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[GavinGT]

I think this rumor would rule out the possibility of Durango being called just "Xbox". Selling "Xbox 360 Mini" (probably not the real name) alongside "Xbox" would likely confuse some people.

"Which is the new one? Oh, they're both new. Then which is the one little Billy wanted for Christmas? Fuck if I know."

Durango needs a powerful name to convey that it's the next-gen console. I actually think "Xbox Durango" doesn't sound too bad in light of this rumor.

 

[The Living Tribunal]

Xbox tower of power!

How about dusting your consoles once in a while?

 

[perineumlick]

That's why you get a PS4 or WiiU.. well mostly PS4 (as it is with PS3). But hey, when you're in MS's camp, you can't have everything. At least, the lack of continual internet connectivity is a major win for consumer camp. It makes me wonder whether it was the mounting pressure of negativity that caused them to back track or was it always the plan...

We'll probably never know. I'm inclined to believe that some of the negative press had some impact on at least one or two ideas, but MS will never admit it.

 

[lastflowers]

So will MS continue to make the "fat" xbox along with the mini? Or is the mini the new face of the 360 moving forward?

Becuase if the mini is an online-required machine, they'd be turning the 360 into a defacto online-required platform. Except for the Durango.

You know what? Fuck it. I think I'll stop trying to piece together the sense of this thing until actual details come out.

But in the meanwhile, fuck online-requirements, wherever they may be, and the Gold fee for apps and multiplayer can go to hell right alongside it. Ads plastered everywhere can join those two as well.

you are a smart man. I like you.

[/b]
We'll probably never know. I'm inclined to believe that some of the negative press had some impact on at least one or two ideas, but MS will never admit it.

I heavily heavily HEAVILY doubt it.

 

[Karma]

I highly, highly doubt they lose the "Xbox" name for this one, though.



While I agree that marketing is key, I'm not following your comparison here. Kinect didn't have "Xbox 360" in its name, nor did it look anything like an Xbox 360. It was quite clear it was something different.

As long as Durango has a bigger number on it that the 360 it will be fine.

 

[mavs]

This post is EXACTLY why I see this being a disaster for Microsoft.

Remember the incredible market confusion for Wii U? GAFers who work in retail constantly reported about many, many people who had no idea that the Wii U was a new system.

Does anybody else foresee the same thing for the new, smaller, disc drive-less 360? Won't people not in the know confuse it with Durango?

How on earth do you confuse $99 for $500. Even people who never heard of the Xbox can figure that one out. The subscription options will probably be what less savvy people have trouble with.

 

[Colonel Nasty]

Fuck yes at BC. MS you have my money.

 

[Cth]

So, hypothetically speaking..

Would sales of the mini/add-on count as Xbox 360 sales?

Meaning, the Wii sits at 99 mil as of Dec 2012. Xbox is at 76 mil. If 25% of those buy the add-on, it's within striking distance of being able to claim they won this generation.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

This post is EXACTLY why I see this being a disaster for Microsoft.

Remember the incredible market confusion for Wii U? GAFers who work in retail constantly reported about many, many people who had no idea that the Wii U was a new system.

Does anybody else foresee the same thing for the new, smaller, disc drive-less 360? Won't people not in the know confuse it with Durango?

So long as the Durango doesn't look like the 360 and they take the time to actually advertise and promote the new console, this won't be an issue.

Nintendo's issues with the Wii U are wide ranging, their main issue was that they didn't promote the console. They simply put the tablet out there and thought that would be enough. Of course it was going to create confusion, there was so little indication that it was a new console, that confusion was all but assured.

 

[CassidyIzABeast]

Because I don't see them losing the "Xbox" name for the add-on. Also, the pricing gap on Wii U/Wii was huge.

I don't think anybody can screw it up as bad as Nintendo did with Wii U marketing. That is/was legendary market confusion. I still think MS is going to have issues, though, if what is being reported is true.

here's the difference

vs

MS isn't going to put the 720 controller front and center with a console that looks almost identical to the 360 in the promo materials. There will be a very distinct difference between the Mini and Durango. From size to name.

 

[Squire]

This post is EXACTLY why I see this being a disaster for Microsoft.

Remember the incredible market confusion for Wii U? GAFers who work in retail constantly reported about many, many people who had no idea that the Wii U was a new system.

Does anybody else foresee the same thing for the new, smaller, disc drive-less 360? Won't people not in the know confuse it with Durango?

MS will make sure they're in the know. The advertising will be ever present and aggressive. The mainstream media will eat it up.

Nintendo had an ad on X-Factor. They're barely even trying.

 

[KageMaru]

Kinect isn’t the primary focus.

Great news if true. Hopefully it isn't forced in every SKU and not required for the system to run.

This post is EXACTLY why I see this being a disaster for Microsoft.

Remember the incredible market confusion for Wii U? GAFers who work in retail constantly reported about many, many people who had no idea that the Wii U was a new system.

Does anybody else foresee the same thing for the new, smaller, disc drive-less 360? Won't people not in the know confuse it with Durango?

There is the potential, sure, but I think Nintendo made bigger mistakes than MS or Sony.

Unlike MS with the xbox or Sony with the playstation, they didn't give every peripheral and add-on a "wii" name. I think the issue with Wii-U is it followed Wii-fit, Wiimotion+, Wii racing wheel, Wii-play, etc.

IMO there's a big difference to how MS/Sony and Nintendo have handled naming their platforms.

 

[danwarb]

We'll probably never know. I'm inclined to believe that some of the negative press had some impact on at least one or two ideas, but MS will never admit it.

They still haven't announced anything yet. I could believe they leaked this new info to stem some negativity caused by previous romours/misunderstandings. If XboxTV exists, that would explain the always connected info.

 

[Duxxy3]

Well i hope it's true.

 

[Dimmuxx]

Nice, if this is true then I don't have to buy a new receiver. I've only got one hdmi input left on it and two nextgen consoles incoming.

 

[Beer Monkey]

here's the difference

MS isn't going to put the 720 controller front and center with a console that looks almost identical to the 360 in the promo materials. There will be a very distinct difference between the Mini and Durango. From size to name.

Jesus, the Wii U really does look like a controller for your existing Wii.

 

[Delusibeta]

If you only want the TV services, then the Xbox Mini unit is what you want. The VGleaks article said that MS is trying to keep the price of the Xbox Mini unit at $150 or less. AppleTV is 100 bucks and requires Always Online. So at it's maximum price of 150, you get TV services that also plays 360 games. As the article stated, you would have to download the games/movies/music, or if you already have them previously purchased, just redownload them. If you decide that you want to play next-gen games, then you can save your money and purchase a Durango unit to go with your Xbox Mini when you have the money. At this point you'll have the full package.

What if they don't remove the Gold requirement for TV services? Then suddenly your $99 box becomes a $160 box, and that probably won't fly when both Roku and AppleTV doesn't charge a subscription. I can't see the market for the Mini360 if the Gold requirement isn't dropped.

 

[alr1ght]

That's why you get a PS4 or WiiU.. well mostly PS4 (as it is with PS3). But hey, when you're in MS's camp, you can't have everything. At least, the lack of continual internet connectivity is a major win for consumer camp. It makes me wonder whether it was the mounting pressure of negativity that caused them to back track or was it always the plan...

Well if they're using this to compete with Apple TV, which does all of those things for free, they're going to have a rough go convincing people to buy it.

 

[McLovin]

I like it, if you don't care about BC you get a cheaper console. For that small vocal minority that refuse to keep their old systems they can put their money where their mouth is and finally shut up.

 

[ido]

I find these new rumors to be very unappealing.

Always online, but local play will not require it? Something seems off about this, as this would essentially be no different than what we have already.

 

[LittleJohnny]

Wait, you have to buy a new version of a 360, which then plugs into the new console for "backwards compatibility"?

This all seems needlessly complex.

The value and purpose of BC is for people who never bought an Xbox to begin with. When buying Durango they just need to buy a $99 add on to enjoy the entire 360 library with upgrades (Most likely).

 

[Squire]

I think this rumor would rule out the possibility of Durango being called just "Xbox". Selling "Xbox 360 Mini" alongside "Xbox" would likely confuse some people.

"Which is the new one? Oh, they're both new. Then which is the one little Billy wanted for Christmas? Fuck if I know."

Durango needs a powerful name to convey that it's the next-gen console. I actually think "Xbox Durango" doesn't sound too bad in light of this rumor.

Infinity.

 

[Mrbob]

People said they would pay for BC and MS is giving you the option. Better than not having it at all. I'd like it if Sony has the same option planned. This is better than relying on streaming.

 

[Beer Monkey]

I find these new rumors to be very unappealing.

Always online, but local play will not require it? Something seems off about this, as this would essentially be no different than what we have already.

It all makes sense. "The next Xbox console doesn't work without the internet".

The next Xbox console is the 360 Mini and it comes out just before Durango. Given that it doesn't have a DVD drive, the internet is the ONLY way you can put games in it.

It's not what we have already because you can feed what we have now with DVD-based games.

(hypothetical)

 

[mysteriousmage09]

Fuck yes at BC. MS you have my money.

Lol at this classifying as BC. I guess the Sega CD was backwards compatible all along since it connected with the Genesis/Megadrive.

 

[GavinGT]

Infinity.

But where would you go after Infinity? That would be painting themselves into a corner if they ever released another console. I bet it will be some silly marketing word like Kinect. We'll all just learn to live with it and it will be fine after the initial shock wears off.

 

[danwarb]

But where would you go after Infinity? That would be painting themselves into a corner if they ever released another console.

+1.

 

[Beer Monkey]

Lol at this classifying as BC. I guess the Sega CD was backwards compatible all along since it connected with the Genesis/Megadrive.

It is backwards compatibility via an optional attachment, just like the Power Base Convertor.

 

[kenjisalk]

But where would you go after Infinity?

googoplex

oh wait-

 

[Dead Prince]

People said they would pay for BC and MS is giving you the option. Better than not having it at all. I'd like it if Sony has the same option planned. This is better than relying on streaming.

sony is giving you the option. it's through streaming. it's better than nothing. really it's them being cautious and thinking long term. and lets be honest. 3 years after launch they'd probably stop producing the add on.

 

[Bsigg12]

I find these new rumors to be very unappealing.

Always online, but local play will not require it? Something seems off about this, as this would essentially be no different than what we have already.

Is your PS3/360/PC connected to the internet? It's always online.

 

[GavinGT]

+1.

Highly offensive to math nerds everywhere.

 

[killer rin]

Sony should have made you buy another PS3 Minimini so you can hook it up to PS4 just so you can play PS3 games on PS4 when you in fact already have a PS3.

Yea thats soooooo much better.

I dont have a PS3. And if Sony did this, and I was to get a PS4, it would be awesome to go back and play PS3 games I missed.

 

[tfur]

It is backwards compatibility via an optional attachment, just like the Power Base Convertor.

But the optional attachment is another machine. A diskless 360.

Its like the power of suggestion of the vgleaks article may of snowed a few people.

 

[Dead Prince]

I dont have a PS3. And if Sony did this, and I was to get a PS4, it would be awesome to go back and play PS3 games I missed.

or buy a ps3 to play the ps3 game. what are the advantage of having the ps4 and addon other than the possible form factor.

 

[khustla]

Called it the other day

 

[keit4]

or buy a ps3 to play the ps3 game. what are the advantage of having the ps4 and addon other than the possible form factor.

Because it would be cheaper, maybe?

 

[kingocfs]

But the optional attachment is another machine. A diskless 360.

Its like the power of suggestion of the vgleaks article may of snowed a few people.

Correct, so if you want BC and less crowding around your TV, the smaller diskless machine will be for you. You're paying more, but you'd have to pay more anyway if they had decided to incorporate BC into the Durango itself. It's also a gateway to attract new users who have never owned a 360.

If it doesn't bother you to keep your 360 plugged in, then completely disregard this announcement.

Bottom line is, if you want BC, your options are ugly on either platform. But at least there are options.

 

[Colonel Nasty]

Yeah they should have done nothing at all like Sony

 

[hoos30]

The embarrassing torrent of gamers self-immolating themselves over the specs of an unannounced product has come to an end.



Until next week.

 

[szaromir]

or buy a ps3 to play the ps3 game. what are the advantage of having the ps4 and addon other than the possible form factor.

Less controllers in your living room?

 

[Dead Prince]

Because it would be cheaper, maybe?

and the ps3 price won't go down? lol

 

[Squire]

But where would you go after Infinity? That would be painting themselves into a corner if they ever released another console. I bet it will be some silly marketing word like Kinect. We'll all just learn to live with it and it will be fine after the initial shock wears off.

+1.

I dunno. I'm in the camp that thinks this will be the last traditional console cycle. I think it will go on for quite a while (or I hope it will), but I do agree it's likely the last. May as well go out!

But I can deal with whatever they call it.

 

[Beer Monkey]

But the optional attachment is another machine. A diskless 360.

Its like the power of suggestion of the vgleaks article may of snowed a few people.

Yep, it's another machine, but once you hook it up you never have to interact directly with it again. Single interface. It's genius. And no need to keep twice as many controllers around. No need for extra A/V inputs. And the real brilliance is people who don't want BC don't have to bear the cost of the extra silicon.

 

[Ol No Bones]

I think they should have a Durango without a disk drive. I don't need blu ray anymore and it would be nice to cut down costs. I can just be digital from now on. I'm ready

 

[jond76]

Hmmm...

I'll go with

- Xbox Next
&
- Xbox TV

 

[Minions]

you are a smart man. I like you.



I heavily heavily HEAVILY doubt it.

Don't know about that. The "Online-Required" was apparently easy to enable/disable. I don't see that being hard to fix due to bad press.

This xbox addon "thing" seems like some weird afterthought. If it is not cheap (which I doubt it will be), why not just leave the xbox 360 on the market... which they are likely going to do anyway.

Only way we might notice an abrupt change is if the console seems to be delayed at all. However even that will be debated.

 

[khustla]

But what's the use of getting it for bc when all the 360 games you brought are on disks

 

[statham]

I find these new rumors to be very unappealing.

Always online, but local play will not require it? Something seems off about this, as this would essentially be no different than what we have already.

It'll be like my cablebox/dvr it's always on and always connected but when the weather is bad I can still play whatever it DVR'd in the past.

 

[GavinGT]

But the optional attachment is another machine. A diskless 360.

Its like the power of suggestion of the vgleaks article may of snowed a few people.

"Backwards connectability"

Done. Problem solved.