Possible Xbox 720 Features Hinted By Microsoft Job Listing

DP: The Xbox 720 doesn't seem like it's too far from the future considering Xbox 360 is on a decline in terms of new IPs and content overall. Microsoft will likely have to reinvent themselves if they want to retain the pop culture success of Xbox 360. A new job listing on...

[Jestrella24]

hopefully they announce this thing at E3.

[Trackboss]

they need to, Xbox 360 has lost a lot of momentum.

[Wenis]

Outselling the Wii and Ps3 in the US as well as Kinect breaking the 10 million sales barrier means they've lost momentum? ok

[tehpees3]

Wait, so now kinect has sold its time for a new Xbox?

It wasn't enough to leave your core fanbase but now you are leaving the casuals?

[gorebago]

There was an article posted this week that mentioned a new type of kinect. Perhaps the new xbox and that are the same. Not just a combo but a new xbox with kinect features integrated.

It's inevitable that one will come out and def sooner than later so we shouldn't be surprised. I'm curious though and hope E3 is enlightening for all involved even though I'm still massively enjoying my 360 and ps3.

[TheDeadMetalhead]

I just want this generation to end.

Two out of the three (maybe even all three) consoles were disappointments overall, the DLC crap, the oversaturation of shooters, the constant crap from Activision and EA, the ridiculous over reliance on reviews...It all needs to stop.

There were still enough decent games, but compared to the PS2/Gamecube/Xbox/Dreamcast generation, this gen absolutely sucks. It's been 7 years since the DS launched, 6 since the 360 launched, it's been long enough.

[Stealth20k]

its going to be 2014 when this is announced

and worldwide they are already finished

[plb]

Yeah right lol. 360 cannot hold out that long. I'm sure it will be supported till then though. TBH when I heard of only 1 exclusive this year for MS I thought 720 must be right around the corner. MS isn't going to invest in more games with a new machine about to come out. Just my opinion anyway. And don't mention Kinect because it's just a USB device and can easily work on the next xbox.

[Redgehammer]

The 360 is not finished, and any of you that think it are misguided. The 360 is a viable, powerful, and important platform.
@plb the 360 has more than one exclusive. The following was taken from wikipedia
Gears of War 3: Epic Games
Captain Blood: SeaWolf 1C Company
Kingdoms: Crytek
1XR: Infinite Games
Battle for Atlantis: Game Factory Interactive Play Ten Interactive
Chrome 2: Techland
Demons of Mercy: MAXUM Games
Dungeon Hero: Firefly Studios Gamecock Media Group
Huxley The Dystopia: Webzen Games
MechWarrior: Piranha Games, Smith & Tinker
Samurai Shodown: Sen SNK
The Shadow of Aten: Silicon Garage
Super Star: Studio9Nine
Versus Tactical Action: Arc System Works

+

[fooltheman]

But only two games look like good games...
Kingdoms and gears of war

[DOMination]

The 360 is hardly finished it sells more than the ps3 worldwide lol. But a new console from someone will be good because both hd consoles are fairly similar right now bar the odd exclusive here and there. Having something new will stop this identify crisis. I stil think it's a while off though

[BK-201]

You're wrong there, only in the US. PS3 is still on top worldwide.

[KotC]

^^^ refuses to read real news, probably gets his news from fanboy blogs.

[SkyGamer]

Yet X360 has over 9 mil lead. From a "supposed" 300k. Then that would mean that the US is the biggest piece of the pie and that the US is IMPORTANT in game sales.

[steve30x]

I doubt they will announce the Next console at E3. They will need time to do some Research & Development and some testing to make sure everything is OK. So unless the Next console has been under development with at least a year or two we wont hear anything at E3.

[hennessey86]

that job listing tells me they are in the early stages of development although i hope for it to arrive sooner rather than later.

[damnyouretall]

i said this the other day. maybe the lack of exclusives means some developers are working on some next gen games. doesnt matter to me that the new xbox comes out first with a few years lead, cause id still buy both 720 and the more powerful later down the road ps4.buying both it should still be cheaper then a high end pc right now. im not getting any younger and the world is going to shit so bring on the best games asap. feel me

[awi5951]

They should go back to the xbox 1 type specs where most parts are just pc parts in a box. Put in a i7 get ati to make a kickass graphics card and give the box 8gigs of ram and a massive hard drive and call it a day. Consoles are too confining microsoft should keep things simple and let dev focus on making games. Xbox 1 was a pc in a box if any console comes out with a decent amount of ram for once it would be a huge advantage over the other guy. Ram is cheap microsoft and sony use it. We need larger and more open games not more of the same. Disc size doesnt mean crap we need more ram on consoles to make games better.

[NanoSoldier]

I don't really think that a new Xbox is needed!

[SuperLupe]

Same here. This is simply just no room nor need for a new console except for the WiiHD.

[k-dillinger]

@NanoSoldier

if it wants to compete with the ps3 it does and U.S sales wont cut it no more when they always get outsold worldwide by it.

[PITTBULL83]

Well I hope it's out by Christmas 2012 because I skipped pc gaming this generation and was thinking of dropping a couple grand on a really good gaming pc soon, and if MS does decide to come out with a new console I'd rather spend 500-700$'s on a console then a few grand on a pc, just my opinion. Oh and for the record I own all three systems.

[plb]

Seriously? the majority of 360 games are sub HD, how is it not needed?

@below I play it on PC and it looks better....way better and HD

[guigsy]

Play Crysis 2 and tell me we need a new generation of consoles.

[hennessey86]

the 360 version is 720p native resolution and correct me if im wrong but thats hd. crysis 2 has blown me away and i havt said that about to many xbox games. crytek have set a standard that i hope other studios follow. i cant wait for some kingdoms footage now ive seen what they can do on consoles.

[theonlylolking]

The new gen of consoles is needed. If you do not have the money then just do not buy them until you can. Video games are not cheap and this gen devs are being held back by dvd and the capabilities of the current gen consoles.

[PITTBULL83]

@theonlylolking. While I do agree that DVD capacity is somewhat limiting the size of games or the compression of audio and video, Blu-Ray isn't necessary for this gen but for next gen every console better have it. Just my opinion.

[steve30x]

@ Pitbull: Why a few grand? My games Rig cost me about 1200 euro and it can play any game maxed out @ 1080p as smooth as silk.

[CYBERHATER]

Yeah I agree. The live subscription alone is enough to keep the xbox around forever. They don't need to have anything new because they are making money with or without a new console.

[telekineticmantis]

clound based saving, MMOs, More kinect. I've heard awhile ago that the Xbox and playstation, will both have touchscreens on the controllers.

[gorebago]

I can't wait until we have head controllers that perform actions via our thoughts. Kind of sci fi but would be awesome none-the-less.

[DevilishSix]

I want to own my games not pay to use each one. If thats what becomes of consoles I well go PC gaming or Nintendo exclusive.

[telekineticmantis]

I'm pretty sure they'll give you a harddrive, yet give you the option to save to the cloud, and they might include it with the yearly Xbox live fee, hopefully no extra charge.

[steve30x]

Its microsoft your talking about. If its cloud based your almost guaranteed to pay to save your games.

[CaptainPunch]

Fuck that, I don't want games being $70+

[hennessey86]

have been that dear before and dearer still, id be happy to pay a 100 dollars for a qaulity game.

[awi5951]

yeah i paid like 85 bucks for mk2 back in the day.

[Droid Control]

I think these job listings by Micrsoft are a ploy of some kind to turn peoples head in the wrong direction.

[Unknown_SNAKE]

i also see the current xbox is doing fine ...(crysis 2 prove) even if it maxed out there is still time to make another good games + kinect experience

on the article ... i hope to see new ideas of microsoft i hope to see the next generation competition even lot harder for the three companies :)

[Redgehammer]

Exactly. The 360 is a powerful device, with plenty of unused potential. I believe to write the 360 off is misguided and ultimately incorrect. IF what Corrinne Yu was talking about comes to pass; then we are in for some serious surprises in regards to graphic fidelity. I really think MS is on to something with mega meshes, and hope to see it infiltrate our games in the coming years. Microsoft has always said they plan on improving the platform through software, and I believe they will, and have.

this link is from an interview of Corrinne Yu, it is 30 minutes long and filled with a very intelligent woman talking about what she loves. Check it out, and prepare to be made to feel very unlearned
http://ecn.channel9.msdn.co...

[PITTBULL83]

Well said Redgehammer bubbles up for you keep the intelligent coments coming.

[gypsygib]

"headstart", hmmm maybe 2013?

[Fireseed]

Yeah you guys do realize that consoles take a long ass time to develop right? Wasn't it some like 9 years the original Xbox took to develop?

[hellzsupernova]

i don't get why it takes so long. can't they just say pick up the highend pc stuff overclock then write some programs for it and its done? thats how i would make a console that would also mean it is very easy to program for since alot of devs are use to pc programming, plus it would be cutting edge for about a year like consoles are.

[steve30x]

@hellszupernova : Either your being sarcastic or you dont have a clue about building PC gaming rigs. You cant just simply overclock hardware and hope its stable without testing it and you have to watch the tempertaures because overclocked PC hardware get hot and need extra cooling to keep it from burning up. Also writing programs isnt as easy as you would think.

This is why it takes so long for research and development. they first have to research the hardware that they are going to put into the console and pick which is the best , most stable and which runs coolest with the cooling system they chose to use. Then they have to write the software for the console.

If you threw a Core I7 980X and overclocked it with a GTX580 and overclocked that into an Xbox360 I guarantee it will burn up within a few minutes even if it wasnt overclocked it will still burn up within a few minutes because those parts run very hot.

[Hanuman]

No.. closer to 5. The team developing the 360 continued working on 720 immediately after finishing work on 360. In 2008 they were still scouting for hardware, according to P.Moore. I'm guessing they've pretty much made up their mind what the harware specs will be by now.

The multiplayer MMO remark sounded familiar. I really hope the next xbox WILL support MMO's. In the beginning of 360's lifecycle, there was a lot of speculation about Massive Multiplayer Online games that would be possible on the hardware. Only a few games eventually made it and most of the time they failed heavily in the MMO department. Remember Huxley? Never saw the light of day! Quakewars? Great concept, online disaster and no one online after a few weeks! Finally All points bulletin.. I was amazed when that first showed up in magazines. Looking back it was all sweettalk. There hasn't been a single massive multiplayer online game on the platform since it launched! Quakewars ET had only 16 players online! So...Nice job description.. Now go to work!!

[SleazyChimp]

Your right about the next box being worked on right after the 360. I remember that. So fall of 2012 would put it in development for 7 yrs. And remember they showed off kinect 1 1/2 before it launched. I smell something brewing @ E3!

[MeNoRasta]

360 still has life left but what i heard is gears3 is gonna be the 360's last big release title.

As for the ps3 its already dead,i been waiting so long now for the getaway to come that i just give up.

[PITTBULL83]

Woah buddy you need to relax there, the PS3 is not dead it's going strong just like the X BOX 360 plenty of games on both sides of the fence but what's even better is to own both or all three consoles and a PC. Just my opinion.

[GodofSackboy]

LMFAO how is the PS3 dead when there's hundreds of games coming out for it

The xbox is actually dead after September because that's it's last game

GTFO xbox troll i see u in every article trollin the ps3

[MeNoRasta]

@GodofSackboy

"GTFO xbox troll i see u in every article trollin the ps3"

Calling me a troll when your username is part of two ps3 exclusives lol.

[dgonza40]

yeah, ps3 is dead with a massive amount of exlcusives coming this year..

[Master_S]

PS4 and XBOX 720 announced in E3 2012.

[Prcko]

2014 will be announce date,and 2015 time to sell!!!
anything sooner would be stupid move!

[ZILLA]

to put out a new console in the middle of the worst economic times EVER since the great depresion.pepole have no money for a brand new product(period)

[humbleopinion]

Yeah, this makes sense. I guess this is why the Kinect which was released this year is only the fastest selling entertainment product in history, why the 3DS went out of stock the day it was released, why COD BLOPS because the best selling game ever in the US and why thusands of people line up for a new 600$ Ipod/Iphone/Ipad every year (period)

[DigitalHorror81]

A good economy or not, everyone is still buying Smartphones, and they will still buy 3DS and NGP. People can still reserve the hardware months in advance and it doesn't feel like such a drastic hit to their wallets.

[ufo8mycat]

360 is becoming even more useless then the PC platform. Hardly any great exclusives coming out. No games what so ever. Oh wait Gears 3.

[BeastlyRig]

wow your comment is full of idiot!!

[ZeroChaos]

So couldn't they just update the console, instead of bring a new one out???

Oh wait money...sorry I forgot common sense isn't MS forte.

[rlm41]

You can't update the graphics chip or processor without bringing out an entirely different console.

Though i feel like 2013 is about the right time for new hardware. Games are still improving, i mean look at Crysis 2, probably the greatest looking game ever on ANY platform and that's done on 5-6 year old hardware with 360/PS3.

[ZeroChaos]

That's definitely true, but personally I'm sick and tired of new consoles (nothing ever stays stable), this generation has been awesome but bringing out a new console just because Kinect failed to push more units.

Maybe people are thinking of this the wrong way maybe its not a new console just a new "model" like a Slim+.

[Scottyabanks]

The only thing I find interesting is the fact they mention Kinect and the next gen Xbox.

[Maxie1992]

Well, I think this E3 we will get a new type of Microsoft gaming console.

There are much hints which make this believable;

First, the 1st part developers have not showed of any new IP's over the last 6 months(including E3). Halo Reach and Gears of War 3 kept aside.

Second, the Xbox 360 was meant to be a hardcore gaming platform. Now, the Xbox 360 is so big in numbers over the world they are going mainstream by introducing the Kinect. This is because they want to get the Wii audience.

Third and last, all these factors combined are (in my eyes) proof that Microsoft is working on a ,hopefully, real next generation console.

That's just my take on the whole thing.

[ZeroChaos]

"First, the 1st part developers have not showed of any new IP's over the last 6 months(including E3). Halo Reach and Gears of War 3 kept aside."

Not to sound rude but would MS postpone Gears then, and make it a launch title? If there was a new console.

[Maxie1992]

Well, I share your thoughts but why postpone Gears of War 3 while it was in development directly after Gears of War 2? This was in 2008, Microsoft was busy with Kinect at that time.

You are not going to say to your 1st party developer: "We are sorry, but cancel the game now and release it when we think a new Xbox comes along"

Just does not make sense in my opinion when you are managing a big company.

That is my interpretation.

[Merivigian]

Winning.

[Maxie1992]

Of course, 7 gram rocks.

[Merivigian]

haha

[bozebo]

If they're hiring now then I highly doubt anything will be announced this year. If they do, the console will be total junk and totally flop in the next generation; graphics hardware is advancing far too quickly to release another console.

They can't yet render the likes of Samaritan in a viable consumer product, in a few years the hardware will be able to.

720 out this year or next would be a complete disaster - it'd just be an un-upgradable PC like the original xbox was, probably performing similar to a $750 PC or thereabouts. There is no way they will set the hardware speficiations in stone any time soon with the speed they are advancing currently, if they do - Sony's next playstation will be able to come to market after significan graphical improvements. MS aren't that dumb.

What they might show at E3 is some kind of marketing crap with a slogan and a logo and some purple lighting and some kind of marketing director talking shit. Everybody will cheer and clap at absolutely fuck all. They will probably run some generic demo running on a Mac (? lol). Or show some CG vid that doesn't actually relate to the 720's tech at all.

Not quite sure how the job listing hints at any interesting features. Every console next gen will involve some kind of "cloud", surely that is to be expected by default from the '720'?

Maby they will buy out OnLive so everybody can enjoy input lag accross the globe.

[Supman]

I don't think I want to work for a company that
has activision over them...
bobby kottick can make them do anything!
anything for those cod maps!

[BeastlyRig]

I hope it works Hand in Hand with my gaming rig! W8 os??

[bart999]

I really don't see a new console from Micro OR Sony until 2014. The existing devices are too profitable now, and Micro is not going to throw away money on a new console roll-out yet.

We'll see a new WiiHD...announced in 2012 because they are already losing momentum, but hell the Wii still outsells the PS3 every month.

[caperjim]

We need a new console NOW! Its 2011 and we are still playing games in 720P with jaggies everywhere. Why make people wait 5-6 years to buy new hardware. When they launch the xbox720 the 360 will still be supported. I cant imagine playing BATTLEFIELD 3 and SKYRIM on my outdated console.

[stoepkrijt]

Jaggies, always those damn jaggies. They really can reduce the immersion of a game.
Its time for fully anti-aliased 60+ fps games only.
Open world LOD engines with believable visuals instead of blurring after X meter.
An eyetracker would be a great plus.

[MAULxx]

My thoughts exactly Caperjim.

The 360 will still be supported so all the whiners can stay playing their 360 :)

It's definately past time for a new Xbox.

[HelghastGeneral]

If microsoft has to release a new console all that just means is they are losing to sony, nintendo and apple. They got the media brainwashed with sales but the truth is they probably losing and they fear the future onslaught of the other big 3.

[Rikan]

If the 360 is finished, so is the PS3 as they are both equal in terms of hardware. Frankly, both consoles are underpowered and outdated compared to the new hardware technology that surpassed it years ago. Where is this delusional Playstation fanboy dribble about the 360 needing a new console? Its outselling the PS3 (has since launch), its motion controls squashed the PS3's sad rip-off of the Wii's and became the fastest selling electronics device in history, and it has a software attachment rate DOUBLE that of the Wii AND the Ps3 combined. Playstation fans are much more irritating than 360 fans as they have this delusion of superiority about them that is completely undue lol I could understand if you were ahead of the 360, but....Idiots. Anyways, the long and the short of it is both consoles are pathetically outdated and need a new generation. Ps3 cell processor? Are you serious, stick it in your ass; that cpu was outdated 6 months after launch. The common gaming rig has a CPU that is 10 times the power of the cell and Xbox cpu combined.
The Xbox is doing just fine. Perhaps Sony won't try to force a blu-ray player down everyone's throat and understand that "the next generation of consoles starts when...the first company that launches one does". Maybe then they won't spend 5 years trying to play catch up. Chumps.