Thread Purpose: The primary purpose of this post is to create a running feed, in chronological order, of rumors relating to Microsoft's successor to the Xbox 360 (aka Xbox 720). A secondary purpose to to begin disseminating the rumors and creating a list of confirmed and/or busted rumors. These goals will make parsing next-gen news easier and also serve as a handy tool to reflect on which news outlets have solid sources and those that do not.
Request: My initial list is rough and I should revise it with better credit to the primary sources. I will hopefully get to this in time, but it is a start. What I am requesting is that if there is a rumor you post it with (a) the date (b) the source (c) short summary, the headline works and (d) a link.
Discussing the rumors are ok. We have a dedicated thread for predicting the next gen technology for all platforms so please direct non-rumor related / general industry and platform predictions there... That said discussing how the rumors are shaping up for the Xbox 720 is ok here and will inevitably include some predicative analysis. But keep it focused: This thread is about the Xbox 720 only and is intended as a feed of sorting through rumors and leaks, not your personal wish-list/prediction for the upcoming console.
10/15/2008
Kotaku: Xbox 720 to provide "Forward Compatibility," make supported current gen games look much better
http://kotaku.com/5063787/rumor-next-xbox-to-be-forward-compatible
4/16/2011
Gamerzines: Crytek wants 8GB of RAM
http://www.gamerzines.com/playstation/news-ps3/crytek-next-gen-8gb-ram.html
4/20/2011
Kotaku: MS targeting 2014 for Xbox 720
http://kotaku.com/5794000/microsoft...or-new-consoles-leaving-nintendo-in-the-clear
7/7/2011
HardOCP: AMD wins all GPU contracts; Xbox 720 to have new IBM cell processor
http://hardocp.com/article/2011/07/07/e3_rumors_on_next_generation_console_hardware/
7/19/2011
Tomshardware: AMD: Xbox 720 to Have Avatar-level Graphics
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/AMD-XBox-720-Xbox-720-Avatar-Graphics-Neal-Robison,13095.html
7/20/2011
HardOCP: AMD gets Xbox 720 contract, rumoe of Fusion Bulldozer Variant
http://www.hardocp.com/news/2011/07/20/next_generation_console_hardware_update
8/15/2011
SemiAccurate: Xbox SoC (CPU+GPU and eDRAM) named “Obed”
http://semiaccurate.com/2011/08/15/next-gen-xbox-chip-gets-a-name-and-date/
10/20/2011
Develop Online: Xbox 720 in 2013
http://www.develop-online.net/news/38917/Sources-point-to-2013-launch-for-Xbox-Next
11/7/2011
MS Nerd (IGN): Code Named Loop, Xbox 720 to be ARM based, smaller than Xbox 360; will have dedicated cores for graphics, AI, physics, networking, encryption, sensors
http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/07/report-xbox-720-will-be-smaller-cheaper-than-xbox-360
11/9/2011
IGN: Xbox 720 coming holiday 2012
http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/09/report-xbox-720-releasing-holiday-2012
11/14/2011
VG247: Xbox 720 to have 6 core CPU, AMD GPU
http://www.vg247.com/2011/11/14/report-next-gen-xbox-announcement-for-ces-hex-core-cpu-inside/
11/14/2011
Eurogamer: Microsoft plans two versions of its next Xbox - rumour
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-24-microsoft-plans-two-versions-of-its-next-xbox-rumour
12/5/2011
SemiAccurate: Xbox 720 chip taped out
http://semiaccurate.com/2011/12/05/exclusive-xbox-next-chip-just-taped-out/
12/14/2012
CNET: Xbox 720 confirmed for 2013 launch
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57343102-75/microsoft-replaces-veteran-xbox-design-boss/
1/18/2012
SemiAccurate: Xbox 720 Chips in production; SoC, PPC, and AMD GCN based
http://semiaccurate.com/2012/01/18/xbox-nextxbox-720-chips-in-production/
1/19/2012
Fudzilla: Next Xbox to use a SoC code named “Oban,” in production; PPC based
http://www.fudzilla.com/processors/item/25619-oban-initial-product-run-is-real
1/24/2012
IGN: Xbox 720 Chipset in Production; “Oban” ready, no launch until 2013
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/121/1217112p1.html
1/24/2012
IGN: Coming 2013, Xbox 720 Will Be Six Times as Powerful as Current Gen (6670 based, not GCN)
http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/01/24/xbox-720-will-be-six-times-as-powerful-as-current-gen
1/25/2012
Eurogamer: Next Xbox GPU based on £50 Radeon HD 6670 card - report
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-01-25-next-xbox-gpu-based-on-50-radeon-hd-6670-card-report
1/20/2012
OXM: No Xbox 720 in 2012
http://www.oxmonline.com/microsoft-spokesman-denies-new-xbox-2012-e3-system-debut
1/25/2012
Kotaku: Xbox 720 to play Blu Ray; may block used games; Kinect 2; may be 6-8x faster than Xbox 360
http://kotaku.com/5879202/sources-t...t-play-used-games-and-will-introduce-kinect-2
2/10/2012
Eurogamer: Xbox 720 to use tablet like touch screen controller; UE4 running on next gen platform
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...as-tablet-like-touch-screen-controller-rumour
2/15/2012
Kotaku: Xbox 720 code named Durango
http://kotaku.com/5885539/the-next-xbox-is-code+nameddurango
2/28/2012
TheVerge: Crytek Twitter leak indicates Xbox 720 code name is Durango
http://www.theverge.com/tag/xbox-durango
3/8/2012
Gadgets: Xbox 720 shown in London with amazing graphics
http://www.gadgetsandgizmos.org/xbox-720-sneaked-in-to-london-now-with-amazing-graphics/
3/9/2012
MCV: Xbox 720 to have no disc drive, 2013 release
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/exclusive-no-disc-drive-for-next-xbox/092534
3/9/2012
Joystiq: Battlefield 3 developer DICE says 2GB of memory not enough, needs more future proofing
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/battlefield-3s-rendering-architect-details-his-dream-specs-for/
3/14/2012
Kotaku: Obsidian cans dev team making Xbox 720 exclusive
http://kotaku.com/5893427/rumor-obs...-was-for-the-next-xbox-published-by-microsoft
3/16/2012
Tomshardware: No Xbox 720 at E3, 2012, or anytime soon
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Microsoft-Xbox-Xbox-720-E3-2012-PS4-New-Console,15043.html
4/2/2012
VG247: Dual South Island (GCN) GPUs not in SLI, 4-6 Core CPU, Blu Ray, Kinect, Always On Internet Required, 2013 release
http://www.vg247.com/2012/04/02/xbox...tcon-required/
Confirmed Rumors:
*
Busted Rumors:
* Xbox 720 hardware to be show at E3 2012
* Xbox 720 to be released in 2012
Modedit:
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-microsoft-scalable-platform-patent
Request: My initial list is rough and I should revise it with better credit to the primary sources. I will hopefully get to this in time, but it is a start. What I am requesting is that if there is a rumor you post it with (a) the date (b) the source (c) short summary, the headline works and (d) a link.
Discussing the rumors are ok. We have a dedicated thread for predicting the next gen technology for all platforms so please direct non-rumor related / general industry and platform predictions there... That said discussing how the rumors are shaping up for the Xbox 720 is ok here and will inevitably include some predicative analysis. But keep it focused: This thread is about the Xbox 720 only and is intended as a feed of sorting through rumors and leaks, not your personal wish-list/prediction for the upcoming console.
10/15/2008
Kotaku: Xbox 720 to provide "Forward Compatibility," make supported current gen games look much better
http://kotaku.com/5063787/rumor-next-xbox-to-be-forward-compatible
4/16/2011
Gamerzines: Crytek wants 8GB of RAM
http://www.gamerzines.com/playstation/news-ps3/crytek-next-gen-8gb-ram.html
4/20/2011
Kotaku: MS targeting 2014 for Xbox 720
http://kotaku.com/5794000/microsoft...or-new-consoles-leaving-nintendo-in-the-clear
7/7/2011
HardOCP: AMD wins all GPU contracts; Xbox 720 to have new IBM cell processor
http://hardocp.com/article/2011/07/07/e3_rumors_on_next_generation_console_hardware/
7/19/2011
Tomshardware: AMD: Xbox 720 to Have Avatar-level Graphics
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/AMD-XBox-720-Xbox-720-Avatar-Graphics-Neal-Robison,13095.html
7/20/2011
HardOCP: AMD gets Xbox 720 contract, rumoe of Fusion Bulldozer Variant
http://www.hardocp.com/news/2011/07/20/next_generation_console_hardware_update
8/15/2011
SemiAccurate: Xbox SoC (CPU+GPU and eDRAM) named “Obed”
http://semiaccurate.com/2011/08/15/next-gen-xbox-chip-gets-a-name-and-date/
10/20/2011
Develop Online: Xbox 720 in 2013
http://www.develop-online.net/news/38917/Sources-point-to-2013-launch-for-Xbox-Next
11/7/2011
MS Nerd (IGN): Code Named Loop, Xbox 720 to be ARM based, smaller than Xbox 360; will have dedicated cores for graphics, AI, physics, networking, encryption, sensors
http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/07/report-xbox-720-will-be-smaller-cheaper-than-xbox-360
11/9/2011
IGN: Xbox 720 coming holiday 2012
http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/09/report-xbox-720-releasing-holiday-2012
11/14/2011
VG247: Xbox 720 to have 6 core CPU, AMD GPU
http://www.vg247.com/2011/11/14/report-next-gen-xbox-announcement-for-ces-hex-core-cpu-inside/
11/14/2011
Eurogamer: Microsoft plans two versions of its next Xbox - rumour
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-24-microsoft-plans-two-versions-of-its-next-xbox-rumour
12/5/2011
SemiAccurate: Xbox 720 chip taped out
http://semiaccurate.com/2011/12/05/exclusive-xbox-next-chip-just-taped-out/
12/14/2012
CNET: Xbox 720 confirmed for 2013 launch
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57343102-75/microsoft-replaces-veteran-xbox-design-boss/
1/18/2012
SemiAccurate: Xbox 720 Chips in production; SoC, PPC, and AMD GCN based
http://semiaccurate.com/2012/01/18/xbox-nextxbox-720-chips-in-production/
1/19/2012
Fudzilla: Next Xbox to use a SoC code named “Oban,” in production; PPC based
http://www.fudzilla.com/processors/item/25619-oban-initial-product-run-is-real
1/24/2012
IGN: Xbox 720 Chipset in Production; “Oban” ready, no launch until 2013
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/121/1217112p1.html
1/24/2012
IGN: Coming 2013, Xbox 720 Will Be Six Times as Powerful as Current Gen (6670 based, not GCN)
http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/01/24/xbox-720-will-be-six-times-as-powerful-as-current-gen
1/25/2012
Eurogamer: Next Xbox GPU based on £50 Radeon HD 6670 card - report
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-01-25-next-xbox-gpu-based-on-50-radeon-hd-6670-card-report
1/20/2012
OXM: No Xbox 720 in 2012
http://www.oxmonline.com/microsoft-spokesman-denies-new-xbox-2012-e3-system-debut
1/25/2012
Kotaku: Xbox 720 to play Blu Ray; may block used games; Kinect 2; may be 6-8x faster than Xbox 360
http://kotaku.com/5879202/sources-t...t-play-used-games-and-will-introduce-kinect-2
2/10/2012
Eurogamer: Xbox 720 to use tablet like touch screen controller; UE4 running on next gen platform
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...as-tablet-like-touch-screen-controller-rumour
2/15/2012
Kotaku: Xbox 720 code named Durango
http://kotaku.com/5885539/the-next-xbox-is-code+nameddurango
2/28/2012
TheVerge: Crytek Twitter leak indicates Xbox 720 code name is Durango
http://www.theverge.com/tag/xbox-durango
3/8/2012
Gadgets: Xbox 720 shown in London with amazing graphics
http://www.gadgetsandgizmos.org/xbox-720-sneaked-in-to-london-now-with-amazing-graphics/
3/9/2012
MCV: Xbox 720 to have no disc drive, 2013 release
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/exclusive-no-disc-drive-for-next-xbox/092534
3/9/2012
Joystiq: Battlefield 3 developer DICE says 2GB of memory not enough, needs more future proofing
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/battlefield-3s-rendering-architect-details-his-dream-specs-for/
3/14/2012
Kotaku: Obsidian cans dev team making Xbox 720 exclusive
http://kotaku.com/5893427/rumor-obs...-was-for-the-next-xbox-published-by-microsoft
3/16/2012
Tomshardware: No Xbox 720 at E3, 2012, or anytime soon
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Microsoft-Xbox-Xbox-720-E3-2012-PS4-New-Console,15043.html
4/2/2012
VG247: Dual South Island (GCN) GPUs not in SLI, 4-6 Core CPU, Blu Ray, Kinect, Always On Internet Required, 2013 release
http://www.vg247.com/2012/04/02/xbox...tcon-required/
Confirmed Rumors:
*
Busted Rumors:
* Xbox 720 hardware to be show at E3 2012
* Xbox 720 to be released in 2012
Modedit:
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-microsoft-scalable-platform-patent