XBOX 2 hardware 'locked down', 'no plans' for 2004 announcement

[R420]

Seems like a 2005 Xbox 2 launch is a no-go, which is great for
EVERYONE.

I say a late summer or early fall 2006 would be an ideal time to
launch the next Xbox. we'll get stronger graphics from ATI, faster
CPUs from IBM, more polished games from developers, etc.

here's the article:
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/front_index.php?

_______________________________________________________________________________

E3 2004: EXCLUSIVE: XBOX 2 HARDWARE 'LOCKED DOWN', 'NO PLANS' FOR 2004
ANNOUNCEMENT

J Allard confirms next-gen details are finalised, but warns against
expecting Microsoft to go public this year

16:12 E3 2004 has been and gone and, as expected, Microsoft refused to
reveal concrete details on next-generation hardware, instead using its
pre-show press conference to home in on current-gen software,
bolstered by an updated showing of its XNA software platform which
will drive next-generation development.
During the show, however, we were able to grill Xbox supremo and chief
XNA architect J Allard further on his next-generation plans, with the
Xbox creator giving a clearer picture of where the company is at in
terms of readiness and revelations.

With much discussion at GDC over whether or not Xbox 2 would ship with
a built in hard drive and other specific details, we asked Allard if,
at this stage, absolutely final decisions on Xbox 2 hardware had been
taken.

"Pretty much, yes," Allard confirmed. "The next-generation is the
hardware manifestation of the XNA platform; think of XNA as the
successor if you will of DirectX.

"That's how we're thinking about it; and if you think about it being a
software platform driving hardware, it allows you to think about
hardware differently so I think there will be a couple of surprises.
We've made decisions and the team is locked." When asked if the name
of the system had also been chosen, Allard laughed and repeated: "The
team is locked".

But despite this apparent self-assurance, Microsoft will not be
pressured into making any early announcements on its plans. "I could
talk for the next week about our next generation plans if I wanted
to," Allard told us. "The reason we chose not to is that it's really
important for retail and for the business to have a successful 2004."

Then in a surprise statement, which appears to place Xbox 2 further
off the radar than expected, Allard added: "We'll be talking about
[Xbox 2] next year for sure, but I think it's going to be a very quiet
2004 in terms of next-generation plans from us."

But this is of course in a constant state of flux and open to
influence from outside pressures, particularly dependent on the
movements of Microsoft's main rival, Sony. With mounting speculation
suggesting Sony's next-gen hardware is further off than the company
would like to admit, however - Sony did reveal that first development
kits of its Cell-powered hardware wouldn't be ready until the end of
'04 at the earliest - this gives Microsoft, notwithstanding its
determination that "we won't be beaten to market", plenty of breathing
space for now.

For the full transcript of our exclusive E3 interview with J Allard,
where he gives his opinion on PSP, and talks in detail on the software
demos developers are already creating for the next-generation of Xbox
hardware, check back later in the week.

_______________________________________________________________________________

 

[S8N]

Then in a surprise statement, which appears to place Xbox 2 further
off the radar than expected, Allard added: "We'll be talking about
[Xbox 2] next year for sure, but I think it's going to be a very quiet
2004 in terms of next-generation plans from us."

There's no news there really. It's going to be hardware locked now or
very soon dev kits shipping promptly. There will be a raft of hardware +
software announcements at GDC Jan/Feb 2005, official unveiling and
limited playability at E3 '05 in May, full plans announced at ECTS
perhaps and a launch Nov '05. I'd put the EU launch at around February
time. That's almost certainly what they're aiming for. It sure doesn't
rule out a 2005 release anywhere, far from it.

 

[Paul Smith]

I'd put the EU launch at around February
time. That's almost certainly what they're aiming for. It sure doesn't
rule out a 2005 release anywhere, far from it.

I'd say they'd more likely do an international launch.

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
http://www.smirnov.demon.co.uk/
http://www.doom3portal.com/ A Doom 3 fansite.
http://windows.dasmirnov.net/ Windows XP Resource Site.

*Replace nospam with smirnov to reply by e-mail*

 

[S8N]

I'd say they'd more likely do an international launch.

I don't think they will. More to prevent Live meltdown than anything
else, a worldwide simultaneous launch would kill it. Maybe
October/December then.

 

[Mr. Grinch]

There's no news there really. It's going to be hardware locked now or
very soon dev kits shipping promptly. There will be a raft of hardware +
software announcements at GDC Jan/Feb 2005, official unveiling and
limited playability at E3 '05 in May, full plans announced at ECTS
perhaps and a launch Nov '05. I'd put the EU launch at around February
time. That's almost certainly what they're aiming for. It sure doesn't
rule out a 2005 release anywhere, far from it.

Heh, I was just thinking the same thing myself, what a long article to
basically say nothing. But if someone can make a living by re-stating
the
obvious, all the power to them I guess.

 

[fr8train99]

Seems like a 2005 Xbox 2 launch is a no-go, which is great for
EVERYONE.

What do you expect M$ to say? Xbox2 will be out by next year? That
would kill the Xbox sales for good. Who would buy an Xbox if M$
already announce they'll release a new one next year?

 

[Matthew Shaw]

If they can get developers to start developing for Xbox 2 now, and then it
launches 2-3 years down the track, then there will be a raft of games
available at launch.

Seems like a 2005 Xbox 2 launch is a no-go, which is great for
EVERYONE.

I say a late summer or early fall 2006 would be an ideal time to
launch the next Xbox. we'll get stronger graphics from ATI, faster
CPUs from IBM, more polished games from developers, etc.

here's the article:
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/front_index.php?

____________________________________________________________________________
___

E3 2004: EXCLUSIVE: XBOX 2 HARDWARE 'LOCKED DOWN', 'NO PLANS' FOR 2004
ANNOUNCEMENT

J Allard confirms next-gen details are finalised, but warns against
expecting Microsoft to go public this year

16:12 E3 2004 has been and gone and, as expected, Microsoft refused to
reveal concrete details on next-generation hardware, instead using its
pre-show press conference to home in on current-gen software,
bolstered by an updated showing of its XNA software platform which
will drive next-generation development.
During the show, however, we were able to grill Xbox supremo and chief
XNA architect J Allard further on his next-generation plans, with the
Xbox creator giving a clearer picture of where the company is at in
terms of readiness and revelations.

With much discussion at GDC over whether or not Xbox 2 would ship with
a built in hard drive and other specific details, we asked Allard if,
at this stage, absolutely final decisions on Xbox 2 hardware had been
taken.

"Pretty much, yes," Allard confirmed. "The next-generation is the
hardware manifestation of the XNA platform; think of XNA as the
successor if you will of DirectX.

"That's how we're thinking about it; and if you think about it being a
software platform driving hardware, it allows you to think about
hardware differently so I think there will be a couple of surprises.
We've made decisions and the team is locked." When asked if the name
of the system had also been chosen, Allard laughed and repeated: "The
team is locked".

But despite this apparent self-assurance, Microsoft will not be
pressured into making any early announcements on its plans. "I could
talk for the next week about our next generation plans if I wanted
to," Allard told us. "The reason we chose not to is that it's really
important for retail and for the business to have a successful 2004."

Then in a surprise statement, which appears to place Xbox 2 further
off the radar than expected, Allard added: "We'll be talking about
[Xbox 2] next year for sure, but I think it's going to be a very quiet
2004 in terms of next-generation plans from us."

But this is of course in a constant state of flux and open to
influence from outside pressures, particularly dependent on the
movements of Microsoft's main rival, Sony. With mounting speculation
suggesting Sony's next-gen hardware is further off than the company
would like to admit, however - Sony did reveal that first development
kits of its Cell-powered hardware wouldn't be ready until the end of
'04 at the earliest - this gives Microsoft, notwithstanding its
determination that "we won't be beaten to market", plenty of breathing
space for now.

For the full transcript of our exclusive E3 interview with J Allard,
where he gives his opinion on PSP, and talks in detail on the software
demos developers are already creating for the next-generation of Xbox
hardware, check back later in the week.

____________________________________________________________________________
___