A whopping one terabyte hard drive is rumoured to be in development for the next iteration of Microsoft's Xbox 360 console.
The increased capacity hard drive is rumoured to be launched at the same time with as Project Natal.
It is still unclear whether or not a Natal-equipped Xbox 360 will be released in 2010, with outspoken Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer recently backpedalling and apologising for misleading comments relating to the mooted new console.
Industry analysts have identified the limited storage space of the current Xbox 360 range as a major feature holding the tech back right now, particularly with the rapid developments in movies and games on demand services via Xbox Live.
"I don't see the timing between new release and digital download being a function of anything other than hard drive sizes," analyst Michale Pachter told GamesIndustry.biz. "I think as soon as we have large hard drives - think the rumoured Project Natal 'new' Xbox 360 with a terabyte of storage in 2010 - we'll have day-and-date downloads."
Retailer woes
Of course, such rumours have been doing the rounds on forums such as the massively popular NeoGaf for some time now. Yet it is only with the imminent games on demand service set to launch later this summer that they are now gaining traction.
Discussing Microsoft's new games on demand offering (due in August) Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter also told GI.biz: "While retailers may baulk at the possibility of day-and-date downloads, I don't see too many refusing to carry Microsoft product in retaliation."
Pachter adds: "Should a retailer boycott Microsoft, I think that the full force of the publishers would be brought to bear on that retailer, and they would find themselves starved for product."
TechRadar has contacted Microsoft UK and a number of leading UK games retailers for further comment.
Via Bit-Tech.net
Your comments (6) Click to add a new comment
mbb
June 25th
6. "Imagine if apple's itunes store was real. They could drop app prices to increase sales....but they don't"
Actually they do. All the time. I recently picked up Peggle for 59p. And, for a more appropriate example, look at Steam. Prices drop frequently there too. Granted PCs also have other digital options, but Steam pretty much ignores those.
Also, you don't own the games currently. You own a disc with a licensed digital version of the game on. It's no different to owning a hard drive with the game on.
High street competition in this country is, by Easter's logic, already pretty screwed in this country, as the two game-centric retailers are owned by the same company.
These stores are in no danger. A 7GB game would take DAYS to download with your average poor connection in this country - if at all in some areas. And then there's those without the internet.
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easter
June 25th
5. Everyone needs to realize what this gaming on demand means. It means they own every single game that you THINK you own, and that they are trying to kill off the stores so they can erase the competitive market and increase their profits. The mere support of this business model means the end of cheap games, and more importantly, the rights of ownership. Do NOT use the gaming on demand service. Demand that games come in a hard copy that you can stick under your mattress and OWN, and make sure the stores stay open. When the gentleman states in the article that "Should a retailer boycott Microsoft, I think that the full force of the publishers would be brought to bear on that retailer, and they would find themselves starved for product." He is really saying that they are going to wipe out that business model and tell them that they will no longer sell product, which they do at reduced prices. Imagine if apple's itunes store was real. They could drop app prices to increase sales....but they don't. They control everything, and once microsoft does that, the competition is gone and the best you can hope for is a 10% off day between the hours of this and that time. You are all going to demand your own demise because the marketing guys are good at making you think you want something that is actually really really bad for the industry. Say good-by to ownership and competition. Both of which microsoft is good at destroying.
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watcherzero
June 24th
4. Well since they think upping storage from 256mb to 512mb is enough for thier arcade version.... dont think we will see a driver larger than 250gb
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khsbenny
June 24th
3. LOL, the price will be absurd.
Why do microsoft continue to charge obscene prices?
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amit290
June 24th
2. Xbox add on prices are ridiculous. A 1TB drive is only around £50-60 while as the previous commenter posted, their 120GB Xbox packaged version is £73. The wireless adapter is still around £40 even though you can pick up ones for £10.
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technobrakes
June 24th
1. amazon are selling the 120G for 73.79
so im assuming the 1TB will be around £500. LOL
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