Microsoft: “This Generation Will Be Longer”
November 24th, 2008 | Written by Anthony Perez | Topic: Xbox 360
There has been a lot of confusion as to when this generation of game consoles will come to an end and replaced with the next generation of hardware. Sony has stuck to its guns about a 10-year life cycle, as it did with the PS2. Microsoft, however, has been a little more reserved in saying anything. Finally, Microsoft has hinted that it’s “very, very possible” that “this generation will be longer.”
Chris Lewis, VP of the Interactive Entertainment Business for Microsoft EMEA, had this to say in an interview with Edge Online.
“I think this generation will be longer, because there is so much scalability. When you look at NXE, that is a complete revision of the interface and the look and feel and every aspect of the system. That’s not predicated by new hardware. We have fundamentally done that through software and services. So if you think of that scalability and the opportunity to enhance and develop what we do with this platform, then I think it’s very, very possible–and indeed appropriate–that this generation will be longer.”
That doesn’t mean that it’s a guarantee we won’t see an Xbox 360 successor in the near future, though.
“But we’re not specific about when that will happen, and we don’t have a particular timeline that we share right now. But as I said, there’s a lot more still to come.”
We know Sony is in it for the long haul – and it kind of has to be considering how profitable the PS3 has not been for them – so there is no reason for Microsoft to rush. Also, Lewis is right in saying that the NXE shows a commitment on Microsoft’s part. With the 360 celebrating its third birthday just days ago, it is unlikely Microsoft would invest so much time and energy in an all-new interface this late in the game if they planned to wrap up shop in a couple of years.
RELATED: THE FALL OF SONY: FROM #1 TO (BARELY) #2
If we had to take a guess, it’s likely we’ll see the next Xbox either in 2011 or 2012. That would peg the 360′s lifespan at 6 to 7 years. That’s a big improvement over the original Xbox’s four year life.
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Comment by Jacob Stutsman on the November 25th, 2008 at 2:34 am
Someone always jumps the gun, however. A new console is like a fresh start and a new strategy. Just ask Nintendo. Microsoft thought it was prudent to get an early start, even if it meant cutting the Xbox short. After all, an early start means increased momentum and a lead that can take up to a year to erase. Perhaps the stakes are too high right now, and everybody is a little shy to introduce a new console. You could argue that Nintendo could introduce a new console, and the technology would be such that it would be on a similar level to the 360 and PS3 – thus they're on equal levels, and everybody feels safe.
Still, even if Microsoft and Sony want to spend time investing in their powerful machines, they can't be terribly happy with their positions, and sales will dry up eventually (or they could increase as prices fall, but their current positions can only take them so far). Someone is gonna want to reposition themselves in the future instead of maintaining the status quo. It all depends on who has the itchy trigger finger, and that will have the cascade effect of triggering the next generation.
Comment by Jester Smiles on the November 25th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I doubt that this generation will last as long as they want, just remember what happen to atari back in the days. If nintnedo did not make the NES the video game industry would have died right their and then. Also in IMO i think the longer it last the better for sony but only time will tell what would happen.
Comment by TonyP on the November 26th, 2008 at 1:22 am
I agree that an elongated console war will likely benefit Sony because they appear to have the slightly better hardware. I touched on it in that article called "The Fall of Sony" that's linked in the article.
Comment by FG-12345 on the December 4th, 2008 at 9:32 am
bluray is not the better hardware . It's a drm scam control device for the future . once this comes to light the format is dead along with sony and it's illegal rootkitting everything for control.
Comment by TheForgotten0ne on the January 23rd, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Well, it's also the fact that you can store more on the discs. Something that will be usefull in the future, they use more and more space. Especially HD quality, and Blu-Ray let them use almost as much space as they want to.
Comment by Amy on the August 12th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
When you look at how much advancement has been made since the PS2, it's no wonder they anticipate the next step to be slower and shorter. I'd be amazed if they managed to improve as much again.