Rob V

Just call it the infinity because this might be the last release of consoles anyways.

K&AJones

You're probably right...looking at just how fast technology advances one can only wonder what's ahead 5-7 years from now. Look back when the PS3 & 360 was released...Tablets were only a thought, Kinect wasn't even born, Steam was just getting started, LCD TV's were the rage (and cost) and Blu-ray & HD-DVD were at war.

mhg83

Yeah i hope they go the pc route and make it upgradeable.

Raul3

This won't be the last release of consoles.

To be the last, they need go streaming only. And there's a long way, i.e. super high speed for everyone in the world, before we go streaming only.

Other way, you need hardware to process all the data. And of course you need to upgrade that hardware every n years.

orangecrush

That would defeat the main advantage consoles have over PCs.

LosingMyMind

Eidos boss is claiming watermarked discs
http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/?p=96376

Drexl

If they end up going that route, I really hope you are able to install the game entirely to the hard drive and put the disc away. Having to use the disc but not being to sell it is the worst of both worlds.

dsa_shea

Damn if that is true. Not only registered to one user's name but to one console? So how do you gain access to all of your games once that specific console tanks or happens to brick?

SoonerDoc

Uh-oh.

RichC2

I don't think that's real. As with the Xbox 1.5 and PS Wii everything is in crazy speculation mode right now, and it's always disheartening.

Drexl

I would hope they'd at least allow you to register the games to your account. But if they were going to do that, it seems like activation codes (like the online passes) would be cheaper than watermarking.

I won't refuse to buy a console that shuts out used games. However, watermarked discs + no account registration would be going too far for me. If I'm going to have no option of used games, I at least want the ability to play games entirely from the hard drive in return.

Rob V

This will never happen. They'll go d/l only before they do this... or this will be in conjunction with d/l only type consoles (for those w/out high speed networks).

maxfisher

Not that I'll be too surprised if Microsoft decides it wants to lose this round, but the Eidos boss didn't truly confirm or claim anything. You'd think the head of a major publisher would be in the know, but his quotes in the interview also include 'I think the next iteration of consoles - the PS4 and the next Xbox - have got optical disc drives even though they probably don't want to have them.' It sounds like someone's either pieced together an article with old quotes from him or he's fairly disconnected.

dsa_shea

I really believe that neither Sony nor Microsoft wants drives in their consoles but realize that the average gamer is not ready for that just yet.

maxfisher

Agreed, and yeah, that's probably what he was saying. Crazy how the placement of line breaks can affect interpretation. Where I originally read the quote, I read it as him not knowing if the new consoles would for sure have optical media.

gerrythedon

Report: Microsoft to Reveal Exclusive EA Partnership During Xbox 720 Launch

With Microsoft set to unveil the next Xbox in a matter of weeks, the platform holder has reportedly signed an exclusivity deal with the world’s biggest publisher, Electronic Arts.

That’s according to CVG, which cites two separate anonymous sources claiming that EA will step on stage at Microsoft’s console unveiling to reveal the nature of the deal.

While precise details are not yet known, it’s likely that the deal will relate to exclusive - or timed-exclusive - downloadable content. Such is EA’s fondness for multiplatform releases, a next Xbox-exclusive EA game is unlikely.

During the PlayStation 4 reveal last week, major publishers including Activision, Ubisoft and Capcom joined Sony to reveal new games and, in some cases, exclusive content. EA, however, was not present.

CVG’s anonymous sources both had different theories as to the nature of the exclusive; with one suggesting it will relate to Battlefield 4, and the other suggesting that Respawn Entertainment (the new outfit from Infinity Ward co-founders Jason West and Vince Zampella) may also be involved.

However, unsurprisingly, neither EA nor Microsoft are willing to comment.

chuckd21

I seriously love all this shit. This time when there's crazy speculation about new hardware releases... it's the best.

chuckd21

Granted I don't give a shit about timed exclusive DLC, but whatever.

MoviePage

I heard the next Xbox will block all Jerkfaces.

chuckd21

Oh wait...

Matthew Chmiel

I wouldn't be surprised if we see Respawn show up at the event due to the EA deal.

Infinity Ward (before it was dismantled prior to the release of COD:MW3) always developed their COD games for the Xbox first and other platforms second. While I don't see their next release being an Xbox exclusive, I would bet it's exclusive DLC or something in that regards.

Raul3

What if they release all their sports games in the Xbox first and later, one month or more, in the PS4? That'd be huge.

Not sure if EA really can do that.

Music

Money talks...

Matthew Chmiel

Madden '13 did sell half of its 5M units sold on the 360. The PS3 sold 2M units and the rest are combined from the Wii, WiiU, and other platforms.

However, that idea seems far unlikely as EA are the biggest bunch of Jews in the video game industry regardless of how much Microsoft offers them.

As a Jew, I can make that joke.

gerrythedon

What if MS buys EA...?