Speaking at a BMO Capital Markets conference on interactive entertainment (as covered by Reuters), a Microsoft executive has pointed to the PlayStation 2 as highlighting the benefits of stretching the Xbox 360's lifespan beyond the "typical" (depending on who you ask) five years. "Look at the PS2; they've gone long-time and seem to have pretty good legs on what they are doing," said yes that's her real name Mindy Mount. "If we were able to do that, as CFO I think that's great, because every year you draw it out you increase profitability." While the chief financial officer for Microsoft's entertainment division may see dollar signs in a longer lifespan, obnoxious and overly literal bloggers see the telltale red lights that signal many an individual system's inability to make it past five months, let alone five years.

Mindy Mount went on to cement the Xbox 360's technological prowess, noting that its innards are good enough to last until the next big breakthrough. "Right now there aren't that many things on the horizon that you think, wow, that's going to be a game-changer." After the unceremonious -- but necessary, in hindsight -- dropping of original Xbox support, both developers and publishers would stand to benefit from a longer Xbox 360 lifespan, though longterm success would hinge on a demonstrable and obvious increase in the system's perceived physical lifespan. If the system is to be supported by consumers for years to come, it will have to outlive the dubious aspects of its reputation.

[Thanks, Patrick]