Rumor: Next Xbox slated for 2013

by Richard Mitchell on Oct 21st 2011 12:15PM

With Nintendo revealing its Wii U console at E3 2011, many speculated that Microsoft would be pressured to unveil the next Xbox at the next E3 in 2012. According to Develop sources, we might have to wait a little bit longer, until 2013 to be precise. The site reports that various sources "from processor chip manufacturers to middleware firms" are expecting an E3 2013 reveal of the console, followed by a launch later in the year, though it could be as far away as early 2014.

Apparently Lionhead is busy working on a project named "Fable Next," for the new console, which certainly doen't seem like a stretch. It also gels with a report earlier this month about Alan Wake 2 and other next gen projects. Furthermore, Develop believes that Epic will unveil a new Unreal Engine before 2014, the date recently predicted by CEO Tim Sweeney. Finally, sources still seem to believe that EA is already in possession of development tools for the next Xbox, despite the publisher claiming otherwise.

Our prediction? The Xbox 1080 will be announced by Microsoft next week. The unit will feature an integrated Kinect sensor and will support PlayStation 4 emulation using a heavily modified version of Bleem.

Source: Develop

Tags: microsoft, next-generation, xbox, xbox-720, xbox-next

Reader Comments (127)

That looks like a pregnant 360...

@Dante G

Well yea.. where do you think next generation Xboxes come from? Someone never got the birds and the bees talk when they were young.

See, the 360 is lucky it has a CD tray. Future consoles with no media slot will have to have a C section.

@Dante G

Tastes just like sugar water! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSIEMbSRd3s

@Dante G That's what happens when you leave two Xbox 360's on their own...

People were saying Wii U was coming out too soon, in a weird gray area of in between generations nothingness.

I don't see anything that will be announced for Nextbox 720/PS4 that won't also be able to be done on Wii U.

The gaps in technology from generation to generation are becoming increasingly smaller.

@Geoff900
I figured it to be: That's what happen when Microsoft leaves an Xbox (original) and a PC alone together

@Shockwave...When a Mommy Xbox and a Daddy Xbox love each other very much....

@Slight of Ham

all my My xbox got was the "red ring"

@Dante G
Oooh! The little Xbox45s are kicking!

@eat it

What you've got there, is an STD for your xbox. And exactly why you should always use protection and wrap your xbox in rubber before using it.

Sincerely,
Dr. Sexbox, 360md.

@ShadowAsura

It's probably from swapping Harddrives

@Shockwave Oh the mental imagery.

@Co

Keep telling yourself that. I guess that's why the Wii has all those amazing games like Batman, Portal 2, LA Noire, Street Fighter IV, Marvel VS Capcom, 3, Mortal Kombat, etc.

Pro tip: It'll be the same thing next time around. If you don't think the graphics/capabilities of the PS4 and the Next Xbox will be leaps and bounds ahead of the Wii U, you're delusional.

@Shockwave
Yeah he's delusional, unlike you who can predict the future. *rolls eyes*

@Dante G
It's going to explode, due to overheating, just like the current gen one...

@Shockwave

The idea that the Nextbox and Ps4 will be leaps and bounds ahead of the Wii U is a little ridiculous. GPUs in consoles are usually 2-3 years old. The Ps3's paltry little 7800gtx GPU was 2 years outdated when the Ps3 launched. The Wii U uses something like a HD4870 GPU (which again, is getting about 2 years old by the time the Wii U launches). If for example the Nextbox is revealed in 2013, it'll be running a GPU seen as standard now. The problem with that, is that graphics cards have only gotten marginally better in the last 3 years. My HD4890 card runs Crysis maxed out no worries, and if i bought a similar mid-range 6000 series ATI card today, it would only be slightly faster. My point in all this, is that yes, the Nextbox and Ps4 will be faster than the Wii-U, have a bunch of awesome features and be excellent consoles. Will they blow the Wii U out of the water graphically? It seems really unlikely. The power difference will be marginal, with the Wii-U riding on the brand-name success of the Wii, and multiplatform games hitting all 3 consoles.

TL:DR - Its going to be a fun next-gen warzone :D

@Foetoid

You either have a faulty memory or a very tiny monitor because no single GPU card can max out Crysis at 60 FPS at 1080p. If 30 FPS is your definition of fine, then OK.

Nonetheless, the horsepower difference between an ATI 4 series card and today's hardware is not "marginal", it's more like 30-50% apart in performance. And since next gen will be DirectX 11, they're not going to be using an ATI 4 series based chip anyway.

And finally, you can't predict what level GPU will be in a console in 2014. You say "usually" as if more than two generations of consoles have even *had* GPUs. For all we know it could be based on the Kepler class GPUs coming to market in Q1 2012, which will be about twice as fast as the current crop of GPUs and feature a die shrink to 28 nm

@Foetoid

"The problem with that, is that graphics cards have only gotten marginally better in the last 3 years. My HD4890 card runs Crysis maxed out no worries, and if i bought a similar mid-range 6000 series ATI card today, it would only be slightly faster."

The 4890 was not a mid range card when it launched so you can't compare it to a mid range 6xxx.

If you want to compare it to a card that is of the same range then you're looking at more of a 6870+ which if you go higher the cards become substantially more powerful then a 4890.

So your statement that graphics cards have only marginally gotten better in the past 3 years is wrong is so many ways.

@Foetoid I suppose its like the latest games running on a recent PC vs running on the consoles, the console versions still hold up pretty darn well.

So I guess they not sticking to the 10 year cycle.

@bargaingamer

It's been 6 years already, if the nextbox manages to be released by the end of 2013, it would be an 8-year cycle. That's a pretty long cycle in my books.

@bargaingamer

They are. By (late) 2013 the 360 will have been out for 8 years. I'm sure (like with the PS2) it'll still be supported for at least another year or 2 before the big AAA titles stop coming to the 360, but at least the indie scene and XBLA will still be prevalent on it (I would think and hope).

@Dante G Long overdue honestly. Consoles are soooo far behind PCs it's disgusting. And it's only disgusting because they're holding PCs back so much by forcing devs to make games that run well on console hardware. Because of this I feel consoles dying at the end of next generation, or at most the one after that...because PC hardware power is increasing faster and faster every day. Consoles won't be able to keep up...if they survive they'll only live for like 3-4 years because being completely obsolete (like a ps2 in 2007)

@bargaingamer
They never said they were on a 10 year cycle. That was Sony.

@bargaingamer

A console's cycle doesn't end just because a next version comes out.

@bargaingamer You do realize they can keep supporting the 360 until 2015 and launch a new console before then? Hell, 5 years is the norm for a console generation, judging by the past. We are due for new systems honestly.

@Kougeru - "Because of this I feel consoles dying at the end of next generation, or at most the one after that...because PC hardware power is increasing faster and faster every day."

Yes, because console players are suddenly, out of the blue, all going to want to buy gaming PCs and upgrade them every 3-4 years...

(before anybody jumps on me about how you don't really have to upgrade that often, I was quoting the time frame for apparent hardware obsolescence from his post)

@Kougeru

Consoles have always been less powerful than PCs. You think the Super NES was as powerful as a 1993 Windows PC?

I'm okay with upgrading my console in 2 years from now. Seems about right.

@Dante G
Not to mention that the release of a new system doesn't mean the end of the previous. PS2, anyone?

@Kougeru I agree. This has been long enough....it's time for a new console and Microsoft is in the best position to put it out. It's time we get consoles that give TRUE 1080p gaming and catch up to PC's, that are now light years beyond either console.

@tendoboy1984 The difference is that now, they really can be as powerful, without costing thousands of dollars. The overall decrease in the price of components and the improvements in miniaturization, mean that unlike in the past, to build a console that is at a high PC level, is not only doable, but should be expected.

@Kougeru

Or, call me mad, but as a budget PC gamer I can't afford the latest hardware, and console ports are keeping the system requirements down.

Inb4 "gaming is an expensive hobby, get back to board games peasant."

@jblank - The point isn't so much at launch though.

Outside of a short launch window when specs will likely be comparable, consoles are always going to be less powerful than gaming PCs because, be it a positive or a negative factor (depending on your stance & neither is wrong), PC tech is constantly changing.

That picture will give me nightmares... it reminds me of the prototype PS3 controller

@Fugaku

I thought the picture was hilarious honestly - I laughed for a good 15 seconds while shaking my head thinking "Oh, Joystiq"

Here I was expecting a real photo sending my hopes way up. Then I see this distorted, ugly 360 with the caption "Elegance Redefined" and that's all it took to set me laughing.

@killerjuice Yeah, LMFAO at "elegance refined"... also THE REFLECTION!! IT'S A LIE!!

"The unit will feature an integrated Kinect sensor..."

That's expected. Though mine will be taped over, and any related features that can be disabled will be disabled.

"...and will support PlayStation 4 emulation..."

Huh? What? I'm assuming it's a joke.

Also that console in the picture gives me the shivers, in a bad way.

@FlashJS

Agreed.

Hopefully there's a 'ignore anything Kinect related' toggle.

@FlashJS

You are assuming something completely made up is a joke? Is there a note pinned to your shirt that has "Reminder: breathe" on it?

@FlashJS It's a joke... that's a 360 with it's "waist" inverted...

@mrmojoz

Lol. I'm assuming it's a joke because most posts on Joystiq usually ends in one. Plus seems highly unlikely Sony would allow PS4 emulation on an MS console.

@FlashJS

I don't know how you wouldn't see that the last paragraph was sarcastic. After giving somewhat factual evidence for a potential E3 2013 launch date, they predict it will release in a week. Then they say they say it will have an integrated Kinect (think about people putting their xboxes on top of their TVs - the image is hilarious) and heavily modified Bleem (you have had to know they were trolling from this) for PS4 emulation (emulate their competitor that hasn't even been released yet).

I think the sarcasm was pretty clear... on the internets, you need to be able to distinguish sarcasm, trolling, and legitimate stupdity

@FlashJS

I don't see why anyone would need to assume. It's extremely obvious it's a joke.

@FlashJS

Hahahahahaha

Oh wow

@killerjuice

Ok. I guess I'm stupid/naive then. I have no idea what Bleem is. I don't follow PS3/PS4 news at all. So if it's all true and you're all trolling me, I still wouldn't know unless I googled (which I can't be bothered to do).

And I truly believe they will integrate Kinect into the console. No one else thinks that will happen?

@FlashJS

As mentioned before: picture balancing an Xbox on top of your TV.

I don't doubt Kinect will be included, but I can only imagine it'll still be separate from the console.

@FlashJS
"I don't follow PS3/PS4 news at all."

Are you saying you actually think the PS4 was a system released years ago? Because I can't fathom anyone actually believing ANY company would announce emulation of a system (even if it weren't a competitor's) that does not yet exist.

I don't think that MS sees the WiiU as real competition. They're most likely trying to get a jump on Sony before the PS4 comes out.

@TheBatman4141 I wouldn't see the WiiU as competition either. You wanna talk about gimmicks? That is it.

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Rumor: Next Xbox slated for 2013

Reader Comments (127)

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:19PM Dante G said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:23PM Shockwave said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:51PM I took a blops last night said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:56PM Geoff900 said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 1:27PM Co said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 1:29PM Dance Mofo said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 1:53PM Slight of Ham said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 2:12PM eat it said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 2:13PM pluupy said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 2:25PM ShadowAsura said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 2:51PM eat it said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 4:05PM Miranda Lawson said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 5:03PM Shockwave said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 7:22PM goldenix said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 7:56PM eNriqeu said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 8:10PM Foetoid said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 8:26PM matrices said

Posted: Oct 22nd 2011 10:02AM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Oct 22nd 2011 10:36AM ructus said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:20PM bargaingamer said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:23PM Dante G said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:29PM def PD said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 1:22PM Kougeru said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 1:43PM fohf said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 1:48PM JasonA said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 1:55PM nerdydesi1 said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 2:41PM Mcmax3000 said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 3:04PM tendoboy1984 said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 3:19PM Mouthsmasher said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 3:26PM TheShaper said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 3:48PM jblank said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 3:54PM jblank said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 4:18PM The StainlessSteel Rat said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 4:39PM Mcmax3000 said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:20PM Fugaku said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:47PM killerjuice said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:58PM Fugaku said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:27PM FlashJS said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:30PM houstons85 said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:42PM mrmojoz said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:44PM Fugaku said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:46PM FlashJS said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:57PM killerjuice said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 1:11PM sonicspike41 said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 1:11PM OmgUmad said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 1:14PM FlashJS said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 2:06PM Colin said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 7:08PM killdash9 said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:30PM TheBatman4141 said

Posted: Oct 21st 2011 12:35PM awesome indeed said

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