Gates delivering 360 Ultimate-um at CES?

  • By thorsen-ink, GameSpot
  • Posted Jan 5, 2008 1:37 am GMT

Source: A string of reports tracing back to predictions pieces on UK-based gadget site Stuff.tv and in The Seattle Times. What we heard: When Microsoft decided to back HD DVD in September 2005, many assumed the soon-to-be-launched Xbox 360 would eventually support the next-gen video format. Sure...

Source: A string of reports tracing back to predictions pieces on UK-based gadget site Stuff.tv and in The Seattle Times.

What we heard: When Microsoft decided to back HD DVD in September 2005, many assumed the soon-to-be-launched Xbox 360 would eventually support the next-gen video format. Sure enough, at the 2006 Consumer Electronic Show (CES), then-Xbox marketing chief Peter Moore unveiled the console's external HD DVD drive. While Microsoft touted the peripheral as its way of offering consumers more choice, many wondered if it meant Microsoft didn't have enough faith in the format to make it standard in its multimillion-unit-selling console.

In September 2006--two months before the 360's external HD DVD player launched--Taiwanese electronics-industry news site Digitimes reported that Microsoft had designed a 360 with an internal HD DVD drive to rival the PlayStation 3's built-in Blu-ray Disc player. However, the predicted early-2007 launch period came and went without an HD DVD-equipped hitting the market. The rumor then faded--until October, when reports surfaced of a joint effort with HD DVD creator Toshiba to create a 360 that would support the high-definition format.

With CES 2008 just around the corner, speculation is growing that Microsoft will use the gadget-centric event to unveil a new HD DVD-equipped Xbox 360. This week, a series of reports sparked by the two aforementioned pieces raised the possibility that Bill Gates will use his final CES address as Microsoft's chairman to announce a new console, which Stuff.tv calls the "Xbox 360 Ultimate." According to stuff's "guesstimate," the new console will have many of the same features as the PS3, including 1080p HDMI video output and built-in Wi-Fi. It will also feature the 65nm CPU and GPU, which will enable it to be cooled by a "near-silent" fan, and will sport a massive 320GB hard drive--or so Stuff.tv editors speculate.

Seattle Times writer Brier Dudley goes one step further, speculating that Gates will announce it is licensing the 360 platform to other manufacturers. Such a move would drastically shake up the console market, as it could allow Sony's consumer electronics competitors to begin competing with it in the games space.

The official story: Both the Times and Stuff.tv's hypotheses make sense--except for one small thing. In a rare abstention from its tried-and-true rumor-response mantra "Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation," the software giant is denying it has any plans for an Xbox 360 with an internal HD DVD player.

"We have reiterated multiple times since launching the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player that we have no plans to integrate an HD DVD player in to the Xbox 360," a spokesman told GameSpot. "We feel that offering the drive externally is the best way to give consumers the ultimate choice to create their own high-definition experiences."

Bogus or not bogus?: Officially bogus--for now--that Microsoft is making a 360 with a built-in HD DVD player. However, if Microsoft licenses the 360 platform to Toshiba, expect the electronics giant to rush a HD DVD-hardware-equipped device as quickly as possible to prop up the format's flagging fortunes in the next-gen video war.

459 Comments

  • Soundwave079

    Posted Jan 28, 2008 10:45 pm GMT

    I'm disappointed that they are doing this now! I was so excited to be one of the first owners of the 360. They should have done this in the beggining. I love the PS3 better than the 360!!

  • ebonyflame

    Posted Jan 8, 2008 12:01 pm GMT

    Man it is over. With almost every major studio jumping ship in favor of blu-ray, it seems as if hd-dvd is all but finished. The real question is can the hd disk format beat out the cheap, readily available, and highly detailed regular old dvd format? Realistically, only videophiles, audiophiles, people with excess cash and early adopters can afford or want either hd disk format chosing to opt for regular definition which is really excellent quality.

  • TreyTable

    Posted Jan 8, 2008 10:52 am GMT

    An interesting idea, but it wouldn't be on the same scale as the three current SKUs, or the two that matter, the Elite and Premium, I would see this as more like a TiVO with a XBOX 360 player type of product, or like Sony's Japan only "PSX" (that big white box of stuff) or the Japan only GameCube plus a DVD Player in one unit by Nintendo..

  • Proust

    Posted Jan 8, 2008 6:33 am GMT

    If the xbox ever got an internal drive it would have to blu-ray. No one will buy HD-DVD hardware in 2008.

  • agustbestur

    Posted Jan 8, 2008 2:53 am GMT

    cool

  • ollie_975

    Posted Jan 8, 2008 12:51 am GMT

    well this is how i see it, he's trying to make sure that at no point he makes the misake of what the PS3 did (didn't stop me i still got 1 .

    what bill is doing is waiting for the cost of the parts to go down, then when the parts cost less, he can build new machines and sell them for less than a PS3 still.

  • redigo

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 10:06 pm GMT

    that would be a bad move on microsofts part because with the blue ray disc already having most of the movie market in their pocket the thing won't be any use, the people will have bought the cool xbox with the functionality but the functionality will be obsolete i like microsoft but i think that sony has already won the hd war that has been going on, even thought the players are pretty expensive with that many companies backing it the movies and players are gonna come down in price sooner rather than later so microsoft should give up on the hddvd and wait for the next great video platform whatever it may be

  • That1DudeXx

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 8:30 pm GMT

    I lost it at 320GB, that's way to much memory and money. 160GB sounds more resonable (twice the PS3 memory)

  • clawboy

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 6:40 pm GMT

    The 360 Ultimate will die the Ultimate death just like all of the other Xbox's.

  • xployt268

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 3:40 pm GMT

    this sux

  • LsTr_Of_SmG

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 1:33 pm GMT

    THis is just a stupid rumour that has been outed as being bogus. Microsoft CLEARLY are not going to do it for the multiple reasons people have suggested. So why bother your time talking about it - go play some games fools!

  • fearnterror

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 12:33 pm GMT

    I know that this foo! is going to release the Ultimate, Ultimate XboX360. The which kind makes love to you, sandwhiches while you game and take out the trash (PS games). Believe me, I'll take out another college load just to get this out on the first day. In fact, I should start making like around the corner of my house this very instant to anticipate it. C'mon Bill, you want to be my customer? All you have to do is bring me one. Hahahahahaha

  • ryan-man

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 11:19 am GMT

    NO ULTIMATE


    CES 2008: Bill Gates Breaks Hearts of Xbox Fans
    Announces nothing of consequence to gamers hoping for the "Ultimate" 360.
    by Hilary Goldstein

    January 6, 2008 - Over the past week, rumors have circulated suggesting that at his final CES keynote address, Microsoft founder Bill Gates would announce major Xbox 360 news. Two popular theories emerged: one suggested the revealing of the Ultimate Xbox 360 (a device with features that likely would put its price tag above $1000), the other was more plausible, suspecting that Microsoft would license 360 technology to manufacturers so that any hardware device could include the ability to play Xbox games. Neither became reality Sunday night.

    Gates announced nothing that would excite 360 gamers. Robbie Bach, President of Microsoft's Entertainment & Devices Division, gave 360 geeks one small cheer, announcing that MGM and Disney have agreed to release content on Xbox Live Marketplace.

    CES has long been a platform for Microsoft to reveal new and exciting things for the future. This year, at least for gamers, that was not the case. It's possible that February's GDC will be home to Microsoft's unveiling of new hardware or services for Xbox 360.

  • ryan-man

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 10:50 am GMT

    hd dvd is dead so why put a hd dvd in this so called xbox 360 ultimate, Warnerbrothers isn't going to release anymore movies on HD-DVD, Warnerbrothers goes Blue-Ray only starting from 2008. So Whyy? The xbox 360 ultimate is bogus BIG BOGUS.

  • Gadeos

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 9:05 am GMT

    Blu Ray is the future, no doubt about it. Sorry 360, u're my favorite and this has nothing to do with PS3, it's just about facts

  • deviousdeviousd

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 8:03 am GMT

    Myabe Ms are makin the HD-DVD internal for the game format? If MS did confirm the move then I wud expect them to announce new hd-dvd format games not long after. Which would suck becuase it would force all xbox users 2 upgrade yet again. I dnt reckon MS have the balls 2 do it.

  • 21051

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 7:41 am GMT

    i just got an xbox 360 a couple of days ago i hope that if a new xbox comes out i can still play games its games on mine

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 7:39 am GMT

    If BR wins they will have an external BR player. I just got the 360 HDdvd player and it's great!

  • capitancahonas

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 6:10 am GMT

    Calm down dear, it's only the last format war (ever!)...Maany moons past, the great Bill suggested that this will prob' be the last significant format war prior to everything going "on demand" - once inconsistant b/w speeds/issues are dealt with (locally-)...I reckon it'll be 5 years (tops) before I'll be d/l 'ing all my movies/games etc direct to my hardware..
    The possibility of ms licensing out tech would really F*** with the Sony/Nintendo guys though(hehehe), but this is surely a (humourous)rumour too far...?think i'll be getting my budget blu-ray player (ps3)for the spare room this year after all though..

  • EssaregeeX

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 4:34 am GMT

    And the X360 ultimate will only cost $899.99

  • bropie

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 2:53 am GMT

    Another rip off from microsoft....it's should have a HD DVD player already, like the PS3's blu-ray. I ain't against it it's just a rip off.

  • dylankimberlin

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 2:51 am GMT

    I fell that video game consoles will soon be like computers, In a few months they out date

  • jogunther

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 2:24 am GMT

    Too late for 360. The PS3 is an affordable HD player.(reletively)

  • jogunther

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 2:22 am GMT

    The cut it to sell sytems cheaper. Now they've sold more units. My PS3 plays 1080p movies now, and they look excellent.

  • v8nnwilder

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 1:52 am GMT

    Well now that Warner Bros are going to Blu-Ray it's all over and done for the HD-DVD era. If MS had it in from the start it would have been a totally different story. If they do it now they will shaft all of the current 360 owners. Imagine how they will get sued then seeing they getting sued for $5mil already for their live services being down for a while... I will be getting my 360 sometime this year but for now my PS3 is doing just fine. Need my HDTV first anyway... Just curious thou if HD-DVD really takes such a bad knock in 2008 then maybe Universal and the rest of them might change their minds and go to Blu-Ray as well... Stranger things has happened.

  • karnis

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 11:31 pm GMT

    they better not f---ing do it or they'll be sued

  • Speedy1904

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 9:51 pm GMT

    i would love to see microsoft do something like this because i would like to see the price on it but also i would love to see all the pissed off ppl that will want to trade in their old 360 to get the new one and wat will they do with the old 360? loose money and also who needs a 320gb hard drive? no way in hell u will be able to fill it up maybe jus want to be cool and tell ur friends hey look i have a 320gb 360 awsome lmao

  • 4themob1

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 9:42 pm GMT

    to suuji: the 360 does upconvert to 1080p this is done through the hdmi port though. major nelson mentioned this fact on inside xbox with the fall update. check it out.

  • Joz_GS_Assassin

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 9:26 pm GMT

    cant be true, 3 reasons why....
    1) they r tryin 2 sell their HD movies on the marketplace
    2) they already have a separate HD DVD player adapter thing
    3) it will raise the price of the 360 n screw them over

    from wat im hearing other than this whole thing, wat microsoft has 2 say at CES is ground breakin...does this sound ground breakin 2 u?

  • Rodemon22

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 9:23 pm GMT

    do it microsoft do it! this way we will be back to the old playstation and end this stupid fanboy crap. i miss the old playstation days where there was no graphics this and processor that. sigh

  • Mike0193

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 8:56 pm GMT

    i honestly don't want this right now, because i always want the best out of game systems, and seeing as i just got a 360 elite, i don't want something better than it coming so soon. Plus, microsoft would just be trying to copy the PS3's format.
    I think that the Xbox should stay its own way, just as the PS3 should. SO many people already have 360's, so making this 360 ultimate would just be a waste (in my opinion).

    and i do agree with many here, that Blu-Ray has surpassed hd-dvd

  • stevo684

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 8:46 pm GMT

    wouldn't it be ironic if the 360 ended up being the more expensive but higher performance machine?

  • DazKurupt

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 8:20 pm GMT

    He didnt say a thing about it at CES in his keynote , maybe GDC.

  • CBass_1975

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 8:00 pm GMT

    So, let me get this straight...If MS (or any other console manufacturer) ever builds a new system with Blu Ray, ultimately its a double win for Sony..not only did their propreitary disc format win the war, but now MS will have to pay Sony for the Blu Ray discs to play on their own systems...ouch thats gotta hurt. Unless MS or one of it's allies comes up with some super new disc format before the next gen in 20?? I don't see any other way to keep up with the sony train over time. Honestly I'm glad that it seems like some direction is finally here. I've been a little upset with MS lately...I am on my second XBox due to RROD like many others...Looks like it's time to invest more into my PS3 and throw the 360 on Ebay...any buyers??

  • WarGameJunkie

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 7:54 pm GMT

    I don't think there's any way Microsoft will announce they are making an "Ultimate XBox 360" with a HD DVD drive, particularly after the announcement by WB. I do agree with Gamespot that they will most likely license the technology and let Toshiba take the risk.

  • JJOR64

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 7:49 pm GMT

    Yeah, Disney.......w00t......

  • DeathKurse

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 7:46 pm GMT

    well I watched microsofts 08 CES show, and nothing about a new Xbox

  • kingrich06

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 7:21 pm GMT

    i'd buy it and give my Elite to my bro

  • FreddyVorhees

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 6:40 pm GMT

    An internal HD-DVD drive would definitely be pointless. Considering that game disk makers wouldn't even be allowed to make games for HD-DVD because not all XBox360s have one! The same reason why all 360 games don't require an HDD. Another reason that an internal HD-DVD drive would be pointless is that it really has nothing to do with gaming!

  • Nicolas00-0g

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 6:39 pm GMT

    I don't have a X360 but please MS, don't do it. HD-DVD is dead, you'll only wast money for nothing. try to do a better thing because the HD-DVD is dead.

  • ObsidianArbiter

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 6:35 pm GMT

    320gb's is just overkill, i don't know a single person whos even been close to filling up their elite's hard drive and blue ray is completely owning hd dvd right now

  • XAF1

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 6:17 pm GMT

    I seriously don't see MS announcing that it will be adding a built in HD-DVD player to the 360 but I do see it adding other surprise features that even the 360's early adopters can enjoy to enhance game play. As for Blu-Ray and HD-DVD they are both starting to feel like a gimmick for the movie industry to squeeze more money out of deadwood. I thought the concept was more space for more content. Not making multiple special versions of old assets that have been milked to death already. How many special editions, super editions and ultimate editions of the same movies can we expect to see on Blu-ray and HD-DVD for god sakes?

  • gocanes222

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 6:13 pm GMT

    Wow Microsoft. Looking real good now...not. HD-DVD just didn't make it. Internal HD-DVD would just be a waste of money and space. Blu-Ray is dominant and has great picture. Watch Pirates of the Carribbean 3 on it. Wow, I'm sorry but the PS3 is really making it's comback.

  • foolwestcoast33

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 5:56 pm GMT

    if the market does completely switch over to bluray than 360 owners are definetly done watching dvds on their xbox but this doesnt change anything bluray prices would drop when hd-dvd drops completely off there would be only bluray the market would be flooded so sony will sell more movies in the future but what are they going to do to sell more games?

  • dojodawg

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 5:48 pm GMT

    Interesting but im not shelling out whatever the cost is for ANOTHER xbox 360

  • lrsp

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 5:41 pm GMT

    I doubt a Ultimate xbox will see the light of day. I can only imagine the price tag of an hd-dvd equipped 360 with a 320 gig hdd and wifi.

  • ChaoticPYRO

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 5:11 pm GMT

    I bet its gonna be at least $550 for the console and controller. What will us 360 owners do if we dont have an HD drive?
    I really think that if any new 360 comes out, its gonna be around the END of 2008 anyway..

  • HyperMetaDragon

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 5:03 pm GMT

    Rofl...it won't happen. First of all, the reason why HD-DVD has been external with the 360 is because Microsoft knows that HD-DVD might flop. Second of all, Xbox 360 Ultimate sounds lame and Microsoft knows its customers are hating new SKUs. Finally, 320 GB is a total waste of money and Microsoft wouldn't sell it. 120 GB is already a ton of memory.

  • moatartareque

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 4:56 pm GMT

    it would be kinda too late i guess -_-

  • davemaster42

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 4:52 pm GMT

    I have a XBOX 360 but it would be a very dumb move to make another XBOX 360 cause face it BLU-Ray has beat HD-DVD so it's like microsoft doing everything they can to try to beat the competitor. I mean look at the ZUNE come on microsoft give it up already Apple has beaten u so stop making new versions of the ZUNE.

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