Seeking Alpha

About this author:

The following is just speculative fun. But it is based firmly in reality.

The Microsoft (MSFT) Xbox 360 is very, very well designed. Part of this design genius is ease of manufacture and potential for cost reduction. So I see this console as having a ten year life. This should easily see it up to 2015.

This year Microsoft will use their manufacturing cost advantage to use the price mechanism to build market share in the face of Sony (SNE)’s AAA game releases. This will leave headroom in the market for them to introduce a new premium console giving them a two model range, just as Sony have had for a few years now. It will also make the 360 a cheap mass market machine which will have the effect of growing Xbox Live enormously. And this is the most important thing for Microsoft. It is the online platform which, ultimately, will be the main event.

The new premium console (Xbox 3) will feature a gesture interface and probably integration with a new handheld game console. Microsoft have a great incentive to go for this two model (plus handheld) strategy sooner rather than later because Sony are currently too weak to respond. So it would be a knockout blow that could give them market supremacy.

The new Microsoft handheld will be son of Zune, with iPhone and Nintendo (NTDOY.PK) DS features. This device looks pretty inevitable and will give access to Xbox Live anywhere and everywhere and with its integration to Xbox 3 it will bring a whole raft of new capabilities to the consumer.

Another factor to remember is that Nintendo will have to do something about the Wii. This machine is really Gamecube 1.5 with a gesture interface. Its old technology will find it out. So Wii2 cannot be too far away, and it is something that Microsoft must have an answer for.

So when will we see Xbox 3? The normal console cycle is for new models every 5 years. Which would put availabilty at the end of 2010. I can see Microsoft bringing this forward a year to 2009. The current year year is too soon as they still have to build the market position of the 360. So next year it is then! And rememeber that for just about every new product area that Microsoft has entered, it is their third generation of that product that gives them world domination.

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This article has 48 comments:

  •  
    You really think the 360 is well designed? Sure the outer casing may look nice, but the heardware is rubbish. The console freezes up, crashes, overheats, etc. All of this causes the dreaded 3 Red Lights scenario that many 360 owners have had, forcing them to send the system in to Microsoft in hopes of getting it repaired... or at least getting a refurbished system returned in it's place.
    2008 Jan 13 04:08 AM | Link | Reply
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    I'd normally let this article going given the opening statement but then you went and added :
    "But it is based firmly in reality."

    This had the ufortunate side effect of turning the rest of the article into total horse shit.

    2008 Jan 13 06:10 AM | Link | Reply
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    "The Microsoft Xbox 360 is very, very well designed." Wow, you're full of horsesh*t.

    The Xbox 360 is perhaps the most poorly designed MAJOR console ever. That statement you make is just ludicrious, NOT based in reality (Red Ring of Death, many reports saying the Xbox 360 has a failure rate close to 30%) and borderline-fanboyish.

    (I say major because there undoubtedly have been many consoles developed by less well known companies that have also been poorly designed, ie Nokia NGage).
    2008 Jan 13 06:50 AM | Link | Reply
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    Off-topic: BTW, you look like Jim Calhoun. UCONN men's basketball coach. At least in the picture you do.
    2008 Jan 13 06:54 AM | Link | Reply
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    I don't know how any electronic that has a 33% failure rate can be considered "Well Designed". It seems they'll let anyone pretend to be a journalist, but not require them to do a lick of research anymore. I'm not even going to get into the whole XBL debacle. M$ will never have supremacy as long as hardware is involved.
    2008 Jan 13 07:41 AM | Link | Reply
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    As a PS3 fan, I agree with everyone that Microsoft's Xbox360 needs improvements.

    What the author, Bruce, is talking about is the guts of the system; the components built are relatively cheap compared to the innards of a PS3.

    Microsoft is also the king of bringing back a product, newly improved. Who would have thought that Windows would have succeeded with the first launch and all its faults?

    Microsoft actually listens to it's customers and uses that information to improve their products. I don't doubt that a future Xbox 720/1080 will really give Sony a run for their money.

    I think it's going to be a fun gamble to see what Microsoft will do about future games that will need larger disc space. Microsoft has been supporting the Hd-Dvd system but with Blu-ray all but having won the movie market, Hd-Dvd will be dieing out. Will Microsoft start supporting the Blu-ray format by it's competitor Sony?

    The only way for HD-Dvd to last a while longer, at this point, is to become a burning solution for PC users.

    PC users will always need larger discs to hold all the data that they accumulate. With Blu-ray burners available and no Hd-DVD burners yet that I have seen, even this might be a hard battle...



    2008 Jan 13 11:00 AM | Link | Reply
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    Expect the Blu-ray/HD DVD fight over by the end of this year/early 2009. With a clear winner, MS will have time to equip it with one of the formats.

    One of the main reasons people speculate that MS went with HD DVD was to sabatoge the Blu-ray in favor of downloaded games.
    That probably won't make sense for XBox 3 but probably XBox 4.

    As for the hardware reliability comments, they are valid. MS is new to this game and needs to ramp up. Having a clear lead in excellent games and superior online does not fix everything.
    2008 Jan 13 12:49 PM | Link | Reply
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    The next Xbox is going to be a crushing blow to Sony if they do 1 single thing. Make it the same as the Xbox360 but with more power, so that it plays all existing games, and by play them, I mean they are flawless, not backward compatible. and the console adds it's own increased 8x AA to make these games look better. Then new games could be build that detect if the console is an Xbox360, then it would run in 360 mode. or if it detects it's an Xbox 720 it would add in all additional game effects, bump the resolution up, etc...

    But the key to the Xbox720 is all about keeping the platform exactly the same, just boosting CPU, Memory & Video card capability.
    2008 Jan 13 05:10 PM | Link | Reply
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    Is it just me, or this article read like it was translated from English to Japanese and then back to English?

    There's no way the Xbox 360 will last until 2015 with a technically superior competitor in the PS3 and a cheaper, more innovative competitor in the Wii. The impending death of HD-DVD is a huge blow to Microsoft as well.
    2008 Jan 13 07:35 PM | Link | Reply
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    I'm with Monsignor, I guess anyone can write about things they don't research well. The XBOX 360 has sold well however with about 17.7 million units being moved, so I guess it's manufactured quality doesn't really matter. As for the ten year life span, I have to disagree, especially with Blu-Ray's new 2009 future takeover now firmly staked. Still the XBOX 720 should have great numbers despite its quality and defeat Sony's new conception unless Sony comes up with SOMETHING...

    PS: By the way, Sony reported good numbers from both their PS3 and PS2 units. And we all know about Nintendo's big gains. World domination probably won't come for Microsoft in the next console generation if ever.
    2008 Jan 13 09:58 PM | Link | Reply
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    ********** "There's no way the Xbox 360 will last until 2015 with a technically superior competitor in the PS3 and a cheaper, more innovative competitor in the Wii." **********

    - Wow, if thats not fanboy reasoning, i don't know what is....
    if you look at last gen sony DID clearly win out, despite the Xbox being the technically superior competitor, as well as being the most innovative console of the gen. with a well working online system.
    So I ask, how does any of that determine who'll TRUELY come out ahead???

    It's all about the quality of the games man.... NOTHING else when it comes to a GAMING console. Price plays a role in how early it's adopted, but even the cheapest console dies without good games.
    2008 Jan 13 11:04 PM | Link | Reply
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    A 1.2 billion dollar charge for hardware failure warranty repairs is not the hallmark of a well-designed machine. The end of HD-DVD is just another in a long list of failures for this poorly managed company, which seems to make all of its decisions while looking in the rearview mirror. Microsoft should get out of the hardware business.
    My prediction: this stock will go nowhere in the next decade. Get out while the gettin's good.
    2008 Jan 13 11:29 PM | Link | Reply
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    Wow...MS has announced to investors that they aren't interested in handheld gaming. They've mentioned that the zune is doing fine, and while interested in possible gaming being available on it, that's not their focus at all. They have also said in the address, that they do not have a definite number for carrying the 360 forward and if need be WILL shorten the lifecycle of the 360 much in the way they did with the original. The 360 has been quoted as having a stellar year based on a key component: AAA titles. With the PS3 releasing a strong lineup MS no longer has the edge with 360 and their E&D. MS us also lagging behind with their system in international numbers and they've admitted to it. While your article has a fanciful twist and is somewhat steeped in current industry headwaters I doubt it will carry through to fruition.
    2008 Jan 14 12:23 AM | Link | Reply
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    1.2 Billion Dollar Mark for repairs...boohoo. Lol. Sony has BARELY even achieved that status in Sales for the PS3.

    Blu-Ray is gonna beat HD-DVD...Not likely. Paramount/Universal has a HUGE stake in the movie industry, and they are staying with HD-DVD. Warner Bro.'s? Dont need them. All they have is Batman. A strong presence, true, but HD DVD still has Transformers, which has out sold every version of the Batman Series, COMBINED. But lets just say Blu-Ray, DOES have some advantage in the format "war"....thats like being the prettiest kid with down-syndrome. Why? Because HD content can be streamed from almost every new device. HD movies will be downloaded straight to our HDD's, eliminating the "disc" forever. How many of you still buy CDs? How many of you bought HD-CD's or SA-CD's? Exactly. MP3's took over? And for those of you who dont know what those formats are---look it up. Who wins the format war? NOBODY. Because within the year that format will be next to obsolete. The Reason alot of studios jumped onto the Bluray band wagon, is because of strength in numbers. It doesnt matter which side they choose, as long as they ALL choose the same side. Why? Because that way you ensure victory. Why is it so important to have this victory? Because you might as well be on the winning side while they last(are going strong)----which will be another full year at best.

    Do yourselves a favor. Stop buying into speculation, and look at the facts. Have you read the specs on the 360's and PS3's hardware? PS3 has more power when it comes to stuff like, making spreadsheets. 360's power lies in math, and processing on a visual level----pretty much what every game consists of. Nothing is wrong with PS3, but it just takes alot longer to make these games....but once they are made--they look stellar.

    If your seriously concerned about power and versatility---build or buy a PC. Throw in some serious Hardware, run a liquid colling system, and overclock it. There is NOTHING a PC cannot do. Plus "Games For Windows" has a GREAT library of titles, and most of them come with a TON of extra content and extras---plus they have dedicated servers for free online play.

    Steve C

    2008 Jan 14 12:30 AM | Link | Reply
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    User 139553:

    Do you really believe digital downloads are the next media? I wouldn't. You use MP3s as an example, but the truth is, MP3 sales only make up about 11% of music sales. CDs sales are still strong and still breaking records. Trust me, CDs aren't going anywhere anytime soon. The same is going to be true for Blu-rays. HD-DVD has lost this war, and the sooner you realize this, the sooner you can move on like the rest of us. Paramount and Universal are huge studios, but they only make up a combined total of 30% of the industry. It isn't looking good at all, especially with rumors, they are both no longer exclusive to HD-DVD (they may release in both). As you wait for these digital downloads, we'll all be buying the next media format (Blu-ray). Digital download is very far away, my friend. The infrastructure is not in place to do this and won't be for several years (maybe 10 or more). Think about it. An average 1080P movie will take about 30Gs. The average download speed in America is 1.5Mbps, with many still using dial-up. It would take hours to download that movie. Sure, they offer HD downloads now, but as far as I know, they are not full 1080P (they are 720p) and compressed with quality loss of both video and audio. Not to mention, I have about 550 movies. If these were in 1080P, it would take 16,000 GBs of space. Now where the hell am I going to get that from? People still want a hard copy of movies, just like people still want hard copies of CDs. It won't change for a very long time. So you sit back and wait for these downloads and the rest of us will watch our movies in glorious 1080P. Your console argument is also sickening and leads me to believe you are a lot younger than I am. You are presenting the same arguments that were presented when the PS2 launched. I'll post a link to the irony.

    archive.salon.com/tech...
    2008 Jan 14 01:09 AM | Link | Reply
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    "Paramount and Universal are huge studios, but they only make up a combined total of 30% of the industry."

    And, don't forget, Universal is run by Zucker, a demonstrably incompetant idiot.

    "Digital download is very far away, my friend. [bandwidth concerns]"

    Correct. That's why Apple's NON-HD downloadable video is outselling everybody else, by far. Also, Apples movies will play on portable devices, unlike AMZN Unbox.

    "The new premium console (Xbox 3) will feature a gesture interface"

    Whoa-- like some putrid MSFT knockoff of Wii technology will matter? I think we know the "gesture" everyone will be using, when their XBox's overheat/burst into flame!

    "The new Microsoft handheld will be son of Zune"

    Gee. That means, maybe sales for everybody who works at Microsoft and their immediate families. There'lll be much "squirting" in Redmond!

    Mr. Everiss should comment on Pork bellies or some other subject where he may have a better grasp of the facts.
    2008 Jan 14 08:58 AM | Link | Reply
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    Read this article from the NYT. Paramount and Universal have finished with their commitments to HD-DVD.

    bits.blogs.nytimes.com...

    They will finish publishing a couple more titles in HD-DVD format to finish their contract and that sounds like the end of a hammer hitting the nail in the coffin.
    2008 Jan 14 03:14 PM | Link | Reply
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    Well designed? Is this a joke? It maybe well designed in thought, but in actual dependability, the Xbox 360 is far from dependable. I know 8 different people who own one and 50% have had there's breakdown, one person had his breakdown twice. Furthermore, when does MSFT expect to make sustained money on this past a Halo-led quarter? Won't MSFT shareholders demand some money at some point or is MSFT interested in permanently becoming the HUD Section 8 maker, whereas the company subsidizes gaming for its "tenants"? Add to the fact that Xbox Live has had tons of problems since the holidays and this continues today, I find this article ridiculous. There's 0 chance of MSFT dominating gaming, ever, period.
    2008 Jan 14 05:39 PM | Link | Reply
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    umm, nitro the xbox didnt just die, it was killed- by microsoft, and the ps2 still lives because sony still supports it.
    i have no doubt microsoft will also kill the 360 to direct attention to the next xbox, sadly its probably true.
    i also have no doubt sony will continue to support the ps3 for a long time
    2008 Jan 19 07:39 PM | Link | Reply
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    wait...so does that mean that the new x-box will be a handheld system like the DS or PSP? or a totally new system in itself plus the heandheld for travelling?
    2008 Mar 29 08:34 AM | Link | Reply
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    Omg u guys are
    [Comment edited for abusive language. Commenter put on watch.] xbox 360 has the best graphics out of any system out and it has the best games. I dont know how it can't be well designed and have such live like graphics.

    Nitro - ur a dumb
    [Comment edited for abusive language. Commenter put on watch.] ! The 360 is so much more popular than wii and ps3. they both had there chance and they screwed up
    [Comment edited for abusive language. Commenter put on watch.]
    2008 Mar 31 11:44 AM | Link | Reply
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    HALO ALONE ALMOST DESTROYED PS3 TOTAL SALES IN GAMES. AND ESPECIALLY THAT GTA IS NO LONGER EXCLUSIVE TO SONY. ITS ABOUT GAME PLAY. I WAS ALL OVER SONY AND PLAYSTATIOIN UNTIL I EXPERIENCED HALO. ALTHOUGH OVER TIME I EVENTUALLY GAVE UP ON THAT. DESPITE THE FACT THAT MS HAD A "KNOCK OUT" FRANCHISE GAME IN HALO, THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER GREAT GAMES THAT ARE UNDER RATED. I HAVE YET TO EXPERIENCE PS3 FULLY. I LOOK FORWARD TO IT, FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN THE GRAPHICS ARE SMOOTH. THE MAIN FOCUS FOR BOTH OF THESE COMPANIES IS TO BUILD THEIR ONLINE CAPATABILITIES, AND AT THE MOMENT, XBOX LIVE IS AHEAD IN THAT REALM. WISH APPLE WOULD CREATE A LEGIT GAMING SYSTEM, WE ALL KNOW THAT WOULD KILL!
    2008 Apr 11 11:34 AM | Link | Reply
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    Just to comment:

    I have every "next-gen" system available (along with many many past consoles). To be objective, I have to admit to M$ putting out a bad console (i.e. red ring of death). I had it happen on both 360's I own. I will say that M$ fixed my 360's quickly and with no problems.

    So they made a bad product? At least they are willing to shell out the money to fix all the broken consoles in the world. I have to give them the respect they deserve for that.

    Now, comparing the PS3, Wii and 360 ....

    Wii is a good console. It is fun and innovative .... and dull after a few weeks. Seriously, the only games I have been able to enjoy from beginning to end on the Wii was Zelda and Super Mario Galaxy. All the other games are just gimmicky and become boring. I think the Wii's strength is soley in it's ability to capture a new audience for gaming. However, once that audience takes a liking to games, Sony and Microsoft will profit from it.

    PS3 vs 360: Well, the PS3 has some games that are exclusive to it that are either here or coming that I am waiting on. However, there really aren't that many. As such, I would much rather purchase a multi-platform for the 360 over the PS3. Live is hands down better than PS Network and who knew that achievements would be such a cool little additive to games?

    Look, all systems have exclusives that make it worth owning the console for, no one is disputing that. But for my dollar, I will buy games for the 360 and Bluray movies for my PS3.

    I just hope that when M$ DOES market the Xbox 3 / Xbox 720 / Xbox whatever, that they at least build a better product (hardware realiability wise) that they did with the 360.

    Meh .....
    2008 Apr 19 02:08 PM | Link | Reply
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    Nintindo is supierior and will kick the ass of Sony and Microsoft no matter what. Im not saying that the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3 are gay and stupid im just saying that nintindo is better.
    2008 Apr 22 11:48 AM | Link | Reply
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    I guess I'm in the minority. I've owned my 360 since release and have never once had even a minor glitch with it. As opposed to the PS3 which I've also owned since release and I've had to return to Sony and then WAIT forever to get a replacement. (though I still love the PS3!! Awesome console). I enjoy both machines thoroughly. There are a LOT of MS haters in the world, yet they all use MS software, hardware, underwear.

    It's easy to gripe and moan about MS. It's easy to gripe and moan about Sony. One faction is always going to 'hate' the other. But I belong to both sides and I love both machines. I think MS has created a fantastic console in the 360 and I'm anxious to see what they come up with next.

    Besides, look at it this way folks: with more than one console on the market, it's a big WIN situation for the consumers. The console mfgs will keep trying to better one another with new features, cooler games, better quality hardware... We can't lose.
    2008 Apr 25 10:05 PM | Link | Reply
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    Nintendo is for 9 year olds. The name even sounds weak.
    Xbox may have the red rings but it can be sent back to Microsoft and without cost it is fixed or replaced in most cases. The bad thing about xbox is how
    [Comment edited for abusive language. Commenter put on watch.] loud the fans are, PS3 is quiet. Xbox 360 is the definition of rape against the ps3 online. I'd rather pay for xbox live then go for the PS3's free online. People are saying it'll take a couple years before game developers can finally figure out how to use the full potential of the PS3 but by then the next xbox is probably going to be out. Right now xbox 360 rapes PS3 but later on it might not be the case.
    PS Fanboys need to go get a life.
    2008 May 02 04:49 AM | Link | Reply
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    •  • Website: http://wkdclan.co.uk
    right i here about who has the best console hmmmmmm.
    none of u in my eyes cos the pc will allways rule for me shear power hehe...ok back to consoles well both xbox and ps3 have hardware glitches more ps3 i say ..on the grounds of online gameing i am looking forward to seeing xbox and pc online togetther playing aginst each other in clans my vote is the xbox 360 rules for now regaurding consoles hehe....well lets see what MS BRING OUT LATER FOR NET GEN CONSOLE CANT WAITcu guys arround :)
    2008 May 07 03:05 PM | Link | Reply
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    Play Call of Duty 4 on both xbox and then ps3.. the 360 graphics walk all over the ps3.. and if you play on an HD tv, the 360 is far more crisp resulting in a "pixely" aspect when you play the ps3 version.. of course i wish i could watch blu rays on my 360 but maybe in hte next generation. The controler is also 500times better on the 360, first off its comfortable, and the triggers make so much more sense then on the ps3. i enjoy gaming both consoles but the moment i go to my buddies and play his ps3 i wish he owned a 360.
    2008 May 12 08:24 PM | Link | Reply
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    Stop bashing this article.their are some small things about the 360 that are slightly flawed, its loud and the controlers dont have rubber grips. as a pro/gmr i can hardly even watch someone play the ps3 anny more. the only good thing about the ps3 was backwards compatably wicth was shot to hell to lower the price. I thought the article was fine he was only stating facts that were known to him. And my 3 xbox elites never over heat or freeze up. xbox's mostly over heat due to the fact that people buy them, put them on display in a glass case next to the tv ( like a home entertainment cabnet) and dont turn them off when not in use. So dont complain about the xbox's down falls to try to justfiy your buying a Ps3 i dont wana hear it. if you have a problem with my responce please send me an email' Guddentopper@gmail.com because i give a
    [Comment edited for abusive language. Commenter put on watch.] dont forget to bash the 360 a little more in your email so i know how many PS3 fan boys that are trying to make it look like the PS3 was not the worst investment they ever made.
    2008 May 20 08:38 AM | Link | Reply
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    o yeah and by the way even my orignal xbox (i have 2) ( not because im rich but there just that good) never ran out of memory that has never ben a problem with MS. i rember owning like 5 memory cards for the Ps2 sony WILL NEVER BE AS GOOD AS MS IN ANY WAY SHAPE, FORM, MARKET, OR EVEN (VERY MOCKING VOICE) ITS (PS3) GOT BLUE RAY!!!! jUST GROW UP U SONY FAN BOYS. THE ONLY THING U GOT IS THAT SONY MAKES TV'S AND BY THE WAY I HAVE A TOSHIBA ANY WAY. I MEAN HOLY CHRIST JUST GROW THE
    [Comment edited for abusive language. Commenter put on watch.] UP. SONY WILL DIE ITS NONAVOIDABLE JUST LIKE HITTING THE ONE DEAD SQUIRLE IN THE ROAD RIGHT AFTER YOU WASH YOUR CAR. PS3'S GOT NOTHING ON THE 360 GET OVER IT.
    P.S. THE ONLY GOOD THING FOR THE PS WAS RISTANCE WITCH I BEAT IN LIKE 10 MINS AND THEN I RETURNED IT AND MY PS3 AND CLEANED MY HANDS OF THEIR INFEIOR GRAPHIX AND POOR GAME PLAY.
    2008 May 20 09:03 AM | Link | Reply
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    im not sure if you lot have put all the consoles together but yes the ps3 looks pretty but if you have friends dont expect to enjoy the ps3 experience because its so far behind the 360 it's not even a speck in the distance, I have all current consoles - 360, ps3, wii, psp and the ds I love gaming but my ps3 just sits on the shelf it sucks I spend hours updating, downloading and then installing just for about 10 min of play by the time its ready. Thats not fun and any idiot that thinks it is is not a true gamer because its about fun and the ability to pick up the controler and play, not sit there waiting for about 45 min downloading a demo then you have to wait for it to install..... anyone that thinks that a ps3 is more enjoyable than a 360............ well must be lonely. talking to a avatar in the chat lobby. get a life speak to your friends enjoy the multiplayer experience with them and play the XBOX 360 and for gods sake stop lying to yourselfs PS3's SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...
    2008 May 20 06:55 PM | Link | Reply
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    Me thinks there will be a new Xbox in 2010 . 1ghz+ graphics card :p
    2008 May 29 03:34 PM | Link | Reply
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    the new dreamcast 2 is predicted to be the greatest console out to date
    2008 Jun 11 06:09 AM | Link | Reply
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    The down fall of PS3 is that they dont have Halo 3, and Gears of War 2. Their games just cant compete. Anyway if Blue-Ray is so great then MS will buy i out. Also The Xbox 360 was released months befor the PS3 and the graphics are just as good. The next generation will be sure to leave PS3 in there dust once agian. Simple as that.
    2008 Jun 25 05:40 PM | Link | Reply
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    A kid with a life, you're absent minded...I have both consoles and have you heard of metal gear solid? No? How about Gran Turismo? Still no? I love my xbox but I also love my ps3. I could easily say the downfall of the xbox is it doesnt have those games. Instead I am going to look at what my machines can do. And quite frankily, they can do a lot of things very well. Call me a ps3 fan boy I dare you. Because I am a fanyboy for both consoles. Just keep your mouth shut and realize different people like different consoles. By the way the "scenario" the article described sounds a lot like ps3 and psp...Good job.
    2008 Jul 14 09:32 PM | Link | Reply
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    All the comments I see hear are from a bunch of Sony Fanboys who keep saying how the 360s are poorly made, just based on the red ring of death. BUT the Red ring of death was only on the first year and a halfs models?! Everyone now has the better system or new Elite system which kicks the PS3's @$$ price wise, storage wise, reliability wise, online wise and game wise. Lets see.... 60 GB storage PS3 for $500? Or a 120 GB 360 for $350??? hmmm....lets think about that.
    2008 Aug 12 07:32 PM | Link | Reply
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    Xbox 360 was very poorly made at first with the failure rate but has since picked up the pieces. Although Sony has blu-ray (the future) compatibility, this has not come into play with this generation of games. The PS3 offers minimally better graphics and a built in wireless transmitter (not one that costs an extra £60) but the xbox 360 has a list of much better games- even gta4 will be released on the 360 at the same time as the ps3 (this has always been a sony stronghold) plus the 360 has better online gameplay.

    There is no way it will last until 2015- two generations of consoles will most likely have passed by then. The format of the next generation of consoles will be key. Sony already have blu-ray so if MS decided to go with it, Sony would have the upper hand with compatibility for ps3 games (if they do this). However, this advantage would be shortlived with MS paying top dollar for the best games.

    In my opinion, the future holds a big battle between Sony and MS which (and this is just speculation for you sony fanboys) MS will probably win in the end with superior online play, better games and (most likely) the same array of features as the sony counterpart. Meanwhile, the Wii will be the undercurrent gaming platform- cheap, fun and innovative but lacking any top games.

    P.S. if the xbox team bring out a portable console, it will most likely surpass the psp with the benefit of newer technology and hindsight on Sony's efforts.
    2008 Aug 14 05:59 PM | Link | Reply
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    Since evry1 seems to be a fanboy of sony or MS, I need a group to join. Based on the above article- what am I? MS, Sony or that very rare neutral?
    2008 Aug 14 06:08 PM | Link | Reply
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    Well Blu-Ray mopped the floor with HD-DVD early on this year so Sony now owns the rights to a cornerstone in HD media. If Microsoft wants this they will be paying their rival for the right to use the product. If you have read up on what the Developers have been saying the PS3 has yet to even been touched power whise. They are now learning how to utilize its processing systems to pump out much more complicated games then the Xbox 360 can keep up with. If you don't believe me at least believe the head devs for many of the upcoming games such as FarCry, Fallout3, Prince of Persia etc, that are multi platform saying that the ps3 has yet to even push 80% of its potential power. The 360 is scratching its limits on the hardware front and disc space with games like FF13 which will probably use at least 4 discs on Xbox if its only a single disc game on ps3 if it is 2 disc then it can increase from 5-9. I doubt 9 that would be almost 100GB of game which would be just a massive ungodly amount of data for a game. The sales for the ps3 are staying constant when the 360 has slowed down greatly, due to the reasons that people are starting to see the titles they have been waiting to be released for PS3 before purchasing one. Look at the sales increase after MGS4. When God of War 3 it will most likely see a similar or larger jump, when FF13 versus which is EXCLUSIVE to PS3 comes out people looking for FF13 will buy a ps3 just so they can play both sides of the story, which mostlikely they will buy FF13 for ps3 also just for less disk and possibly smoother game play and load times and who knows what else. MS has already been caught in the act with their "in game" footage of Gears of War 2 that glitched and started to play the pre rendered video over again. WHOOPSIES!

    Now the thing about storage, your 120GB HD costs 130 bucks if i think correctly. i can buy a 250GB hd for my ps3 for around the same price for around 200 dollars i can get a 320GB hd for my ps3 so ms fails with affordable disk space. i don't have to use a LAN cable because i have WiFi which is STANDARD you pay 100 dollars for it which makes the elite cost more then a ps3 i have a bluray player you have to buy a separate one or buy a ps3 (which is the most afordable and considered the best Bluray player on market :P)

    PSN is slowly but surely picking up speed it already has put out the patch for XMB access while playing a game and you can send messages to friends in other games. As fast and consistent as Sony has been at giving us new and better updates and add ons its simply a matter of time before PSN rivals Live. which in reality it already does being free vs having to pay 50 bucks for the gold card to do anything. which i have purchased and use. because yes i own a 360 and will be happy to whoop up on you at Halo3 just message BerserkProxy if you want a go. I play my ps3 far more though because games like COD4 have already been declared better looking and smoother by many different magazines and reviewers which it shows and the only reason i get upset is when people have the balls to say that the 360 is just some kind of super "POWERHOUSE!!!" compared to the competition. Its simply not the ps3 was off to a slow start yes because so much of the fan base for ps2 left for xbox and xbox live. Sony is new in the realm of online console gaming and i say are doing well. TrueTexan is my PSN tag if you want to play me on COD4 sometime while im thinking about it.

    so now that i have gotten this off my chest. Xbox 360 while yes it had the red rings, it still gets hot and freezes and i wont buy that loud intercooler. It sold more because of an early launch which gave people only one choice in next Gen gaming for a whole year so y es it sold its ass off. Live is nice but it still has alot of bugs and it limits online games in many ways because of its strict policies. Now as for its library of games... i don't care if you have 300 games if only all the games worth buying are the multi platform games then you cant talk shit. you have Gears of War if you like that game i found it to simple much why i got tired of halo. so GoW1(2 coming) Halo3... uh i cant think of any other titles that are really worth naming for being worth a console. so you have a half a shelf worth of games and then a room full of mediocre games that aren't worth the price tag. You spend more than 300 bucks on recharge kits and accessories to make it the equivalent of a ps3 which makes it almost twice a ps3 in the end. you then have to pay 50 dollars a year which adds on to the cost to own the system. You cant watch the now only HD format disc on the market. you have paid 150 bucks for an hd dvd player that is worthless now. The games will not get much better looking for the xbox since it is almost running at max power while the ps3 has just started to be used correctly due to its insane learning curve the devs had to deal with unfortunately. If you dare argue with these facts you are bias and sad. I am not bias i own play and like both but facts are facts. y ou cant argue just say this for now on!!!!! xboxfanboys repeat after me! "I simply prefer the Xbox 360 over the Playstaion 3" which is your right and I'm glad. PS3 fanboys repeat after me!!!!! "I simply prefer the Playstaion 3 over the Xbox 360" there done. Try and argue that please just please.

    P.S. any misspelling that has most likely occurred during this long post I'm sorry but i don't really care i wanted to get my point out and in a very quick manner so o wellz. Now i would also like to thank those of you for putting up with some of the incoherent ranting i did through this that i just don't want to fix because it was how i fealt at that time X_x
    2008 Sep 11 09:17 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    the 360 has its perks... fluid online, game library, and ease of use. the PS3 has its perks blu ray, web browser, and blu ray(sorry hard to find other perks as of 10-25-08) and i say this because i own both systems and can truly say that! PS3 exclusives are pretty weak, and the library of games might as well say ported from xbox! but that blu ray is godly! i repeat as an owner of a 1080p hdtv THE BLU RAY IS GODLY! but as far as gaming and online is concerned xbox looks like USAIN BOLT from the olympics! where is the cross game chat PS3? and why doesnt the xbox have a browser? jeez... but like many have said before me- u cant have it all, all the time! but thing that really urks me is that multi platform games dont look better on the ps3! all that power and yet a system thats a year older keeps up graphic-wise is shameful! i do like the sophistication of the ps3's "dashboard" but the online is boring and no one talks! maybe because ps3 allows third party headsets or that the online infracture is so janky( thats right! JANKY!) trophies! come on! call them ps3 acheivements! and the best game for the ps3 MGS4 doesnt even have them as well as 90% of the games! pssst....maybe its because ps3 devs hace such a headache from designing there games from the ground up they're too tired and pissed off to make em! i dont know! and another thing! MS points are such a scam! im tired of have to dish out dough for imaginary currency $20 cash=1600 pts! right now im stuck with 40 pts that will get me nothing! ps3's wallet system is far simpler and reasonable cash=cash! oh yeah did i mention that the PS3's blu ray is GODLY!
    2008 Oct 26 01:55 AM | Link | Reply
  •  
    Holy crap, I didn't know that a whole comment forum could just consist of Apple, Linux, PS3 and Wii fans who don't want to admit that there's a third console which sales have jumped over 5 million of the PS3 (WOW, FIRST POST TO BE BACKED UP WITH FACT!!) www.vgchartz.com/

    Yes I may sound a fanboy, mainly cause i know of a multitude of articles which has rated the xbox 360 as the best media center currently avalible.

    Shut you whining and just accepts that the xbox 3 is going to exist, so what if its going to use blu ray when they were backing hd dvd, shut all ya faces and go back to some stupid forums for the 2 year olds you all are.
    2008 Oct 30 09:12 AM | Link | Reply
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    I dont care wut you think about "well designed' or "innovative" or even "dependability"
    the Xbox 360 has amazing graphics, xbox live, and the best games around. If you look at all the other consoles, there is hardly any games worth mentioning that are exclusive to them. But the Xbox 360 has Halo, GOW, and so many more.
    have all the next generation systems and all the old generation ones and i can tell you for a fact, the Xbox 360 kicks all their asses
    2008 Dec 09 06:29 PM | Link | Reply
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    The next xbox .. just faster than the xbox 360.

    Get the thermal issues under control. Then put in more memory, a die shrunk processor with more cores and a compatable but much faster graphics chip.

    It would run the old games. Game vendors could sell new games that could determine which machine they were on and adjust features and details accordingly.

    It is going to take two or three years for the economy to recover and the buying public will be in a frugal state of mind.

    I would have the same advice for Playsytation 4..

    In both machine you could have the power for ray tracing which is the holy grail for game systems. Withthat much power old games would be more fluid.



    Jan 17 03:29 PM | Link | Reply
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    It is clear to me, a total newbie to the gaming world at 30 years young, that the 360 is a great unit, I chose it over the PS3 because its proven technology, great online functionality and more importantly all my mates have them.

    If I was to update the 360 I would improve the processor, better memory, put in a 1TB hard drive and include a wii style wireless system. I would also look to include a Blue-Ray player as HD DVD seems to have lost out.

    Jan 27 09:35 AM | Link | Reply
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    wow, seriously am i reading this from 2006? or current years 2009? becuase you idiots either bought a ps3 and going with the wave everybodies in with the ps3 in here or you experienced the red rings of death like 3 yrs ago.. get over it, the new models dont crash for jack, i have mine for a yr already and its perfectly stable and * well designed* i havent had one crash on its own, unless im hosting a modded game of team fortress 2, cause it has codes that mess with the hdd, but overall this system is superb perfect, unlike the ps3 which is only goood for porn, and 360 mirrors games that look washed out and grey, im not a fan of ps3 for a reason, the online comunity are a bunch of gorillas with bad manners, so i do not* TRUST ANY THING THAT IS FREE* by the way my new 2008 model has an integrated intercooler that prevents it from crashing and freezing, so if you dont know what in the blue hell youre all talking bout and have a old ass 360 model just go and buy the new 200$ package and see for youself what im talking about, like they say, truth comes by sight. xbox 360 im a fan alll the way.
    Mar 04 06:58 AM | Link | Reply
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    I'm guessing that no one here knows why the 1st xbox was killed off and why the ps2 still lives on.
    The 1st xbox cost alot more to manufacture then it was being sold. This meant that M$ had to come up with a new console quick so that they could stop losing money on every xbox sold. That resulted in a rushed, poorly designed xbox 360 which before launch looked very promising.
    The ps2 however was cheaper to manufacture than it costs. Unfortunately that s not the case for the ps3 which saw 3 price cuts in the same year and had backwards compatibility eliminated just to cut production costs.
    The best thing to speculate is that same thing that happened to the 1st xbox will happen to the ps3. But i m positive that sony will not rush production on the ps4 and deliver a console with a mediocre quality as M$ did with the 360.

    On Jan 19 07:39 PM ybutton wrote:

    > umm, nitro the xbox didnt just die, it was killed- by microsoft,
    > and the ps2 still lives because sony still supports it.
    > i have no doubt microsoft will also kill the 360 to direct attention
    > to the next xbox, sadly its probably true.
    > i also have no doubt sony will continue to support the ps3 for a
    > long time
    Mar 17 10:10 PM | Link | Reply
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    wtf is heardware u dumbass, u spelt hardware wrong
    ive had a 360 since they 1st came out and ive sent mine over to germany or w.e. they fix them 5 times but ide still rather have an xbox that breaks every year than a ps3 lol, (i have a ps3 aswel like i just wanted to insult them coz the're shit)

    On Jan 13 04:08 AM tendoboy1984 wrote:

    > You really think the 360 is well designed? Sure the outer casing
    > may look nice, but the heardware is rubbish. The console freezes
    > up, crashes, overheats, etc. All of this causes the dreaded 3 Red
    > Lights scenario that many 360 owners have had, forcing them to send
    > the system in to Microsoft in hopes of getting it repaired... or
    > at least getting a refurbished system returned in it's place.
    Apr 15 11:08 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    paramount canceled enterprise so they aren't too bright either


    On Jan 14 08:58 AM Tom B wrote:

    > "Paramount and Universal are huge studios, but they only make up
    > a combined total of 30% of the industry."
    >
    > And, don't forget, Universal is run by Zucker, a demonstrably incompetant
    > idiot.
    >
    > "Digital download is very far away, my friend. [bandwidth concerns]"
    >
    >
    > Correct. That's why Apple's NON-HD downloadable video is outselling
    > everybody else, by far. Also, Apples movies will play on portable
    > devices, unlike AMZN Unbox.
    >
    > "The new premium console (Xbox 3) will feature a gesture interface"
    >
    >
    > Whoa-- like some putrid MSFT knockoff of Wii technology will matter?
    > I think we know the "gesture" everyone will be using, when their
    > XBox's overheat/burst into flame!
    >
    > "The new Microsoft handheld will be son of Zune"
    >
    > Gee. That means, maybe sales for everybody who works at Microsoft
    > and their immediate families. There'lll be much "squirting" in Redmond!
    >
    >
    > Mr. Everiss should comment on Pork bellies or some other subject
    > where he may have a better grasp of the facts.
    Apr 18 03:41 AM | Link | Reply
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