http://xbox.ign.com/articles/585/585720p1.html
Off the Record 02.04.05
Some questionable rumors come to Xbox town.
By IGN Staff
February 4, 2005 - You've dialed Off the Record, the inner workings of IGN
Xbox. This is the ongoing and unofficial place to learn what's going on
behind the scenes of the videogame industry, specifically for the Xbox. When
we learn it, we tell you here. Check back each Friday to find out what else
has happened in this fast-paced, ever-changing industry.
At least two rumors have dropped down the pipe in the last week that are
worth listening to, both of which we've heard from rather sketchy sources.
So, take these lightly, as in, with a grain of salt.
Xbox 360: Full Circle?
According to a growing number of sources, Microsoft has been at work
listening to focus tests on a proper name for the upcoming Xbox. It's a fact
that the system's codename is Xenon, as multiple developers have openly
corroborated this fact. But that's not the final name, and apparently
Microsoft is struggling with just exactly what is the coolest name. The
latest candidate, which is one we've heard before and which is possibly the
stickiest, is Xbox 360. Xbox 360? Xbox 360. Microsoft executives, for some
undetermined reason, are worried about calling the new console "Xbox 2"
because the number is 2 is less than PlayStation 3, and also less hip. We'd
take Xbox Next over Xbox 360 anyday. Why not call it Mary-Kate and Ashley
Box, or Fish Box, or RoxBox, instead? Or....Why not call it something
"clever" like Xbox 1080? that would get Nintendo riled up, and maybe some
former Nintendo fanboys would consider buying it. Heh. Xbox 2 is sounding
better every minute...
Activision's Pure Sequel Holiday?
Recent reports have claimed that Activision is embarking on an "all-sequel"
launch for Microsoft's upcoming Xbox 2/Xenon/Xbox 360/Xbox Next. Unlike
previous launches where Activision diversified its games between new titles
and sequels, this rumor claims that four major, AAA games will slam the Xbox
at launch (or, we suspect, with in the first four months of launch). They
include Quake IV, Call of Duty 2, Tony Hawk Underground 3, and Spider-Man
Ultimate. Wow, a sequel holiday.
This is certainly possible. Activision has turned squarely away from
launching anything original for a while now, and it's heavily relied on
Marvel titles, familiar Id titles, and movie-based kids stuff of recent
(True Crime: Streets of LA being the notable exception). So, it's not
impossible for such a quartet of sequels to hit Xbox 2. The only one that
sounds fishy is Quake IV. Traditionally, Id creates PC games first, and it
dictates the terms; not Activision. But who knows, maybe Activision and Id
agreed the technology is so hot they couldn't turn it down?
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http://www.xbox365.com/news/news.cgi/article/EEpZVylyZufqFxAlzO8674Xbox 2
To Be Called Xbox 360????
by UtahSaint
2/4/2005
Source: Engadget
Engadget are claiming the next Xbox (Xbox2, Xenon, Xbox Next, Xbox
Noob (ok, I made that one up) etc) will be called the Xbox 360. Their
source, who has worked on several projects involving the Xbox and the Xbox
360, has seen the proposed packaging and other design elements for the new
console, and says that as of right now the console is being branded as the
"Xbox 360."
That's definitely not that first time we've heard that mentioned as
one of the possible names for the next-generation Xbox; last year a
marketing firm conducted a survey where they asked people whether they
thought Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, or Nintendo N5 sounded more "next-gen"
(apparently Microsoft was worried that calling their new console the "Xbox
2" would make it seem older or less "cutting-edge" than the PlayStation 3).
_
http://www.gameshout.com/news/022005/article400.htm
Xbox 2 to be branded as Xbox 360
Engadget received information from a trusted source at
Microsoft that the company has pretty much settled on a name for the next
Xbox. The next-gen console will not be called Xbox 2 but will probably be
called Xbox 360.
Endgadget are claiming the next Xbox (Xbox 2) will be called the Xbox
360. Their source, who has worked on several projects involving the Xbox and
the Xbox 360, has seen the proposed packaging and other design elements for
the new console, and says that as of right now the console is being branded
as the "Xbox 360."
That's definitely not that first time we here at GameSHOUT have heard
that mentioned, especially since we used to own the
www.Xbox360.com website
(grin). However, it is one possible name for the next-generation Xbox.
-
http://www.neoseeker.com/news/story/4283/
Xbox 360???
Leo Chan - Friday, February 4th, 2005 | 5:41PM (PST)
Next-gen Xbox may be named at last, at least behind Microsoft's
doors
Engadget has strong reason to believe (in the form of a "trusted
source") that the next Xbox console from Microsoft could be named the "Xbox
360". A few unofficial names for the Xbox successor have been floating
around the net for quite some time now, the more popular ones being "Xbox
Next", the more pedestrian "Xbox 2" and even "Xenon".
"Our source, who has worked on several projects involving the
Xbox and the Xbox 360, has seen the proposed packaging and other design
elements for the new console, and says that as of right now the console is
being branded as the "Xbox 360.""
According to the news byte, the name "Xbox 360" has actually
emerged in past before, reportedly as a choice for a survey conducted by
Microsoft and Schoen & Berland Associates last year to see what name
consumers would find most attractive for the new Xbox. Whether the rumored
confirmation of Xbox 360 being the final name was a direct result of this
survey remains to be seen. We wouldn't be surprised if we heard more
speculation to that effect in the coming weeks!
Or is it going to be spherical?