Rumor: A couple of Xbox 360 successor tidbits, Microsoft to ship $99 360 console

GE: "During the latest "WhatTheTech" podcast, well-known technology blogger Paul Thurrott shared a bit of rumored details regarding the Xbox 360 successor."

[Prcko]

''claims that Microsoft intends to ship a $500 standard console as well as an alternative subscription model for $300. As speculation has suggested, the new system will require an Internet connection to properly function''

omg nooo,why the hell microsoft doing this :((
500$ standard??? i hope not

[dedicatedtogamers]

This isn't unusual. Microsoft is trying to take over the living room, not be a gaming company. They want you to use a Microsoft-brand box for your media. If you happen to play games on it, okay, but if you use it for cable TV, music, and whatnot, that's fine too, because that's what Microsoft wants.

[Prcko]

so no more hardcore next gen???
less exclusive games and stuff?

[NewMonday]

$500 standard(unlocked) and a subsidized"always online" $300 can be understood. at least we get an option.

edit:"It was also relayed to him that the device does indeed require a constant internet connection to function"
so no option! and it's a locked down low spec W8 box, no thanks I will keep my open W7 gaming PC.

[BlackBusterCritic]

@Prcko, "so no more hardcore next gen???
less exclusive games and stuff? "

That's what has been happening since 2008 this gen.

[thechosenone]

So no used games, always connected & strict DRM, no offline play, expensive. If Sony comes in at the rumored price point of $399-$450 and allows everything that the next xbox won't, it'll devastate the 720.

Sony has executed its plan beautifully. Bravo.

save you from having to search it out yourself, when they talk about DRM and price point.
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[ALLWRONG]

"so no more hardcore next gen???
less exclusive games and stuff?"

If we go by this gen the 360 has more, of everything.

[sengoku]

you know that if M$ wanted to get in the tv cable business they could have released a separate device for this market, but they already know this would fail.

so now they want to screw over core segment of there xbox install base to force a entry in to this market. they don't care that we just want to play good games, they want us to help them get into this market and if a few fanboy's get lost because of it they don't care.
they know that if they could get into this market they could stand to gain millions and millions of new customers.

NO always online console for me..
even if my consoles are connected all the time.
it's my choice if they are connected not theirs

[nukeitall]

@sengoku:

"so now they want to screw over core segment of there xbox install base to force a entry in to this market."

They are not screwing over any consumers, because they know from their own statistics when you are connected to Xbox LIVE that people use their Xbox 360 for other forms of entertainment as well.

MS knows how much I use my Xbox 360 for Netflix, Vevo and so on. I actually use those features more than I play games, but that is because of time and convenience.

I think MS knows their audience the best from the 3 console manufacturers, as they have the most extensive platform to collect data from users over the longest period of time.

So no worries.

[Boody-Bandit]

I'm holding off until the official announcement and details from MS. BUT if these rumors are true I don't see myself getting a Next Box any time soon if ever. I am a Forza addict and the 360 was far and away my gaming platform of choice over the past several years and I own them ALL.

I majority of games I play I rent or purchase used. Also I game offline probably 20% of the time. This would be an inconvenience for me and I am rather fond of not wasting money on games I know I will blow through in a couple days (action adventure & platform games) and send back to GF for my next game.

Again, I will wait until E3 but so far these rumors are frustrating me. Only because MS is not refuting ANY of them. Hopefully MS is just testing the water to see how this would go over and they take the more traditional route in gaming. If not this just wreaks of more greed and control.

I honestly don't understand why those that are hesitant on here are getting so many disagrees. You guys that are disagreeing only purchase new and don't want any resale or trade in value, EVER? Come on fellow gamers you can't be serious.

[Bobby Kotex]

Exactly, apps like Netflix are highly profitable for Microsoft and they're going where the $$ is.

[sikbeta]

WOW -> X360 @ $99 = overkill make it $150 and you have total domination, but lower price is better for all, so yay!

[Nodoze]

That is ALL MS wants. They could care LESS about games. This is why I do not understand why gamer's seem to think that MS has their interests in mind. They don't. Games have and will continue to be a means to an end. They want to 'own' the living room. They will do anything to obtain this.

[Clarence]

http://www.vg247.com/2013/0...

They are definitly focusing on making the next Xbox a cable box. The question is this what gamers want.

[Dfooster]

They've gone to get one in every living room but instead they've lost one in every bedroom. RIP Xbox

[Yi-Long]

... I have a huge library of great 360 games, but without BC, among other issues, there's no way I'll be picking up a next-gen X-box, so to know that for 100 bucks I can safeguard my currnet library of games, is reassuring.

[NastyLeftHook0]

i hope not either, and you have the coolest avatar on this site.

[pete007]

well, if it sports s dual gpu and all else rumors are spreading, ill get it even for 600, and you all ps fans, a bit of silence please cause it may remind you of something.....

[GenericNameHere]

Remind us PS fans... Of what? The price point?
I don't remember Sony forcing PS3 owners to have a perfect Internet connection to play a single-player offline game...

[Why o why]

Pete prefers Microsoft. All his comment reminds me of was the ps3 was the cheapest bluray player in the market and it was their library of games and their habits of the prior gen that made me spend that extra money NOT its cpu. Games Pete. It's my primary reason I purchased that console

[MaxXAttaxX]

You weren't forced to buy the $599 premium model.

[stage88]

Put it this way:

If you're more into gaming go for the PS4
If you want more of a media centre go for the xbox

[Godmars290]

They're still going to have the Halo/COD/Madden monkey to rely and hook people on.

Not to mention small details glossed over advertising.

[Skips]

@stage88

Exactly...

Sony: "PS4 is a gaming console at heart".

Microsoft: "Xbox is a family friendly entertainment center"

Both have done a VERY good job at showing which market they are more focused on. Which will probably continue on to next gen too.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

@Stage, Sonic and Mars already have there crystal ball and labeling the next box before the thing isn't even announced. Yeah, that's not fanboy talk at all...

[RonRico]

@AngelicIceDiamond
IDK almost every rumor out there is pointing to this conclusion of media center vs gaming center. Seriously listen to some of the developers over the last several weeks.

[Godmars290]

At $300.

That they'll make money back on subscriptions - time lock subscriptions - is besides the point.

Edit:
Actually, this is no different than when they first offered the Xbox1 at a "discount" with a required subscription to their internet provider service at the time.

Notice how they're not into providing internet anymore.

[die_fiend]

People don't buy consoles as media hubs. Don't people get most things through their TVs nowadays? Why do I need lovefilm, netflix and all this other crap when I've already got several other ways to do it. Microsoft better not let the core gamer down like they have these last 2-3 years otherwise it's curtains

[dcbronco]

Given what ratings have shown and the growth of Netflix since consoles started offering it you're way off.

http://www.gamasutra.com/vi...

http://techcrunch.com/2011/...

http://www.joystiq.com/2013...

It seems gamers spend a lot of time watching movies on their consoles. Up to a third on some consoles.

Even Netflix says consoles drive their service.

http://www.gamasutra.com/vi...

[die_fiend]

Thanks for the links. I won't be visiting any of them. I'm glad you're fully in admittance that the majority of people use consoles to play games tho. You could just press agree on my comment in future

[Peanuts110]

When I first got Xbox Live obviously for Multiplayer gaming. Then MS added Netflix to it (as well as other services). It was a nice feature. How ever the sneaking thing they did with it was add all the features to the Gold Service. Where as Sony/PS3 was a free download (No subscription required from Sony). Why should I pay MS for a Netflix service I already subscribe to? The PS4 Sounds better and better all the time. What cracks me up about MS/Xbox360 it was suppose to be a two tier service, Silver and Gold. What was the benefits to Silver anyway? Too scared to cancel Gold to find out.......

[PSVita]

$500 isn't even a lot.

[wishingW3L]

it was a lot for the PS3 and many people jumped ship because of that.

[NeoTribe]

Your so right. Its rediculous the disagrees your getting. To many broke unemplyed gamers ic. Seems to be normal to spend 500 on a phone youll have for a year, or a 1200 computer youll have a few years, but god forbid you spend 500 on a gaming console that you will have for 10 plus years. The world and the people in it are retarted.

[potenquatro]

@wishing: The price point was one of many many things that made people abandon PS3. The PS3 didn't even come with HD cables and a rumble controller FFS!! $500 is not a lot especially if you're a "hardcore gamer". For $500 everyone would make sure it's a good deal but it's not unreasonable. The PS3 for $500 was a bad deal, that's why people, including me, were complaining. Because when we opened our debut $599 PS3 boxes we literally saw nothing that justified the price except a fancy blue-ray drive that didn't contribute anything to gaming and became dirt cheap right after all of us paid the premium with the PS3. Your comparison is wrong and using it as a premise led you to the wrong conclusion

[AlphaJunk]

I bet the people worried about spending $500 on a game console, probably race to get the new Galaxy S4 or latest iPhone every year and don't think twice when they're weak from the giving blood and plasma just to scrounge up some cash. Or better yet, cut back the pot and cheetos then you can afford things and ,ay actually have more drive to work.

[Peanuts110]

Your paying $500 for a machine that will only really work when you pay for the Gold Subscription to get all the features. I don't hear many people singing praises for the Silver subscription. Those other items cell phones and pc's work right out of the box with out being required to pay for an additional subscription. Sadly there is no reward for being a Hard Core Loyal Gamer. The first people in line to get their machines will be the first to take one for the team.

[Aceman18]

meh i've already made up my mind not to purchase this system. the PS4 and Wii U will take care of my gaming needs for the next gen.

i will however keep my 360, and just gamefly some games that i missed.

[Bobby Kotex]

Holy crap have you seen the youtube vid the article linked to? That's the definition of fanboyism. I like Paul Thurrot's site for Windows stuff, but these guys have no sense of reality.

[r1sh12]

These are all unknowns.
We have no idea of pricing, but I doubt it will be very different to Sony (When they announce the price).
But seriously, its weird how people will complain about the ps4/nextbox price (if its over $300) but they will happily fork out $500+ for an Iphone5 LOOL.

[dedicatedtogamers]

The $500 iPhone comparison is used too often, and it isn't accurate.

For starters, most people feel a stronger need to have a phone/internet than a gaming system. Sure, they don't NEED to buy a $500 phone, but they need a phone nonetheless. Comparing a videogame system to an iPhone is like saying "hey, you guys can buy a used car for $1000, but you spent $12,000 on a brand-new car! What gives?"

Plus, Apple products have a sense of prestige attached to them in our society. People think it's cool to have a smartphone or a tablet. To the general public, owning a videogame console isn't nearly as "cool". The last "cool" videogame systems (again, to the public) were the DS and the Wii.

[r1sh12]

the iphone argument is completely accurate.
Im talking about the people who complain about an expensive games console, an still own the latest tech gadgets.

You cant use the car - used car Vs New Car argument, because you're essentially comparing the same product, and no car that is $1000 will be anywhere near the same as $12,000. You could compare a 100,000$ car to an apartment.

Also apple products and prestige LOL, its very easy to believe that but in reality adding weight to a phone =/= prestige.
The illusion of premium products is where many go wrong, apple have used price fixing to make people think its prestige, but the profits that are made on each phone is insane.

And owning a games console has never been more popular, record sales this generation so it clearly is cool.

[Thirty3Three]

@AllWrong:

"...360 has more of everything"...

smh. I see where you got your username.

[majiebeast]

Buy a PS4

#dealwithit

[iGAM3R-VIII]

You better watch out for NeverEnding1989 and GreenPowerz because I have a feeling they will show up here and make fun of your comment and talk trash per usual

[wenaldy]

Or Cocozero with his "free attention to the 720" rant.

[pete007]

why? im all ears?

[Minato-Namikaze]

Games, Its that simple for me.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

To play games?

[Ezz2013]

you buy console to play games, greenpowerz

[clintos59]

pete007

Well because I want games also u cant hear our replies on here.

Edit: I get disagrees to but I deal wit it. U should take your uncles advice.

[pete007]

thats crazy, a guy sez "buy a ps4, deal with it" has 20+ agrees, me on the other side, ask why, and even so i get disagrees

[TheSurg]

@ pete007

Because 95% of people on this site are biased ps3 kids who got no arguments. Apparently they do not have that many games to play since they spend whole days on sites like this one trying to defend sony like it would be their mothers(eventho I doubt they have the balls to defend their mothers, but oh well, they're still kids!). It's really hard to get an intelligent discussion on n4g.

[sinjonezp]

Games. We buy consoles for games. Period. Smart tv's, tablets, and phones have access to every media platform such as Netflix. An article yesterday in yahoo stated that more and more people are abandoning tv's; went from 2 million to 5 million in two years. Consoles niche is games. So why get locked into a contract or have so many requirements to use the box while paying a premium price? IMO, logic has to be the driving force of why so many may pass up on the next box.

[kickerz]

Buy a 720
#betterchoice

[SymphonicRain]

What's that?

[Prodigy-X]

''claims that Microsoft intends to ship a $500 standard console as well as an alternative subscription model for $300. As speculation has suggested, the new system will require an Internet connection to properly function''

I really don't understand why it has to be internet connection only. I mean they are going to have a lot of connection problems going on.

[TheSauce]

$500?

There must be some pretty powerful hardware in that box. My guess is that it will have a powerful GPU inside of it and will make everyone completely forget about always-online. People love them graphics.

[dasbeer88]

A lot of powerful hardware...yet will probably be wasted away just for Kinect 2.0 and other casual stuff.

[alb1899]

I can really see my self buying a plan like my cellphone's one with my 720.....why will it be bad?

[PirateThom]

The cost combined with a monthly charge?

Ridiculous.

[GiantFriendlyCrab]

fans will eat it up though

[Prodigy-X]

You mean Americans that are in to COD.

[dasbeer88]

And maybe Battlefield too.

[Skate-AK]

Whoa don't put us all in that group. I'm American and I'm not a big fan of COD.

[wishingW3L]

@Skate-AK sorry if I tell you this but, it's hard to believe. XD

[Gamer-40]

Two options this price $500 true.

1., New Xbox powerful than Ps4, Dual APU's, 8 GB GDDR5, Kinect 2.0.
2., Microsoft simply a stupid, new Xbox weaker than Ps4 and all negativity rumors true.

This very important:

"..I've actually heard from, by the way not one or two people, several people who've said, 'based on what I've seen, Sony is going to blow them away.' Based on what you've seen? You've seen nothing. What are you talking about? No, but you've seen literally nothing from Microsoft.."

[MikeMyers]

Or

3. The PS4 will be $600 just like the PS3 was.

It's going to get interesting. The $99 Xbox 360 could be a big seller. The next Xbox might not be if it requires an online connection at all times.

[Gamer-40]

Everything is possible, yet not officially announced new Xbox.
This all simple rumor and speculation, nothing more.

[zebramocha]

@mike rumors suggest that the ps4 is either priced at $400-$500 dollars u.s.

[RTheRebel]

yep
I think next xbox will be stronger

[puamdefokejpn]

in sucking,.. hehe ,. immature ,.. sorrz

[Jek_Porkins]

The guy cant even talk, who says "coo" instead of cool? Geez, E3 cant get here fast enough.

[GiantFriendlyCrab]

15 bucks x 24 months = 360 bucks
360 bucks + 300 bucks for xb720 = 660 dollars and always online

[Cocozero]

360 will widen the gap even further with a $99 model. Looks like MS are taking no prisoners.

[clintos59]

They will definitely come in last still.

[amiga-man]

taking no prisoners not really the M$ way, more like taking people for suckers charging for online and overpriced accessories and if rumours are to be believed always online while blocking used games,

yep that sounds more the M$ way.

[Arai]

Paul Thurrott has been spot on about a lot of stuff related to Microsoft in the past.
He seems to have good insider info when it comes to them.
Even if things are flagged as rumors right now, it's something to keep in mind.

On another note: I'm not liking that 500$ price point.
That would mean (as rumors have indicated) that Kinect 2 will be bundled with the system (thus driving the price up).

[iNFAMOUZ1]

The king isn't going anywhere, it took over last gen, and it is only going to get more powerful, ill be happy with whatever price on the xbox 3, 500-700 whatever, as long as its the most powerful and has some new games, im down.
#xbox4life

[strickers]

Chimp

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Yes.

It will also hurt adoption rates of the Next Box and PS4.

[strickers]

This idea that Xbox "fans" won't jump ship?
I owned a 360 this Gen, mainly because of the long ps3 wait. Next Gen I'm going ps4 only and I'm not alone . With no lead time, next Xbox will struggle more.
Ps3 outsold it every year bar one , and that was slight in 360s favour. Most years ps3 "won" by about 2 million. Without that lead time, it will be a different story

[ARESWARLORD]

Im so sick of paying for live. Love PS Plus though. MS can rot in hell if they don't make online free

[josephayal]

i need

[puamdefokejpn]

brains

[silkrevolver]

I feel like I could put up with more of this rumored bullshit if Microsoft made more OC for it's own damn systems...

[silkrevolver]

Aaaaaaaand somehow this posted three times.

[silkrevolver]

Please ignore...

[GiantFriendlyCrab]

and here we go http://assets.sbnation.com/...

[Gamer-40]

What is this?
This old.

[Zcarnut]

Maybe this $300 version lacks a HD and uses the cloud exclusively? Would explain the internet connection thing....

[TheKayle1]

just this is what we should read
"“I’ve actually heard from, by the way not one or two people, several people who’ve said, ‘based on what I’ve seen, Sony is going to blow them away.’ Based on what you’ve seen? You’ve seen nothing. What are you talking about? No, but you’ve seen literally nothing from Microsoft."

for all the ppl who didnt udnerstand :

"“The next Xbox is code-named Durango. And we have talked for a while about this notion that there might be another version of the Xbox that was just aimed at entertainment—a non-gaming device. That device was code-named ‘Yumo’ and they’re not making it. They may make one in the future, but it’s not happening this year."

yumo was the ENTERTAINMENT NON GAMING DEVIDE....codename YUMO...and they r not making it...

xbox durango will be a 500$ system.....

more powerfull than ps4 as i said millions time on here..explaining technically why

ps. when u play world of worcraft....league of legend..diablo...or any mmo on pcs..u dont blame developers coz u cant play without internet ....and u dont put the isp money on their shoulder...u pay for it.....anyway...and THEN coz u have internet u play that games....

u look at the thing in the wrong way (of course we r talking about xbox)

[brave27heart]

Except those games are mmo's. The clue is the O. It stands for online and so we know what we're paying for. If my internet is down and I cant play an mmo thats only £40 of game thats useless, not £400 of console.

As for Durango being more powerful please do share the specs since you're clearly in the know. Just because it has a high price point doesnt mean its powerful. It could just be poor value for money.

[Morgue]

After all the hearsay and this and that about MS's apparently " new " console. It's like hearing women talk about wanting kids.

No thanks

[TheSaint]

Always online? No thank you.

[cyhm3112]

just die xbox would you? you are ruining the gaming industry .
Back in the days without xbox, it is all good. "sighed"

[TemplarDante]

PC> Xbox 720.

PS4 for exclusive 1st party.
Steam, everything else.

[ghostrider32]

So if these things are true, than MS pretty much signed their console death warrant, and it will be just Sony and Nintendo. After all, according to some comments I've seen that's what N4G want.

[Thunderhawkxbox]

As a Xbox supporter if Microsoft really let me down ill say goodbye to gaming unless Sony show me something interesting then ill buy ps4 i will say bye to next Xbox if they just going for entertainment not gaming

[FrigidDARKNESS]

At 499.99 theres more to this console than 1.2TF thats for sure.

[TemplarDante]

@FrigidDARKNESS
Yep, Kinect V2, and the DVR hub it will be...

Im not a big tv addict..
I am a core gamer.
So, the 720 large price tag for non-gaming add ons isnt for me.

[M-M]

Microsoft is too thick headed to realize how stupid "Always Online" is. That's what happens when you have all of that money flying around.

[Agent_hitman]

Always online makes me pissed off..

[urwifeminder]

Online is the future offline and singleplayer is so 1999.

[Peanuts110]

"Always Online" Using my internet for free to safe guard their software crosses a line with me. I'll pay for my console, software, internet and use Xbox live to provide me a expanded entertainment and gaming experience. Not to be held hostage by it. What will happen when they discontinue their 720 Xbox for the next generation console? Will we be stuck with an unusable console and games when they will no longer support it?

[Jakens]

MS will shut off the 360 online stuff as soon as they see fit...and never bring it back.

[DestinyHeroDoomlord]

You kids still fighting about the ps vs ms..? *sigh*

[RuleofOne343]

So a base model for $300.00 + the $500.00 high end model + the $99.00 model= $899.00 + tax = $961.92 add XBL subs 35.00 x 3= 105.00 (online sale so no tax)= $ 1,066.92 damn am sold though the future ex wife will kill me . Hey MS bring it am in.

[Funky Town_TX]

If all the rumors are true then no next box for me. Plus I will not pay over $400 for a console, and I don't buy "base" models.

[Foxhound922]

I know these rumors aren't 100 percent true and confirmed yet, but there is a scary amount of leaks from reputable sources that are claiming they are true. Microsoft seems to have lost there way this gen and the upcoming gen looks to be more of the same, yet puerile well still buy it and call it the holy grail of game consoles, only for the yearly call of duty release and halo.

[Raoh]

$500 does not seem like a lot to me.

Even the PS3 $499/$599 didn't seem too much, I waited regardless but I could replace my own hard drive and no subscription model.

Unlike the $500 nextbox which is probably still proprietary hard drive, no blu ray playback, online fees and probably still that damn 2.5mm audio jack instead of a standard 3.5mm.

So to me the $500 isn't the problem is the additional costs MS tacks on that is.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

To be very honest $500 is the price point I am expecting for both the PS4 and next Xbox. I don't think its a stretch to think both companies will offer that price. I think the value proposition of $300 + 2yrs subscrip could be interesting it just dends on what Xbox Live evolves into.

[Raoh]

$500 seems about right but I could see Sony going for a $399/$449 price just to regain their console market share and get as many consoles sold early.

Unlike MS and Nintendo, even during these tough economic times for sony, sony is not afraid to lose money on each console sold upfront, its par for the course for a hardware company.

[rammstein91]

they need to give me 99$ extra to make me take trouble using xbox

[xDHAV0K24x]

Nintendo should just fold and be bought out by MS. If this were to ever happen, the bragging of 1st party games by ps3/4 would die out. Imagine playing mario kart on live?