Ballmer's All Apologies Over Natal Thing

After E3's "all rumors are true" leak-fest, it's hard not to jump on the bandwagon and get all crazy every time something about anything gets said anywhere. In this specific case, the something was "new Xbox 360 hardware next year" and the anywhere was The Executive's Club of Chicago, which is one of those weird organizations that make me think of the beginning of Trading Places whenever they're mentioned.

This, of course, all dovetailed quite nicely into the previous rumor reporting that Project Natal being would be more of a full-on new console instead of just some kind of add-on for the existing unit. So everyone jumped on board the train and we went WOO WOO for a few hours, while Microsoft started issuing denials and such.

To further that along, IGN managed to get a quote out of Steve Ballmer himself, where he straight up apologizes:

"I confused the issue with my poorly chosen words. There is no news in my comments. Things are as reported after E3. Sorry."

To some, this will close the case of the mysterious new Xbox. To others, it'll be merely another denial. Because they obviously wouldn't confirm such a thing right now... they've got a whole holiday season ahead of them, where they most certainly want to sell their existing consoles. OK, now I'm starting to get all conspiracy theory about this stuff. I don't think it's nearly that compilcated.

Why? Because a whole new piece of console hardware probably doesn't make much sense for 2010. Taking Microsoft's fancy new camera device and packing it in with the Xbox 360 and pushing it as some kind of fun-for-the-whole family Wii-like thing, however, sounds about right.

After E3's "all rumors are true" leak-fest, it's hard not to jump on the bandwagon and get all crazy every time something about anything gets said anywhere. In this specific case, the something was "new Xbox 360 hardware next year" and the anywhere was The Executive's Club of Chicago, which is one of those weird organizations that make me think of the beginning of Trading Places whenever they're mentioned.

This, of course, all dovetailed quite nicely into the previous rumor reporting that Project Natal being would be more of a full-on new console instead of just some kind of add-on for the existing unit. So everyone jumped on board the train and we went WOO WOO for a few hours, while Microsoft started issuing denials and such.

To further that along, IGN managed to get a quote out of Steve Ballmer himself, where he straight up apologizes:

"I confused the issue with my poorly chosen words. There is no news in my comments. Things are as reported after E3. Sorry."

To some, this will close the case of the mysterious new Xbox. To others, it'll be merely another denial. Because they obviously wouldn't confirm such a thing right now... they've got a whole holiday season ahead of them, where they most certainly want to sell their existing consoles. OK, now I'm starting to get all conspiracy theory about this stuff. I don't think it's nearly that compilcated.

Why? Because a whole new piece of console hardware probably doesn't make much sense for 2010. Taking Microsoft's fancy new camera device and packing it in with the Xbox 360 and pushing it as some kind of fun-for-the-whole family Wii-like thing, however, sounds about right.

I don't know who actually believes there's a new console coming in 2010, but I want whatever they're drinking.  Nobody is going to release a new console anytime soon.  Certainly not in a year. 

I hope this is true cause i still need a goshdarn PS3.

" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMU0tzLwhbE "

It just make way too much sense not to release a new console next holiday season and instead have it release in 2011.  That way, you let your franchises get in one more installment into the Xbox 360 before working on the next Xbox console. 

Thank Gordon, I was worried I'd have had to buy a new Xbox to be able to whack Mil- I mean, show Milo a picture of a fish.

" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMU0tzLwhbE "

That vid was epic. Ballmer is such a nutter. XD

Steve 'Ballin' Ballmer is epic.

" @6n00bkilla9 said:

" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMU0tzLwhbE "

Impressed with the video, sickened by the sweat rings. "

So, my Ballmer opinion hasn't really changed, then.  Dude's enthusiastic about EVERYTHING.

LOL. funny how his apology can be related to just about anything that ever came out of that clown's mouth.

I am still way, way not ready for a new console, especially one with just Natal as a controller, so this is good news.

Ballmer should be fired for this, or beheaded not sure which one.

...
DEVELOPERS.

In the war economy, I think a console later than soon is better for everyone.

" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMU0tzLwhbE "

I hope they stick to a 10 year console cycle.

" I hope they stick to a 10 year console cycle. "

" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMU0tzLwhbE "

" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMU0tzLwhbE "

" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMU0tzLwhbE "

I'd be that excited too if i was as rich as ballin' ballmer

Huh oh well

"I'd be that excited too if i was as rich as ballin' ballmer"

...
DEVELOPERS!

(I know, it's been said before, I just needed something to say)

" In the war economy, I think a console later than soon is better for everyone. "

Who ever believed him in the first place? No signs point to a new Xbox anytime soon. 

Further proof the gaming press are brain dead.

He was talking about a Jasper esque change to the internals, it was obvious that's what he was talking about, but so many people were busy speculating whether the idiots at 1up figured something out that logic went out the window.

I can't trust a guy that sweats like he does.

I don't know. Though I never really thought it to be a entire new console, I thought it would be some form of upgrade. Maybe new 360's would come with a Natal in it, while it would also be sold to those that already have a 360. It makes sense to me anyway.

That Balmer pic screams "WHazaaaaap!"

Ugh! That picture of Ballmer is making me ill....

*shrugs*

"

 

A new xbox 360 with built in Wii-defense stuff? Nope. Maybe a bundle though.

" Further proof the gaming press are brain dead.He was talking about a Jasper esque change to the internals, it was obvious that's what he was talking about, but so many people were busy speculating whether the idiots at 1up figured something out that logic went out the window. "

It's a new console coming in 2010 for SURE.

There's no way Natal is going to be a new console...  I don't see how anything we saw at E3 indicated anything other than the fact that it was designed to COMPLIMENT existing 360 hardware.  While I admit that Milo is pretty impressive, I'm really not all that interested in it.  It looks like a suped up version of the Wii.  I get the feeling it will be great for kids under 12 and their families, I don't think it's going to get more mature gamers to drop their controllers.  It also looks like it would be pretty uncomfortable, too; would you really prefer to hold your arms out for hours at a time while playing a racer as opposed to using a controller, or even a wheel?

It will be whatever comes after Jasper in their console models bundled with Natal.

"But you wouldnt know that, cos your a big Barry White lookin motherf*****"

Ahhh Trading Places, glorious. Remember when Eddie was funny?

I think we're all missing the important topic here: the atrocious name of this "project." Natal? Listen, I understand that it's supposed to be an Indian word or something, but if you have to tell us how to pronounce it correctly, wouldn't it just be better to keep it simple-- especially if the mispronunciation evokes reproductive biology rather than happy fun video game awesomeness?

This also opens the door to more horrible Gamespot headline puns. And trust me, they don't need any help with pun material. How about "Natal motion sensor's LED's blink as it enters the world"? If the project was cancelled: "Microsoft aborts Natal project." Do you see!? Will the next version of this be called Project neo-Natal? Do the puns never end?!

yeah...