Microsoft: Seriously, No Xbox Hardware at E3

News
By Jane McEntegart
published

They really meant it.

The last few months have brought us tons of juicy rumors about the Xbox 720. We know that it's codenamed Durango, and last week we heard that it would be losing the disc drive in favor of an alternative form of interchangeable solid storage. There's also been a lot of talk of Microsoft announcing the console at E3 in June this year. While Microsoft is not expected to release the console this year, many have speculated that Redmond will at least give us a glimpse of it this summer. Microsoft said back in January that it didn't have anything to announce, but that hasn't stopped the rumors.

Sadly, it seems it really is not meant to be. Microsoft has once again quashed rumors that it will have new Xbox hardware on hand at E3. In a statement sent to Kotaku, the company has reiterated that there won't be a new Xbox at E3. Microsoft said that the Xbox 360 is having it's best year ever, following an amazing year in 2011, so they're going to focus on building the Xbox 360 momentum with Halo 4, Forza Horizon, Fable: The Journey, and more.

Check out the full statement below:

"While we appreciate all the interest in our long-range plans for the future, we can confirm that there will be no talk of new Xbox hardware at E3 or anytime soon. For us, 2012 is all about Xbox 360-and it's the best year ever for Xbox 360. The console is coming off its biggest year ever-a year in which Xbox outsold all other consoles worldwide. Xbox 360 didn't just outsell other consoles, it also outsold all other TV-connected devices like DVD players, as well as digital media receivers and home theatre systems. And in our seventh year, we sold more consoles than in any other year-defying convention.This year, we will build on that Xbox 360 momentum. With "Halo 4," "Forza Horizon," "Fable: The Journey," and other great Kinect games on the way, our 2012 Xbox lineup is our strongest ever. This year, we will deliver more TV, music, and movie experiences for Xbox 360-as we'll make it even easier to find and control your all entertainment. And this year, Xbox games, music, and video are coming to Windows 8 so people can enjoy their Xbox entertainment wherever they go."

Microsoft said in January that Kinect had refreshed the Xbox and made it a brand new console, and considering this latest statement, the company obviously thinks the 360 has some mileage left. Do you think the 360 is getting a bit tired? Is it time for Xbox 720? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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Jane McEntegart
87 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Shin-san
    It's getting tired, but I can easily understand Microsoft liking the idea of making a lot of money. I'm not sure if third parties are ready at this point, either.
    Reply
  • kevinmcg
    Yeah it outsells other devices because they red ring every 2 years.
    Reply
  • matt_b
    We know that it's codenamed Durango, and last week we heard that it would be losing the disc drive in favor of an alternative form of interchangeable solid storage.
    ----> Reason I couldn't care less, no optical drive is an automatic count me out. I don't care how much potential it may have, I'm not investing in something where (concerning the games) I cannot resell, buy used on the cheap, rent, or lend or borrow from a friend. It may or may not end up this way, have to wait and see, but I know Microsoft's intentions for doing this.
    Reply
  • Dealer009
    Does it even matter? It's less powerful than current PC graphics cards like the AMD 7970, and there is no software to show it off.
    Reply
  • dormantreign
    Getting tired...i stopped playing this console 3 or 4 years ago. The graphics are teribad!
    Reply
  • DroKing
    Yayyy More ammunition for us PC gamers! More parts they take out from consoles more closed it become hence it will become useless and less popular! Please keep making consoles lamer and more expensive to push people back to good ol PC GAMING community! Consoles are a waste nowadays they do nothing but hold innovation back.
    Reply
  • kcorp2003
    Every year is "best year ever" for xbox360.
    Reply
  • hobojoe58
    Very TIRED OF Xbox 360. It was Outdated by 2 years before it even came out!! The interface is AWFUL and there are but maybe 3 exclusive IPs (all sequels). Please somebody make a NEW IP WITH A NEW XBOX and SOON.
    Reply
  • ismaeljrp
    Kids....it is no longer about graphics....that's surplus , from a business perspective.
    The way these consoles were made were meant for flexibilty in the addition of features....which in console terms is much much more important....

    Us PC gamer's love to complain, but that's more because our machines already do all those features, and a whole lot more....so really, the only thing to look foward to is improvement in actual game development.

    Consoles are more overall media centric.... so stop your whining already.
    Reply
  • ismaeljrp
    As long as the the tech their machines have allow them to add more things....they will keep adding from a software perspective...

    Times have changed from , the days where new consoles were pushed to market, solely with the promise of better hardware, more realistic gaming and graphics....it goes a lot deeper than that now.
    Reply