The Past, Present and Future of Xbox 360

The Xbox 360 hasn't exactly had a smooth ride to this point, what with the dreaded Red Ring of Death hitting the system hard in its early days, but the console has now hit the 40 million sold milestone. And with the Natal motion control system due to be released by the 2010 holidays, the future is looking positive.

[xaviertooth]

xbox 360 from the beginning of its life has no future with its subpar technology.

[Wrathman]

xaviertooth from the beginnning of her life,has no future, with subpar intelligence.

see wot i did there!

the future of xbox is extremely bright.natal,slim and then inevitably a new console that will take a huge dump on the ps3.leavin ps3 fanboys without a reason to live.they will act like suicidal people from M.Knight Shyamlan's the Happening.spontaneously killing themselves.

that will be a good day for common sense.

[green]

SOftware front, i think the 360 is doing well with games like Halo: Reach, Fable 3, Crackdown 2 and Alan Wake all dropping this year. 360 also has strong 3rd party support which is also vital to the success of any console. And if Natal delivers and the rumors or a 360 redesign are true, then i see much better times ahead for the 360.

[La Chance]

Never felt so happy to be a 360 owner, no kidding.

[BrutallyBlunt]

I agree with the redesign of the system. To me it marks a fresh start and what better timing than to do it with Natal. I think the new model would hopefully bring in more confidence of hardware reliability too even though Microsoft has improved the system over time. If it looks different consumers are more inclined to feel as though it is different.

As for the future of the Xbox 360 I think it looks pretty positive. Although Natal to me seems like a major wild card. It could be a real momentum builder for them and it could also be met with lukewarm results which will mean the potential may not materialize.

I'm just hoping Microsoft supports the system more with their own games and not rely so much on 3rd party publishers. If they really want to stay as a major player they will need more than just Xbox Live. Natal could be a great addition to making the Xbox brand more diversified and more appealing but they will need their own studios to lead by example. Rare, Lionhead and Turn 10 are not enough IMO.

[Brklynty1]

But a slim model won't fix RRoD, because that's where Microsoft gets the $$$ from. But really, does 360 need a slim model? It wasn't a freakin mammoth like the original PS3. It could have done without the external power supply though.

[Ghostsmoker]

the 360 is absoultely ready for the future. I wouldn't say it has the best line-up cus I'm a huge PS3-Fan too and love PS3-Games ... but you will have a good time owning a 360 this times.

[morkendo]

i once was going to buy 360 @ launch but RROD stop me and im still afraid to buy one. im sure MS would nickle an dime me to death.

[jaysquared]

"But a slim model won't fix RRoD, because that's where Microsoft gets the $$$ from. But really, does 360 need a slim model? It wasn't a freakin mammoth like the original PS3. It could have done without the external power supply though. "

Really? How is M$ making money from RROD when they cover it for 3 years? Pretty sure extending the warranty and the cost of fixing the consoles has hurt them more than it has helped them. Also a slim model is a great way to get more sales! Look at the PS2 how many slim redesigned did that thing have.. If the PS2 never had redesigns it would've never had sold 140 million consoles.. I always say that the actual PS2 owners are probably at 60-70 million people because there were many who had a PS2 but upgraded to the slim one.. Same thing with the PS3 now..

[Fanb0y]

Microsoft does NOT generate money from RRODed consoles.

From people re-buying consoles? They're obviously a minority, when broken consoles can be replaced by Microsoft for free as long as it's within the 3-year warranty, which is re-newed every time.

Microsoft loses money every time someone sends their box in. Of course, by now they made the process streamlined and efficient in order to prevent significant losses.

[Brklynty1]

The warranty is for 3 years, for the ORIGINAL bought 360, not the refurbished model, my bro tried, no go, they told him its only valid for the purchased 360. So after everyones refurbished 360 breaks down, they have to buy another 360. Guys be serious, M$ claimed they invested
1 BILLION dollars into fixing RRoD. 1 billion and its still not fixed? Come on guys whether your a gamer, fanboy or consumer period, that's a little fishy don't you think? M$ does the same thing for its windows product. If microsoft makes a perfect item, there would be no need to rebuy it since it won't get broken. Vista is the perfect example, it was all messed up, with black screen, and other features that messed it up, yet it still sold, just because M$ said it was better. The same with Sony, though DRE was nowhere near the % of RRoD, it still effected some people and they had to rebuy a PS2. M$ makes money through non gaming tactics. Think about this last 1, 1 million users banned right before MW2 drops? Come on guys.

[Wizziokid]

I agree with everything you said also if the dreamcast game rumours are true that would be an awesome addition to the consoles Arcade front imo.

[La Chance]

That would just be so freaking huge...

[AK46]

lol i thought this article was going to be an in-depth analysis of what the headlines say.

Reading the article gives me the feeling that everything is hunk dory in M$ land. The article fails to mention any negative consequences that may pop up like loosing 3rd party support for their so called exclusive games or If Natal flops, etc

[BrutallyBlunt]

I guess people like yourself want to be consumed in negativity. The article starts off by saying the Xbox 360 hasn't exactly had a smooth ride so far. As for Natal most sources say positive things about it and the possibilities of what may come about. It's the people who sit and analyze the demo videos all day long looking for things to not like about it are the ones who want to overshadow all of that.

I imagine most people who actually try Natal will have a positive feeling about it and any real gamer out there would start thinking of ideas of some things it could be applied to. Not it looks stupid or it's not going to be very accurate and this and that.

Needless to say whatever happened to just having fun? Instead far too many are fixated on the console wars and want to be their own version of Simon Cowell with a keyboard in front of them.

[no_more_trolling]

nice read

im pretty happy with my 360 so far

hopefully no trolls will come in

please stay away troll, u know yourself

[Inside_out]

The only thing holding 360 back is Japan...They, Japan, will never support a American console built in the sworn enemy of the empire...Korea...plain and simple...But, M$ just won't give up...keep throwing buckets of money at Asian developers....sad really...

Industry types can't believe how strong 360 is...even after a price drop, Sony still struggling....loosing a fortune on every PS3 made....Built in Wi-fi, blue-ray player, free on-line....look how much money M$ makes on their on-line pricing and DLC...MW2 DLC outsold UC2, GOW, HR, heck any game this yr on PS3 and that was DLC...

Trust me, after E3, things will look different....M$ will have a price drop this year, add Natal and 360 sitting pretty....Rumor is 360 + Natal for $299...What's Sony gonna do then?...

Lets not forget ME2, Conviction, Alan Wake, Crackdown2,Fable 3, Halo Reach, and Natal PLUS all the multi-plats,Lost planet, Crysis, Medal of Honor, Brink, Cod7, Red dead Redemption and whatever surprises that are mentioned at E3...Most if not all Multi-plats sell better on 360...FPS MW2 360 out sold PS3 VERSION 2 TO 1...THOSE GAMERS HAVE NOT DISSAPPEARED...Expect ALL shooters to do better on 360.....M$ is crying all the way to the bank....

[frankymv]

Things could be worst, however, I think things could be much better too. I think many people think Natal will be much bigger than it will be. Remember that Nintendo dominates the casual space and they will reveal something very innovative very soon.

[AK46]

At least this guy knows everything is not all hunky and dory on the 360, like how the article makes it out to be.The article seems to mention the pros, but where's the cons? Give me all the disagrees you want I'm no bubble whore.

[4lc4pon3]

I have to agree with xaviertooth on this. I have both consoles and i do play both but I prefer my PS3 over my 360. The 360's technology is getting old. the system is underpowered and the only thing it has going for it is Party Chat.

Project natal or even the Move doesnt look that impressive.

[CryWolf]

Xbox 360 is the past cause it being nothing new to the table like the original xbox did with xbox live, headset, Online support, downloading new maps/arcade games, DVD player if you have the xbox remote controller, that all the original Xbox did 360 haven't done none of that stuff, WOW do everbody remember the blades, customize 360 hard drive, DVD player again but it could scratch your discs and RROD problems that a lot of people are still having since the console first came out, guys its 2010 now why is there still RROD problems in 2010.

[4lc4pon3]

I wont lie that is one thing I like about the 360 is the Controller. I have large hands and to me the ps3 controller seems a bit small for me. other then that I dont see where the 360 has anything going for it.

[OSIRUSSS]

The Arcade would have to drop to $99.99 before I even think about getting a 360. It sux in a way though. 360 launches and has all kind of hardware issues that cause them to lose a billion on that alone. Then when that maybe is sorted out, the PS3 hits its stride.

[Rageanitus]

did drop to 129 at one point.. I was so tempted in picking it up.. but 3 things came to mind 1) harware failure stil there no matter how muchte the fanboys make it seem like it has dissapeared 2) no HD 3) and the only real game that interested me was Gears of war 2

[OSIRUSSS]

I can suffer hardware problems if all I pay is 99.99 . I'll not buy extras like Live or wireless adapters or overpriced hard drives or Natal.I just want to play Fables and Gears and Mass Effects.

[labwarrior]

- Gets one of the best looking games of all time, Alan Wake, and one of the best adventures too as it seems

Gets one sequel to every huge game it had
- Fable 3
- Mass Effect 3
- Gears of War 3
- Halo Reach
- Crackdown 2
- Valkyrie Profile

Also ghets what could be the best startegy title ever, Kingdom Under Fire 2

And of course there is Natal, which is totally hand free and he most feature full and advanced control method available and new Rareware games to look out for

All that while XBLA is getting even more huge, gets stunning new games frequently, community games are getting bigger all the time and the price is a steal

Xbox 360 has only started

[4lc4pon3]

Im sorry to Disagree like I said I have both consoles but Prefer my PS3. You said "Best looking games of all Time". I have to disafree with that. The game will be a great game for gameplay but Graphically I dont see how it will hold up.

Like I said I think alan wake's gameplay is going to be awesome but Graphically I dont see the game topping alot of games coming out or games that are already out.

[Ghostsmoker]

You can't deny that! Be fair ... I own both consoles too. AW belongs to the best looking games.

[ImmortalLegend]

I really don't think the games are going to look any better than they already do. I don't think the 360 is maxed out, but the lack of 1st party devs is a concern for me. Other than that I'm excited about the games coming out and I'm happy to be a 360 owner.

[The real killer]

Microsoft stole also windows from Amiga systems.

4LC4PON3

I have also big hands and your comments are just stupid and senseless.
The PS3 controller fits well in my big hands.

[ktchong]

by the end of 2011, the next Xbox console will have already come out.

[Brklynty1]

360 has more sold consoles, all those consoles don't belong to 1 single person, RRoD caused many 360 owners to rebuy the console, especially around the launch time, when RRoD wasn't in the warranty, and continues today.

[yamzilla]

you already have seen the 360's full potential when bioshock1 came out. That is it folks...it cannot do anymore.

Please release a new console ms....my 360 is a dust collector...it looks like poo...unreal engine 3 is trash...

[Ghostsmoker]

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[labwarrior]

If that is true, how come multiplatforms still sell double or triple on 360 ???

My idea is that the 360 intall base, the real one, is far mroe than 40 million, and only a few million are actually 2ond bought systems, because most RROD cases are just fixed, not replaced by a buy

I suspect about 45 million xbox 360 are sold, and about 1 million MAY by a 2ond console bought in the rare case the 360 breaks and can't be fixed in any way

[4lc4pon3]

ok so im stupid and senseless for saying that the ps3 controller is a bit small for my hands. I love my PS3 but I prefer the 360 controller. thats my preference. I did not say I like the 360 Console at all.

its a shame that your so stuck on one Console that you cant see the Benefits of others and people who say something good about another console you come up with this stupid crap. I have big hands with pretty fat fingers and to me the controller feels a tad bit small.

you people irritate me sometimes grow up