New details on the Xbox 360

[GuiltySpark]

According to Engadget:

Our same reliable source who delivered the goods for us a few weeks back with the inside dirt that the name for the next Xbox is indeed the Xbox 360 has just hit us up with a couple of other nibblets: One, that the Xbox 360 is definitely going to come with wireless controllers; and two, that it’s going to have an optional hard drive that attaches to the top of Xbox 360 “in a really slick way, almost like the hood scoop on a muscle car.” Better still, “You’ll be able to add the hard drive afterwards without having to take the box apart if you didn’t buy the hard drive version of the Xbox 360.” Yeah, that means there are going to be (at least) two versions of the Xbox 360 available when it goes on sale, one with a hard drive, and one without.

This doesn't sound like such a bad idea. I guess only time will tell. If the 360 is as slick as I hear it's going to be then this new tidbit might actually end up being cool. Instead of hassling with trying to fit all your files on a memory card, you can take out the hard drive and just take that over to your friends house.

BTW, in case you haven't heard: the 360 is supposed to be amazingly sexy and much more petite.

The real question is: "Why are they calling it the 360?"

It has to mean something right. I mean, they could call it the Xbox 500000000 to make is sound cutting edge. The '360' has to be some integral part of the new box...

[rpgreligion]

I wonder how much this 'hard-drive version' will be jacked up pricewise.

[MerimacHamwich]

I wonder how much this 'hard-drive version' will be jacked up pricewise.

And just imagine how little it will be used. Think of our Xbox. Not many games take advantage of it. Most games just use it to store save games. Now if the next xbox has an optional harddrive, that means that there will be a percentage of gamers out there who don't even have the HDD. That is adds a whole knew reason for developers to not get innovative the with HDD tech.

I'm sorry, but the more I hear about the next Xbox, the less I am liking it. The wireless-ness could be good, but it could also suck royally.

[Xer0Mercy]

I think it's a good idea. It's like a giant memory card you can tote to your friends house and such.

I hate the name Xbox 360, though. It just seems like they're trying to get a higher number than PS3 to make it appeal better. Almost anything is better than "Xbox 360."

[Reclaimer]

This just makes the next Xbox suck.
Seriously, I might just jump ship to the PS3 if I keep hearing all this bad news about the next Xbox.

They'll sell a hard drive as an extra? That just means 1 or 2 games will use it then. That means no more custom soundtracks by the way because less games will use the hard drive then they do now. The fact that it's an add on now means that it will be a lot more expensive than a traditional hard drive for a PC would cost, and like we already said, less games will support it.

Wireless controllers. No. Now I have to buy batteries for this dumb thing and I'm sorry.. nothing that transmits through radiowaves is as accurate or considered as quality as a hardwire connection. That goes with anything from data transmission to voice transmission. So it's going to come with 1 controller and now I'll have to buy 3 extra expensive controllers because they're wireless. More expensive to the consumer than a traditional controller. So, I shell out 40-50 bucks per controller then add on batteries for 4 controllers.

What's next? Xbox360 sounds like it's swinging me around back to my old Xbox.

[GuiltySpark]

Wireless controllers. No. Now I have to buy batteries for this dumb thing and I'm sorry.. nothing that transmits through radiowaves is as accurate or considered as quality as a hardwire connection. That goes with anything from data transmission to voice transmission. So it's going to come with 1 controller and now I'll have to buy 3 extra expensive controllers because they're wireless. More expensive to the consumer than a traditional controller. So, I shell out 40-50 bucks per controller then add on batteries for 4 controllers.

Have you ever used the logitech wireless controller? They are WAY better then the M$ first party, or any other third party for that matter. Much more precise.

Wireless technology is getting cheaper by the second. I'm sure the controllers will still be around $30. Then the third party people will have to compete with that, hence, lowering the price farther.

I do agree that the optional HDD might not inspire developers, but has the existing HDD for the Xbox really been worth it? How many games REALLY use it. Sure, they all use it for faster load times, but I could live without if I had to.

I will have to make my final decision about a new system after e3...

[vman]

well, like ppl have said before, the wirless controllers and the optional HD has its cons, but it also has its pro's. like everything else in the world! my goodness, the next-generation console will NOT be perfect? That's unheard of! come on, you douche bags. you KNOW they will have controllers with cords and you dont HAVE to buy the HD! who cares if there are no custom sound tracks. Ever heard of a CD player? hook some portable speakers to your walkman if you just HAVE to listen to music while you play. Its not like you'll die if you dont listen to music. and you will eventually buy the HD anyway cause there is bound to be some sweet ass DLC.

I say, these are all good things. They are trying to set the bar high for its competitors without forcing the consumer into buying a console for a hefty price. pretty ingenious i think. they give you the option to NOT get the hard drive, while the xbox FORCED you to get it. and how are they NOT going to give the option of wire controllers. they know that there are hard-core gamers out there that want that precise button reading time. remember that this is going to be coming from the same guys that brought you the XBOX that you all know and love. Don't worry guys, it is going to turn out like a really sweet console. "Akuna Mattata!"

Life is bittersweet, worries will imprison you, life goes on.

[ShannonX]

all i can say is i better see a HUGE price break for not getting a harddrive. If i have to spend 300 for a base xbox or 400+ for the harddrive version, I'm not getting one. period.

I'm NOT using those damn memory cards, EVER. So either it has built in memory for saving games (harddrive, solid state storage, etc...), and cost no more than this generations cost, or I'm gonna move on over to ps3 unless they are stupid as well. Then i'll just stick with PC gaming.

[Variation-XBA]

I like the HDD idea, and who knows, maybe it'll end up looking like a spoiler or roof scoop or something? :P

Im not making ANY judgements until E3+ and we know the FACTS, not just unconfirmed rumors.

[SamSmith]

i propsed the idea of making a HD version and non HD version to MS... so they took it up

[Variation-XBA]

Ofcourse you did sam....we should all bow down to you

[XTF]

lol

i agree with the wireless controller thing... i dont mind the actual connection (hardwire or wireless) but the battery thing is gonna be a problem, it would be much better if they made them with high quality rechargeble batteries already in them with a charger too. also they should make a optional hardwire controller.

i rather have more graphics power and everything rather than have a sexy petite little xbox with a little power.

just my opinion...

[SamSmith]

Ofcourse you did sam....we should all bow down to you

hmmm, yes...

[Sammael]

I just want E3 here to end the speculation and rumors.

[Huckleberry]

if all the wireless connection stuff is true, and the xbox becomes an entertainment hub, then the name xbox 360 makes sense. it will be able to connect to things in every direction...and i hope it's true. i can't say for sure that i'll buy this thing...i'll have to see everything first. but it's likely, and wireless to me means a lot. i went and bought a recharger and several batteries for it. it was a big investment initially, but when i look at my wireless mouse, keyboard, and a few different remotes, it's paid off big time. if that's what i do for the controllers, no problem.

[Sammael]

My logitech wireless mouse and keyboard are great. The mouse is rechargable, and in two years the keyboard batteries haven't died yet.

[jelgiad]

Ofcourse you did sam....we should all bow down to you

I'd say more along the lines of kick his ass

[Variation-XBA]

I'd say more along the lines of kick his ass

Amen bother

[vman]

come on, guys.... lets be civil.

I think that batteries will be a big problem, rechargeable or not. either way it will be more of a hassle than normal controllers.

[Reclaimer]

Are there any wireless controllers out right now that have XBL headset jacks built into the controller? How does it sound?
I was curious because I want to be able to plug my headset into my controller like I do now.
So the new controllers will be wireless right? Well, including sending button inputs out and receiving rumble commands back, adding inbound and outbound voice communications into the mix will only mean they these controllers have a hard core transmitter and receiver built in to handle the extra "throughput." That will mean more battery usage to power the exchange.
It's one thing to send button inputs.
It's another to send voice back and forth seamlessly.
I'm not saying it can't be done. It can. But it will come at a price.