Rumor: Xbox Natal is Actually Microsoft's Next Console

[anon]

Earlier this week gaming blog Kotaku quoted Microsoft's Shane Kim as saying that the launch of Natal, Microsoft's new controller-free motion control technology, would be as big as the launch of a console. Not surprising. That's because Natal is going to be a new console.

On this week's Listen Up podcast we discussed Natal, and David Ellis and I talked about what we've been hearing regarding the new technology -- and how it's actually the cornerstone of Microsoft's next evolution of the Xbox. Microsoft will not only release Natal as an add-on for the Xbox 360, it will come standard with the next Xbox console.

Yes, there will be a new Xbox console next fall.

Rumor: Xbox Natal is Actually Microsoft's Next Console: News from 1UP.com

[alpacino]

This has to be a rumor I think. I don't think Microsoft or its competitors are ready to launch another console so soon.

[Dynamic]

I actually think M$ will launch a new console to compete with the PS3. Xbox360 was never really a competition.

xbox = 1.0
xbox360 = 1.5
xbox natal = 2.0?

PS2 = 1.0
PS3 = 2.0

These are my numbers.

[alpacino]

Xbox360 was never really a competition.

What???

Sorry, but I can't agree with you Dynamic. How come xbox360 was never a competition? Look at these:

PS3 on the left, XBOX360 on the right


PS3 on the left, XBOX360 on the right


PS3:


XBOX360:


PS3:


XBOX360:




I don't want to favor one over the other, I just think both are very competitive and have their ups and downs, like:

exclusive games: both have a good library
live online support: both are said to be good, but whereas PSN is free, xbox live needs subscription
hardware durability: xbox had a bad failure rate in the past, PS3 had a minor one (yes, PS3 hardware is not perfect too)
controllers, playability: whereas xbox controller is comfy and great for many games, it loses for PS3 controller in fighting games imo and some friends complain at soccer games too.

[slikrapid]

i would have to agree with statements that the natal console shouldn't be ready yet, especially functionality-wise not even near to the demo we saw here some time ago

as for latest generation xbox vs ps, i'd say they are pretty close, but judging from al pacino's pictures xbox looks much clearer/sharper