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GameStop CEO Says Xbox 720 is 'Hot and Compelling'

By - Source: GamesIndustry | B 45 comments

GameStop is very excited about the next generation of consoles.

GameStop said earlier this week that it expects demand for Sony's PlayStation 4 to outstrip supplies of the console at launch. However, the company also had some rather nice things to say about Microsoft's next generation console, the rumored Xbox 720. GamesIndustry reports that GameStop CEO J. Paul Raines is very excited for the next generation of Xbox. Speaking to GamesIndustry, Raines referred to the next generation of Xbox as 'hot' and 'compelling.'

"We've been spending a lot of time with Microsoft, but we have to let them take the lead on this, but it will be a very hot, compelling device," Raines is quoted as saying. "They are doing some really cool stuff, and I'm eager to hear them start their announcements because I think the world is going to stand up and take notice."

Raines also talked about the demand the retailer has seen for the PS4 (via its 'First to Know' sign-up list and feedback from PowerUp Rewards members) and said that GameStop expects similar demand for the Xbox 720 as well.

"There's a lot of demand for PS4, and I think there will be for the next Xbox as well, once it's announced," GamesIndustry cites him as saying.

While Sony has offered some information on its upcoming console, Microsoft has yet to spill any beans at all. It's thought the company might announce the Xbox 720 at E3 this coming June, but the company has yet to confirm that. Recent rumors regarding the Xbox 720 point to an '"Always On, Always Connected' approach with games installed to a HDD as opposed to played off of an optical disc.

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Top Comments
  • 27 Hide
    Achoo22 , April 4, 2013 4:29 AM
    My only interest in buying consoles is to get away from the "always-connected" and "internet aware" software models so common these days. If these new consoles aren't 100% usable (minus multiplayer, of course) without internet access, I will 100% not be buying.
  • 15 Hide
    bustapr , April 4, 2013 5:38 AM
    exact translation, "you'll be able to play used games on the next xbox"
Other Comments
  • -4 Hide
    goodguy713 , April 4, 2013 3:48 AM
    knowing Microsoft I'm sure they are probably crunching numbers and trying to figure out how much money they are willing to subsidize in order to sell these consoles .. with the cost of most of there other products and arm and a leg would be possible .. sounds like they went a little too cheap on the specs and have been forced to up there game a little .. I'm leaning toward the ps4 personally. I wonder if by hot he means a space heater? .. lol
  • Display all 45 comments.
  • -4 Hide
    waxdart , April 4, 2013 4:27 AM
    goodguy713 I agree.
    Each loss is really an investment into A) how much they can get out of you later and b) keeping you away from a competitor. Microsoft lost 3 billion, Sony lost 5 billion. Microsoft wins and its deep pockets mean if it plays long enough it will be the only player out there. They are crunching like crazy.

    http://www.neowin.net/news/report-microsofts-xbox-division-has-lost-nearly-3-billion-in-10-years
  • 27 Hide
    Achoo22 , April 4, 2013 4:29 AM
    My only interest in buying consoles is to get away from the "always-connected" and "internet aware" software models so common these days. If these new consoles aren't 100% usable (minus multiplayer, of course) without internet access, I will 100% not be buying.
  • 0 Hide
    g00fysmiley , April 4, 2013 5:26 AM
    goodguy713knowing Microsoft I'm sure they are probably crunching numbers and trying to figure out how much money they are willing to subsidize in order to sell these consoles .. with the cost of most of there other products and arm and a leg would be possible .. sounds like they went a little too cheap on the specs and have been forced to up there game a little .. I'm leaning toward the ps4 personally. I wonder if by hot he means a space heater? .. lol


    agreed. i don't plan on buying another m$ console, it annoys me thay i had to buy xbox live to just use netflix on the console. granted i didn't do that and instead built a htpc, i only ever played a few games and have actually enjoed my kinect games as somethign fun to kill an hour or two. but always connected to play and liekly need for xbox live to use services like netyflix is going to make me actually nto buy a console for once
  • -7 Hide
    seinfeld , April 4, 2013 5:27 AM
    goodguy713knowing Microsoft I'm sure they are probably crunching numbers and trying to figure out how much money they are willing to subsidize in order to sell these consoles .. with the cost of most of there other products and arm and a leg would be possible .. sounds like they went a little too cheap on the specs and have been forced to up there game a little .. I'm leaning toward the ps4 personally. I wonder if by hot he means a space heater? .. lol


    I'm going neither! know its all X64 architecture. im just going to wait for emulators that actually work!
  • 15 Hide
    bustapr , April 4, 2013 5:38 AM
    exact translation, "you'll be able to play used games on the next xbox"
  • 5 Hide
    Lord Captivus , April 4, 2013 5:48 AM
    I dont like a "hot" console...
  • 0 Hide
    kawininjazx , April 4, 2013 6:12 AM
    I'm sure the gamestop CEO is happy they won't be able to sell used games anymore.
  • -2 Hide
    Yuka , April 4, 2013 6:14 AM
    Yeah, so hot I won't be touching it at all, hahaha.

    Always online DRM for the games (which they already confirmed) is a mayor stupid blow out to people.

    Guys, please don't give your money to Microsoft this gen; speak with your wallets so that stupid DRM practice stops once and for all!

    Cheers!
  • -3 Hide
    DEY123 , April 4, 2013 6:23 AM
    Achoo22My only interest in buying consoles is to get away from the "always-connected" and "internet aware" software models so common these days. If these new consoles aren't 100% usable (minus multiplayer, of course) without internet access, I will 100% not be buying.


    So does that mean if both require always connected like many PC games that you will give up gaming (well you'll just keep using your current console and games for the next X years until it breaks)?

    I'm sure I'm going to get negatives but I always find these ultimatum type reactions funny as they are just attempts to try and influence the system designers to change when I bet you will buy a new system at some point.
  • -3 Hide
    janetonly42 , April 4, 2013 7:15 AM
    MS bribing people again?
  • -3 Hide
    jhansonxi , April 4, 2013 7:47 AM
    I'm waiting too see Valve's Steam box (or whatever they come up with).
  • -6 Hide
    softplacetoland , April 4, 2013 7:55 AM
    DEY123So does that mean if both require always connected like many PC games that you will give up gaming (well you'll just keep using your current console and games for the next X years until it breaks)? I'm sure I'm going to get negatives but I always find these ultimatum type reactions funny as they are just attempts to try and influence the system designers to change when I bet you will buy a new system at some point.


    While your post we can interpret as support to DRM practice. If you ever get annoyed with it, which is not something weird since from consumer point of view DRM is totally unnecessary, I assume you won't say a word and keep supporting.

    By the way, guess what? To influence someone to get something as near as possible to what you want needs some reactions. Silence won't change anything because, in this mafia racketiring industry, mob bossess don't care about what you want as long as you fill their pockets without word.

    As conclusion, I doubt you know the guy you answered to. Therefore you can't know what will happen and waht is he going to do regardless of all your psychic powers. He has right to dislike DRM as much as you have right to like it and let things go their ways without reaction.
  • 0 Hide
    signothorn , April 4, 2013 8:13 AM
    It should also be known Microsoft gives kickbacks to companies based on volume of MS products sold. The kickbacks aren't broken down by store, but as a company. The more units of product sold, the larger the kickback bonus. This is the primary reason why you can't go to a retail store to buy a computer without having the sales person go on for about 10 minutes about Office. Retail chain stores make commitments to microsoft on how many units they will sell as a company. Not all companies do this, idk about Sony. It's in Gamestop's best interest to sell as many xbox 720's as they can, regardless of the margin made at the register, regardless of how good the console is, it will be pushed heavily over competitors that don't offer kickbacks.

    I was a store manager for a large retail chain and my district manager would tell us straight up "we only sell HP printers and computers" for this reason lol. Epson, Lexmark and Canon didn't offer kickbacks based on units sold. Anyway, thought it might be helpful info, many might not know this.
  • 0 Hide
    childofthekorn , April 4, 2013 8:21 AM
    This just in. You will need to buy a subscription for Xbox live in order to play single player games!! wooowoooooooooooooooo. /endsarcasm
  • -1 Hide
    cknobman , April 4, 2013 8:27 AM
    DEY123So does that mean if both require always connected like many PC games that you will give up gaming (well you'll just keep using your current console and games for the next X years until it breaks)? I'm sure I'm going to get negatives but I always find these ultimatum type reactions funny as they are just attempts to try and influence the system designers to change when I bet you will buy a new system at some point.


    No it means why buy a freakin console when we already have PC's that do the same thing. The only advantage the next consoles could have at this point is the ability to be 100% playable and usable in a disconnected state. Without that Ill just save some cash and stick to my PC.
  • 0 Hide
    robwright , April 4, 2013 8:32 AM
    Yes, I'm sure the new Xbox will run VERY HOT.

    It should be no surprise that GameStop is hyping a new console. The company was in the red last quarter, and the WiiU isn't exactly lighting up the charts so far.
  • 1 Hide
    spentshells , April 4, 2013 8:43 AM
    g00fysmileyagreed. i don't plan on buying another m$ console, it annoys me thay i had to buy xbox live to just use netflix on the console. granted i didn't do that and instead built a htpc, i only ever played a few games and have actually enjoed my kinect games as somethign fun to kill an hour or two. but always connected to play and liekly need for xbox live to use services like netyflix is going to make me actually nto buy a console for once


    Netflix with kinect is nearly the best thing about kinect, trust me.
  • 0 Hide
    DRosencraft , April 4, 2013 8:46 AM
    Gamestop is just trying to cover its bases. Saying both systems have tons of excitement helps hype them and hopefully boosts sales. They may be wrong in the end, but if they are there is likely little consequence for Gamestop over blowing their estimates.

    As for the Xbox, I do own and quite like my 360. It's a fine system, even if I don't use Live Gold. Part of the reason I'm not as in to PC gaming as I used to be, and the reaction I will have to consoles if it were to happen there too, is all of this always online garbage. The sad thing is, they will probably see success with this. Why? For a decade now I've heard about people complaining about how they're always connected to the workplace and their cell phones and whatnot. And yet, those same people are the ones who always carry their phones with them, were always talking on them, texting on them, now surfing the web on them, and more people have started to do the same. There will be consternation and complaining, but sadly people will still buy. That's why EA can sell a bad game, people will say "never again" and then the next game in the series sells big anyway.
  • 1 Hide
    g00fysmiley , April 4, 2013 8:49 AM
    spentshellsNetflix with kinect is nearly the best thing about kinect, trust me.


    yea it is neat, i tried it when i got a free xbox live card, but is it worth almos thalf the price of my netflix subscription just to be abel to use it on their device... not imo
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