I've noticed a couple other Xbox 720 prediction threads, but they all sem to focus primarily on system specs, and while I welcome people to discuss system specs in here as well, I'm more curious to find out what people think about possible software, launch price, bluray licensing, etc.

1. Launch Titles - I'll predict that if Rare doesn't announce a Perfect Dark game at E3 this year that The Nextbox will be getting a Perfect Dark game as a launch title.

2. Price - this is hard to guesstimate because no one knows what the economy will be like in 2011 (if that's when the nextbox launches), but I would have to assume that they have been taking notes this gen from Sony's failure and Nintendo's domination. Thus, I predict a basic unit for about $350 and an elite type model for about $450 USD.

3. Bluray - Next gen games will no doubt require much larger disck capacity than DvD can provide so I will predict that the nextbox will use Bluray discs to develope games on, although I doubt they will pay for the licensing to have the system play Bluray movies. It would be unnecessary anyway since Bluray movie players will be available for around $100 by then.

4. Motion Control - I think this is a given in some form or another.

5. Easy PC ports - There is no doubt that Microsoft would love to get their hands on some of that lucrative MMORPG pie, as well as an even larger portion of the FPS pie. Expect PC developers to be able to easily port to the Nextbox, and expect Microsoft to have a keyboard and mouse available to slap down on yoru coffee table to use for RTS and MMO games.

6. Wireless Connection - they'd have to be autistic not to include this

7. Wishes - My wish would be for a Bungie FPS at launch, but I won't hold my breath.

That's all I got. What do you guys think? Even if you don't have any opinions, what are your wishes?

A few points here.

I seriously doubt M$ will put in a Blu-Ray drive and have the movie watching capability nixed.  If they just need disc space they could use HD-DVD or something similar, which is very much cheaper (yes I know its a dead format but it would still be cheaper).

My guess is the next Xbox will be moving towards digital distribution.   It will also have a lot smoother interface than the current systems and will be an all around Living Room Media Center.   Which means it will have a web browser and probably the ability to do most things a regular computer can.   I would imagine that they will try and keep it easy to develop for so they can have easy PC ports (DX12).

My wishlist.

Blu-Ray

Built in Wifi

Backward Compatability (hardware not software)

Free Live (not going to happen though)

The next gears or Halo at launch

Biggest HD they can fit in it that is reasonably priced

Motion Controller and a regular xbox360 gamepad

I am sure there is other stuff I have left out :D