Next Xbox No-Show: Why Microsoft's Keeping Durango Under Wraps

March 23rd, 2012, 00:14 Posted By: wraggster

Veteran journalist Chris Morris explains what a no-show for the next Xbox at E3 means
[h=3]Microsoft[/h]E&D Emerging Markets

www.microsoft.com/uk/games


The following is a guest post from veteran games journalist Chris Morris
With Microsoft's announcement that it has no plans to even mention its next generation console system at this year's E3, the annual video game trade show has gotten a bit less interesting.
It is, in some ways, a confusing decision. While no one expected the next Xbox to come out this year, publishers traditionally begin beating the drum for new systems about 18 months out - and there's no indication Microsoft has pushed the system to 2014. Also, with the company talking to developers now, the specs for the device have leaked out faster than water through a colander.
But there is some logic in keeping the new system close to the vest. And the decision could have a ripple effect on the rest of the industry.
Here are a few reasons Microsoft likely decided to keep Durango under wraps at E3 this year - and what that decision might mean for other players.

[h=2]Why scuttle Xbox Next talk?[/h]The games aren't ready - While everyone knew the next Xbox was in the works, Microsoft didn't start its road show for the new system until early this year. That's when developers got their first look at what was underneath the hood of Durango and what it could do.
While work may have been underway preliminarily at that point on launch titles for the next generation, teams haven't had much time to prepare them for the final (or near final) specs. And given how much competition has increased in the gaming space in the last few years, the new consoles are going to have to wow people right out of the gate. To ensure that happens, Microsoft knows it's better to wait until the games are closer to being done.
Why shoot yourself in the foot? - The Xbox 360 is still a powerful force at retail. While the Wii was already starting to flounder when Nintendo announced the Wii U, Microsoft doesn't face the same sort of pressure to please investors.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...go-under-wraps

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