VIDEO GAME CONSOLE REPAIR BLOG

If your shelf space is limited, the next Xbox console might be just what you need. A new report suggests that Microsoft will not be including a disc drive in the system.

Sources tell MCV that the new Xbox will be compatible with solid-state card storage. These storage cards might or might not have a new format. Regardless, the console will be focused mostly on digital content

A digital-only console seems fitting for Microsoft. The current generation of consoles started with a war between two competing HD optical discs: Toshiba’s HD DVD and Sony’s Blu-ray. Once the Blu-ray won out in 2008, everyone assumed that Microsoft would offer an external Blu-ray drive for the 360. Instead, the company simply dove further into digital content. They expanded Xbox Live by adding downloadable Xbox 360 games and streaming services like Netflix, among other features. While DVDs are starting to feel a bit cramped – some games now ship on two discs on 360 – the fact is that Microsoft didn’t need a Blu-ray drive to keep their console relevant. By going digital, they no longer had to worry about format wars.

As MCV points out, though, a download-centric console will make traditional retailers nervous. GameStop, for example, makes much of its money off the sale of boxed games. They also make a tidy profit from buying back used games and selling them for slightly cheaper than new copies. If the gaming industry goes full digital, retailers would need to drastically change their business model. GameStop’s anticipation of such a sea change is probably why they decided to buy digital store Impulse last year.

The report suggests that Xbox will launch in 2013. The timing of the announcement isn’t certain. Other rumors have suggested that Microsoft will reveal Xbox 720 (or whatever it’s called) at this summer’s E3.

“Xbox 360 has found new ways to extend its lifecycle like introducing the world to controller-free experiences with Kinect and re-inventing the console with a new dashboard and new entertainment content partnerships,” Microsoft said in a statement issued to MCV. “We are always thinking about what is next for our platform and how to continue to defy the lifecycle convention. Beyond that we do not comment on rumors or speculation.”

This one has the net on fire, with rumors that both the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox 720 will make their debuts at E3 2012. The rumors are apparently based on the fact that Sony has informed third-party developers that its next console will not be behind its competition. This seems to fall in line with comments made by PlayStation’s European boss, Jim Ryan, who said late last year that it would be “undesirable” for the PS4 to come out “significantly later” than its competitors. It’s been the best non-secret of the past few months Microsoft was ramping up to unveil their new console at E3. It’s a good assumption  because the gaming landscape has changed a lot and I don’t know if either Microsoft or Sony would have the luxury to be a year or so behind the other. Gamers have learned that these companies aren’t loyal to them and they are less loyal to both brands in return.

If the rumors hold true, it would mark the first time in E3 history that three brand new consoles all made their debut like this and could be compared head to head so early. But don’t get your hopes up too much just yet because the consensus is that we wouldn’t get any specific pricing or launch details for either console at E3. Honestly, I don’t think we need new consoles at this point and I would hope that neither console would make its debut before late 2013 at the earliest. It’s not that I’m not a fan of new consoles, but new consoles like these will come with new console prices and I think that does a disservice to a lot of folks. The PS3 and 360 ecosystems are strong right now, introducing new and more expensive consoles could really damage that, especially if they come in around the $599 range.

So am I the only person that thinks that we don’t need new consoles just yet, that both consoles still have a decent amount of life left in them? I mean let’s be honest about this, only a select few developers get anywhere near maxing out the current gen hardware (Naughty Dog, Sony, Bungie, etc). Everybody else has room to grow.