The Xbox 720 rumor mill continues to churn at a furious pace. As more and more information comes to light, a late 2012 release for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 successor appears increasingly likely, despite earlier reports that the console would launch late in 2013.
Following rumors that the Xbox 720 could be revealed at CES next January and that Microsoft is aiming for a smaller, cheaper console than they have delivered in the past comes news that some developers are already in possession of PC-based “target boxes” designed to approximate the specifications of the forthcoming hardware. Proper Xbox 720 development kits are expected to be available before Christmas.
An unidentified source has revealed to Edge that Ubisoft Montreal, developer of the Assassin’s Creed games and the upcoming Rainbow Six: Patriots, is currently working with one of the “target boxes,” which allegedly contains an AMD graphics processor. Select Electronic Arts studios (Tiburon? Visceral? Black Box?) are also believed to be working with the units.
A 2012 release for Xbox 720 obviously puts the system in direct competition with Nintendo‘s next console. Microsoft, it would seem, does not intend to let Wii U enter the marketplace unchallenged. But if Xbox 720 was originally on track for a late 2013 launch, can its games possibly be ready a full year ahead of schedule?
Rare is rumored to be working on a “Mature” title for Xbox 720, and Ubisoft and EA can’t be the only third-parties with “target boxes.” Activision studios (Treyarch, maybe?) must be developing Xbox 720 games, as well. Yet despite the yearly sequels that drive our industry, coming to grips with brand new hardware takes time. If the Xbox 720 launch games suffer as a result of a shorted development schedule, what will Microsoft have gained?
Then there is the matter of Sony. It has been widely speculated that PlayStation 4 would launch before Xbox 720. Will that still be the case if Microsoft’s next Xbox releases next year? To be clear, Sony can ill afford to sit on the sidelines while both Microsoft and Nintendo introduce new consoles. The worry is that delivering both Vita and PS4 in 2012 may simply be too much, too soon for Sony and its stable of developers.
For now, every bit of Xbox 720 information remains decidedly in the realm of rumor and speculation. The Xbox 720 may release next year, or it may not. It may support physical and digital media equally, or it may not. That said, the sheer volume of reports suggest that things are irrevocably in motion — the next generation is coming, maybe much sooner than we all thought.
Ranters, do you believe that the Xbox 720 and a group of solid launch titles could be ready by next Fall? Which games are you hoping for?
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Source: Edge
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Oh man… I’m excited now.
NOT
PC Gaming FTW.
Yep PC gaming is better and cheeper
PC is only cheaper if you invest early on, like getting a 8-core CPU, a 1200w power supply, and a mother board that supports triple SLI/Crossfire. All that should last you a long time, and all you have to buy is a GPU for years on. That is, assuming none of your PC parts gives out.
Considering the new GPUs should be higher performance and less power usage, I may be wrong about the power supply wattage.
Most PC gamers spend $1000+ building a rig and STILL have to upgrade (or choose to) in less than 5-6 years. So while PC gaming is “better”, it is more expensive, or at least more likely to be. I put emphasis on “better” because that’s debatable, depending on personal preference.
I, too, am a PC gamer as well as a console gamer.
Im interested in hearing more aboutbthis in the future. Im behind a PC all day at work….it feels good to get away from a keyboard. Not saying one is better than the other….just prefer the controller (and I know you can use a controller on pc…if you want to)….I just don’t want to. And this comment is from a phone….just incase someone says….you’re at a pc now idiot. You have a good day now.
Cheaper? Yeah right. You have to a $1000+ PC to play most games. And most
Triple A titles are only $10 less than on a much cheaper console
It’s cheaper if you already have a PC. Buying a whole new one is expensive (building it too). But if you already have a good rig (CPU and motherboard, Power supply), then buying a graphics card alone is much cheaper or the same price for more performance than a console. So it all depends, because the games will run great on a console either way. And with Xbox 720 and PS4, I can’t see PC being TOO far ahead, considering the “console to PC” comparisons now.
PS3 and Xbox 360 may be behind PC in performance, but if developers aren’t taking advantage of high end PCs, whats the point in spending the extra cash? Is the extra money you invest in a PC actually worth the slight increase in performance?
I bought a Radeon HD 6850 which is significantly more powerful than the consoles, only $140. Had I not had to buy the rest of the PC then I would’ve saved so much money.
Sorry, but Steve is right. Try building a PC to get the FPS you need/want for $350 including a controller. I am for PC’s all the way and I also have one built for gaming, to say its graphically superior has an argument, but cheaper… no way in ….
it will have to coincide with a new cod game bc its to big of a money maker and quite obvious that treyarchs next cod game will have to be for the 720. and that all but guarantees halo 4 as a launch title i mean what other game could be as epic as a launch title than halo or cod. they would be fools to not have halo4 as a launch title.
they already killed that rumor about halo sorry
If games are just now being developed I think that we could see some promising results. However, I hope that Microsoft does not skimp on the technical specs because I and probably other gamers are going to expect a large leap from the xbox 360 to the 720 in terms of processing power and graphics. Hopefully, this console will bring console gaming and pc gaming a little closer.
I don’t think it’s releasing next year, too soon. 2013 the earliest. Can’t wait for it though.
i mean if its cheaper im almost positive that its gonna have less power than the PS4 just saying
Well the 360 was cheaper at launch and it is pretty much equal in gaming as the ps3.
Ubisoft is working on target boxes for Microsoft which and AC3 is going to release late 2013 which means AC3 might next-gen game!
Who said AC3 is 2013? I thought it was 2012.