Rumor: Microsoft Revealing Xbox Infinity (720) in April
Microsoft may follow Sony's lead and give a taste of what's to come with the next Xbox console this April.
Not to be outdone by Sony, Microsoft reportedly plans to launch its own standalone event in April to semi-reveal the next Xbox console.
Like its console competitor, the Redmond company will likely not show the actual hardware to generate some pre-E3 2013 buzz. Sony claims the PlayStation 4 hardware simply wasn't ready to be shown this week, but we're betting that's a load of crap. The company, like Microsoft, undoubtedly plans to reveal its true arsenal this June so that the show doesn't repeat the lackluster E3 2012 event.
News of Microsoft's possible pre-E3 2013 reveal stems from several sources. For starters, Microsoft partner Ustechs, which has previously worked with the company on media briefings including E3 2012's press conference, has registered the domain XboxEvent.com. That could be anything really, but given Sony's partial PlayStation 4 reveal, it's a sign that Microsoft is feeling the heat.
According to one unnamed "Sony official" who asked not to be named (of course), he was reportedly informed that Sony's New York showcase had at first caught Microsoft off guard. That seems unlikely given that the entire industry knew the console would be revealed, but the contact went on to speculate that "we definitely ruffled some feathers." Sure thing, buddy.
Still, it's quite possible Ballmer and Co. are quite anxious. Microsoft has been so hell-bent on nuking Apple and Google with the release of Windows 8 and related devices that Sony may have slipped under the radar. Unlike Microsoft, Sony isn't pushing an entirely new platform that spans across four screens. For that matter, Microsoft might not even care about the PlayStation 4 at this point, placing its bets on the Window 8 four-screen experience as a preferred platform for gamers.
But given Microsoft's investment in the E3 convention, the company definitely doesn't want Sony to steal the pre-show buzz. CVG reports that there are a "growing number" of developers and other industry professionals – including Sony employees-- who claim that Microsoft will now showcase the new Xbox console in early April after the conclusion of this year's Game Developer's Conference.
That said, there may even be something revealed next month, but who knows at this point. But as for the April reveal, we expect to see some game footage, a controller, lots of nonspecific tech talk, and perhaps some of the planned services and Windows 8 connectivity options. The actual console will probably come out of the closet in June in Microsoft's E3 2013 press conference because it, like the PlayStation 4, will generate a load of E3 buzz.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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Xbox Infinity 720- I bet Comcast will have something to say about that name. Plus with hardware already outdated much like the coming so far non-existent PS4 when even compared to current gen PC hardware.Reply
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cercuitspark soldier2013Xbox Infinity 720- I bet Comcast will have something to say about that name. Plus with hardware already outdated much like the coming so far non-existent PS4 when even compared to current gen PC hardware.Reply
The processor the PS4 is based on isn't even out yet, and you're calling it outdated?
And adding the optimization you can get from programming for a spesific set of components, you will get much more graphically advanced games for the next gen console than for the PC in it's current from.
- A PC enthusiast and PC gamer. -
downhill911 I pray that Xbox infinity will be on par with PS4 or better, then all those new games are going to look epic and PC ones even better.Reply
So far, I am really impressed with killzone, although it was only 720p but you could see textures where much better.
Really hope Microsoft will try to out-performance PS4, but I somehow doubt that. -
schwiing Outdated as in, the hardware is already at least one generation back (and will be most likely on the new XBOX) when compared to PC hardware.Reply -
tokencode cercuitsparkThe processor the PS4 is based on isn't even out yet, and you're calling it outdated?And adding the optimization you can get from programming for a spesific set of components, you will get much more graphically advanced games for the next gen console than for the PC in it's current from.- A PC enthusiast and PC gamer.Reply
'It usually takes them a few years to squeeze all of the potential out of a new hardware platform. The new generation of consoles may finally bring some software that can push modern PCs, but I'm not so sure PS4 or the new Xbox will take a 3-way SLI setup. Remember, some computer gamers are playing at 3 times the resolution of your 1080p TV today. With things like Occulus Rift on the horizon, I'm not sure consoles will ever catch again at this point. -
tobalaz I'd just like to point out the obvious benefits for us pc gamers considering both the PS4 and Xbox 720 will be both using x86 hardware.Reply
Previous generations of consoles were mostly single core, by going with a higher number of slower x86 cores, games are going to be programmed with multithreading in mind. Yup, that's right, these 4-8 core cpus running insane speeds we are currently packing (that barely do crap for us atm) are REALLY going to start getting a workout.
Since its x86 hardware, its going to be easier to cross code for systems, big benefit? We get more high end games taking advantage of our high end hardware, software development costs decrease for cross platform development, and anyone with a pc, a bit of skill and a dream can make the next big game.
I'd imagine it should also make multiplayer environments easier to code so pc gamers, Xbox gamers and PS4 gamers can all play together nicely on the same servers while not being not so nice to one another.
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bison88 downhill911I pray that Xbox infinity will be on par with PS4 or better, then all those new games are going to look epic and PC ones even better.So far, I am really impressed with killzone, although it was only 720p but you could see textures where much better.Really hope Microsoft will try to out-performance PS4, but I somehow doubt that.Reply
I'm hoping they finally make X-Box Live Gold free. Honestly, after 6 years I'm finding it hard to justify paying Microsoft the XBL fee (recently raised) for the little I'm actually using from their services. Doesn't help when a lot of games still rely on the P2P model so you can't even say it's for dedicated servers. Given XBL really has no competition from Sony (yet) it's hard to really bitch about it. I just hope the rumors about it going free are true because from what Sony's PS4 is trying to accomplish it could further make the X-Box 720 a hard sale in an economy where you want the best experience but every penny counts.
I'll probably be locked in to Microsoft for Gears of War anyways. Damn those console specific titles to hell. -
p05esto MS better not F up again like Win8. I don't have a lot of confidence at this point to be honest. Everything I've so far has been depressing about the xBox.Reply -
gamer1970 Let's start with the obvious -Reply
PC Gamers (Which I am as well) - Very snobby about their/our systems and how much superior they are to the consoles.
Console Gamers (Which I also am as well) - Are notorious for being flaming fanboys for their chosen system and think PC gaming is dead.
The reality - Both are partially right in some ways; The PC is, overall, superior to any consoles, BUT, they keep getting more powerful and the end result of what they can do IS very close to what a PC can do. . . minus the few extra frames per second or shaders they produce. Yes, I know, the TV's are limited to a max of 1920x1020. My setup is running a cool 5720x1080 and I can use my computer for more than just games. The main stay that any console has always, and will always have, is price. The new PS4 will most likely run close to $500-600 and will be close to the price point of the newly announced Titan Cards by Nvidia. You're getting an entirely compact, powerful gaming machine with new social and cloud features for much less than a comparable computer. As a true gamer - someone who loves all systems and all types of games, I can embrace the consoles and the PC. Why limit yourself to JUST a PC? I think people just need to get out of this - PC's are for adults and geeks and Consoles are for kids or tweenie year olds mentality. Games are good on both sides of the playing field. It just depends on what you feel like playing. The consoles have amazing games coming out on them, as do the PC. If anything, I think they way games are distributed in the future will determine how systems will be made or used in the future. With such things as Steam and even Orion, U-Play, you can get great hits through the internet. Sony is going to experiment with cloud based gaming delivery; you can bet Microsoft will do the same. I say, stop the bickering and just enjoy the games. THAT'S what will make or break ANY system. . .