Microsoft's Kim Predicts 7+ Year Lifespan For Xbox 360

MIG-31

In a new interview with British consumer website CVG, Microsoft Game Studios head Shane Kim has claimed that the Xbox 360 will enjoy a lifespan of at least seven years. His comments came after being asked whether all three games in the Too Human trilogy – which is not expected to be completed for seven years - would all be released on the Xbox 360.
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Source: Gamasutra

OmegaRED

I suppose if you added up the lifespan of 2-3 Xbox 360's it might total 7 years

It's already 3 years old and showing its age. What Microsoft needs to do is make a an upgraded 360 version in 2009-2010 which is FULLY backwards compatible with previous 360 titles and doubles or triples the framerate and visual quality of the graphics. For example, it would run todays copy of GTA IV but would do it at 60fps with 4xAA and 1080P. All the games could be designed to run on present day 360's but the newer models would benefit from the extra power. In effect, it's more like a PC but without all the varied hardware configuration troubles.

If MS does remember I came up with the idea

BlueMak

Technicaly he didn't say that there won't be a new version of a new console out within these 7 years. Look at the PS2, it still sells.

I hope they will release a new generation within the next 3 years.

OmegaRED

That's what bugs me about the newer PS2 (which I have), it would have been nice if they'd upgraded the power just a little bit so you could have a extra reason to buy it.

I don't get why console makers will shrink the unit, change the color and hard drive sizes, add network capabilities and wifi but won't go that extra step to give it more processing power in the GPU or CPU.

hohum

I can think of two reasons for not doing so. One is that by changing the system specification you risk breaking compatibility with existing software, and the other is that you disgruntle a lot of people who now have an 'inferior' machine.

OmegaRED

Eh, if the games are designed for the 'inferior' models the console crowd isn't going to care. The 'uber' console would be backwards compatible with all the previous titles and give gamers a choice other than 'wait 5 years for the next Xbox/Playstation to come out'.

It's either that or they're going to have to pump out the next gen of consoles sooner otherwise in a couple of years the PS3 is going to look like a PS2 compared to midrange pc video cards.

BlueMak

But part of the good things about consoles is that you don't have to upgrade often.
Also, if a game runs better on an upgraded console it means that it runs worse on an original console.

OmegaRED

Is that really any different than the many versions of the Xbox 360 and PS3 which have various hard drive sizes, display capabilities and problems specific to their model? I dunno, must be the PC gamer in me but when I hear "Xbox 360 Elite" I expect more performance than the cheapo model but they're basically the same (though almost $200 difference).

BlueMak

Yes, yes it is, very different.

SFOSOK

Look at the Xbox, it still.....wait, it doesn't sell...