The Next Xbox: 10 Announcements That Microsoft Won’t Make On May 21st

"Just as Sony unveiled their next generation console at a press event in February, Microsoft are poised to reveal the future of the Xbox brand on May 21st. Though Sony have won serious brownie points for their successful console reveal, they didn't quite give us all of the information we wanted though.

Obviously, they were saving back some of the juicier bits for E3, and we can expect Microsoft to pull a similar tactic with the Xbox 720. There's no doubt that the Xbox 720 reveal is something to look forward to but, on the off chance you'll be getting your hopes up, here are ten elements of the new console that might not be disclosed in May."

[GalacticEmpire]

"Considering it will be at least a few months before the console is ready for release, it’s highly doubtful a final design has been decided yet for the Xbox 720."

MS made a very public and snarky comment about how the PS4 was not actually shown at the PS Meeting, if they don't show their console at theirs they are kind of making a fool out of themselves.

@insomnium - you're right there.

[insomnium2]

It isn't actually anything new. They made many public and snarky comments about PS3 only to turn around and implement them into their own console. HDMI, 1080p and mandatory install comes to mind.

HDMI and 1080p wasn't needed at first and Greenburg thought he made a funny comment about GTA4's mandatory install on PS3 only to have a game like Forza 3 launched and throwing an egg on his face.

[RuleofOne343]

You mean a Kinect like device , but it can't be called Kinect cause that would turn into legal issue so lets call it something that will make our fans think we are innovative, but yet were not .

[minimur12]

regarding the illumiroom, that wont be out for years.
did you see the video? the way its working it at the moment is with a kinect hardwired into a projector.
its still PROOF OF CONCEPT lol, wont be out for ages unfortunately.

Hardware? yes they will.
UI? yep. of course they will.
Bundles? obviously not.
Peripherals? up to a certain point, controller and kinect 2 they will. not much else though, like playstation did
Pricing, no shit they wont.
They will announce backwards comp.

[ichimaru]

? what 360 have you been playing? there are No mandatory installs. the reason ps3 has them is twofold.

first, because the ps3 only had 256megs of ram some devs had to code portions of the game twice even three times in some cases for data redundancy.

second, because the Blu-ray reads much slower than the traditional red laser wave legth

[talisker]

"first, because the ps3 only had 256megs of ram some devs had to code portions of the game twice even three times in some cases for data redundancy."

Comment of the week!

[LogicStomper]

"and mandatory install comes to mind."

Credibility went out the window.

[xtremeimport]

well, i'll assume he means games that come with content on a separate disc that has to be installed.

You can usually play the game without doing this, but I can see what he's saying. Forza and Halo 4 are the ones I have experienced. Needing to install the multiplayer or car content.

[Bigpappy]

I expect M$ will have a full Xbox reveal. By that, I mean that the device will be shown in it's entirety and it will have a name. E3 is only a few weeks later. Why hide it? They will touch on what's new with Kinect and show any changes to the controller. They will talk about BC, always on and the likes. Hardware spec will be revealed and some samples of games to come shown.

They will touch on almost everything non-game related, then expand on some of the bigger features and the games at E3.

No price until long after E3.

lots of stuff on integration and the use of Skype with special group features for gold users.

We will all be impress with some stuff and have lots of questions about others. But there will be a boat load of stuff. M$ has so much to cover. that I think they will have new stuff to show in Tokyo and other big events.

M$ always does it this way. Not expecting them to stick to what Sony did or even focus on it.

[dantesparda]

"first, because the ps3 only had 256megs of ram some devs had to code portions of the game twice even three times in some cases for data redundancy."

The devs dont code data on the disc 2 or 3 times because of the PS3's RAM, they do it because of the drives' speed. And the PS3 has access to 462 megabytes of RAM (512MB of RAM minus 50MBS for the OS, and for comparison sake, the 360 480MB [512 minus 32 for OS]) not 256MBs. Stop spreading this ignorant sh!t

[Belking]

"MS made a very public and snarky comment about how the PS4 was not actually shown at the PS Meeting, if they don't show their console at theirs they are kind of making a fool out of themselves."

Thats total BS. That was only Major Nelson, and while it came off a little snarky, it was sort of true. By you logic sony already made a fool of themselves by not showing theirs.

[-Falaut-]

No no, there where many other "game journalist" clowns bringing up the fact that the box wasn't shown. ...and as the community face of a brand, you would think, he would've been a bit more classy. But the only thing he could take a pot shot at was that the box wasn't shown. Specs are awesome, features are awesome, software looks awesome...but no, lets shit on the fact that they didn't show the box.

"...it was sort of true." yeah, uh huh.

[GalacticEmpire]

True it was only Major Nelson but isn't he a spokesperson for the company? At least the Xbox division?

Your understanding of my logic is flawed. MS will make a fool of themselves for making public comments mocking Sony for not showing a console and then doing the exact same thing.

There's nothing inherently wrong with not showing a console but there is definite hypocrisy in mocking a competitors behaviour only to mimic that same behaviour weeks later.

[MikeMyers]

You guys are taking all of this way too personal. Tretton badmouthed the 3DS, Kutaragi badmouthed the Xbox 360, Greenberg has badmouthed the PS3. Who cares? Does this stuff really bother you people? It doesn't change one iota of how much I enjoy my systems. If they want to be immature about them let 'em. If they feel attack ads work then go for it.

But I do agree, Major Nelson has put extra pressure now on Microsoft to actually show the system. He did make a semi-sarcastic comment about having a show about a new console without actually showing a console and then saying that's one way to do it. If Microsoft takes the same approach then the media will question them too like they did with the PS4. I don't get why choosing sides does anything.

[unchartedxplorer]

I wouldn't really be worried by the hardware. Sony are very experienced when it comes to making reliable and appealing hardware

[NeverEnding1989]

Tell that to my two PS3's sitting in a landfill.

[Utalkin2me]

@NeverEnding1989

Sorry you had such bad luck. I'm still on my original phat PS3 with upgraded HDD. But it doesn't change the fact Sony is always under the electronics failures %. So we will go buy statistics rather then basing the % of your word.

[yugovega]

im sure they won't announce the next gens expected failure rate and extended warranty they will give you after it breaks 2 weeks in.

[ichimaru]

so original. so edgy. you should write short stories

[yugovega]

got to love the sarcasm people on here take things too serious.

[Belking]

you hating dude...lol

[Knight_Crawler]

Who approved this and why is labeled as article instead of opinion? This is just another hit seeking site that provides nothing new or interesting.

Just wait 9 more days people and you will get answers - instead of relying on rumors and speculations just wait for the real facts.

When May 21 comes and goes, you can either gloat with happiness or jump out of a window with hatred.

Edit: LOL at Galptic always the first to comment on 720 articles to stealth troll...May 21 you and your faction will be working over time on N4G :)

[-Falaut-]

"...you and your faction..."

My goodness, even if that's true, you just added to the problem. Good job.

[Urusernamesucks]

That happens ALL the time. Big deal

[from the beach]

I don't expect a final release date and price but other than that all bets are off.

[I_LOVE_MYSELF]

I bet they won't announce Halo 14.

[NYC_Gamer]

We won't know what is expected to be announced until the 21st

[Jek_Porkins]

The wont announce a price, release date or anything like that. Got a feeling we'll see the console, some games, features, OS, Kinect 2.0 and the specs.

May 21st is getting close, I can feel the hype building ever higher, I cant imagine the amount of people who are going to tune in to see the Microsoft reveal.

[AmkOwns]

half of those people will come for the comedies slash fails

[4logpc]

So what will the reveal? This guy is like they wont show anything.

So is Microsoft going to get on stage and say...hey next xbox coming!!!! Goodnight everybody!

[ichimaru]

this author has all the optimism of a fish in the desert. expect nothing good

[m23]

That list is horrible. The console will be shown, Major Nelson made comments on Sony not showing theirs and considering Major Nelson's position, I think the console being shown is a given.

Of course the UI will be shown off, as will Kinect 2, new xbox live additions. The reveal for the most part I think will focus less on games and more on the actual console and services. E3 will be games.

What the hell does this author expect to be shown?

[DOMination-]

Yes i believe you are right. The 21st reveal is only an hour long according to Gametrailers. I believe they will focus on features and specs and leave the games for e3, cod aside perhaps.

[hazelamy]

free gold. ^_^

[Hicken]

That is absolutely one announcement they will NOT make. You are correct on that.

[TheKayle1]

....they will announce lots of tears and crows for the rivals and sony fanboys

[BitbyDeath]

I'm sure secretly you are interested in what will be announced otherwise why'd you be here to comment in the first place?

[SITH]

A lot if not all of this are obviously going to be omitted from the announcements.

[isyourhouseonfire]

I am SO pumped up!! After May 21st we will officially have entered the Next Gen era as both Sony and MS will have thrown their hats into the ring.

MAY 21 - THE GAME HAS CHANGED.

[Godmars290]

Not seeing how they can't announce full specs or go into some detail about Kinect 2.0. The former especially since Sony done as much. May as well not show the physical Xbox3 unit.

And they're already on the spot for that thanks to Major Nelson chiding Sony's presentation.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Major Nelson was not the only one giving Sony a hard time. Other MS execs, gaming press and even mainstream press noted the absence.

[Yetter]

They already said they would be talking about games at E3 so that really only leaves room for half of the stuff this guy is crossing off his list.
IMO will we'll hear primarily about new features, new UI interface, light on the games reveal, Kinect 2.0 will be highlighted but no extensively unless they've really done something special with it and obviously the new controller

[Steadyhndz]

These kind of posts are really good...too bad this writer isn't very intelligent and is just talking about the things we already know about that isn't going to be announced.

[iNFAMOUZ1]

xbox next get ready.
TRUE next gen is coming.

[DivineAssault]

Seems like whoever wrote this thinks MS will copy & do everything sony did when showing off their nx gen tech.. Im curious to see what they have nx gen.. I honestly DONT want MS to be like sony & focus strictly on games.. Dont get me wrong, I want nxbox to have great games but i want it to feel like a different console than what sony is offering..

I hope the machine does some cool stuff with the apps, media, & new kinect illumiroom thing so that if i decide to buy it, i wont feel like i have 2 of the same machines nx gen.. I want my PS4 games to be CORE sexy looking/running games in a classic & competitive manner while i want the nx box to be more of a social gaming machine for parties & BSN w company.. Thats just me but im hoping MS goes in a different direction with this thing

[OC_MurphysLaw]

LOL. ...

1) we will see final design on the box. MS understands it is highly unsual not to show off the actual hardware when you announce it to the world (Sony really is the only major company to have pulled that stunt in recent history) and MS was very vocal about about them not showing a box. MS WILL show the actual box.

2) Kinect 2.0 100 % will be discussed and shown...

3) User interface again will be discussed and shown off for certain core functions. As MS prides themselves on their user experience.

4) Hardware will be discussed in a similar level to what Sony did.

Pricing and bundles I can agree will not be discussed yet. And illumiroom was never expected at this announcement, its merely concept right now.

[urwifeminder]

Sweet looking forward to it im ready to trade all this gens gear and games on the new box except my gears and forza collection.

[CaptainCamper]

I love N4G. I posted an article similar to this on the PS4. Article was deleted and site banned from N4G. This one gets a hot spot...lol