These reports rumors of Microsoft’s next-gen console are spreading across the Net like a virus. With the successor to the Xbox 360 being rumored for next year (or 2014), the dubbed Xbox 720 has everyone keeping a close eye on all development reports. Just recently, Eurogamer scored an interview with VP of Interactive Entertainment for Microsoft Europe, Chris Lewis, to discuss the current state of the Xbox 360 and the perfect timing for a new Microsoft console. Here’s an excerpt of the interview.
Eurogamer: The Xbox 360 is in its sixth year of life. There are lots of rumours about Microsoft possibly announcing a new Xbox at E3 next year for launch the year after. Is now not the time for the next Xbox?
Chris Lewis: I would only say it’s too long if things are stagnating. If developers are finding they’re bumping their heads against the glass ceiling of development scope, if we weren’t bringing revolutionary technology like Kinect, if we weren’t able to, frankly, completely update the UI of Xbox Live without predicating that on people buying new hardware, were those things not true I might be more in agreement with your assessment.
I actually don’t think it’s too long if the experience continues to grow, if people continue to flock to it and they feel like they’re getting great value. That is everything we’re experiencing right now. That’s how I’d answer that.
I’m being charged with more growth this year versus next year. Sure, I chew the back of my hand a little bit when I think about what that means. We had a very good year last year. But, I do also believe there is sufficient in what’s coming and exists right now for that to be a very realistic ambition. We’re not talking about any additional or new generations of hardware at the moment. We’re fixated on what we’ve got going on right now.
Eurogamer: Companies have to think ahead, though.
Chris Lewis: Of course.
Eurogamer: In an R&D sense you would imagine that would be in the works.
Chris Lewis: Sure. As you can imagine, of course we’re working on all sorts of different things. We do that all the time. Frankly, in all aspects of Microsoft, not just what we do with Xbox, our R&D investment is second to none. But to your point about life cycle timing, we’re in pretty good shape.
Just days ago, Industry Gamers reported an analyst predicting a 2014 release for the Xbox 720 (read here). So we all know Gates’ crew is definitely working on the console, but so many burning questions remain. Honestly, don’t expect Microsoft to make any huge announcements until E3 2012.
But if your that thirsty for some Xbox 720-related news, we recommend checking this dope Xbox Prestige prototype console created by Joseph Dumary. It’s freaking sweet and should definitely be considered by Microsoft as a possible 720 design. Click here to take a peak at the ground-breaking specs featured in the Prestige.
