Leaked Microsoft document details $299 Xbox 720 in 2013

http://venturebeat.com/2012/06/16/leaked-microsoft-document-details-299-xbox-720-in-2013-kinect-glasses-onlive-acquisition/

Microsoft is planning a $299 Xbox 720 with Kinect 2 for a holiday 2013 release. Microsoft supposedly drafted the outline, which contains a road map for the company’s Xbox division through 2015, in mid-2010. This document’s authenticity has not been verified, but Convington & Burling LLP is Microsoft’s legal counsel.

Hmm, seems interesting they'd use blu ray.

AtrumX wrote:Hmm, seems interesting they'd use blu ray.

Why? What else are they going to use? HD-DVD.....?

Not sure exactly what to think about the article. If the document is authentic is could make for a pretty sweet system. However, MS could have leaked the document to see how consumers react to the info and see what they may want to add or remove from a possible next console.

S7 Epic wrote:

AtrumX wrote:Hmm, seems interesting they'd use blu ray.

Why? What else are they going to use? HD-DVD.....?

Umm, force everything to be installed? Could ship game on usb with option for digital download.
Good way to boost higher HDD model sales.

I thought Sony owned the rights to Blu-ray technology and the only reason Microsoft didn't have blu-ray in the 360 is because of some cost per unit fee they would have to pay Sony for the rights. Is that still in play or is that Patent only legal for a set time? Either way its good knew to see the future systems tech specs.

I'd rather there be a little more tech in it and be priced at $399. 4G of RAM? Really? That's gonna last until what, 2020'ish? I know consoles aren't top of the line PC's but even entry level PC's have 4GB RAM now.

AtrumX wrote:

S7 Epic wrote:

AtrumX wrote:Hmm, seems interesting they'd use blu ray.

Why? What else are they going to use? HD-DVD.....?

Umm, force everything to be installed? Could ship game on usb with option for digital download.
Good way to boost higher HDD model sales.

Yeah, because that is going to go down well with non- tech-savvy gamers...

Blu-Ray is the only realistic option. Sure, the option to DL the games will no doubt make it's way to the 720 but from a business PoV, a tried and tested format is required.

S7 Panzer wrote:I thought Sony owned the rights to Blu-ray technology and the only reason Microsoft didn't have blu-ray in the 360 is because of some cost per unit fee they would have to pay Sony for the rights. Is that still in play or is that Patent only legal for a set time? Either way its good knew to see the future systems tech specs.

Sony are part of a conglomerate that own Blu-Ray - Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Thomson, LG (Lucky GoldStar) Electronics, Hitachi, Sharp, and Samsung.

OneBadHuskerFan wrote:I'd rather there be a little more tech in it and be priced at $399. 4G of RAM? Really? That's gonna last until what, 2020'ish? I know consoles aren't top of the line PC's but even entry level PC's have 4GB RAM now.

According to the document, MS only plans on the specs needing to get them thru about 2-3 years:

If this document is real, it all but confirms that this will be the last Microsoft console. The company hopes to implement complete cloud streaming of games by 2015. The analysis says consumers will “”never need to upgrade hardware again.”

From what I hear from friends in the industry, Sony are going the same way. Might not turn out too well for them though. MS has FAR more money to throw into cloud services and the supporting infrastructure.

There was a part in that article that mentioned Microsoft's interest in buying On Live.


The document mentioned OnLive as a possible acquisition target. Microsoft labeled the game-streaming company as a threat with the potential to “up-end the console-gaming market by making expensive consoles and PCs unnecessary for AAA gaming.” Microsoft may choose to neutralize them by absorbing this already established company rather than creating a cloud-streaming service from scratch.


This would make sense and possible give Ms a leg up to have a company with some expierence in that market.