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Source Claims Electronic Arts Possesses Early Next-Generation Xbox Development Kit [UPDATED]

Let's take a trip down memory lane, looking at what Microsoft's already said about the next Xbox.

UPDATE: While no surprise, EA has told Kotaku this allegation is "100 percent not true." 

--

With Nintendo about to disclose details on Wii's successor at E3, the gauntlet has been thrown and we're looking at endless months of anonymous sources murmuring about what Sony and Microsoft are planning. Speculation's fun 'n all, but everyone and their anonymous mom seems to hear differently.

That said, Develop is a reliable publication and when it claims a source has informed them Electronic Arts possess an early next-generation Xbox development kit (I'm not about to call it Xbox 720, guys), there's reason to believe there's some truth there. That's just about all Develop has filed here, however.

“Quite often when new consoles come around they’re packaged into a PC shell, but actually what’s inside is an entirely new console,” said Develop's source, described as "senior, trusted, well-placed."

Microsoft has said very little about its plans for Xbox 360's successor, pointing to continued strong sales and the successful launch of Kinect as proof there's no reason for Microsoft to move on yet. Nintendo's decision to leave Wii behind, however, may have started putting pressure on everyone else.

  I'm not ready to buy three new pieces of hardware for my living room, are you?
  I'm not ready to buy three new pieces of hardware for my living room, are you?

== TEASER == Job listings from March (via Engadget) described a team at Microsoft working on "defining and delivering next generation console architectures," which is absolutely not surprising. Of course Microsoft is actively working on a machine to come after Xbox. Eventually, the six-year-old Xbox 360 will be retired.

"Our view is we will be selling Xbox 360 for a long time," said Microsoft president of entertainment & devices Robbie Bach in 2008, when asked about Microsoft's future plans. "We are always working on new technologies. We have people working on those. People ask me how many people I have working on the next generation. On the one hand, it’s everybody. On the other, it’s nobody. People are continuously working on new technology. We started thinking about the next generation before we shipped the Xbox 360. It doesn’t start with a date. It starts way upstream with silicon development. From that comes a series of data points. You start making early technology choices. It’s an evolving thing. Stuff doesn’t become concrete until you get inside a window of when you have to ship, more than 18 months or so out.”

If Microsoft's looking to ship in fall 2012, we'd be within that window. Nintendo has said its next console would arrive sometime in 2012 but has not specified a window--we may not even get that at E3, knowing Nintendo. Previous statements from Microsoft pointed towards an Xbox 360 successor at earliest in 2013.

"I think it's important to say that the Xbox 360 is the console of the long future for us. There is no need to launch a new console, because we're able to give this console new life either with software upgrades or hardware upgrades like Project Natal," said senior director of Xbox product management David Hufford to The Guardian in January 2010, before Microsoft had ultimately billed Natal as Kinect. "The Xbox 360 was designed for a long life, and I don't even know if we're at the midpoint yet."

It's unclear how much Nintendo's next machine will relate to its previous phenomenon.
It's unclear how much Nintendo's next machine will relate to its previous phenomenon.

Sony's known for making similar "long life" proclamations about its hardware, declaring both PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 would be around for a decade. In a sense, Sony was correct about PS2. Even though much of the world had moved on to newer hardware, Sony continued to sell PS2 hardware at a decent clip, even releasing supportive software. WWE All-Stars was released on PS2 earlier this year and Electronic Arts will have a PS3 version of Madden NFL 12 when it releases in August.

"This generation is here for a long, long time," said Xbox UK boss Stephen McGill to Xbox 360 Achievements last fall. "I think there's still a lot of legs left with the Xbox 360, so we're years away from contemplating what comes next."

When McGill made that statement, however, Kinect was unproven and Nintendo hadn't announced a new console. Kinect was very much designed to extend the current machine's lifecycle by a few years.

The next moves from Sony and Microsoft may hinge more on the response to Nintendo's machine than anything else. If the market expects another phenomenon, how long can each company wait? It would not be a surprise to see Microsoft fleetingly reference a new console at E3, if only to get folks buzzing.

Patrick Klepek on Google+

153 Comments

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yukoasho

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Edited By yukoasho

@CrazyChris I'm not sure if Sony and MS even can put out another console, at least not for the next two or so years.  We're at the point right now where the graphics are more than good enough for most people, and the development of software has become stupidly expensive.  I don't think you can just say "it's prettier" anymore.  There has to be something new to get people to come to the trough again, or at least a way to make development not as much of a pain in the ass.

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OrigamiElephant

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Edited By OrigamiElephant

Just like with anything else, there needs to be a very real difference between current gen, and next gen to really make users jump.  I think there is one last leap in terms of real graphical improvement.

While a new console in a year or two would be irritating for those that just bought a Slim, or Kinect, the reality is it's no worse than Apple (Especially with their new is better, brainwashing scheme they got going on over there) releasing hardware iterations every year, with only nominal improvements. 

If you waited 5-6 to get into Xbox gaming, and especially because of kinect, one or two years is pretty much the most you could hope for in my opinion.

The rest of us have been with the system for 5+ years now, so a new console honestly wouldn't be unsurprising.

That being said I know myself personally, that as long as they make (and at this point it shouldn't be a big deal) backwards compatibility seamless, along with keeping the XBL community continuous (Gamer tags, XBL content transferred) and I see a very real fidelity, and speed (possibly audio) upgrade, I'd be happy to purchase a new console.  It might even be cool to get marginal upscaling capabilities with the old 360 titles. 

Still if a new console means I have to abandon the content for my old console straight out (this sort of mindset is unacceptable now) it's probably going to be a hard sale for me.

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Tachikoma

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Edited By Tachikoma

I'll buy Microsoft again when they get some internal studios 

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Xsheps

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Edited By Xsheps

I might buy the next generation Microsoft console.   I will definitely not buy anything else from Sony.

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Aaron_G

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Edited By Aaron_G

I really don't want new consoles yet, I am not ready. I feel like what we have is more than good enough. Unless Microsoft has somehow changed things to make an even better experience. But I just don't want to upgrade consoles yet. It's too expensive.

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crusader8463

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Edited By crusader8463

I know it would never happen, but I would laugh my ass off if at this E3 if they revealed their next system and when they pulled off the sheet it was just a PC sitting there running windows 8.

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michaelfossbakk

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Edited By michaelfossbakk

Thank god I saw this after the update. Long read for no reason.

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Cusseta

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Edited By Cusseta
@Ahmad_Metallic:
Are you an idoit?
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Comando156

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Edited By Comando156

So does this mean a new Microsoft console by 2015?

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jasaldo_1

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Edited By jasaldo_1

Z-BOX!!!!!!

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the_OFFICIAL_jAPanese_teaBAG

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@Kyle said:
" @MideonNViscera said:
" I just better be able to use my XBLA crap from this generation on my next-gen X-Box. Hell, controllers too. We don't need new controllers. "
Microsoft intentionally designed the 360 to make backwards compatibility for future Xbox systems very easy. We will most likely be able to keep everything. "
i wouldnt be surprised.  i mean the controller seems pretty durable and everything.  its too bad the ps3 controller has a cheap feel to it
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Kyle

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Edited By Kyle
@PatrickKlepek said:
"   (I'm not about to call it Xbox 720, guys) "
Aw, COME ON!!
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Kyle

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Edited By Kyle
@MideonNViscera said:
" I just better be able to use my XBLA crap from this generation on my next-gen X-Box. Hell, controllers too. We don't need new controllers. "
Microsoft intentionally designed the 360 to make backwards compatibility for future Xbox systems very easy. We will most likely be able to keep everything.
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Osiris

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Edited By Osiris
@rebgav:   I suppose your right, we'll see what e3 brings. :)
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MideonNViscera

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Edited By MideonNViscera

I just better be able to use my XBLA crap from this generation on my next-gen X-Box. Hell, controllers too. We don't need new controllers.

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JFetch

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Edited By JFetch

Microsoft has been very quiet lately. They have something big coming, but probably not a new console.

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deactivated-5865c6a5c9438

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Xbox 420 broooooooooooooooooo.

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MisterChief

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Edited By MisterChief
@rebgav said:
" @mnzy said:
" Brink and LA Noire are not top tier titles? Oooohk. "
I don't think so, no. We'll soon find out.   "
I would call a game which has been in development for 7 years, cost more than $50,000,000 and is from one of the most successful publishers in history to be top tier.
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bingbangboom

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Edited By bingbangboom

I am sure Microsoft is working on what their next console will be but I don't think E3 is the time for it. They really feel they can sell the Kinect and 360 for another holiday season especially with another price cut. They want everyone that has a Wii to buy Kinect 360 but I wouldn't be surprised if they do have a teaser for the next system at E3 say for the next Halo game. They can do the entire thing in CG and just say this is what the next game will be like.

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Cincaid

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Edited By Cincaid

I for one would love to see a new console from Microsoft being in the works. Even if they revealed it at E3 we would be looking at a release for 2012 (at the very earliest) anyway, which would make the 360 seven years old. How someone could say "too soon" to that can only mean they wouldn't afford a new console, and therefor wouldn't want anyone else the pleasure.
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mnzy

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Edited By mnzy
@rebgav said:

" @mnzy said:

" @rebgav said:

" @mnzy said:

" @rebgav: What has a new console generation to do with iterations? We are seeing many new titles now and the 360 is 6 years old. Also, those games will happen on the next console, too. "
Necessarily, new hardware slows down the pace of reiteration. New engines, new tools, new standards. Maybe I'm overlooking something but I don't see a wealth of new AAA games out there.  
"
Without even looking anything up: Shadow of the Damned, Brink, Rage, El Shaddai, LA Noire... "
None of those are top-tier titles, other than Rage which could be huge or it could be Doom 3 Part 2.  "
Brink and LA Noire are not top tier titles? Oooohk.
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WinterSnowblind

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Edited By WinterSnowblind
@Azteck said:

" EA more or less validated the rumor by being that profoundly opposed to it "

If they were working with Microsoft, they'd have to give the generic "we cannot comment on rumour or speculation" or simply ignore the rumours. 
Flat out denying the rumours means they're not working on it.
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penguindust

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Edited By penguindust

I wouldn't be surprised if EA has some very generalized mock unit they're working with, but anything close to a final product dev kit seems remote to me at this stage.  I can see Microsoft revealing a new Xbox in 2012, but I wouldn't expect one to arrive in stores before Holiday 2013 maybe 2014.

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Azteck

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Edited By Azteck

EA more or less validated the rumor by being that profoundly opposed to it

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mnzy

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Edited By mnzy
@rebgav said:

" @mnzy said:

" @rebgav: What has a new console generation to do with iterations? We are seeing many new titles now and the 360 is 6 years old. Also, those games will happen on the next console, too. "
Necessarily, new hardware slows down the pace of reiteration. New engines, new tools, new standards. Maybe I'm overlooking something but I don't see a wealth of new AAA games out there.  
"
Without even looking anything up: Shadow of the Damned, Brink, Rage, El Shaddai, LA Noire...
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WinterSnowblind

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Edited By WinterSnowblind
@Osiris said:
" New consoles are always interesting. But like many said, to early. I mean limits have not been reached yet .(remember the last few titles on the ps2 compared to the first few? Amazing difference) "
And look at the difference between Perfect Dark Zero and the games we're seeing now.  Even the PS3 has seen quite a leap up since it was first released.
The Xbox 360 is almost 7 years old and will likely be at least 8 by the time the next one is actually released.. It's already lasted longer than any other console generation before.

I still don't believe these rumours (especially now it's confirmed to be false) but I welcome the next generation of consoles, it'll be interesting to see how they evolve.  Like someone else pointed out.. we're at the point where nobody is doing anything new with the hardware, it's just an endless amount of multiplayer shooters and sequels.
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mnzy

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Edited By mnzy
@rebgav: What has a new console generation to do with iterations? We are seeing many new titles now and the 360 is 6 years old. Also, those games will happen on the next console, too.
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Gerhabio

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Edited By Gerhabio

Change the game: Call it Xball

Spherical console to go with your spherical pizza.

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Osiris

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Edited By Osiris

New consoles are always interesting. But like many said, to early. I mean limits have not been reached yet .(remember the last few titles on the ps2 compared to the first few? Amazing difference)

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Shaymarx

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Edited By Shaymarx
So is it time to rename kinnect? Call it say the 32X?
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tebbit

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Edited By tebbit
@chrissedoff said:
" i hope they call it the super xbox "
That would be cool as hell.
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zor

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Edited By zor

I get the feeling that MS will announce the next Xbox just to steal some of Nintendo's thunder. And by announce, i mean a  logo, a code name, and a far off date. They won't show any actual games (maybe they will use/reuse the unreal video), but maybe a trailer or two of pure cgi, while claiming it is gameplay.

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moofey

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Edited By moofey

In this day in age, saying that something is "100% not true" is like saying "Yes, it's 100% true."

Thank Sony for that.

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buneroid

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Edited By buneroid

I actually just bought a 360 so I'll be happy to wait a couple more years.

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Edited By ptys

Alot of people have the next gen. consoles, aren't they just modern day PC's?

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chrissedoff

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Edited By chrissedoff

i hope they call it the super xbox

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p_p_o_d

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Edited By p_p_o_d

well EA said the story if false.......


reminds me of when David Jaffe was totally NOT working on a new twisted metal.
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RAY16

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Edited By RAY16
@Meowshi said:
" @utino said:
" QUALITY REPORTING LIKE ALWAYS:REPORTING RUMORS AS FACT THEN RENEGING IT WHEN THE PUBLISHER ITSELF CLAIMS IT AS FALSEQUALITY FUCKING REPORTING KID. "
U mad?

I think u mad.
"
I think he's mad, bro.
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akumous

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Edited By akumous

Nintendo is desperate need of new hardware console so obliviously a new console is expected but for MS and Sony I have a different opinion. I think it is too early for new generation hardware because the current systems, especially the PS3, have yet to reach their limits.

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BlatantNinja23

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Edited By BlatantNinja23

am i the only one that wants the next xbox to support 4k?

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lacke

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Edited By lacke

There is no way it's going to be called Xbox 720. The name implies 720p. If anything, it'll be Xbox 1080 or maybe Xbox 3D. Though Xbox 3D might cause a slight name confusion so I don't think it'll happen. I don't think MS will drop the Xbox name.


MS and Sony will probably at least have announced something before Nintendo releases their next console. 
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ocdog45

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Edited By ocdog45

They way things are going. That might be my next console.

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Meowshi

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Edited By Meowshi
@utino said:
" QUALITY REPORTING LIKE ALWAYS:REPORTING RUMORS AS FACT THEN RENEGING IT WHEN THE PUBLISHER ITSELF CLAIMS IT AS FALSEQUALITY FUCKING REPORTING KID. "
U mad?

I think u mad.