The Works- RUMOR

Thurrott.com just concluded a podcast, where they discussed the future of Xbox hardware- and contrary to a lot of speculations, it sounds like the future of Xbox hardware is very bright, with multiple Xbox branded products on the horizon- far sooner than one might thing.

Microsoft apparently have multiple new Xbox products in the wings- included in these is what was referred to as an ‘Xbox 2,’ which will be VR enabled, and based on an entirely new architecture (it was unclear whether or not it would be backwards compatible with the existing Xbox One). That’s not all, either- apparently, an Xbox 1.5, so to speak, is due out later this year, which will be a souped up version of the current Xbox One. It will be capable of 4K output, which means it will probably go head to head with the PS4 Neo.

Microsoft will also be putting out TV specific hardware under the Xbox brand, it sounds like- there are two TV Xbox solutions in the work, including a Chromecast-esque stick, as well as an Apple TV/Roku-esque Xbox TV streaming box (this is separate from the long rumored Xbox Slim). Tom Warren of The Verge has weighed in on a lot of this news on NeoGAF, confirming that there will in fact be new Xbox hardware at E3, and that it will be 40% slimmer than what we have right now- but he refused to comment on anything else, leaving the question of just what this slimmer hardware may be open.

If all of this is true, then we could be looking at a lot of Xbox branded hardware within the next year or so:

• An Xbox 1.5, which would be sort of a response to the PS4K Neo. This will be 4K compatible and coming later this year, and it may have a slimmer form factor than the existing Xbox One
• An Xbox 2, revealed around Spring next year, based on an entirely new hardware architecture, and VR compatible. This will probably be the successor to Xbox One, and it is unclear whether or not it will be backwards compatible with the existing Xbox One hardware
• An Xbox branded Chromecast-esque streaming stick
• An Xbox branded Apple TV-esque streaming box

All in all, it sounds like Microsoft, rather than slowly transitioning away from hardware, are doubling down on it, at least where the Xbox is concerned- with E3 around the corner, official confirmations for at least some of these are likely coming up soon. We can’t wait to see what the future has in store.

SOURCE

(full disclosure, that source article was written to me. I have reproduced the entire body of that article here, however, with all source links intact, so you are free to not click on the Source. It is present merely for the sake of completion)

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Anyway, this sounds to me exciting, and a bit worrying too- a new Xbox 2 next year? On an all new architecture? Just four years after the Xbox One, and one year after its revision? How is that going to work?

That said, I can't say I am not excited to see what Microsoft may have up their sleeve.

If that is the case, then say goodbye to the Xbox brand. There is no reason to rush to an X2 with the sales of the X1. Phil is a genius....

I mean, this is exactly what happened with the Xbox and the Xbox 360, and Microsoft did just fine then.

Bestest news I've heard all year. :D

Preordered mah Xbox Too yesterday. :P

If true, i'll be interested to see an Xbox 2 reveal. However, if they keep with the PC/Xbox releases, then this may be the first gen where I don't bother with an Xbox.

@techhog89: It's coming from Thurott, the dude has been responsible for several true Microsoft leaks in the past. There is no reason to doubt it.

Cool, I'll investigate more when official annoucements are made. Not really thinking about this, since its only rumors.

Xbox One is selling fine as is, its higher than the PS4 now on Amazon and has multiple SKU in the top 100. They can take their time and do this right, its not something that really worries me, but I'm definitely in the target audience I just need more concrete info. Very happy with the system now, so no rush for me.

Apparently the new upgraded xbox project is called Scorpio. The PC will have the XBOX full UI to enable crossplay make it far easier to implement across devices.

http://kotaku.com/sources-smaller-xbox-one-coming-this-year-more-powerf-1778634446

What..? This makes no sense. Unless they gave up on the xbox one like Nintendo did the Wii U and that's why were seeing basically no MS support. With their sales though it would make more sense to just support the console and let games push it forward..

So in 2017 the Xbox One will be a last gen console with no first party support?

LOL

" Xbox 1.5" and "Xbox 2" lol

Awful names. And I really don't see either picking up any traction.

Those aren't real names, just names picked to convey what the new hardware will be. I thought that was pretty obvious.

why not forget the 1.5 and go straight to the xbox 2..

releasing both of these within a couple of years would be silly and confusing

Wondering if Microsoft simply shrunk their current APU to 14nm, or went the Sony route and just got themselves an improved APU based on Polaris. Also, it seems like Microsoft wants to pull another 360 with the Xbox 2 and start next gen earlier than expected. I guess a rebranding is in order.

Of course the xbox one will have first party support? You just play your games at lower settings like PC gamers have been doing for the last 15 years.

Pretty cool. New systems are always fun EVEN if they're an Xbone 2.0 lol.

So this feels like the original Xbox. Didn't sell so well so they killed it and moved on. This will probably be a good move on MS' part since they seem to do better when they have the jump on the next generation. If they plan on killing it the same way though, it won't make much sense releasing an Xbox One.5. It would mean that it would be on the market for only a year.

Xbox TV? Sounds too much like they want the Roku / ChromeCast / Apple TV market. Frankly I think with the recent FCC ruling regarding proprietary cable boxes being a thing of the past soon and allowing third party devices to serve as cable devices, I think consoles are poised to be the cornerstone of the home entertainment center.

Actually it makes perfect sense if the X2 is a MonsterBox with a price tag to match and I'm hoping that's the case. The X1 & 1.5 would still play the games but at way lower setting. Would give MS a very economical box at the same time a top tier box for those who can afford it.

Still don't see the point of iterative consoles. Whole advantage of consoles is better optimization and cheaper costs due to closed boxes every 5-7 years. The Apple iterative phone model does not translate over to consoles at all.

Also see the Xbox TV flopping hard just like PSTV did.

I guess the Xbox 1.5 will be their affordable lower end solution, while the Xbox 2 will be more expensive (and powerful)

I think iterative consoles are the way of the future. Might as well adapt to them now.

Explain why Sony is releasing a new version of the Playstation? Games are increasingly more demanding and some gamers are willing to pay extra to have every game be 1080p and 60 frames.

PS4 flagship title Uncharted 4 struggled it only hit 1080p 30 frames 900p 60 frames online. Neo will be 1080p 60 frames every game.

Except for in multiplayer modes, where the Neo is categorically disallowed from giving games any framerate advantage.

Not ready to give these companies more money for hardware.

Slim at E3 and new xbox to go up against whatever new system Sony releases this year.

Makes no sense to reveal an Xbox 1.5 as they call it this year and an Xbox 2 next year, that would be completely dumb.

Yeah, let's release two consoles in 12 months and kill off our fastest selling console ever in the process. What could possibly go wrong?

@cainetao11: agreed, its way too soon for this. maybe in 2-3 years.

I've only ever seen people say the Apple iterative model is why consoles will be like this when they are not comparable in any way. There's already an iterative model for the gaming industry: PC gaming.

Just because console makers are pushing it doesn't mean it will be a success, many fads have been pushed over time, motion controls, 3D gaming, VR, etc. It won't stick unless the masses want it.

I'd also add that this console upgrade/iterative console is nothing new, and just like motion controls, VR, and 3D has been tried multiple times, and failed, in the past.

Yep. I'm happy with my PS4 and X1 for now

Read this.

The XBox Two stuff (VR enabled and 4k) is in line with what I was hearing about the 1.5. Either there's some truth to this or my source got their wires crossed. Either way, expect a serious rebranding of XBox soon. Phil has been itching for a chance to really prove he is leading things in the right direction and even senior leadership at MS see the Bone as a ship that was on fire before it left port.

As hateful as I have been of the XBone, rightfully so, I do hope they take the chance to make a better beginning with this. If they steer us back into always-connected DRM, then let it burn. I will be watching, and so is everyone else.

I want them to name the next Xbox something like Xbox Infinity. And the one after that Xbox 720. And then the one after that Xbox 2 :P

I see mention of iPhones and comparing it to the mobile iterative phone model, I click out of the article. They are completely not comparable in any way and making such a comparison shows a complete lack of understanding of the whole situation. Again, this is the ONLY argument people ever make that iterative consoles are the future.

Actually read the damn thing to understand the argument it is making instead of ignorantly making assumptions.

Yes but part of doing find was because sony arrived 1 year late at $600,if sony would have landed on 2005 with a $400 console the history would have being different.

I think an X2 next year doesn't make sense,so i see either a 1.5 xbox or a xbox 2 but not both,unless the X is minimum for late 2018.

Remember scenarios are not the same,which is what make the equation different,the PS2 was older to than the xbox,the gap between the X2 and Neo would not be even a year,and i don't think MS can make a considerable more powerful console without getting into losses.

The idea of a 1.5 xbox sound great if everything is like Neo and all games are compatible and all that crap,and like i said in my latest thread a few days ago,is unavoidable for MS because if sony in deed jumped because of cost saving MS would also have to do the same.

That is hourly and is because is the 1TB version with 3 free games for $349 again if they don't do rotten mean prices they can't beat the PS4,hell is only 2 spots from the PS4 500GB with COD.

Just like Halo 5 limited edition is on spot 13 because it is being sold for $48 dollars man that is a huge drop,more than half the price chop,i guess retailers still stuff from the whole $400 million worth of Halo 5 crap that MS sold them.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/2016-05/videogames#1

This are the best sellers for May 2016 up until today the PS4 is 17 the xbox one on spot 60.

LOL exactly. I think this rumor is complete B.S. Either they would just release an upgraded X1 and let that go for a good few years or just come out with an Xbox 2 but to have both come out a year part or announcing the 2 right about the upgraded X1 is release is just retarded. No one would be the upgraded 1 and the people that did won't buy the 2 so you shooting yourself in the foot.

First, there's no reason to believe that every game will hit 1080p/60fps from any boost that Neo will give. Will it make it easier? Probably.

Second, Sony, from what we know, has no plans on ending the PS4 after they release the neo. In fact I remember them saying the opposite, that the PS4 will be around a while.

I've been against consoles being upgraded halfway through the gen, but If MS does it, then announces a new console shortly after, then that makes even less sense to me.

Nope, the X1 is selling well and the OGbox didn't. Also, the OGbox didn't get a redesign or upgrade followed by a 360 a few months later.

I did read it. It brings nothing new to the discussion, and makes the same trite comparisons we've had for ages. We had tons of similar articles saying mobile was the death of console, VR was the future, and motion controls were the future.

If you have something to say, say it. I don't care about your article.

Except it does none of that. It makes a very simple and clear case for how upgradeable consoles will work. Everything I want to say is said in the article. Read it, and if you can get back to me with a counter argument, cool. If not, then it sounds like you've already made your mind up, and it is pointless talking to someone like that.

Exactly. That whole, here's a better Xbox One followed by here comes an Xbox 2 makes no sense. If they announce it this E3 and release it in the fall, then that console won't even be on the market for a year before it becomes obsolete.

Why bother releasing the Neo if it can't do 1080p 60 frames every time? The whole point of releasing upgrades is to improve not be the same as before!

You don't end the PS4. It enables Sony to cut prices and more people will buy the PS4 at a cheaper price. PC gaming every gamer does not have the same hardware as the next person, but they still are able to play the same games, just at lower video settings.

@charizard1605: The times, they are a-changing. A bit surprised to see the level of skepticism on this board from a strongly corroborated article. At least entertain the premise folks.

It's clear that the tried-and-true console model is dead. Xbox and Wii were both gutted at retail trying to make the transition to a new generation and the constraints it puts on developers to build games to a specific architecture for over half a decade hurts everyone. Some move on too soon and their revenue gets pummeled, while others wait for too long and harm the adoption of the newer device.

Based on these rumors, it sounds like MS is trying to make a complete move to games as a service by making similar moves Sony has attempted (Playstation TV, PS Now). Whatever their vision is with the Xbox stick and streaming box, I'm not on board with either of those devices if it's going to be internet-dependent for gaming. Modular Xboxes - a half-breed between console and PC - is the most interesting move, but since MS appears to be wanting to push its Windows ecosystem with UWP, I don't see why I couldn't just own a PC and run an Xbox distribution app (which may be, more or less, just fine with MS). If that's the move MS is making, they are putting Steam in their sights. And that's where things become the most interesting - as a third-party (EA, Activision, Ubisoft), if the devices you are targeting all operate the same OS, it is completely unnecessary to forfeit revenue to MS or another distributor via licensing costs when you are able to own and operate your own distribution method. How MS/Valve/Sony aim to keep their third-party licensing intact is something I'm dying to observe.

And if true, it revitalizes the tiniest bit of hope I have for NX. If everything is converging into the Windows ecosystem, a distribution platform seems to jive entirely with the way the market is heading.

Rampantly speculate ye knaves.

I have no faith in Microsoft. They're all over the map.

But the current xbox one model should the "affordable lower end solution" while the xbox 2 will be the more expensive and powerful.. The 1.5 seems pointless imo.

Rumors! Officially nobody outside of MS, Sony, Devs knows whats real. If i was to guess, we will see a slimmer version of xbox one at E3 and upgraded xbox end of 2016 or Spring 2017

Like i stated on my other thread,if the changes sony did were to reduce cost,MS will have to do the same,hell even a Polaris 11 with 14CU will deliver better performance than the PS4 now.

I think one model will not be out before 2018.

xbox streaming...lol MS just copy PSN Now.