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Paul Thurrot Predicts November Debut, $500 Tag For Xbox 720

Posted by timothy on from the luckily-not-one-of-my-needs dept.

New submitter inkribbon writes that Microsoft blogger Paul Thurrott has now predicted that Microsoft's Xbox 720 console will actually hit the market this November. Thurrott offers a mix of what he considers cold, known facts and "clearly identified conjecture" about the upcoming device. Important to users is this confidently offered claim about the price: "Microsoft will initially offer two pricing models for the console: a standalone version for $499 and a $299 version that requires a two-year Xbox LIVE Gold commitment at an expected price of $10 per month."

36 of 232 comments (clear)

  1. XBox Infinity by gameboyhippo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I see what Microsoft did there. Instead of doubling 360 to 720, they've doubled o to oo. When put together, it looks like infinity.

    1. Re:XBox Infinity by tgd · · Score: 3, Insightful

      And doubled the cost of Live, apparently.

      Only for the subsidized price. You can buy a 360 the same way already -- $99 instead of $299. You pay $10 more a month for Live, so you're basically paying $40 to finance it for two years.

    2. Re:XBox Infinity by MysteriousPreacher · · Score: 2

      (if you plan on subscribing to live for 2 years anyway)

      I know copyright industry groups and cell carriers are allowed to execute people, but now Microsoft?

      Fuck it. I'll go down fighting!

      --
      -- Using the preview button since 2005
  2. I hope not. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    $120 for a year of xbox live? 2X price increase for what, more DRM? Really?

    1. Re:I hope not. by ThinkWeak · · Score: 3, Informative

      Here's the thing, they haven't released any details on the $299 version. If it is the exact same machine as the $499 version, you would be better off to buy it and get locked into the 2 years of Xbox Live at $10 per month. Why? simple math:

      $499 + 2 * $55 per year for Xbox Live = $609 2 year cost of ownership
      vs
      $299 + 2 * $120 per year for Xbox Live = $539 2 year cost of ownership

      I imagine the discounted one won't come with a Hard Drive, or a Kinect Sensor, or controller or something else to offset it. But all things being equal... it's a cheaper route to go.

    2. Re:I hope not. by h4rr4r · · Score: 2, Informative

      Or you could buy a console that does not charge you a monthly fee. Such mythical devices actually exist!

      They even let you watch netflix without paying the OEM of the console.

    3. Re:I hope not. by cybertears · · Score: 2

      After the initial two year contract, couldn't I just pay for a yearly XBL subscription?

    4. Re:I hope not. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Why would you assume that? That's absolutely ridiculous and NOT the way they operate LIVE now.

      You would be free to start paying annually rather than month-to-month.

    5. Re:I hope not. by citizenr · · Score: 2

      Why would they remove Kinect when Kinect will make them money directly. They have a patent for identifying users in the room and selling this information, it will be on 24/7.

      --
      Who logs in to gdm? Not I, said the duck.
  3. I'll say the same thing I've been saying by i+kan+reed · · Score: 4, Informative

    Microsoft managed to advertise themselves out of my interest in any of their console offerings. I actually bought the first two xboxes, reliably purchased xbox live and games for the 360, but then after their choices to put more and more ads on EVERYTHING, I realized just how stupid I was being, and cut every last entertainment dollar from going to MS. I was done.

    If you don't want to be exploited both coming and going, don't buy an xbox anything.

    1. Re:I'll say the same thing I've been saying by Holi · · Score: 4, Informative

      A PC

      --
      Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
    2. Re:I'll say the same thing I've been saying by i+kan+reed · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I'm aware that I'm a bit of an extremist in this regards, but I believe advertisements to be fundamentally detrimental to society. The idea that I'd pay someone for ads offends me to no end. The fact that I could potentially limit my exposure by taking a particular course of action is not good enough.

    3. Re:I'll say the same thing I've been saying by prelelat · · Score: 4, Insightful

      For me it wasn't that they added ads to it. It was that they charged me to use the thing online with services that I sometimes paid for, for example I have to have gold to use netflix on the xbox. Then after they made me pay to use services they didn't host themselves they went along and added ads as if to say "ok baby now just bend over over here and everyone on my team is going to have a turn." They are royally screwing with people constantly. They had better have some damn good exclusives if they are going to compete in the next generation. With PS guaranteeing no always on DRM(I'm not saying Microsoft will but they sure haven't done much to say that they aren't) and no subscription services I think it will put people over the edge.

      Wish I never bought my 360.

    4. Re:I'll say the same thing I've been saying by kamapuaa · · Score: 4, Insightful

      What about when you buy a computer, and there's ads in your webpages? Or when you buy a magazine, and there's full-page ads? Or when you buy a TV, and there's advertisements? Or when you buy a shirt, and there's a little polo player on it?

      --
      Slashdot: providing anti-social weirdos a soapbox, since 1997.
    5. Re:I'll say the same thing I've been saying by gstoddart · · Score: 2

      When the console starts, you press "a" to play the game. If you put in a new game, you don't even have to do that.

      After having seen ads in both the XBox home screen, and in actual games themselves, that's what prompted me to disconnect my XBox from the network. Simply starting the game doesn't stopping you from getting in-game ads and other shit.

      If the next version requires a constant internet connection, I and likely many others won't buy it.

      If you don't game on-line, what value does the internet requirement bring for you? It provides them with a revenue stream to sell you ads and enforce DRM, and it allows game makers to write all of these titles which you have to buy shit to actually get anywhere, but it doesn't do anything for consumers who don't need or want any of the on-line features.

      TFA says this requirement isn't as draconian as it sounds, but doesn't offer anything to support that. I therefore conclude Paul Thurrott has his head up his own or Microsoft's ass, and is incapable of understanding why people do not want this.

      Looks like Skyrim might be one of the last games I ever buy. For me, always-on internet equates to never-purchased console.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    6. Re:I'll say the same thing I've been saying by PhxBlue · · Score: 2

      I'm sorry, I can't hear you over the sound of how awesome PC gaming is.

      --
      !#@%*)anks for hanging up the phone, dear.
    7. Re:I'll say the same thing I've been saying by jo_ham · · Score: 2

      A PC

      You mean the console where you can't buy games, only rent them?

      Really? You are saying there are ZERO games that can be bought for the PC? Or are you just being a troll?

      He is not being a Troll. There is alot of DRM on PC games. Many things purchased on Steam or Origen can not be resold.
      I can purchase a PS3 game in a store and sell it the next day at gamestop. I purchase a PC game and there is a code in the box
      that ties the game to an account. All kinds of wierd DRM has been packaged with PC games. Everything from always online to rootkits.

      But on the other side of that coin, that game I bought on Steam cost me anywhere from $5 to $30 depending on how long I'm willing to wait for a Steam sale. I don't feel like I have to recoup my money by reselling my games second hand because they cost me so little in the first place. I paid $5 for Fallout: New Vegas, and I am not feeling the pain about not being able to resell it to someone else.

      I also have many games acquired through things like Humble Bundles (no DRM, but with Steam key option if you want it to make updates/downloads/game management easier) and places like GoG. I got Saints Row 3 in a Humble Bundle deal along with a bunch of other games for about $15 (I can't remember exactly what I spent, by SR3 was the bonus game at the time that you got if you paid more than the average donation which is usually about $10).

      Sure, if you treat it like a console and buy a preorder (ha, Colonial Marines) for $$$$ or buy on launch day then the fact that you can't resell might bite you in the ass, especially if you don't enjoy the game, but that is one small part of the PC games market. Steam sales and alternate vendors like GoG and indie publishers really give you a ton of options. You are not stuck with a system where the games cost you $60.

    8. Re:I'll say the same thing I've been saying by theArtificial · · Score: 2

      Cheap-ass guys li9ke you who basically let the console gamers subsidize game development.

      As someone who enjoys new and original things by funding indie developers and Kickstarter projects and buys into stuff prior to them becoming the "next big thing," your claims are laughable. Console gamer multiplayer is a cesspool and titles are rapidly devolving into the always on, single use (registration code!) restrictive crap which was first foisted upon the PC players by none other than the same companies you proudly hand over money to. One of the strengths of giving gamers the ability to host their own servers as well as extend games is the communities that may form around these things enabling public or private bastions (complete with admins!) where an awesome experience awaits, but good luck getting that on a console).

      Surely you're not one who buys from Game Stop who we all know make a significant profit at buying back games and selling them for a few bucks less than full price? Also, not paying full price is now being a cheap ass? Laughable! Does that include not buying release day DLC or a season pass making the 59.99 price balloon up another 29.99? As an aside, you are aware that the whole point of sales is to stimulate the amount of units moved? Crazy enough there are instances where a title is put on sale and moves more units than the day it originally debut.

      There is a glut of entertainment out there. I've got a massive back log of games to play and many of my peers are this way, too. If you haven't noticed lots of people haven't been spending as much as they were 5 years ago. If the games are so good why do the prices drop so fast? Could it be cheap thrills that have nothing to do with which platform it was released on? Skyrim held its value for quite some time and curiously enough it has a massive community around it and boasts a wealth of user created content hosted in several different places (Steamworks, Skyrimnexus etc.). Unfortunately that's available only on the PC, including their high res texture pack. Maybe you can rebuy it on the next console?

      You want to know why some developers treat the PC as an afterthought?

      There are plenty of reasons, most of them being budget related. Fast, Cheap, Good. Pick two. You are aware that the designs of the new systems essentially are standard PC architectures? Why would they want that, unless it applies to the fast and cheap! Also, Let's see you play 360/PS3/etc. games in 10 years without having to rebuy them, or have support dropped from the unit someway including the game servers. Are these the same developers that are busy porting real time strategy titles, mod tools, dedicated servers to console users too? RTS is a mature and rich but curiously vacant genre on the consoles.

      Maybe if you didn't spend so much on your "gaming rig", you'd have money to, you know, actually buy games.

      Excellent point, but the devices have significant differences in what they can do, like say burning disks, expand-ability (can you upgrade your console to support 10TB, or drop in another graphics card for SLI, install a SSD, use your choice of input etc.?), and let's not forget reliability (looks at XBOX360). Since you're referring to the whole setup, factor in the cost of your TV and sound system and let's see how they compare now. That said, how many of your games will you be able to play on your next system without paying for the privilege? PC support goes back to the crusty days of yore, back before authentication servers, serial numbers, and hint books. All without an additional purchase. Although the publishers are doing their best to prevent this crap the responsibility ultimately lies with all the people who support them by continuing to purchase their wares.

      TL;DR You're a good customer =)

      --
      Man blir trött av att gå och göra ingenting.
    9. Re:I'll say the same thing I've been saying by jo_ham · · Score: 2

      I paid $5 for Fallout: New Vegas,

      I got Saints Row 3 in a Humble Bundle deal along with a bunch of other games for about $15 (I can't remember exactly what I spent, by SR3 was the bonus game at the time that you got if you paid more than the average donation which is usually about $10).

      You want to know why some developers treat the PC as an afterthought? Cheap-ass guys li9ke you who basically let the console gamers subsidize game development. Maybe if you didn't spend so much on your "gaming rig", you'd have money to, you know, actually buy games.

      You are not stuck with a system where the games cost you $60.

      Neither are console gamers there ARE inexpensive games on PSN and the other two console download services.

      I paid $5 for Fallout: New Vegas,

      I got Saints Row 3 in a Humble Bundle deal along with a bunch of other games for about $15 (I can't remember exactly what I spent, by SR3 was the bonus game at the time that you got if you paid more than the average donation which is usually about $10).

      You want to know why some developers treat the PC as an afterthought? Cheap-ass guys li9ke you who basically let the console gamers subsidize game development. Maybe if you didn't spend so much on your "gaming rig", you'd have money to, you know, actually buy games.

      You are not stuck with a system where the games cost you $60.

      Neither are console gamers there ARE inexpensive games on PSN and the other two console download services.

      Adorable.

      I'm a cheap ass for buying something offered in a sale by those same developers.

      That you think $60 for a game is the "real" price is also amusing. If the indie market has taught us anything it's that you don't need the crippling anchor of a AAA publisher dragging you down into a position where you have to release and sell a mediocre game that has somehow "failed" because it "only" sold 5 million copies.

      If a developer doesn't want us to "subsidise" the console gamers, then they have no obligation to do so - there are games on steam that don't go on sale, or only get modest discounts. The low price fire sales are the equivalent of the used games market on the consoles.

      Do you call your buddies who buy used games "cheap asses" who you are "subsidising" too? I assume you're not so hypocritical to have never bought a used game in your life, right? Right?

  4. Like cell phone contracts by tepples · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's the same reason that a smartphone costs $99 with a contract or $499 without: part of the price of service covers the subsidizes the hardware.

    1. Re:Like cell phone contracts by tepples · · Score: 2

      So which console is T-mobile?

      PC, be it on a desk or behind the TV.

  5. $499 for a console? by alen · · Score: 4, Informative

    i guess its back to retro PC strategy gaming for me
    $499 i can buy another ipad and there some awesome games on iOS now

    i was going to buy a new xbox to replace my old one, dump my PS3 which is only for blu ray and make my TV area look less cluttered. at $499 i'll just buy a blu ray player and dump the consoles

  6. And to be honest by xQuarkDS9x · · Score: 4, Interesting

    If what I've heard and read online is true in that the 720 will not allow you to lend physical game discs to friends and family to play as well as not allowing used games to be bought and played from stores such as EB Games/Gamestop all because they want to tie down physical game discs to the first console machine its played on with some DRM garbage then I hope enough people realize to say "Screw you Microsoft" and switch to the PS4 instead which is supposed to not have DRM lockdown garbage.

    --
    You must master your joystick like a fisherman masters bait! - Gimpy
  7. Always Connected by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This item is just bizarre:
    >Internet-connected. The next Xbox must be Internet-connected to use. This is the source of the “always on”/“always online” rumors and isn’t as Draconian >as many seem to believe.

    If it must be connected to play local games, it's exactly as draconian as many believe. This would be a deal-breaker for me. When my Internet is down, I tend to play video games.

  8. Always-On Internet by Saethan · · Score: 2

    Internet-connected. The next Xbox must be Internet-connected to use. This is the source of the “always on”/“always online” rumors and isn’t as Draconian as many seem to believe.

    If this is true, I won't be buying it.

  9. $10 a month for Gold?!? by TWiTfan · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So I get to pay $10 a month for the privilege of being able to pay Netflix $8 a month to watch some movies on my Xbox? No sale, chick.

    --
    The cow says "Moo." The dog says "Woof." The Timothy says "Thanks, valued customer. We appreciate your input."
  10. MIssing the death blow by goombah99 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    MIcrosoft is in a great position to deal a death blow to Sony and Nintendo in the next generation console race. They have a leading system now. The demand for set-top boxes is poised to explode. And the winer gets to be position themselves as a benevolent but profitable internet TV gate keeper in a durable way. So why screw this up with a large price hurdle. This is reminds me of the overpricing mistake sony made with the blue ray system. Makes Nintendo Wii look a lot more attractive, and gives Roku and AppleTv some breathing room.

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
    1. Re:MIssing the death blow by ilguido · · Score: 2, Insightful

      They have a leading system now.

      Third out of three is "having a leading system" now? At least original Xbox was second.

    2. Re:MIssing the death blow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      So they will definitely put themselves on death row by confirming the "always-on" rumor. It's been going on so long and is such a poisonous issue, I can't believe they wouldn't have denied it by now if it weren't true.

  11. Re:I thought PCs were for mouse and keyboard by Endo13 · · Score: 2

    PCs are for any kind of video game. There's some really good USB gamepads out there, and as you mentioned, people do use XBox controllers with PC. Your attempt to downplay it doesn't change the fact that it can be done and is done by gamers all the time. There are upsides to using a console for gaming instead of a PC, but the gamepad is not one of them.

    --
    There is no -1 Disagree mod. Slashdot.org/faq defines mod options. USE IT.
  12. New Golden Age of PC Gaming by pellik · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It's my hope that the over the top DRM on consoles will push ever more people back to PC gaming. Sure there is DRM on PCs, but cracked versions inevitably turn up. http://games.slashdot.org/story/13/04/26/1318214/paul-thurrot-predicts-november-debut-500-tag-for-xbox-720#With consoles making a crack isn't so easy.

  13. Tried GOG? by tepples · · Score: 2

    You mean the console where you can't buy games, only rent them?

    Games on GOG can be "bought" in the sense that they lack DRM measures to prevent resale, as can the vast majority of games in the Humble Bundles.

  14. Resolution by atisss · · Score: 2

    Only 720p? My phone has 720p, I would expect at least 1080p.

  15. Re: wow, the economy must be getting a lot stronge by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    499 + 2 years of Xbox gold subscription( $120 ) = $619 > $539

  16. I think it'll tie in with Windows 8 by caywen · · Score: 2

    My prediction is that the 720 will run Windows 8 metro apps. It makes sense for MS in all respects: it increases the audience, drawing developers. It gives Xbox a bigger software library out of the gate. It bolsters consumer confidence in metro.

    If they can map Kinect input to what would normally be touchscreen gestures, it would effectively become a living room PC; perfect as Microsoft's stealth play into being just that.

    If they can complete the picture by bringing their pretty weak Xbox Music and Video offerings, they might have both a strategic and sales win through 2014.

    That is, if they can don't do boneheaded things like always-on DRM or releasing hardware that can fry an egg and gives you a double red ring of death.

    1. Re:I think it'll tie in with Windows 8 by miroku000 · · Score: 2

      My prediction is that the 720 will run Windows 8 metro apps. It makes sense for MS in all respects: it increases the audience, drawing developers. It gives Xbox a bigger software library out of the gate. It bolsters consumer confidence in metro.

      If they can map Kinect input to what would normally be touchscreen gestures, it would effectively become a living room PC; perfect as Microsoft's stealth play into being just that.

      If they can complete the picture by bringing their pretty weak Xbox Music and Video offerings, they might have both a strategic and sales win through 2014.

      That is, if they can don't do boneheaded things like always-on DRM or releasing hardware that can fry an egg and gives you a double red ring of death.

      There is one problem with this. Some developers might not like having their $60 games compete with $1.99 ones.