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Xbox 360 Confirmed For November

Posted by Zonk on from the duuh-duh-duuh-duh-salsa-shark dept.

Gamespot has word that indeed, the Xbox 360 is finally confirmed for a release this year. What's more, the 360 will probably be released this November. The MTV 360 preview scheduled for later this month has literature which reveals the exact month of the new console's release. From the article: "The listing appears to cement suspicions that the next Xbox will launch on the fourth anniversary of the original Xbox's release in mid-November 2001. However, despite the clear wording of the MTV listing, Microsoft representatives said they could not comment on it for the time being."

44 comments

  1. Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by sycomonkey · · Score: 5, Interesting

    What a brilliant concept. Because it did wonders for the Dreamcast... I mean, they're even lining it up with the Xbox's release... WHICH ONLY HAPPENED FOUR YEARS AGO. It's as if they don't even notice their own words. They should know full well that four years isn't NEARLY long enough for a console generation. Don't get me wrong, I wish the 360 full and complete sucess in it's online multiplayer niche market, but I just don't appreciate these companies constantly pushing generations shorter and shorter while at the same time making smaller and smaller leaps in technology. I was fully prepared for Christmas '06 or '07 to buy three new consoles. This, however, is just way too soon.

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    --The universe will not be altered by forum threads, even those which are very wry. --Tycho Brahe (Penny Arcade)
    1. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by numbski · · Score: 0, Troll

      The fun part about that is that Microsoft more or less bullied Sega's Dreamcast out of the market. I still LOVE my dreamcast, and it died a far premature death.

      Ugh...still sickens me. Part of why I'll never by an XBox, unless it's used and costs less than $75. That and there's no way I'm paying to play online. XBox live vs. PS2 where it's free to play online...hmm....lemme think about that for a moment...

      --

      Karma: Chameleon (mostly due to the fact that you come and go).

    2. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by Man+In+Black · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The fun part about that is that Microsoft more or less bullied Sega's Dreamcast out of the market. I still LOVE my dreamcast, and it died a far premature death.

      How do you figure this? The general concensus is that the Dreamcast was killed by a combination of the popularity of the PSX/PS2, the poor public image Sega had after the failed SegaCD, 32X and Saturn, and lets not forget the rampant piracy of Dreamcast games. In fact, Microsoft actually helped Sega somewhat by releasing a version of Windows CE that was used by some developers to make their games.

      Don't get me wrong, I love my Dreamcast, but by the time the XBox was released, Sega was already out of the race.

      --
      -"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man." -EH
    3. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by fr0dicus · · Score: 1

      Four years is a year too long if you ask me. It's certainly a longer generation lifetime than other types of consumer hardware like computers, media players, digital photography, home cinema, etc. etc.

    4. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by satchelpaige · · Score: 4, Insightful
      Have you played with both systems online? If so, do you really believe that the PS2's interface at no cost is better than the Xbox's interface at $4.17 a month?

      PS2 does an awful job of presenting the online experience. The configuration of network settings is a pain in the ass, there are no global friends lists so that you can see what games your friends are actually playing at the time, and there's nowhere near the depth that xbox has (in terms of leaderboards, game modes, content downloads, headset support, etc.)

      On top of that, Xbox has a much stricter code of conduct and more power to suspend and ban obnoxious players because you are playing through the xbox live system.. i.e. If I am being a jerk in Madden on xbox, they can suspend my xbox live account so that I cant play anything online... If I'm playing something on the PS2 and I am being a jerk, they can pretty much only ban me from that one game or possibly from games from that one developer, since there is no ruling body covering all online conduct for Playstation.

      As much as I hate Microsoft, I have to say when it comes to online, the xbox does it right. I would happily pay $5 a month for a feature that is as fully flushed out as this.

    5. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      not so. consumer hardware usually has a much longer lifetime. the CD player I bought 10 years ago still plays new CDs I buy in the store today. I can plug the TV I bought 20 years ago into the outlet in my new flat. I can play monkey island on the Mac I bought last year. for my N64, on the other hand, the only games I can buy are used. almost no more psx games are being made. such quick change is most unusual for consumer electronics.

    6. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by jparp · · Score: 1

      If Xbox 360 has a game like guild wars and or world of warcraft at launch, I think it could do allot of damage.

    7. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by superpulpsicle · · Score: 1

      Actually No. I have played alot of PS2/XBox games online many times. The Xbox online $$$$ concept is highway robbery. Let me explain...

      Most online games, especially sports, are connected in a 1-to-1 fashion. You are paying the xbox live server to do a one-time registration. That's it.

      It makes little improvement toward the actual gaming experience. You're still sending your TCP/IP packet directly to your opponent player, not a centralized server.

    8. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by Guspaz · · Score: 1

      Really? I find the XBox to be tired old technology that has trouble competing with modern PC games. The PS2 is significantly worse. I say it's about time for a new console.

    9. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      I think it could do allot of damage.
      *sigh*.

      You actually passed this one through a spell check didn't you?

    10. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by Guspaz · · Score: 2, Interesting

      XBox live is more than just a matchmaking service. It's a standardized platform and interface for every xbox game that supports online gameplay. Instead of the PS2's spotty multiplayer support (A game MIGHT support voicecomm, or it might not), you get a set of common features that provides a consistant gameplay experience.

      You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but as I understand it, most people feel that XBox Live is a good thing.

    11. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by satchelpaige · · Score: 2, Insightful
      You're right, the ACTUAL playing of the game against an opponent is direct.

      The entire point, however, was comparing the value of a free online experience to a subscription one. The element of the actual game playing may be the same for both, but the bells, whistles, ease of use and everything else is what puts xbox ahead IMO.

      No one argued that one service was smoother/faster/more reliable in terms of actual gameplay. The question was "Is it worth it to pay less than $5 a month for a service that delivers so much more than the PS2?"

      (In addition, don't forget that the PS2 network adapter was a $30 to $40 addon for the first few years of the system... )

    12. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by Guspaz · · Score: 1

      Maybe it didn't do wonders for the Dreamcast, but it DID do wonders for the PS2. Sony beat Nintendo and Microsoft to market by over a year. By the time the GameCube and Xbox were out, the PS2 already had a firm grip on the market.

      The Dreamcast didn't just fail because of the PS2 hanging over it. For one thing, many believe that rampant piracy sunk the console, which was caused by poor hardware decisions by SEGA.

    13. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by hunterx11 · · Score: 1

      Actually, you use Microsoft's servers for VOIP. Also, with the exception of crappy EA games, you use Microsoft servers to find opponents. While I agree that it is annoying to have to pay, I'd hardly call it "highway robbery." Besides, the Xbox has MMORPGs with no monthly fee.

      --
      English is easier said than done.
    14. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by unclethursday · · Score: 1
      Barring the fact that we on XBL are paying for a P2P system, there's this:

      On top of that, Xbox has a much stricter code of conduct and more power to suspend and ban obnoxious players because you are playing through the xbox live system.

      Which they practically never do. Why? Because that would be one less subscriber per banning, and that would mean Microsoft's XBL numbers would drop, as well as $50/year in subscription revenue.

      The best example is with Halo 2. If you were caught cheating (and Bungie could prove it) you got banned for a day... do it again, and you were banned for 3 days... do it again and you were banned for a week... do it again you were banned for another 2 weeks... then another two weeks if caught again... then a month... then MAYBE lose your XBL account. Maybe. Unfortunately, almost no one who did it ever lost their account, and even if they did, they had lots and lots of free two month trial cards to get right back on.

      So, instead of just banning the Xbox serial number, like they should have (and they do for modded Xboxes), they'd cancel an XBL account for cheating and stuff... and the person would get right back on with a 2 month card. But, in order for this to happen, Bungie would have to review the game stats for the games where cheating was mentioned in feedback, and they'd give out all these "warning" bannings that were of no consequence to the cheaters.

      As long as MS is bringing in money off of XBL subscriptions, they won't be canceling accounts for things like they say they will. The Xbox and XBL are money pits, practically bottomless money pits right now, so they want to recoup as much as possible, and banning people for things they should be banned for does not bring in any revenue.

    15. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by Sludge · · Score: 1

      I was fully prepared for Christmas '06 or '07 to buy three new consoles.

      I was nodding along until I read this. You're complaining about companies pushing consoles on you, and you're committed to buying roughly the same silicon three times over just because megacorps couldn't agree on a standard platform?

    16. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Which they practically never do. Why? Because that would be one less subscriber per banning, and that would mean Microsoft's XBL numbers would drop, as well as $50/year in subscription revenue.
      No. You do not get a refund on banned acounts. They still have the initial $50 investment. This is even said on the Bungie website --
      When a gamertag comes up as violating their policies for online behavior, they are punished by being banned from the service. Keep in mind, this isn't just a ban on Halo 2, this is a ban on Xbox Live as a whole, so you won't be able to go online AT ALL during your ban. Initially a ban may be a day, it may be a week or, depending on severity, it may be permanent. Kiss that $50 goodbye.

      As long as MS is bringing in money off of XBL subscriptions, they won't be canceling accounts for things like they say they will. The Xbox and XBL are money pits, practically bottomless money pits right now, so they want to recoup as much as possible, and banning people for things they should be banned for does not bring in any revenue.
      They DO cancel accounts. I've witnessed it firsthand, as a number of people in my Halo 2 clan were banned for cheating.
    17. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A lot of people forget that during the original R&D on the Dreamcast, Sega Of America also designed a console, based on 3DFX chips. Sega ended up choosing another chip/company (the PowerVR) and simultaneously got sued by 3DFX and "offended" Electronic Arts, who owned shares in 3DFX. Sega ended up paying 3DFX a load of money and lost any chance of EA supporting them (hence no "EA Sports" title for the Dreamcast).

      Also, after the launch of the Dreamcast in the US, Rambus managed to stop (temporarily) the sale of the console over allegations of patent infringement (Hitachi SDRAM and DDR SDRAM memory products).

    18. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by bigman2003 · · Score: 1

      Absolutely- it is time!

      Just play ATV vs. MX Unleashed with an Xbox on an HD TV.

      Yes, it is clear...but man- you can see the possibility for SO MUCH MORE!

      I'm ready fro the HD era...bring it on!

      --
      No reason to lie.
    19. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by __aailob1448 · · Score: 1

      This generation started with the Dreamcast 6 years ago. Therefore you are full of shit. 1-Companies are *not* pushing shorter and shorter generations. The cycle has held steady around the 5-years mark. 2-The technology leaps are not getting smaller and smaller. You're just making shit up. They're big leaps each time. Did I mention you are full of shit? Pity misguided folks modded you interesting.

    20. Re:Releasing way ahead of everyone else! by fr0dicus · · Score: 1

      I wasn't discussing lifetime, so much as 'latest generational'. I can still buy Sega Game Gear software in my local computer shop, maybe yours sucks?

  2. ...May be a good idea! by Retroneous · · Score: 0

    I think that Microsoft have the idea right here. SOMEONE has to do SOMETHING to break Sony's reign in the console market, and I think that but pulling a surprise early launch, Xbox 360 might do that.

    Of course, there are equal chances of it dying early when the PS3 heads out a year later, but you take your chance...

    --
    My Mind Is Rewired. Is Yours?
  3. Is MS shooting it self in the foot? by thenetbox · · Score: 2, Informative

    Whats the estimated PS3 release date? I think buying a game system on release is a bad idea. High prices, low selection of games. Plus I'd rather wait and see what PS3 and Revolution are like. Wasn't this the same mistake Sony made with dreamcast? Lots of people didn't buy it just because they all were waiting to see what PS2 was going to be all about. but then again.. Microsoft knows how to market a product.. This will be interesting.

    1. Re:Is MS shooting it self in the foot? by jolande · · Score: 1

      Wasn't this the same mistake Sony made with dreamcast?

      Aren't you think about Sega?

    2. Re:Is MS shooting it self in the foot? by thenetbox · · Score: 1

      yes sorry. I meant sega d'oh

    3. Re:Is MS shooting it self in the foot? by DeadScreenSky · · Score: 1

      Whats the estimated PS3 release date?
      It might be as early as Spring 2006 in Japan. So MS might not be launching as early as some people think. We'll hopefully know for sure come E3.

      --
      There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion. -- Francis Bacon
    4. Re:Is MS shooting it self in the foot? by webcrawler · · Score: 1

      Wasn't this the same mistake Sony made with dreamcast? Sorry, don't you mean Sega?

  4. Now the editors are just making stuff up by soniCron88 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    From the post: "Xbox 360 Confirmed For November"...
    ..."What's more, the 360 will probably be released this November.

    Hmmmmmm.......looks like the Slashdot editors are just making stuff up now! ;)

    --
    Digital Sailor
    1. Re:Now the editors are just making stuff up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0



      Bwah ha ha ha ha ha ha!

      Zonk: Worst...slashdot editor...ever.

    2. Re:Now the editors are just making stuff up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You are CERTAINLY new here. Jon Katz and Michael Simms, remember them?

    3. Re:Now the editors are just making stuff up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Y'know, last I checked, the submitter made the title. The editors, in theory, "edit" the story to make sure it's correct and such.

      So, basically, Zonk didn't make anything up. He just didn't bother to read the post and compare it to the title.

      Hmmmmmm.......looks like the Slashdot whiners are just making complaints up now! ;)

    4. Re:Now the editors are just making stuff up by damsa · · Score: 1
      According to the faq, they don't do any checking of the facts. All the editors do is get a submission and then truncate it to fit the little blurb. In theory, the editors should correct grammar or spelling but since there is no back and forth between the submitter and the editor. It might not be worth it.

      However according to Gamespot Microsoft chairman Bill Gates accidentally confirmed that Microsoft's next-generation console was coming this year So it was confirmed by Microsoft sort of. Also wouldn't it say so and so says this if it was user submitted. In this submission there is none of that. Which means that Zonk submitted it and posted because Zonk thought it was interesting.

      So all of you are wrong. Stop your whining.

  5. Modding by Huitzlopochtli · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Actually, if you're interested in modding, the earlier versions of consoles are much easier to mod. By the time a year or two has gone by, M$ has updated the console and made it harder. For example, all the mod chips for Xbox work on version 1.0 (release) xboxes, while only a select few work on the latest version (1.6).

    1. Re:Modding by OleMoudi · · Score: 1

      But in the case of the PS2, you can now make the new PSTwo version to play pirated games without a chip by just booting from a special DVD and breaking two plastic switches without even having to take a screwdriver.

      Earlier versions need to be chipped or a more complicated work to break those switches because the dvd loader uses a tray.

      Maybe new versions of Xbox are harder to mod, but for psx/ps2 so far it's been the other way around

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      ---------
      Thinking never hurt anybody --MacGyver
  6. Confirmed! by antizeus · · Score: 1
    Microsoft representatives said they could not comment on it for the time being.
    That's all the confirmation I need.
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    -- $SIGNATURE
  7. Did Microsoft kill the DC, or did Sony? by tepples · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The fun part about that is that Microsoft more or less bullied Sega's Dreamcast out of the market.

    Oh really? A lot of irate Dreamcast fans blamed Sony, whose PS2 vapour (claims of real-time rendering at a quality comparable to Disney/Pixar's Toy Story) discouraged the general public from buying Dreamcast consoles and games, making continued support for the console uneconomic.

    Others blamed widespread illicit copying of commercial games.

    1. Re:Did Microsoft kill the DC, or did Sony? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Why not just blame Sega for releasing a console without the finances or the industry clout to support it?

    2. Re:Did Microsoft kill the DC, or did Sony? by chrisbeatty · · Score: 1
      Others blamed widespread illicit copying of commercial games.

      Actually this "problem" is one of the things that really helped the PSX get such a huge market share.

      The number of people who bought games from EB/Game in the UK & copied the cd's & sold them on at car boot sales created a second market of gamers. They bought the hardware & never bought a legit game. That said I'm sure some have done the same with the current Xbox by chipping it & sticking in a whacking great HDD!!

  8. its way to early for eaither system. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Xbox and PS2 still have alot of life in them console wise. Atleast another year at the minimum

  9. Ahem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Choke!

  10. I'll be buying one by Is0m0rph · · Score: 1

    I'll stand in line at 5am like I did for the Xbox most likely. But I doubt I'll ever be without a modded Xbox for use as a wireless media center and to play emulators on. I still have a Japanese and US Dreamcast that get frequent use.