As reported by Engadget, The Inquirer is fueling speculation that Microsoft won't be using either Blu-Ray or HD-DVD as the format of choice in Xbox Next/Xbox 2/Xbox 360/Xenon. Presumably it's to keep costs down, but there's also the incredible newness of each technology (Blu-Ray has been out for a few months in Japan only, and HD-DVD isn't expected until 2006). Besides, despite Sony's desire to see Blu-Ray become the preferred optical format, I doubt they would want a major competitor in one of their most profitable fields to share their optical technology. And with rumors that Nintendo will be utilizing a UMD-esque HD-DVD disc for the Revolution (was it this one, or maybe this one?), it becomes clear that Microsoft will be left out in the cold format-wise if they don't opt for a next-gen drive in their next-gen machine. Perhaps later in the Xbox 360's life (you know, when we're all getting ready for the Xbox 1080), Microsoft may release an add-on that will allow you to play games on higher-quality discs, much like the N64's expansion pack, which was required to play DK64 and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Whatever you do, don't try to mod it yourself and install your own drive, or you won't be playing Halo 4 on Xbox Live anytime in the future.
