I remember when Microsoft launched the X-Box 360 they said that Microsoft's platforms would have 4 year life cycles. Well four years is up and we have no new Microsoft console. Infact the typical five year life cycle would see a new Microsoft platform released in 2010. But recently I heard the latest next gen rumour, and that is the rumour that Microsoft won't release a next generation platform till 2015 instead launching Natal as its next generation entry.

So that begs the question, will Natal replace a future X-Box or will Microsoft actually launch a NextBox in fall 2010. If Microsoft does launch their next X-Box for fall 2010 then what will happen to Natal, will Natal be availible on both platforms? What if Microsoft doesn't launch its next platform in 2010 will they let Nintendo be the first one to launch its new platform in 2011?

What are your thoughts on when we can expect the Next-Box if/and/or we recieve a NextBox at all?

I read a Bobby Kotick (the d bag from Activision) interview the other day saying they usually get hardware prototypes about 2 years before new consoles are released and so far they have seen nothing. Even though Kotick is a huge dick, he's a pretty straight shooter, so I believe that.

MS may have said that about the 4 year cycle at the beginning of the generation, but the situation is very different now than what they probably thought it would be. Yes, they are starting to get spanked by Sony on a weekly basis now, but their machine is still selling well and still the number two console on the market.

I would say that if anyone needs a new console on the market sooner rather than later, it's probably Nintendo, and I'm not even sure how well THAT would sell. People aren't ready for new consoles yet. Putting anything new on the market right now is way too soon.

Think about it this way, the Elite is $299. I don't think we'll see another Microsoft console until the Elite is at $199 or below.

Microsoft will launch Natal next year, I think the Elite will stay at between $249 and $299 next year and Natal will be bundled with no price increase, basically counting as a price cut.

That means that the Elite console won't hit $199 until 2011. Will there really be a need for another console if the XBOX 360 and PS3 are only hitting $199 and Wii may very well be at $99 - $149? for Nintendo a new console would begin to make sense but not for Microsoft or Sony.

2012 - 2013 you will see a console from each of Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony.

Natal is the 'next box' or a rethink of the platform for a wider audience anyway.

If MS intend to release the next 360 NEXT year, we would already know about it THIS year.

If I had to guess, we won't see any new next gen consoles until atleast 2012-2013. Microsoft and Sony have a lot of money to make back this gen on their development costs and their initial losses.l So they will want to stick this one out as long as they possibly can in order to make sure they are profitable.

Natal is just around the corner and Sony has already had a boost in sales due to the slim/price cut. So I don't think we even need a new console yet for a couple of reasons. 1) Neither Sony or M$ have maxed out what their consoles can do yet. 2) All of them seem to be selling reasonably well. 3) I don't want to spend more money on another round of consoles! :P

No Nextbox for a while I'm sure. So many people have 360's now and it's still going strong so if they just cut it like they did with Xbox1 then a lot of people, myself included, will be pissed off.

Oh, and we'll hear about it at E3 before then, so earliest 2011. My guess is Christmas 2012 or 2013

Natal 2010
720 2012

Infamy79 said: Natal 2010 720 2012

I don't think so, I think they will give Natal at least four years before they go for the next box.

puffy said: Think about it this way, the Elite is $299. I don't think we'll see another Microsoft console until the Elite is at $199 or below. Microsoft will launch Natal next year, I think the Elite will stay at between $249 and $299 next year and Natal will be bundled with no price increase, basically counting as a price cut. That means that the Elite console won't hit $199 until 2011. Will there really be a need for another console if the XBOX 360 and PS3 are only hitting $199 and Wii may very well be at $99 - $149? for Nintendo a new console would begin to make sense but not for Microsoft or Sony. 2012 - 2013 you will see a console from each of Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony.

I don't think we'll see another price drop on Wii unless Nintendo stumbles like they did with Animal Crossing and Wii Music, price cuts on the PS3 and 360 don't have an effect on Wii sales, so there is little reason to match price drops, this price drop was due to a loss in momentum due to a weaker software lineup. The next Xbox launch will depend on the success of NATAL, if it succeeds, then they won't launch for a while, if it fails, they'll hurry up the next gen console, same with Sony and the Wand