Sigh, in this topic people demonstrate an utter lack of business strategy knowledge.

Virtually all of the reason listed herein for NOT launching are actually reasons TO launch in 2012.

1. MS has previous discussed a concept they called forward compatibility, which means running ENHANCED versions of 360 games. COD and GTA could run at 1080P 60 fps with high AA, for example. All of the definitive versions of the fall 2012 would be on nextbox. Thus giving nextbox the greatest launch of all time. Not to mention, true version of Halo 4.

2. 360 selling well is actually incentive to launch now for multiple reasons - especially momentum and customer segmentation. Lack of price cut this year actually plays into this as well. Harvest profits this Holiday, announce nextbox, cut 360 price. NB locks in the early adopter core and 360 sells to casuals/price senstive consumers. It is all about locking customers into the Live ecosystem. Securing the core prior to PS4 launch is a vital component of this. MS actually has the opportunity to make both Nintendo and Sony completely irrelevant in the US (as in MS share greater than N+sony combined).

3. Finally, Win8 unified platforms. Balmer wants this and the potential synergy is enormous, especially as MS and Apple compete.

MS may not launch in 2012, but the only reason to not launch would be short term profitability. Long-term strategy supports 2012 as optimal launch.

*Brofist*

Agreed with everything you said except, " MS actually has the opportunity to make both Nintendo and Sony completely irrelevant in the US (as in MS share greater than N+sony combined)."

PS2 gave Sony so much marketshare last gen but that didn't make MS and Nintendo irrelevant.

Momentum going into next gen counts for something but each gen is basically a clean slate where anyone can screw up or succeed.

On December 5th 2012 360 will be 7 years old.
Devs have already said 360/ps3 are at their technical limit. Can we go 2 years at the limit?

I believe Nextbox will be either released December 5th 2012 or March 2013.

Dec 5th? I take it you forgot to send 360 a birthday card on the 16th November just gone?

Oops. I meant Dec 2nd. I referred to my own country. Uk Release was Dec 2nd 2005.

Pulled out my Original Xbox & Xbox 360 to give them both a hug. :p

OT: Q4 2012-Q4 2013 is the longest they should wait.

I'm ready for next-gen.

Why are people saying Sony are screwed, The ps2 came out in march 2000, The ps3 came out in november 2006

Thats an 80 month generation cycle

If the PS4 went on sale next November
Thats a 72 month generation cycle

its not cutting it short by that much

Sony know xbox are handing out dev kits they probably knew before this source did, Sony know not to make the same mistake again of waiting a year later

I assume you're making a joke?

Fake name obviously :p

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/digitalfoundry-next-gen-xbox-in-2012-analysis?page=1

Pro-Version vs. Set-Top-Box?