Custom hardware dev kits for the next Xbox will be shipped to leading developers and publishers by the end of the year, according to a new report.

Citing a "source," the generally reliable Edge Magazine reports developers like Ubisoft Montreal are working on 'target boxes' based on Microsoft's intended specifications for its new machine.

The target boxes, which have been sent to top publishers like EA and Ubisoft, are basically PCs featuring components that aspire to the new machine's specs. Edge says that "AMD is providing the bespoke GPU solution for Microsoft's console."

Microsoft is now replacing these with new dev kits. The story is fueling speculation that the new Xbox will be available at retail by the end of 2012.

With Wii U launching as soon as next year, and Sony fast catching Xbox's global installed base lead, Microsoft appears to be ready to once again ratchet up its decade long console war with its closest rivals.

Source: ign.com

What do you think about this, true or not?

so all of 2012 to dev. games for it before its 2013 launch. i hope this shuts people up.

No.

They've already had 'target boxes' for awhile now.

Having actual dev kits gives them a more final version to continue work on for the next 10 months.

This is standard procedure and the reason why 1st year games don't ever look/run as good as games in later years.

Basically, the first year games are going to be upgraded PS360 games that will be noticeably better than this gen, but also noticeably worse than later games in next gen. (same thing happenned this gen)

This is going to be the same for WiiU.

Many multiports accross all platforms in HD, with next-gen stuff looking better, running smoother, and maybe a new feature or two. Along with a handful of 1st party next-gen exclusives to help push them off properly.

MS has surely been working on a big game already for launch as well as Nintendo.

All this does is help the argument for a 2012 launch... not 2013. If hardware is finalized to the point that a solid dev kit is out by end of this year... it means others have had the pre-kits for awhile now.

This.

Rumors have been ongoing for months now about target boxes being with devs. Games built on those, then converted to the actual more finalized dev kits would easily be ready by late 2012. But as superchunk said, these will obviously be outpaced greatly as the gen continues and devs get even more practice with the hardware. That's just how it works.

2012 is my bet too. It just seems the most logical if you see the absence of exclusive content for the 360. One explanation: they are working on software for the nextbox

Time pass really fast, 7 years ago we were talking about the current generation as the new generation. Cant wait for the next box.

Next year is going to be exciting. Wii U Vs Xbox ∞

Boy there is a lot of rumors going around for a late 2012 launch. It seems more and more likely every time I see a article on this.

sony is screwed..

It takes more than a year to fully develop games, especially for a new platform... 18-24 months generally.

If devs are just getting their kits at the end of '11, then do the math... they won't have games in the can for the NextBox until midway through 2013 at the earliest. And I keep repeating myself, but NONE of 2012's biggest titles like Halo 4, GTAV, Bioshock Infinite, the next COD, etc, are slated or even rumored for next-gen hardware by ANY of their devs... so where are the next-gen games in 2012? What's the 720 going to launch with? Hmmm???

And on the IGN homepage they also have this article stating 5 reasons why the new console won't be revealed at CES but at E3 2012 instead, which isn't until June...

http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/10/why-we-wont-see-the-xbox-720-at-ces

So you're telling me that M$ will for the first time officially unveil their console in June of next year, and then launch it just 5 months later with no major software and at huge risk of cutting into the success of their existing console which will still be selling like gang-busters thanks to the steady stream of AAA hits and an impending price cut?

This is why we call fanboys "fanboys"... because their blind love for a game company or console causes them to lose all rationality when it comes to these kinds of topics.