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Rumortoid: Is an Xbox 720 in the works and could it have such a stupid name?

3:12 PM on 01.05.2008, Jim Sterling 83 comments

Rumortoid: Is an Xbox 720 in the works and could it have such a stupid name? photo
     Xbox 360

Via the latest issue of EGM, there's a rumor flying around the Internet that Microsoft is already working on a videogame for the next generation of the Xbox. No, not the trendy and imbecilic "next gen" that people still think refers to our current consoles, but an actual heir to the Xbox 360.

The word on the street is that the game is a first party sequel that was being developed for the 360, but is being moved to a next generation console. While not uncommon to see titles developed for new consoles years before their release, it is very early indeed for such talk to surface. Could a new Xbox be on the horizon sooner than we think?

When this generation first started and I saw that the Xbox 360 wasn't perhaps the most advanced machine, one of my predictions for the fledgling new gen was that Microsoft would announce a brand new console to replace the 360 halfway through it. It almost looks like that theory could become a reality, if this rumor is true.

Of course, it IS just rumor, something we don't often deal with on Destructoid (shut up, we don't usually) and something I wouldn't pass off as fact. So, this new console is going to have to show us some tits or GTFO, because it's mere speculation until something more concrete comes along.

[Thanks Aerox]


Next page: More Microsoft stories




vexed alex's Avatar
vexed alex at 01/05/2008 15:19
I wonder if they're going to make a new iconic way for the XBOX to tell you it died other than the RRD. Maybe it'll just makes a croaking sound.
Juggernaut's Avatar
Juggernaut at 01/05/2008 15:19
Also, that picture caption is epic.
Nyteshade's Avatar
Nyteshade at 01/05/2008 15:21
Okay... this is almost to freaking wierd.

I read your earlier post about the PS3 having the ability to take over the "lead," and it made me think, and write a blog, about the future of the PS3, 360 war...

My conclusion to the blog just happens to refer to the "Xbox 1080" (playing off it using DX10). I like my name better... but that's just way to wierd.
lvl54spacemonkey's Avatar
lvl54spacemonkey at 01/05/2008 15:21
Well of course the next xbox is in teh works. and it won't have such a silly name. It'll be called xbox armadillo machine 3000. far better.

Also the reason Atari floundered after the 2600 was because they, for some reason, thought their console would be the leading product for years and so they did very little R&D for a newer console. Amstrad did the same which always makes me chuckle seeing as people like to take business advice from Alan Sugar these days.
falinter's Avatar
falinter at 01/05/2008 15:22
i certainly hope it is not coming with in the next 3 years.
matmanx1's Avatar
matmanx1 at 01/05/2008 15:24
Well considering the fact that MS likely realizes that they are going to be hampered by disc space sooner rather than later and that they have had massive hardware problems with the current 360 I would say a completely new MS console might make alot of sense. Hopefully they've learned from their mistakes and will make a quality one this time.
Jim Sterling's Avatar
Jim Sterling at 01/05/2008 15:25
Why is when I read "R&D" I think "Research AND DESTROY!"
Eschatos's Avatar
Eschatos at 01/05/2008 15:28
They couldn't be stupid enough to call it that. Right?
dronkmunk's Avatar
dronkmunk at 01/05/2008 15:30
Are they still going to carry forward with the ultimate? Time will tell i suppose. I could totally see Msoft coming out with a brand new sku then maybe 5 or 6 months down the line come out with an entirely new system. They are such ADD kids
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 01/05/2008 15:31
Of course it's already in the works, they haven't decided on a name or look yet though.
Don't ask.
Promagnum's Avatar
Promagnum at 01/05/2008 15:33
You guys do know why it was named the 360 right?
I mean, there really is no reason to call a newer version (though I'd be surprised if they were making a newer version considering they cant even get this one right.) 720 or 900 or 1080 McTwist. As I don't think sony is planning a ps4 anytime soon. And personally the name has always been fucking meaningless and stupid.

And matmanx;
Oh yeah, they've learned all right, that us gaming douche's will give out our money for anything that lights up bright and burns out just as fast - just as long as we're distracted by bullshit competitiveness.
Nyteshade's Avatar
Nyteshade at 01/05/2008 15:34
CaptainApocalypse's Avatar
CaptainApocalypse at 01/05/2008 15:35
I'd really like my 360 to be around for a while longer. The graphics are good and usually very polished. We don't need another iteration of the system so soon.

However, I would definitely buy a XBOX 1080 McTwist. That just sounds bad ass. Thanks for the heads up on that one, Promagnum.
mix's Avatar
mix at 01/05/2008 15:35
Crazy rumor.

I like to get at LEAST 4-5 years out of a system before a new one is released so rumor ain't a good one. Hopefully this is just a name grab and not news for an early release. We need a library of games before a newer next-gen console is released.
ZekeThePlumber's Avatar
ZekeThePlumber at 01/05/2008 15:36
Here's to hoping they don't rush it and make avoidable design choices that causes 1 in 3 consoles to break.
Brandon2520's Avatar
Brandon2520 at 01/05/2008 15:36
Honsetly guys, come 2010 it will have been 5 years since it's launch which is damn well long enough for a new console to come out. The original xbox came out in 2000 if I remembe right, and the 360 was 2005. That was 5 years as well. If they didn't already have a new console in R&D then I would be really worried because it takes a good 4 years to design a solid piece of machine. Don't get mad, get glad. As long as the next one is 100% BC with 360 I will be stoked.
lvl54spacemonkey's Avatar
lvl54spacemonkey at 01/05/2008 15:36
Why is when I read "R&D" I think "Research AND DESTROY!"

Because you're a fan of Iggy and the Stooges and their ventures into the realms of scientific research through music?
Scrixx's Avatar
Scrixx at 01/05/2008 15:39
@Promagnum

Please tell me why it was called the 360, I really want to know.
naia-the-gamer's Avatar
naia-the-gamer at 01/05/2008 15:39
Isn't this fairly common-practice? I recall hearing Nintendo was working on the Wii shortly after the gamecube came out, PS3 after the PS2 etc... so wouldn't it be safe to assume that just because they haven't announced it yet doesn't mean they're not working on it...

I'm sure Sony is working on the PS4 and Nintendo is working on their successor to the Wii...
Nyteshade's Avatar
Nyteshade at 01/05/2008 15:40
@Brandon and Mix - The 360 was released 4 years and 7 days after the original Xbox.
Xbox = November 15, 2001
360 = November 22, 2005



@Scrixx - Microsoft didn't want the Xbox TWO sounding inferior to the PS THREE. Hence we have the THREE-SIXTY.
Crunshii's Avatar
Crunshii at 01/05/2008 15:41
they will release it when PS3 picks up the pace, probably by end of 2008-9 there might be just some pixie dust left to make that happen for the PS3.

When 360 see's the giant gap btwn, thats when they will launch their Armadillo 6000 (made by combination of mexicans/chinese slave manufacturers, save that cashing!) along with the different versions of Ultimate/Supreme/Core/lolHalo/NotSoCore/IamStillGoing2geturMuuneezCore SKU Units.
Orionsaint's Avatar
Orionsaint at 01/05/2008 15:42
I just threw up in my mouth!
wardrox's Avatar
wardrox at 01/05/2008 15:42
Jim called it!
Promagnum's Avatar
Promagnum at 01/05/2008 15:46
It's quite simple. During the combative hush hush surrounding PS3 and Xbox2 prior to e304 & 05. Microsoft changed the name from to be more appealing in comparison to Playstation 3. Being that Xbox would only be 2, and much like the ego of many unskilled actors, they didn't want to seem less than Sony.
Was during the period when all the advertising and marketing bullshit of Sony vs MS was taking place in the industry.
When I was at a dev convention is like 04 there were Microsoft execs for the gaming branch talking about how to 'build gaming consumer and non-gaming consumer interest' by the product title. Few onths later....360.

So in otherwords;
Mommy I want that one!
Which one, the playstation 3?
No, the other one.
But honey that one says Xbox 2. I think 3 is the newest.

Make sense?
Which was kind of funny cause it really didn't hit the internet or common knowledge until much later.
Promagnum's Avatar
Promagnum at 01/05/2008 15:47
@Nyteshade
Heh, Ive heard that before, WAY too much time on your hands.
Orionsaint's Avatar
Orionsaint at 01/05/2008 15:48
Scrixx, I think because its saying that with our console. The graphics are so much better. It's like doing a whole 360 from what you're used too.

In reality I think it's called Xbox 360 because Sony was releasing the PS3. How would it look if they had called it Xbox2. It would have been a 2, less than 3 and seem dated. So they thought Xbox 3, but they'll ask. Where was part 2? Lets add 60. 360! There ya go.
JohnnyWadd's Avatar
JohnnyWadd at 01/05/2008 15:48
No doubt the MS is already developing it's next xbox, after all it can take years and they just might wanna take their time to avoid any future shitty hardware fails rushed to market. I don't think however it is something we'll see for at least 4 years.
awa64's Avatar
awa64 at 01/05/2008 15:49
Of course they're working on the successor to the Xbox 360. The same as Nintendo is working on the successors to the Wii and the DS, and Sony is working on the successors to the PS3 and PSP. By the time each game system launches, the console manufacturers are ALL already looking at what's next. The same's pretty much true throughout the electronics industry--Apple's probably 80% of the way to their second-gen iPhone at this point, TiVo's probably working on the Series 4 TiVo, and they're probably going to start working on the successors to all the TVs that get shown off at CES about a week before they get shown off at CES.

The interesting part of this is that Microsoft moved a first-party or second-party title to their next-gen system. That gives some kind of indicator of the timeframe for the new system. Fable took 4 years to make. Halo 3 took 3. Kameo took an ungodly long number of years to make, but to be fair, that went through the development hell of transitioning consoles not once but twice. If this is a first-party title that's early in development, that would put a next-gen Xbox around Christmas 2010 or 2011--which sounds about right.

Also, hopefully, what this means is that they've got a AAA team working on a high-end game and offering input to the hardware designers. Kinda like what Nintendo did with Super Mario 64 and the N64, but hopefully not quite as tightly-knit.
Neonie's Avatar
Neonie at 01/05/2008 15:50
I don't think Xbox 720 is that bad of a name. it countinues the basic theme or whatever of how they seem to be nameing their systems. I mean at least it's more orginal then 1...2...3. That's just generic sounding.
monosylabik's Avatar
monosylabik at 01/05/2008 15:50
great..........
Skeeter's Avatar
Skeeter at 01/05/2008 15:58
...now I have to buy another console?
Orionsaint's Avatar
Orionsaint at 01/05/2008 16:00
Hopefully they're not installing the red lights of death in the 720. Actually I hope they don't even put 4 lights on it. One light. That's all you need to tell us its on.

I got my 360 back recently. A replacement unit. It had the red lights of death as well. So now i'm still without a 360 for another month. That's twice now. Do you think at some point they'll just send me a brand new system that brings forza2?
xaelus's Avatar
xaelus at 01/05/2008 16:03
Yeah you know they announced over a year ago they were working on the next console right? This is absolutely NOTHING new.
KamikazeTutor's Avatar
KamikazeTutor at 01/05/2008 16:04
This is the same thing as lines of code. Algorithms for real time shadows existed since somewhere in the 80's but only a few years ago the hardware was actually capable of reproducing the effect.

So it can be true that Microsoft is already researching for its next game machine. But that name is just silly. If true, it's probably a codename.
Trowble's Avatar
Trowble at 01/05/2008 16:04
When Peter Moore was with Microsoft, didn't he say that they were already in talks about the next next-gen Xbox?
MechaMonkey's Avatar
MechaMonkey at 01/05/2008 16:05
Terminator: The Xbox Funding Bill is passed. The system goes on-line August 4th, 2010. Human decisions are removed from strategic defense. Xbox begins to learn at a geometric rate. It becomes self-aware at 2:14 a.m. Eastern time, August 29th. In a panic, they try to pull the plug.
Sarah Connor: Xbox fights back.
The Terminator: Yes. It launches its missiles against the targets in Russia.
John Connor: Why attack Russia? Aren't they our friends now?
The Terminator: Because Xbox knows the Russian counter-attack will eliminate its enemies over here.
Crunshii's Avatar
Crunshii at 01/05/2008 16:08
hmm will they be going to drop the 360 like they did to the xbox1... I mean, theres over 30 million faulty RROD consoles sucking MS's $$$. I wonder...
Pyramid Head's Avatar
Pyramid Head at 01/05/2008 16:10
Welcome to the arms race. Leave your wallet at the door.
Scrixx's Avatar
Scrixx at 01/05/2008 16:11
Hmm now I know why, interesting nonetheless.

MS may have released the 360 to see how much of the market share they may have taken, and now with a decent install base, people will know xbox isn't the a name to avoid anymore. And with a better, quieter, sleeker, and relatively cheaper system, they could probably stay a very long time in the Video Game Industry.

But they need to stop being such arrogant bastards. If they could snatch up some partners like Google, they could do wonders.
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 01/05/2008 16:19
The same happened for Halo 3 wasn't it? I seem to remember reading somewhere that they were going to put it on Xbox, but then shifted to 360
Jim's Avatar
Jim at 01/05/2008 16:19
Following Guilty Gear games... is Xbox 360x2 (FX) a better name? *LOL*

They just have to do better than Sony PS4... why not call it Xbox 404 (bad HTTP pun intended)?
Orionsaint's Avatar
Orionsaint at 01/05/2008 16:20
I just wanna play Gears of War online. I miss it. It has the world record for a game holding my interest nonstop for more than a year now. It's as much fun as it was a year ago. It doesn't let up.
Orionsaint's Avatar
Orionsaint at 01/05/2008 16:22
Xbox Evolution! its called I just called MS and they didn't confirm it, because I didn't even call and I'm lying right now.

Maybe Xbox Renegade! no no. Xbox Ultra Box force 5, no.
Neonie's Avatar
Neonie at 01/05/2008 16:25
@Jim

or the Xbox 411. What's their sales pitch for that you wonder?

Xbox411: Get in the KNOW.
StriderS's Avatar
StriderS at 01/05/2008 16:35
Wow, such a cheap shot at Sonic. I hope it can compete with the Wang.
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 01/05/2008 16:35
I just hope they don't release it soon though.
Beaudman's Avatar
Beaudman at 01/05/2008 16:41
It's going to be two 360's glued together, with motion controls, and they're going to call it the Puu.
Nyteshade's Avatar
Nyteshade at 01/05/2008 16:47
How about the Xbox 2600?

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