Eurogamer

Microsoft plans to launch two very different versions of the next Xbox, according to a Digital Foundry report on GamesIndustry.biz.

The first is described as a "pared down machine" to be released as cheaply as possible. It is likened to a set-top box, and will act as a Kinect-themed gaming portal.

The second is a "more fully-featured machine" with optical drive, hard disk and backwards compatibility. This would be aimed at hardcore gamers and released at a higher price-point.

Kinect, Digital Foundry has heard, will be bundled with both SKUs.

Next-generation talk has ramped up in recent weeks, with Edge reporting that the next Xbox will launch late next year.

Digital Foundry believes this is unlikely, however, suggesting a 2013 launch. The console is rumoured to be set for a reveal at E3 2012.

Edge claimed Ubisoft Montreal is currently developing software using "target boxes" - PCs containing off-the-shelf components provided by Microsoft - and that true dev kits will be available before the end of the year.

The report added that a number of other developers also have the target boxes, including a number of EA studios.

French site Xboxygen reported that Microsoft plans to unveil its next console at the CES show in Las Vegas in January 2012.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-24-microsoft-plans-two-versions-of-its-next-xbox-rumour

interesting.

Lots of humors about the NextBox, it seems that we are really close to the announcement.

What do they mean "with optical drive"? As opposed to the second model not having it?

with optical drive

YES!

100% Digital Distribution can suck my %$#@&

Wy not charge extra for the Casual box and bring me the Hardcore box as cheaply as possible?

The bigger question is whats up with optical drive and hard disk as opposed to having neither. No optical drive just means the casual one will be exclusively downloadable games but how in the hell are you going to download and install those games without a harddrive. Are we going to have to use usb flashdrives? Anyway this rumor has gotten much more excited about the next xbox. Considering initial rumors about it being super cheap, I feared they wouldn't bother making it that much more powerful and just focuced on perfecting the kinect tech to not have lag.

One thing is for sure. I cant wait.

Wow this is getting exciting. Its like the Wii U pre-release all over again. Looking forward to what nextbox can bring to the table.

I am thinking that the casual box won't have a hard drive, but just an optical drive. I was hoping they could have flash based drives next gen, but if its optical I wonder what kind of drive MS are planning.

Maybe games are played off a server and save game info is saved on cloud servers? There could be some sort of internal memory like the 4gb systems have as well, with possible support for USB devices. Just conjecture.