Hypothetical question - what if the xbox 720 was released next year?

Before anyone starts having a go, this thread is purely just to see what people would do in the following situation:

The xbox 720 is released late next year. No Natal or anything, just a completely new console. Its been about 5 ish years since release of the xbox so we are probably at the lower limit of acceptable timing for release of the new console.

The console has the following features:

- Fully backwards compatible with all xbox 360 software (but not original xbox software)

- Blue Ray functionality

- A good catalogie of 20 or so games for launch

- Graphics comparable to top end PCs released now (say, 6 core power pc processor, 2GB RAM, graphics comparable to Radeon 5850, 4xAA minimum by EDRAM)

- All new games running at 1080p, all previews are saying 'crysis' levels of detail.

- No Natal, but future expansion promised

- 250Gb HDD

- Price £400/$600

- Initial reports are that consoles far more reliable than before.

This is just purely hypotehtical (but I think not too far removed from reality if it did happen). Been giving it some thought. If that really came out in a years time and all those above points were true, and the games looked stunning, would you buy it? Would it at least be a 'potential'?

Curious as so many people are against a new generation so soon but if it did come out, Im still betting most people would have a good look, if not buy.

I would buy it on the first day of release. I still have plenty of Xbox 360 games to buy but I could play them on the new system.

I would buy it on the first day of release. I still have plenty of Xbox 360 games to buy but I could play them on the new system.

craigalan23

I think Microsoft have a real decision to make - if they include backwards compatibility then more people will buy the console (no doubt) but less new generation games will be bought. And that is where the money is made. I hope they include full backwards comp but I fear they may go down the same route again i.e. selected titles only.

I'm not too worried about Backwards compatibility as I still have my Xbox 360 but I would prefer they have it. It's not a make or break feature to me at least but it would make me happy.

I would wait in line all night for it most likely . . . it could be good on Microsoft's part to suprise everyone next year with a Christmas Xbox 3 release . . . then again, it could be bad . . . some people might feel that they released it too soon, because the Xbox 360 still had more potential . . . you never can tell. I could see a 2010 release happening, but 2011 wouldn't be bad either, because it gives Microsoft more time to make sure that there is no "red rings of death."

i would not buy it. I would be way too much money.

I would wait in line all night for it most likely . . . it could be good on Microsoft's part to suprise everyone next year with a Christmas Xbox 3 release . . . then again, it could be bad . . . some people might feel that they released it too soon, because the Xbox 360 still had more potential . . . you never can tell. I could see a 2010 release happening, but 2011 wouldn't be bad either, because it gives Microsoft more time to make sure that there is no "red rings of death."

ace070590

I agree completely. As much as I think there is still a bit to come from the 360 (maybe not graphically, but in terms of new games and ideas etc), if they did release a new one, I would be right behind (or ahead!) of you in the line. If they released it and it had absolutely eye-wateringly good graphics and some solid games, I couldnt not buy it! Im pretty sure there are many people like me as well. It would just be impossibel to resist.

The Microsoft would lose a lot on each system. Blu-Ray, 2GM RAM, 5850-quality GPU? Expensive.

I guess I'd start saving. :P

The Microsoft would lose a lot on each system. Blu-Ray, 2GM RAM, 5850-quality GPU? Expensive.

Phoenix534

For £400 I think they would start out making a small loss and gradually recover over time. Like all consoles do to begin with. I think that spec I listed though is a reasonable spec for top drawer gaming in the next gen at an affordable price.

I would be pissed off cause i couldn't afford it...Trinitarian

no. i don't have 600 to blow. probly wouldn't upgrade till they stop making games for the 360.

We don't need a xbox 720.. So does this mean microsoft points are gone to waste? Or will it be the exact same thing, transfer your account, play the same game and everything?

Nope cause i never buy a console on launch and always wait a minimum of a year for the bugs to be ironed out and for some top quality titles to be released.

We don't need a xbox 720.. So does this mean microsoft points are gone to waste? Or will it be the exact same thing, transfer your account, play the same game and everything?

Wakanoid

Here's what I don't get. Why are people even THINKING about the next generation of consoles when we're just getting warmed up with the current generation. There's still a good 4 to 5 years of play here. It's unnecessary to drop a new console every couple of years. We're not talking about mobile phones, or mp3 players. We're talking about half a grand investments here and people want what they pay for. I mean we're talking 5 years into this current cycle and already we're discussing a new generation? That's dumb.

Here's what I don't get. Why are people even THINKING about the next generation of consoles when we're just getting warmed up with the current generation. There's still a good 4 to 5 years of play here. It's unnecessary to drop a new console every couple of years. We're not talking about mobile phones, or mp3 players. We're talking about half a grand investments here and people want what they pay for. I mean we're talking 5 years into this current cycle and already we're discussing a new generation? That's dumb.

Black-October

The last xbox lasted 4 years I think (maybe just over) before it was replaced. So it is not inconceivable. In my opinion, I dont think a new console should be released until late 2011. Thats another 2 years - a sensible lifespan. Although my described spec might change a bit by then. I would have to gulp a bit if it cost £400 but I would definitely buy it. I love being an early adopter, even if there are a few bugs etc on release,

it would depend, id wait a little while and see what games are comming out that look good, probably save up and wait for the first price drop

Id be pissed of considering I only got a 360 about a week ago! RDOTR

You cant please everyone. People who bought an PS1 in 1999 might be pi**sed as the ps2 was released the next year, doesnt mean Sony released the PS2 too early. Late adopters of the current gen will always see less of that gen than early adopters. Just logic.

[QUOTE="Black-October"]

Here's what I don't get. Why are people even THINKING about the next generation of consoles when we're just getting warmed up with the current generation. There's still a good 4 to 5 years of play here. It's unnecessary to drop a new console every couple of years. We're not talking about mobile phones, or mp3 players. We're talking about half a grand investments here and people want what they pay for. I mean we're talking 5 years into this current cycle and already we're discussing a new generation? That's dumb.

en3sge

The last xbox lasted 4 years I think (maybe just over) before it was replaced. So it is not inconceivable. In my opinion, I dont think a new console should be released until late 2011. Thats another 2 years - a sensible lifespan. Although my described spec might change a bit by then. I would have to gulp a bit if it cost £400 but I would definitely buy it. I love being an early adopter, even if there are a few bugs etc on release,

The last xbox was doing quite poorly MS didnt shut it down for no reason it wasnt selling the 360 is different though as long as theres a profit to be made then they will keep with it and i feel thats theres def more than 2 years left in this Generation for all the consoles especially with the economy the way it is.

[QUOTE="en3sge"]

[QUOTE="Black-October"]

Here's what I don't get. Why are people even THINKING about the next generation of consoles when we're just getting warmed up with the current generation. There's still a good 4 to 5 years of play here. It's unnecessary to drop a new console every couple of years. We're not talking about mobile phones, or mp3 players. We're talking about half a grand investments here and people want what they pay for. I mean we're talking 5 years into this current cycle and already we're discussing a new generation? That's dumb.

Gen007

The last xbox lasted 4 years I think (maybe just over) before it was replaced. So it is not inconceivable. In my opinion, I dont think a new console should be released until late 2011. Thats another 2 years - a sensible lifespan. Although my described spec might change a bit by then. I would have to gulp a bit if it cost £400 but I would definitely buy it. I love being an early adopter, even if there are a few bugs etc on release,

The last xbox was doing quite poorly MS didnt shut it down for no reason it wasnt selling the 360 is different though as long as theres a profit to be made then they will keep with it and i feel thats theres def more than 2 years left in this Generation for all the consoles especially with the economy the way it is.

Honestly, I'm content with my 360. I would wait a couple years after release to get the next generation.

Seems nice enough, but the price is waaay too high for me. So I'd just keep playing ma 360.

Crysis level of detail won't be acceptable for the upper end of next-gen graphics. So I'm going to be expected to enjoy 2007 graphics until 2015 or so?

Next gen won't release until they are far beyond Crysis graphically. Additionally, they probabaly won't release it without a major overhaul or addition to at least one area. (motion control, 3D, etc.)

Day 1 customer here. I have confidence Microsoft will handle their business well, etc. supporting the 360 for the next couple years and at the same time give full push for their new console.

I'm not paying for another similar console.
If I could swap my 360 and 100 bucks for a 720, I would.

[QUOTE="RDOTR"]Id be pissed of considering I only got a 360 about a week ago! en3sge

You cant please everyone. People who bought an PS1 in 1999 might be pi**sed as the ps2 was released the next year, doesnt mean Sony released the PS2 too early. Late adopters of the current gen will always see less of that gen than early adopters. Just logic.

I think that thea will release it 2012-13 maybe later...

so you want the 720 to fail like the ps3 did when it first launch

I doubt the next xbox will have blu ray functionality. Sony owns the rights to blu ray and so I doubt they would sell the rights for a microsoft console when it is one of their selling points for the 'other' system. Silverpeel

Sony doesn't own Blu-Ray. It's owned by the Blu-Ray Disc Association, which is made up of 20 board companies.

I'd buy it day 1 like I'm planning on doing with all other next gen consoles. The only reason I didn't get any of them day 1 this gen was becuase I was young and poor. Now with working full time I can afford to get them all day 1.

I would buy it, and an extended warranty :o

I would buy it at $400 (I wonder if they'll make it more, though). It'd be nice if the BC ran all the way back through Xbox 1, but if it had full BC with 360 (which I REALLY HOPE IT DOES) that would be enough. 360 has some classic games on it, I hope "720" (which it won't be called) is fully BC and runs the 360 games smoothly. I lost all my past consoles (NES, SNES, N64, Xbox 1) and I'm really into hanging onto the 360 games I have accumulated (library of 12 and growing. I'm about to slow down, though). It'd be cool if they made more 360 games available on demand, too, for when the discs become hard to come by. Except price them reasonably.

One thing they have to be careful of, though, is not to release it too early and get outclassed by PS4. Or to release it too early and offend consumers when the 360 only came out in 2005. They should wait 'til late 2011, at least. And 360 backwards compatibility is a must.

360 beats PS3 in the RAM department while PS3 beats 360 in the processing department - except it's so hard to program for that most games don't take full advantage of the PS3 processor. You end up with the two consoles being very comparable, some games actually looking better on 360.

I doubt the next xbox will have blu ray functionality. Sony owns the rights to blu ray and so I doubt they would sell the rights for a microsoft console when it is one of their selling points for the 'other' system. Silverpeel

Unless Microsoft come up with a proprietry disc (expensive), they will have to go blu ray or at least use the old HD DVD format (just for the games) as they will run out of space. Especially as games start moving towards 1080p. Digital downloads will not take off properly for years yet as most people just dont have the bandwidth and 4/5 people will go for a hard copy over a soft copy any day. Plus that you wont be able to buy used games and prices will always be high.

So for me, its blu ray or reintriduced HD DVD. They cant stick with DVD as forza 3 has already shown, we are running out of space.

It'll have Blu-Ray for sure, even if they have to pay Sony royalties. I don't think they can be denied rights, they might have to pay royalties, though. then someone else said Blu-Ray is owned by a consortium.

Using a different format would be so stupid. Blu-Ray won, and it has enough storage to last for a while, just use it. they won't switch to digital download for several reasons. 1)they want people to buy games whether they have broadband or not 2)broadband keeps getting faster, but games keep getting bigger, too. what's the max on a blu-ray? 25 GB? More than that?