Why Microsoft won't launch their new console in 2012

[archbrix]

Fumanchu said:

BenVTrigger said:
Honestly I think the biggest sign that the Nextbox is launching in 2013 and not 2012 is Halo 4. If MS knew that the Nextbox was this close to being released they would have FOR SURE made Halo 4 a launch title for the console.

Do you honestly believe that they'll just drop support of the 360 once the 'Xbox 1080' comes out and risk losing their ~16 million paying live subscribers??

You just unintentionally pointed out the problem, though.  The 360 would likely be selling so good throughout 2012-mid 2013, that the expensive Xbox 1080's sales could stagnate after all of the early adopters buy it at launch in 2012.  Yes, 360 would be bringing in the dough, but without consistent sales, the 1080 would be losing money.  The key is for Microsoft not to launch too late (particularly concerning Sony), but not so early that it interferes with the money making 360.

That's why (to me) the smartest move is an "all in" 2013 launch for Xbox 1080, while the 360 becomes a steady, more modest seller in the background in late 2013 and beyond, like the PS2 has been for the last few years.