Rumor: MS Set to Reveal New Console at E3

[BreakABone]

e3 is prime time for rumors, and this is why gamers love this time of year!

The successor to the Xbox 360 console is on desks at an unnamed Electronic Arts studio, Develop understands.

The new hardware, sent to EA last month, is a very early build with no casing – it is in fact being stored inside a PC shell.

EA developers are getting to grips with the tech to create first-generation software, Develop has been told.

“Quite often when new consoles come around they’re packaged into a PC shell, but actually what’s inside is an entirely new console,” a senior, trusted, well-placed said.

Microsoft has declined to comment. EA has declined to comment. Develop’s source is not employed at either company.
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The source believed, but did not have certain information, that the new Xbox would launch by the end of 2012. The individual expects an announcement will be made, at least in some form, at E3.
SHOW TIME

In March, new data revealed Microsoft was at the early stages in building the successor to the Xbox 360.

The platform owner had advertised new job vacancies such as Graphics Hardware Architect and Performance Engineer for the Xbox Console Architecture Group.

Microsoft’s new hires will be “responsible for defining and delivering next generation console architectures from conception through implementation,” the company said.

The language of the job vacancies suggested a reveal for the console is years away, but Develop’s source says a shock reveal could be weeks away.


“Why let Nintendo steal the thunder in June [At E3]? It doesn’t want to lose momentum. That’s why I think Microsoft is rushing to make an announcement at E3.”

It leads to suspicion that key next-gen projects are underway at Microsoft’s own internal studios. Some project names Develop has seen would suggest a change of guard.
NEXT GENERATION

Specifications for the device are not available, for now. Develop understands that the hardware will feature enhanced support for Kinect with just a couple of alterations.

Over 52 million Xbox consoles have been sold since the system’s launch in May 2005.

Microsoft’s innovative motion controller, Kinect, launched November last year and has buoyed the console’s appeal.

Ten million Kinect units were sold worldwide as of March this year.

“Kinect will keep the 360 going for a couple of years, but Microsoft knows that if it slows down now it will face trouble,” the source added.

I mean not much to go on, but about what I expected from MS, Kinect integrated into the core system, better graphics, and I guess a barebones 2012?

http://www.develop-online.net/news/37618/Develop-source-New-Xbox-console-on-desks-at-EA

[Professor S]

What I would love to see is the development of "hybrid" controls that use both a controller AND Kinect. Example: Imagine playing a MechWarrior game where the controller allows you to move and shoot, but you have to interact with virtual Kinect controls to power up, enable certain weapons, initiate repairs, or scroll through option menus. Also, you could remove the need to awkwardly scroll through options in any game.

[Typhoid]

What about a system that only uses a controller.
Revolutionary!.

Maybe they can just create each game in it's own giant rectangle, or possibly in cube-form, and have it's own screen built in - so you can just plug the game in and play. Shooters can come with guns, and it will track where you aim! The future is so great!



I'm already sick of motion controls.
If every system goes with motion controls as the primary source of control - I think it might be time for me to grow up and stop playing games - because that just sounds entirely annoying and not relaxing at all.

I don't want to freakin' flail around or stand up to play my video games. I want to chill out on the couch, smoke a joint, stretch out and hardly move at all. Same principle as to why I don't want to wave my hand in the air to change the channel on my TV, or clap my hands to turn my light off.

[gekko]

"Develop’s source is not employed at either company."

Red flag. Now IGN, after completely missing the red flag, is following it up with multiple updates that it's all BS.

I hope some day there is a site out which doesn't post BS. I don't think gaming sites will ever need to worry about their integrity on the same level as other news outlets (60 minutes, NY Times, etc.), nor should they, but after following various console launches (on both sides), I'm quite sick of it.

Gamasutra is good, but doesn't cover more of the consumer-oriented news, such as when I'm getting a new map pack. But I'd be happy to find a site which only posts actual news that I don't need to filter for BS. If you know of one, let me know.

[thatmariolover]

EA denied this.

[BreakABone]

EA denied this.

Yeah, but the rumor shall stay until e3. :P

As for Gekko, I understand your point, but being so close to e3, I actually do enjoy all the rumors and BS. Its fun, it builds hype and excitement for the event.

[Bube]

If they get their hardware right, this will probably be the console I'll be getting. Contrary to what I said in the WiiHD thread, I'm actually hoping this is true..

[Professor S]

What about a system that only uses a controller.
Revolutionary!.

Maybe they can just create each game in it's own giant rectangle, or possibly in cube-form, and have it's own screen built in - so you can just plug the game in and play. Shooters can come with guns, and it will track where you aim! The future is so great!



I'm already sick of motion controls.
If every system goes with motion controls as the primary source of control - I think it might be time for me to grow up and stop playing games - because that just sounds entirely annoying and not relaxing at all.

I don't want to freakin' flail around or stand up to play my video games. I want to chill out on the couch, smoke a joint, stretch out and hardly move at all. Same principle as to why I don't want to wave my hand in the air to change the channel on my TV, or clap my hands to turn my light off.

I think a lot of your comments are based on the fact that motion control gaming just isn't done very well in its first generation. The sensors simply aren't accurate enough to register subtle or exact movement, so you have to flail around and stand to play most motion controlled games. To me that is an issue with execution, technology, and a lack of imagination. I think motion controlled gaming has a very bright future once they start perfecting it.

[Typhoid]

The sensors simply aren't accurate enough to register subtle or exact movement, so you have to flail around and stand to play most motion controlled games. To me that is an issue with execution, technology, and a lack of imagination.


I think motion controls (or a motion controlled system) should be completely separate from gaming with a controller.

Especially now, considering everyone is trying to do it - and nobody is doing it well - so that will just harm both products (gaming with a controller, and motion).

I fear for the future of standard gaming.

I see motion controls being a great idea for things like arcades. That's what they should do. Revamp the idea of an arcade. Go full out on making great motion control games that you don't play from home. Spend extra time on them, and hell - make them come with a giant console as arcade games do - anything to make motion control be done properly, without ruining the integrity of actual home video game systems. Plus I actually think that would go over pretty well. Arcades became unpopular when consoles caught up in graphics and fun-ability - so if they spend their time making motion-control games with the purpose of putting them in an arcade - and a console without the purpose of putting motion controls in them, I think both parties would flourish substantially. Then you can have proper development and progression for actual consoles, and you can have amazing progress in the technological edge of motion gaming, without having to scale bits and pieces of both of them back in order to put them into a console you play from home. Split 'em up. Bring back arcades. Ramble ramble.

[BreakABone]

I think motion controls (or a motion controlled system) should be completely separate from gaming with a controller.

Especially now, considering everyone is trying to do it - and nobody is doing it well - so that will just harm both products (gaming with a controller, and motion).

I fear for the future of standard gaming.

I see motion controls being a great idea for things like arcades. That's what they should do. Revamp the idea of an arcade. Go full out on making great motion control games that you don't play from home. Spend extra time on them, and hell - make them come with a giant console as arcade games do - anything to make motion control be done properly, without ruining the integrity of actual home video game systems. Plus I actually think that would go over pretty well. Arcades became unpopular when consoles caught up in graphics and fun-ability - so if they spend their time making motion-control games with the purpose of putting them in an arcade - and a console without the purpose of putting motion controls in them, I think both parties would flourish substantially. Then you can have proper development and progression for actual consoles, and you can have amazing progress in the technological edge of motion gaming, without having to scale bits and pieces of both of them back in order to put them into a console you play from home. Split 'em up. Bring back arcades. Ramble ramble.

I think that's the problem we have now with a lot of games is that motion and standard controls are treated differently.

When I still feel when used together work marvelously if done correctly.

And I can see Kinect/head/hand tracking with a normal controller being pretty damn good with tons of games.

[BreakABone]

At least 10 non-sequel Kinect games will be announced at trade show E3 next month, Eurogamer can reveal.

One source told us these games "won't be obvious". Another source said Microsoft is expected to "serve the hardcore" at E3 with its Kinect announcements.

This is in addition to planned announcements of sequels to Kinect games, Eurogamer sources have indicated.

Rare will unveil Kinect Sports 2, set for release Christmas 2011, Eurogamer understands.

Rare is also hard at work on a second Kinect game, although this is under wraps. We do know, however, that this game is not associated with any of Rare's established characters, such as Banjo.

An announcement relating to Xbox 360 Christmas 2011 launch exclusivity for Dance Central 2 is "highly likely", Eurogamer has been told.

Meanwhile, Eurogamer has heard an open world driving game called Forza World is in development at UK developer Playground Games, helmed by ex-Codemasters racing studio executive producer Gavin Raeburn.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-05-13-kinect-ms-to-serve-hardcore-at-e3

Also, SpikeTV will also be airing the show live this year

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Spike-TV-and-Xbox-to-prnews-2676669119.html?x=0&.v=1