Rumor: Microsoft planning new HD-DVD Xbox 360 model?

December 27th, 2005, 19:11 Posted By: pspfr33k


Picture From: Ployer.com

Written By: tEChniiQue
Courtesy of: Team Modders.com

Well, the word on the street seems to be that Microsoft is rethinking their strategy on the XBOX 360. A lot of consumers feel that the release was mediocre at best but is that fair due to the lack of 360s distributed for opinion? Or does it solidify the opinion of mediocre? After all the rain and pointing the finger in the Microsoft offices, however we may feel about the release, one rumor still lingers; will there be a new XBOX 360 distributed containing a new HD-DVD drive?

Some sources say that the new console could be shipped as early as next year. Of course we all know that would mean, more space, more content, and possibly better games. But wait, doesn't that sound familiar to another console? Oh yeah, the Sony PS3 on the horizon. Maybe Microsoft is kicking themselves for not incorporating a next-gen media format for it's next-gen console. The only likely reason that Microsoft omitted HD-DVD drive initially stems back to money. Currently, Microsoft loses more than $125 per XBOX 360 sold. So, that would've meant more of a loss after the launch and is probably why they decided against it.

There have also been some recent reports from Japan that drown the entire idea of the "New 360". "Microsoft has not made any announcements in either America or Japan regarding possibilities of a next-generation disc drive to be equipped on the Xbox 360. We do not have any plans to release an Xbox 360 equipped with a next-generation DVD [drive] at the current time," the company said in a statement.

The question was asked, "Will there ever be a HD-DVD XBOX 360? Not any time soon, according to Microsoft Japan's Xbox operation chief,Yoshihiro Maruyama, who has publicly stated that the format "won't be used for gaming purposes for a while."

I feel that Microsoft didn't become one of the most successful companies in the world by luck. Yes, they lost money on the XBOX and they lost money on the 360 but where does that stack in comparison to the entire gross income of the Microsoft Corporation. They may have something up their sleeves, they always do. Will that something be an HD-DVD drive on a new andimproved XBOX 360? Well, we will just have to wait and see.

Xtreme Source Staff

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