So you may have read my previous
article in which 1UP reported that a new XBOX console was coming next
fall. Well (more than) a few people called shenanigans. Throw
Microsoft and Team XBOX into that circle now. “I think part of
the excitement about this announcement is that in many ways we are
delivering a next generation experience this generation. With that
said, I can confirm that Natal will run on Xbox 360 so no new console
investment will be necessary.” says Aaron Greenberg, director of
product management, in an interview with Eurogamer. Another unnamed
source from Microsoft says, “Don’t believe nonsense on the
internet is all I’ll say. We’ll do the right thing for Natal.”
So neither of these statements flat out
deny the existence of a new or reworked console and perhaps it should
be noted that SCEA said the same thing about the PSP Go before its
eventual confirmation. Team XBOX has a different idea as to what is
going on. According to them, the truth is that there can’t be a new
console in 2010, because Microsoft is waiting for a certain
technology to emerge. 3D. You read right: 3D.
Today, I can tell you that I have
obtained the first details on the next Xbox (info that we’ll reveal
in the coming weeks) and that’s why we can confirm that the rumor
reported by 1UP is false. Microsoft is NOT launching a new, upgraded
Xbox 360 disguised as a new Xbox in 2010 (although built-in Natal
technology is a possibility for a new edition of the Xbox 360,
similar to the Elite or Arcade flavors). It’s not our intention to
tease you, but for now the only thing I’m going to say about
everything I heard regarding the next Xbox is that it won’t launch
until a certain type of television becomes more widespread. says
Team XBOX before referring people to their twitter. …in addition
to built-in Natal tech, a key feature of the next Xbox would be full
HD stereoscopic 3D visuals similar to 3D movie theatres. is what
it goes on to say.
I don’t see why 3D would require a new
XBOX or for that matter why that means a 2010 release date would be
out of the question. I also don’t see any solid sources, at least
nothing more solid than 1Up’s sources. That said I wouldn’t be
surprised to see 3D become more mainstream in the gaming industry. At
CES earlier this year, Sony had an excellent 3D display with wipEout
HD and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue playable in 3D on the PlayStation 3.
While Microsoft didn’t show anything of the sort at CES, it can be
safe to assume they are very aware of their’s competitors intentions
with 3D. Sony has previously stated they wanted to implement
stereoscopic 3D later in 2009 with a firmware update to the PS3.