Microsoft is set to unveil the Xbox 720 at CES 2012 in January, with developer versions of the next-gen console landing before Christmas.
This is according to Edge magazine – owned by the same publishers as TechRadar – which is reporting that it has a source close to the matter working at Ubisoft Montreal.
Both Sony and Microsoft have denied that next-gen versions of their consoles are close to being released but Edge believes that Microsoft is hard at work prepping the Xbox 720 for a late 2012 release date and a surprise showing at CES 2012, which takes place in January.
According to Edge, Ubisoft Montreal – which is not commenting on rumour or indeed speculation – is already working on PCs which have been kitted out with the Xbox 720's specs.
Although these specifications aren't known, the GPU for the kit is apparently made by AMD.
Check out our '5 things we want to see in the Xbox 720' video.
All about the next gen
If 2012 is indeed the year for the Xbox 720, then it would mean that Microsoft isn't going to let the Nintendo Wii U take much of the next-gen limelight when it is also released in 2012.
Just last week it was leaked that the codename for the next-gen Xbox was Loop and this week Brian Prince, Senior Architect Evangelist for Microsoft, hinted that he was working on some "exciting cloud-based stuff" for the Xbox platform.
While we assumed this was for the Xbox 360, could he have been talking about the Xbox 720?
This isn't the first time an Xbox 720 release date was rumoured. In October, it was reported that the next-gen console would be launching at gaming expo E3 in 2013.
This makes a lot of sense considering the Xbox 360 made its debut at E3 2005, but it is always nice to have a release date rumour in the week that marks 10 years since the arrival of the original Xbox.
Edge is also hinting that Sony is working on a quicker release of the PlayStation 4. In its report it believes that "one major Sony-owned studio has now ceased PlayStation 3 development [with] its entire focus having shifted to the console's successor."
CES is known for its big tech launches but we're not sure if it is the place to show off the Xbox 720. Edge is a reputable source, however, so we are badging this as Quite Likely.
Game on?
Your comments (9) Click to add a new comment
fr1day
November 18th 2011
9. Downloads only would be a bad idea, esp for customers with slow / limited broadband in the UK. I would see DL only consoles much later than next gen, possibly when more homes have at least a decent net connection which isnt now or the near future.
Alert a moderator
davidc
November 17th 2011
8. blackbetty...57million sales going to all sorts not just "kids". The 360 is a great games machine hense why its still selling so well. My ps3 gets used lots but mainly as a bluray player...the pad and poorer online stability mean i play 75% of my games on 360...no "big" company is perfect...competition is good, we need the xbox or we would just have playstations and wii's
Alert a moderator
smokemonster
November 17th 2011
7. @raji; that's a joke, yeah?
MS should use blu-ray, but they will probably use their own proprietary high capacity disc system. If they put their money where their mouth is they should go for downloads only, they've been saying for years that's the future, but they'll stick with some kind of disc
Alert a moderator
parasitius
November 17th 2011
6. It seems unlikey they would release a new machine by the end of next year. A year is nowhere near enough time for the developers to create a decent AAA game. MS won't rush new hardware out after the finger burning they got with the 360, I would say 2013 is a better bet.
Alert a moderator
fc360
November 17th 2011
5. As long as it's compatible with current Xbox 360 games I'm happy and will be buying one. Hopefully they do announce it early in the year so I can save up enough money to buy one later in the year when it's released.
The cloud based features mentioned are for the up coming dashboard update for the xbox 360. I found information about what's being included while surfing the web earlier, and I just downloaded the preview dashboard update, wish I could share info about it with others but not allowed to :(
Alert a moderator
raji
November 16th 2011
4. Definitely Xbox 720 will have the HD DVD drive... Sure they will include an HD DVD drive. because they are not friend with the sony, so they will not include the blu-ray drive in their XBOX 720 . So it will be a HD DVD Drive then.
Alert a moderator
blackbetty
November 16th 2011
3. Lets hope they don't screw over games again with a rushed out feature-lite console that barely works, expect them to pay to play online and force them to upgrade their beta-console to the real one after a couple of years..
Xbox owners really sadden me with their stupidity for rewarding Microsoft for doing this to them, it sends the clear message to everyone else, "to hell with quality or specs, rush it out the door for Xmas". Sending that message is universally bad.
But then Xbox owners are kids, so you will have trouble teaching them grown up concepts like that.
Alert a moderator
lions87a
November 16th 2011
2. 1:05-1:20 (5 things we want from the next xbox):
Can anyone explain to me the benefit of being able to carry around your game data with you?
I'm probably just missing the point, but I can't understand the benefit. Do they mean in cases where you might want to bring your games saves/progress over to a friends' easily and carry on from there??
@mubble - seeing a man eat his own head?! Then I'll have seen everything!
Alert a moderator
mubble
November 16th 2011
1. I'll eat my own face if we see the 720 in 8 weeks time.
Alert a moderator
Tell us what you think
You need to Log in or register to post comments