The last generation of games consoles was very different to what we have today and that’s not only in hardware, the latest games systems are apparently going to have a longer shelf life. The Microsoft Xbox 360 is being reported to have a 7 Year Shelf Life that will take it up to 2012. This 7 year life span was quoted from Shane Kim, the boss of Microsoft Game Studios and he said “we’re pretty confident the 360 will have a long tail” and went on to say “people will start saying that Microsoft missed a trick with not using Blu-ray. I just don’t believe that”.
The fact is Microsoft did make the wrong decision with HD-DVD, as it lost to Blu-ray but as Microsoft did not include this drive as a built-in option, can you really class it as part of the Xbox 360 plan? Many gamers have already said that the 360 has always been a gaming device first and foremost. Was HD DVD really part of Microsoft’s plan or are they going the IPTV and high definition video on demand route, as this could be a better choice than normal disc media with broadband speeds get better every year.
Microsoft have said they are not seeing any technical limitations with the Xbox 360, and I would have to agree it can easily last the full seven years, but surely the Sony Playstation 3 with its Blu-ray drive and Cell processor, will have a much better shelf life than the 360. What’s your view?
5 responses so far ↓
1 Erathaol // May 15, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Sony has stated before that the PS3 will have a 10 year life cycle. Seeing as how they have continued to support the PS2 even as they’ve already released the PS3, you can make a good assumption that Sony can/will do the same thing come next gen. They should however, re-prioritize their console release time. Since they have been playing catch-up for most of this gen to the Xbox 360 and the Wii. They should also take some notes on Wii success and realize that fun innovative ideas can be a good thing.
2 Frank // May 15, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Sony have always said the PS3 will have at least a 10 year lifespan. Many chuckled when they heard this but with firmware/feature updates and add-ons like the new PlayTV (dual digital TV tuner turning your PS3 into a fully fledged PVR) it looks like it may last even longer. Having powerful features in addition to a games console (e.g. media centre, TV Web browser, social networking (HOME), messaging system) should definitely extend its life. They will be launching their own video-on-demand service too, and seeing as Sony own so many movie and TV studios its bound to have plenty to offer. Personally I am not a fan of any pay download video service. I like to own the physical media which I can take round to friends houses and doesn’t take up hard disk storage space. But that’s just me, so I will stick with my Blue-Ray.
The PS2 was released in 2000 and is still selling strong, 8 years later. It reached 127 million console sales at the end of last year. I think it has set the benchmark pretty high
3 hhhhh // May 15, 2008 at 6:33 pm
I cant see any reason to disagree with Sony when they say the PS3 will be around for 10 years. The PS1 was sold for 11 years and the PS2 is still selling strongly 8 years into its life.
On the other hand the 360 might scrape 7 years but I doubt it.
4 paul smith // May 16, 2008 at 2:23 pm
the 360 brand may be around after 7 years, but the original release machines certainly wont be seeing out 7 years. mine lasted 1 year with light use.
i do hope they stick with it though for the 7 years, as they left a few people high and dry when they seemed to kill off the original xbox overnight
5 Sam // May 17, 2008 at 10:28 pm
My friend is on his 4th xbox 360, but he doesn’t really mind as microsoft now provide a 3 year warranty.
Back to the blu-ray vs hd-dvd issue, you must remember that its not just about films. Blu-ray has 50gb capacity and dual layer dvd 9gb, therefore in the future when games are bigger you will be able to accomodate larger games on one disc on the ps3. With the xbox you’d have a difficult time compressing etc and you might have to make like 4 discs and we’d be returning to the days of final fantasy on the ps1.
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