Objects In the Gaming Industry Are Closer Than They Appear

Recently Eurogamer reported that the next Xbox will be revealed at next years E3 and released on the following year 2013. Originally the rumor was that the next installment of the Xbox would be released in 2014 but due to the Wii U’s release date Microsoft decided to push the date forward. While Microsoft has chosen not to comment, these rumors have been “backed up from inside sources” by Eurogamer. This, if true, is very surprising considering most gamers consider the Wii and Xbox to be completely different systems and not in direct competition with each other.

“Microsoft is rumoured to be preparing a reveal of its next Xbox at E3 2012. Eurogamer has recently had this claim backed up by a number of game industry sources.”-Eurogamer

“Eurogamer has also heard a 2014 release of the next Xbox was planned by Microsoft, but this has now been brought forward to 2013 as a result of Nintendo’s confirmed 2012 launch of the Wii U.”-Eurogamer

“Additionally, sources have indicated to us that larger publishers and developers already have target specs of both the next Xbox and PlayStation to help them with their development.”-Eurogamer

What really makes this all interesting is what it could mean for the industry. Is the market ready for a new Xbox, and more importantly is Microsoft ready for a new Xbox technology wise? Hopefully this is not a kneejerk reaction because of the Wii U and Microsoft actually is taking the time to make sure it’s next console is a definite jump into the next generation. The obvious worry here is that moving up the release by a full year will rush the Xbox and turn it into a mid-mid-next generation console, an example being if Sega released a Dreamcast 1.5 putting it at 75% next generation. Sony is not out of the clear here either, Microsoft is it’s main contender in the same gamer space and if the next Xbox comes out earlier than expected we would likely see a rushed PS4 as well. Nobody wants to see the industry stumble rapidly into thew next generation especially since developers are still wringing power out of the two major consoles. Hopefully Microsoft will bide it’s time and bring out the next Xbox when the system and market are ready, not when their wallets are.

Source [Eurogamer]