Xbox 360 Pre-Release Thread

[Hetz]

Game companies are sick of losing money on their consoles. I can't understand how any one can knock Microsoft for the $399 price. They aren't short changing anyone, they are just trying to give people more options by offering the $299 version.

If Sony releases the PS3 for less than $400 I will be shocked. Not only that, but just think about how much money they can potentially lose if they price the PS3 at $400. There is the system, the built in wireless adapter, the Hi-Def dvd, and I have heard that they are also considering an optional hard drive. I wouldn't be mad at Sony if the PS3 started at $600 dollars with all the crap they are putting in it.

Then there is Nintendo, and I wouldn't be suprised at all if the Revolution was only (ha only) $200. Yet they have catches too, charging to download all the games for one, and the other is that for that price, their machine just won't be able to do what the other two can. I know that it is all about the "game play", but if they don't improve the tech, they can't improve the gameplay.

People might not understand or like what Microsoft has done, but they have just opened gamers eyes to the $400 console price tag. It's kind of funny, because they totally took the burden off of Sony.

Errm I think I've yet to read a post where someone is complaining about the $400 pricetag.  People are complaining about the 2 SKU versions.  It's bad news for everybody.  I agree with the person who stated that the harddriveless consoles won't be gimped.  You know why?  Because developers will be focusing on the 85% majority of gimped Xbox owners (my guess)  for there games.  So it is actually the superior HD that is going to have it's games gimped-they won't be nearly as cool as they could have been.

Not true. The Oblivion devs have specifically said that it will run MUCH better on the HD versoin, than on the core system. Therefore the hd-less version is gimped.

He didn't say all games, but 85% of games. In any case, its undoubtably true that many future games won't use the HDD as much as they would have if there had been one SKU.

Actually, he said the developers would be focusing on the "85% majority of gimped xbox owners" meaing that he thinks 85% of people will buy the core version, which I also think is not true at all....at least not for the first few years.

Also, if you read his post, it is clearly implying that he thinks all games will be gimped on the HD version, because of the core system.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

Game companies are sick of losing money on their consoles. I can't understand how any one can knock Microsoft for the $399 price. They aren't short changing anyone, they are just trying to give people more options by offering the $299 version.

If Sony releases the PS3 for less than $400 I will be shocked. Not only that, but just think about how much money they can potentially lose if they price the PS3 at $400. There is the system, the built in wireless adapter, the Hi-Def dvd, and I have heard that they are also considering an optional hard drive. I wouldn't be mad at Sony if the PS3 started at $600 dollars with all the crap they are putting in it.

Then there is Nintendo, and I wouldn't be suprised at all if the Revolution was only (ha only) $200. Yet they have catches too, charging to download all the games for one, and the other is that for that price, their machine just won't be able to do what the other two can. I know that it is all about the "game play", but if they don't improve the tech, they can't improve the gameplay.

People might not understand or like what Microsoft has done, but they have just opened gamers eyes to the $400 console price tag. It's kind of funny, because they totally took the burden off of Sony.

Errm I think I've yet to read a post where someone is complaining about the $400 pricetag.  People are complaining about the 2 SKU versions.  It's bad news for everybody.  I agree with the person who stated that the harddriveless consoles won't be gimped.  You know why?  Because developers will be focusing on the 85% majority of gimped Xbox owners (my guess)  for there games.  So it is actually the superior HD that is going to have it's games gimped-they won't be nearly as cool as they could have been.

Not true. The Oblivion devs have specifically said that it will run MUCH better on the HD versoin, than on the core system. Therefore the hd-less version is gimped.

He didn't say all games, but 85% of games. In any case, its undoubtably true that many future games won't use the HDD as much as they would have if there had been one SKU.

Actually, he said the developers would be focusing on the "85% majority of gimped xbox owners" meaing that he thinks 85% of people will buy the core version, which I also think is not true at all....at least not for the first few years.

Also, if you read his post, it is clearly implying that he thinks all games will be gimped on the HD version, because of the core system.

You're right - I misread it. I do think he has a point, though; most developers might still use the HDD, but they probably won't do as much as they would have if all systems included a HDD.

[Calvin]

Game companies are sick of losing money on their consoles. I can't understand how any one can knock Microsoft for the $399 price. They aren't short changing anyone, they are just trying to give people more options by offering the $299 version.

If Sony releases the PS3 for less than $400 I will be shocked. Not only that, but just think about how much money they can potentially lose if they price the PS3 at $400. There is the system, the built in wireless adapter, the Hi-Def dvd, and I have heard that they are also considering an optional hard drive. I wouldn't be mad at Sony if the PS3 started at $600 dollars with all the crap they are putting in it.

Then there is Nintendo, and I wouldn't be suprised at all if the Revolution was only (ha only) $200. Yet they have catches too, charging to download all the games for one, and the other is that for that price, their machine just won't be able to do what the other two can. I know that it is all about the "game play", but if they don't improve the tech, they can't improve the gameplay.

People might not understand or like what Microsoft has done, but they have just opened gamers eyes to the $400 console price tag. It's kind of funny, because they totally took the burden off of Sony.

Errm I think I've yet to read a post where someone is complaining about the $400 pricetag.  People are complaining about the 2 SKU versions.  It's bad news for everybody.  I agree with the person who stated that the harddriveless consoles won't be gimped.  You know why?  Because developers will be focusing on the 85% majority of gimped Xbox owners (my guess)  for there games.  So it is actually the superior HD that is going to have it's games gimped-they won't be nearly as cool as they could have been.

Not true. The Oblivion devs have specifically said that it will run MUCH better on the HD versoin, than on the core system. Therefore the hd-less version is gimped.

He didn't say all games, but 85% of games. In any case, its undoubtably true that many future games won't use the HDD as much as they would have if there had been one SKU.

Actually, he said the developers would be focusing on the "85% majority of gimped xbox owners" meaing that he thinks 85% of people will buy the core version, which I also think is not true at all....at least not for the first few years.

Also, if you read his post, it is clearly implying that he thinks all games will be gimped on the HD version, because of the core system.

You're right - I misread it. I do think he has a point, though; most developers might still use the HDD, but they probably won't do as much as they would have if all systems included a HDD.

Why do you think so? Why should they do anything to increase development time/difficulty/cost etc when no one is putting hte burden on them to do so?

I am not sure I agree with Gellar-I think the system offers plenty "new" and I think it will stack up favorably with the PS3-and I also see about 5 launch games I really would like to play. But I agree with the sentiment that its not in any way the price that gets me down-its that the lack of standardization probably negates a great deal of the utility of the HDD and that the two SKU's for some strange reason just seems...insulting.

[-Lord Ebonstone-]

Game companies are sick of losing money on their consoles. I can't understand how any one can knock Microsoft for the $399 price. They aren't short changing anyone, they are just trying to give people more options by offering the $299 version.

If Sony releases the PS3 for less than $400 I will be shocked. Not only that, but just think about how much money they can potentially lose if they price the PS3 at $400. There is the system, the built in wireless adapter, the Hi-Def dvd, and I have heard that they are also considering an optional hard drive. I wouldn't be mad at Sony if the PS3 started at $600 dollars with all the crap they are putting in it.

Then there is Nintendo, and I wouldn't be suprised at all if the Revolution was only (ha only) $200. Yet they have catches too, charging to download all the games for one, and the other is that for that price, their machine just won't be able to do what the other two can. I know that it is all about the "game play", but if they don't improve the tech, they can't improve the gameplay.

People might not understand or like what Microsoft has done, but they have just opened gamers eyes to the $400 console price tag. It's kind of funny, because they totally took the burden off of Sony.

Errm I think I've yet to read a post where someone is complaining about the $400 pricetag.  People are complaining about the 2 SKU versions.  It's bad news for everybody.  I agree with the person who stated that the harddriveless consoles won't be gimped.  You know why?  Because developers will be focusing on the 85% majority of gimped Xbox owners (my guess)  for there games.  So it is actually the superior HD that is going to have it's games gimped-they won't be nearly as cool as they could have been.

Not true. The Oblivion devs have specifically said that it will run MUCH better on the HD versoin, than on the core system. Therefore the hd-less version is gimped.

He didn't say all games, but 85% of games. In any case, its undoubtably true that many future games won't use the HDD as much as they would have if there had been one SKU.

Actually, he said the developers would be focusing on the "85% majority of gimped xbox owners" meaing that he thinks 85% of people will buy the core version, which I also think is not true at all....at least not for the first few years.

Also, if you read his post, it is clearly implying that he thinks all games will be gimped on the HD version, because of the core system.

You're right - I misread it. I do think he has a point, though; most developers might still use the HDD, but they probably won't do as much as they would have if all systems included a HDD.

Why do you think so? Why should they do anything to increase development time/difficulty/cost etc when no one is putting hte burden on them to do so?

I am not sure I agree with Gellar-I think the system offers plenty "new" and I think it will stack up favorably with the PS3-and I also see about 5 launch games I really would like to play. But I agree with the sentiment that its not in any way the price that gets me down-its that the lack of standardization probably negates a great deal of the utility of the HDD and that the two SKU's for some strange reason just seems...insulting.

Super quote nest... GO!

[angrycoder]

Game companies are sick of losing money on their consoles. I can't understand how any one can knock Microsoft for the $399 price. They aren't short changing anyone, they are just trying to give people more options by offering the $299 version.

If Sony releases the PS3 for less than $400 I will be shocked. Not only that, but just think about how much money they can potentially lose if they price the PS3 at $400. There is the system, the built in wireless adapter, the Hi-Def dvd, and I have heard that they are also considering an optional hard drive. I wouldn't be mad at Sony if the PS3 started at $600 dollars with all the crap they are putting in it.

Then there is Nintendo, and I wouldn't be suprised at all if the Revolution was only (ha only) $200. Yet they have catches too, charging to download all the games for one, and the other is that for that price, their machine just won't be able to do what the other two can. I know that it is all about the "game play", but if they don't improve the tech, they can't improve the gameplay.

People might not understand or like what Microsoft has done, but they have just opened gamers eyes to the $400 console price tag. It's kind of funny, because they totally took the burden off of Sony.

Errm I think I've yet to read a post where someone is complaining about the $400 pricetag.  People are complaining about the 2 SKU versions.  It's bad news for everybody.  I agree with the person who stated that the harddriveless consoles won't be gimped.  You know why?  Because developers will be focusing on the 85% majority of gimped Xbox owners (my guess)  for there games.  So it is actually the superior HD that is going to have it's games gimped-they won't be nearly as cool as they could have been.

Not true. The Oblivion devs have specifically said that it will run MUCH better on the HD versoin, than on the core system. Therefore the hd-less version is gimped.

He didn't say all games, but 85% of games. In any case, its undoubtably true that many future games won't use the HDD as much as they would have if there had been one SKU.

Actually, he said the developers would be focusing on the "85% majority of gimped xbox owners" meaing that he thinks 85% of people will buy the core version, which I also think is not true at all....at least not for the first few years.

Also, if you read his post, it is clearly implying that he thinks all games will be gimped on the HD version, because of the core system.

You're right - I misread it. I do think he has a point, though; most developers might still use the HDD, but they probably won't do as much as they would have if all systems included a HDD.

Why do you think so? Why should they do anything to increase development time/difficulty/cost etc when no one is putting hte burden on them to do so?

I am not sure I agree with Gellar-I think the system offers plenty "new" and I think it will stack up favorably with the PS3-and I also see about 5 launch games I really would like to play. But I agree with the sentiment that its not in any way the price that gets me down-its that the lack of standardization probably negates a great deal of the utility of the HDD and that the two SKU's for some strange reason just seems...insulting.

Super quote nest... GO!

I am teh win!

[Calvin]

Come on guys, cut it out. Why derail a perfectly interesting thread for no reason. You can find plenty of this silliness on the other forum.

[olaf]

Yeah I have no problems with the cost.  $400 seems reasonable to me.  My issue is the fact that the HD isnt part of the base package, which means its never going to be utilized as much as it could be.

olaf

[-Lord Ebonstone-]

Come on guys, cut it out. Why derail a perfectly interesting thread for no reason. You can find plenty of this silliness on the other forum.

Because super quote nests are funny...

 :cry:

[Kevin Grey]

Good article collecting reactions from a large variety of industry personnel to the Xbox announcement:

Link

Interesting point from (of all places) and editor at GamePro:

Also, if backwards compatibility is dependent on having a hard drive, it's very odd that Microsoft has now set pricing to make it tougher on consumers who might want to get into the next generation but are cost-conscious. They are the ones most attracted by backwards compatibility. For Microsoft then, backwards compatibility is not a key issue

[Hetz]

Good article collecting reactions from a large variety of industry personnel to the Xbox announcement:

Link

Interesting point from (of all places) and editor at GamePro:

Also, if backwards compatibility is dependent on having a hard drive, it's very odd that Microsoft has now set pricing to make it tougher on consumers who might want to get into the next generation but are cost-conscious. They are the ones most attracted by backwards compatibility. For Microsoft then, backwards compatibility is not a key issue

One thing about that article....

CS Weaver
Founder
Bethesda Softworks
Also Visiting Scholar at M.I.T

That guy was fired from Bethesda a long time ago. He does not speak for Bethesda and has nothing to do with Oblivion at all.

[-Lord Ebonstone-]

One thing about that article....

CS Weaver
Founder
Bethesda Softworks
Also Visiting Scholar at M.I.T

That guy was fired from Bethesda a long time ago. He does not speak for Bethesda and has nothing to do with Oblivion at all.

So?  It doesn't prevent him from being the founder.

Plus Oblivion isn't even mentioned.  I know you're the Elder Scrolls pimp, Hetz, but do you really need to defend it even when it's not under attack?

[Hetz]

One thing about that article....

CS Weaver
Founder
Bethesda Softworks
Also Visiting Scholar at M.I.T

That guy was fired from Bethesda a long time ago. He does not speak for Bethesda and has nothing to do with Oblivion at all.

So?  It doesn't prevent him from being the founder.

Plus Oblivion isn't even mentioned.  I know you're the Elder Scrolls pimp, Hetz, but do you really need to defend it even when it's not under attack?

I wasn't defending it, just pointing out that nobody should listen to what that guy has to say about the 360, since he is NO LONGER A DEVELOPER and has nothing to do with making games for the 360 or anything else for that matter.  He was fired for embezzeling money.

They make it sound like he is still with Bethesda in that article...guess they are really reaching to find someone critical of the system...

[Kevin Grey]

They make it sound like he is still with Bethesda in that article...guess they are really reaching to find someone critical of the system...

Um, most of the people in that article are critical to some extent of this move.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

Does Next Generation magazine still exist? Or are they only online now? Or does that website have nothing to do with the magazine?

[AgtFox]

Does Next Generation magazine still exist? Or are they only online now? Or does that website have nothing to do with the magazine?

No. Yes. Yes.  The website just recently popped up again, but many of the people behind the magazine run the website.

[Tebunker]

heh, this could be the apocalypse, Myself, Rage, LE, Hetz and to a degree the majority on the board actually all agree on some of the basic points.

400 bucks is a great deal, just don't lie to me and play tricksy on me.

[maggie-chow]

And let's not forget that the hard drive on the XBox had it's disadvantages.  If your drive crashed or for that matter if anything happened to your XBox you were SOL.  There was no way of legitimately recovering the data.  If you were one of the unlucky (more than a) few, memory stick storage solutions probably looked a lot better.

The original Xbox hard drive and storage technology was not implemented perfectly.  In my opinion, the fault lies partly with Microsoft, for not selling a larger capacity memory card, and mainly with certain game developers, who did not allow you to back up saves onto a memory card.  Notably, the "geniuses" at Team Ninja, with Dead or Alive: Extreme Volleyball.

DOAX took well and good advantage of the hard drive -- a game that saved all your characters and hundreds of swimsuits, items, and accessories.  I personally spent 160 hours in gameplay.  If your hard drive "dies", however, you are in a fine pickle.  Yep, one fine pickle that might cause you say some very un-Christian things about the people who work at Team Ninja, and their mothers.

Oblivion may or may not be all that it ever could have been.  It will not matter until we can play the game for ourselves.

[-Lord Ebonstone-]

I wasn't defending it, just pointing out that nobody should listen to what that guy has to say about the 360, since he is NO LONGER A DEVELOPER and has nothing to do with making games for the 360 or anything else for that matter.

This is quite a paradox, because if I can't listen to you because you're not a developer for the XBox 360, then how will I know not to listen to people who aren't developers for the XBox 360?

[Canuck]

What do you think the breakdown will be of people who buy the full version vs. people who buy the gimped version?  I just pulled 85% out of my butt, I have no idea.  I'm sure there's not a soul here who would buy the gimped version but at the same time I can't help but think of all those mothers who are out buying new consoles for their kids.  They probably have no idea what the difference is between the consoles and more than likely they can only afford to buy one console in the first place.  If you were in the same situation wouldn't you buy the one that costs $100 dollars less?  That way when your son opens up his Christmas presents he could get a console AND a game.

I get a feeling that casual gamers/poor people probably make up a good 85% of the demographic  So things aren't looking good in my opinion.  Isn't it also true that backwards compatible games will only work with the full version of 360? If that's the case and emulating games for the 360 is a difficult and expensive process then how many game companies are going to put any effort into it when most people can't even play them?

[Kevin Grey]

What do you think the breakdown will be of people who buy the full version vs. people who buy the gimped version?

MS will likely determine the ratio initially just based on shipping numbers.  I think Peter Moore made some comments yesterday indicating they expect the $399 SKU to be the most popular so I would expect something on the order of an 80/20 399/299 split.  Personally, I think the $299 version just exists to provide the marketing point "launched next gen console at $299."  I wouldn't be suprised if early next year this is followed by an announcement saying "well gosh darn it the $399 version proved to be so popular that we're discontinuing the $299 version!"

That said, I think you're right and the $299 version will likely prove to be very popular with certain demographics (especially parents buying the 360 for their kids).

[Hetz]

Honestly, I don't think the $299 sku is going to do well at all.

Parents are NOT going to buy their kids a $299 system when there are XBox/Ps2's and Gamecubes available for much cheaper. Most sales will be from GAMERS this Christmas and the majority of them will be buying the $399 version.

I think the 80%-20% thing is right with the majority going for the $399 system.

Now as the years go on and the $299 sku goes down in price, then yes it will become the more popular sku for parents (in 2-3 years, I think). UNtil then, it's going to be the $399 all the way.

[-Lord Ebonstone-]

I agree with Kevin, (as usual), but I'd take it a step further and say the $299 version will sell out in most stores due to MS engineering a shortage.

[the Nightbreeze]

Did somone actually read anything that the $399 SKU will be released Holidays 2005 at all?  Or did they simply announce there will be two XBox360 SkU's, their respective price points, and the Xbox 360 (at least one SKU) will be available for the holidays? I don't think it's the same thing.  Because after what was promised at E3, I don't know why anyone is taking Microsoft's word that two SKUs will be available in any distribution ratio at all come Holidays 2005.

[Hetz]

Seems like the backlash that some people thought would happen....is not happening!

I am an Asst. Manager at EB Games and judging from the reaction on the boards yesterday, I was expecting to have a ton of people coming in to cancel the pre-orders and complain. Instead what happened today was quite the opposite, I had people coming in to make sure that their pre-order went to the 399.99 version (all eb games pre-orders will since the old SKU is now the 399.99 SKU and there is a new SKU for the core version,) and I had people calling to find out how much it was going to cost to pre-order the games and controllers. All day today I did not have a single complaint about the pricing and most people seem to think that the combo pack is a steal. People also got really excited when I told them about playing the ipod during Kameo.

So overall I don't think this is going to have any sort of negative impact. The people who cared enough to preorder all want the 399 version and the people who are just gonna wander into the store around launch time will be just as happy with the 299 since it is the same machine and will play all the same games just as well.

[Calvin]

Seems like the backlash that some people thought would happen....is not happening!

I am an Asst. Manager at EB Games and judging from the reaction on the boards yesterday, I was expecting to have a ton of people coming in to cancel the pre-orders and complain. Instead what happened today was quite the opposite, I had people coming in to make sure that their pre-order went to the 399.99 version (all eb games pre-orders will since the old SKU is now the 399.99 SKU and there is a new SKU for the core version,) and I had people calling to find out how much it was going to cost to pre-order the games and controllers. All day today I did not have a single complaint about the pricing and most people seem to think that the combo pack is a steal. People also got really excited when I told them about playing the ipod during Kameo.

So overall I don't think this is going to have any sort of negative impact. The people who cared enough to preorder all want the 399 version and the people who are just gonna wander into the store around launch time will be just as happy with the 299 since it is the same machine and will play all the same games just as well.

Alright Hetz, instead of not even pretending to be objective and understanding the annoyance people here have with Microsoft's inane decision with the 360, do something productive for your old pal and find out wtf is going on with the release date would ya?

[Hetz]

Here is a little chart for you video game history buffs...

[Knightshade Dragon]

If you like that Hetz you'll like the article going up tomorrow morning on the front page.

[Calvin]

RELEASE DATE NOOBS!!

Ahem, sorry. Why didn't they give the release date as originally promised?

[mytocles]

I know you're the Elder Scrolls pimp, Hetz,

Like that's a bad thing?  :lol:

Great summary, Tebunker!

heh, this could be the apocalypse, Myself, Rage, LE, Hetz and to a degree the majority on the board actually all agree on some of the basic points.

400 bucks is a great deal, just don't lie to me and play tricksy on me.

[adamsappel]

I am so tired of seeing those "adjusted for inflation" figures. They are totally irrelevant. Particularly since the earlier models probably weren't priced as loss-leaders.

I have no problem with the 360 premium pricing, there's a lot of value there. The core bundle is a shuck and jive, though.

[stimpy]

All this arguing about hard drives and controllers.
Have none of you people even noticed that no matter which version you decide to buy, Microsoft was kind enough to include a faceplate?
No more ugly, faceplate-less console sitting on your shelves.
ISNT THAT ENOUGH??? WHAT MORE DO YOU GUYS WANT????
What a bunch of ungrateful bastards.

[Purge]

I wasn't defending it, just pointing out that nobody should listen to what that guy has to say about the 360, since he is NO LONGER A DEVELOPER and has nothing to do with making games for the 360 or anything else for that matter.

This is quite a paradox, because if I can't listen to you because you're not a developer for the XBox 360, then how will I know not to listen to people who aren't developers for the XBox 360?

now *THAT* is a bait, buddy. Hetz isn't using supposition, even blatant name-dropping, to give credence to his opinion.  

BACK ON TRACK :

MS is teh suxxor. LE is right, the world is coming to an end, and Sony will save us all. Just teasing, LE. I agree that MS has encouraged assumptions and then slammed us with a 180 degree turn on the 360. As I see it, MS is more flexible than Sony. They changed up their controllers. We had to bitch a WHOLE LOT, but they did it. I hope they're realizing what they've done, and maybe cut the gamers some slack.


The wireless controllers should be standard, period. They should COME WITH A CABLE to use as wired controllers. The battery pack can be sold separately (as batteries DO cost a lot of money).  The HDTV cable should come with the system. Period. The Hard disk is mostly for Xbox1 compatibility, and a nice place to store your MP3s, save games, etc. It is an added cost, and I'm ok with this. I doubt that Oblivion will make that much of a difference, and frankly the hard disk seeks aren't missed. For gods sake, don't go with maxtor for the drives. The remote control (included with the 399 deal) is a welcome thing; I hope they use a well-known DVD signal so that universal remotes can be programmed to control the DVD playback functions.

The Xbox360full package should also come with a CD with driver / software support for Windows XP Home/Pro that allows us to have the same benefits for streaming audio / video to the xbox360.

[AgtFox]

Ahem, sorry. Why didn't they give the release date as originally promised?

That's the thing, it was never promised.  Heck, many were thinking they weren't even going to announce anything in Germany.  The only known time they will give a date possibly at this point is at the Tokyo Game Show for Japan's release (and possibly the other markets).  Here's the news item from 1Up.  Here is the line:

Yes, this announcement means the hard drive (once the centerpiece of the Xbox platform) is no longer an all-inclusive factor for Xbox 360, but, no, we still don't have a specific launch date. Microsoft continues towing the line that Xbox 360 will launch in North America, Europe and Japan this holiday season - with more details on the Japanese launch to be released at next month's Tokyo Game Show.

[Calvin]

Ahem, sorry. Why didn't they give the release date as originally promised?

That's the thing, it was never promised.  Heck, many were thinking they weren't even going to announce anything in Germany.  The only known time they will give a date possibly at this point is at the Tokyo Game Show for Japan's release (and possibly the other markets).  Here's the news item from 1Up.  Here is the line:

Yes, this announcement means the hard drive (once the centerpiece of the Xbox platform) is no longer an all-inclusive factor for Xbox 360, but, no, we still don't have a specific launch date. Microsoft continues towing the line that Xbox 360 will launch in North America, Europe and Japan this holiday season - with more details on the Japanese launch to be released at next month's Tokyo Game Show.

Thanks foxy, I guess I was simply mistaken about the date-however, I still think it makes sense to go for that November time frame.

[AgtFox]

Good news is that a memory card is not needed to save games, you can still save them on the hard drive.

The Xbox 360 brochure has leaked, you can find it at this page.  Look at the accessories page to see the good news.

Supposedly the more expensive Xbox will have "Premium Chrome" on it...I wonder what the core system will look like.  It also looks like Gold Xbox 30-day trial will come with the system as well and I wonder how they are going to handle people that have Xbox Live through next year.

[Hetz]

I just paid off my XBox 360 Premium Pack preorder!

Yay me!    

Roll on November!

[Jumangi]

Supposedly the more expensive Xbox will have "Premium Chrome" on it...I wonder what the core system will look like.  It also looks like Gold Xbox 30-day trial will come with the system as well and I wonder how they are going to handle people that have Xbox Live through next year.

They could just have the 30 days tacked on for people who still have time left on a Live subscription.

[RightBastard]

I just paid off my XBox 360 Premium Pack preorder!

Yay me!    

Roll on November!

Hetz, I will see you in November.  Please clear out the guest room for me for about three weeks.:wink:

Seriously, I'm jealous.  If the Premium came in out at $299, I would have been tempted to cave in and jump on it.  But as it is, I don't know if I can justify $399.  Oh well.  I guess I'll just have to be patient.

[Hetz]

Chat with J Allard today at Noon Pacific Time.

http://www.majornelson.com/2005/08/20/chat-with-j-allard

[mikeg]

To be honest I could care less how the things looks, or chrome, or changing faceplates.  It could look like a toaster so long as it runs like the monster they are touting, that is all that matter to me.  I want freakin unbelieavable gameplay.  That's it.  By the way, my plumbing cost me exactly half of what I was estimating, so, looks like I am back in the Xbox hunt.  Whoo.  I was sweating that one.