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This is the Xbox 360!
We have tested MS's console
 
In less than 6 months it all goes down. This is when the NextGeneration kicks in, starting with the Xbox360. At first, the console will be released in the US, 7-10 days later it'll be our turn in Europe, and in December it'll reach the Japanese. This is the tightest launch-schedule for a console ever. MS has been working intensively to keep the Xbox360 secret, and to an extend this has succeeded, even though the new console will arrive surprisingly quickly compared to the original. We have yet to know the price of the console, and this will not be revealed until sometime in October or November. This leaves one if the main aspects of the new console in the dark. "But we know what the price has to be, in order for it to sell" says Robbie Bach, Senior Vice President for Home & Entertainment. "We won't make the same mistake we did with the original console in Europe". MS claims they've learned a lot of important lessons from the launching of the original Xbox. First and foremost, the company will be creating a complete product with the launching of the Xbox360. J. Allard believes the original Xbox was designed like a painting where additional layers were added little after little, compared to the Xbox360, being a sculpture, where the company from the beginning had an idea of form and contents, and where the initial idea was a blueprint that shouldn't be subjected to change. He goes on about how they were the leading force when it comes to XboxLive and the implementation of a harddisk, and how this should be converted into substantial market shares with this generation of the Xbox console. "There's no reason to keep the cat in the bag. This time we're aiming to become the biggest company" says Robbie Bach. In my opinion [edit: most likely the reporter's own opinion - a bit vague!], people will be seeing Sony and MS as two equal giants. The Xbox360 is a powerful machine, indeed so powerful that it'll take some time for developers to learn how to take full advantage of the vast capacity of the console.
 
Naturally, this will mean that it'll be hard to get a huge selection of games ready for the launch. MS is estimating that about 10-16 titles will be ready for the launch, and that this number will reach 40 within the course of the first 6 months of the launch. From MS's own developers we'll be seeing Perfect Dark Zero, Kameo: Elements of Power and Bizarre Creation's Project Gotham Racing 3.
 
 
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The future is online
Integrated XboxLive is a hard fact of the new Xbox360
 
"MS is actually first and foremost a software company. It's in our blood" says Robbie Bach, at the time GameReactor speaks with him about the Xbox360.
This is a major aspect of the whole concept of the Xbox360, since the PlayStation3 is offering raw muscle power and the Revolution is bringing out innovative ideas. People tend to focus on raw processing power when a new console is released, but MS would rather talk about XboxLive, which is being heavily expanded for the Xbox360-launch. Without a doubt, the biggest change is the fact that XboxLive is completely integrated in the console. Regardless of your decision to go online or not, you'll always have a so-called GamerCard, which holds personal options and preferences. In addition, XboxLive will be available in 2 versions. One will be the free-version, otherwise known as XboxLiveSilver. This version will enable you to download new contents for your games, download demos of upcoming games and participate in video chat - all free of charge. On the other hand, it'll require an XboxLiveGold-pass in order for you to play online the way you currently do. Naturally, there will be exceptions, such as large online-games, where an additional fee - issued by the developer - will be required, or weekends where MS will be making every online service available free of charge. On top of this, another big new feature will be the possibility to use the Xbox360 for video-chatting, using the customized videocam. At the same time, you'll be able to stream your family pictures to the harddisk and your favourite tracks from your iPod. MS's vision for the Xbox360 is that you'll be watching TV, playback movies and at the same time be connected to the internet, in order for you to receive invitations for game-sessions, and regular mail from your online buddies. MS is counting on getting 50% of Xbox360-buyers to go online using XboxLive. Compared to the current 8% of Xbox-owners who are currently utilizing the Live-feature, this is a huge leap, but is it realistic ?
 
[TXT-box besides the pic of the Xbox360-controller]
The new controller is somewhat smaller than it's predecessor. It is also equipped with an entirely new button, that takes you directly to the dashboard.
 
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20 GB harddisk and a nice white controller
The shaping of MS's Xbox360-console uncovered
 
One of the major problems with the original Xbox was its size. Fortunately, this is not an issue with the new console, which doesn't take up more space than the original PlayStation2. The design is the result of collaborations between the sculpture Jonathan Hayes (who works for MS) and an American and Japanese design company. All together, more than 20 different prototypes were presented and later discarded. Everything from a toastmaster-looking creation to something J. Allard refers to as "Fisher Price Nuclear Plant" has been through the selection process. In the end, the chromed and timelessly shaped creation, of which pictures have already been leaked, was selected. An interesting design detail is the fact that no screws are visible and that the front is replaceable, in order to permit personal styling of the Xbox360. MS has promised that this years E3 will have several Xbox360 consoles with various fronts. The company even mentions theme fronts for successful titles such as Halo3, Perfect Dark Zero and Project Gotham Racing 3. The Xbox360 will both be able to stand and be placed like a regular console, without the need of additional accessories. Depending on how you place your console and what you're using it for, 2 fans will automatically be turned on or off. If you're watching a DVD the console will automatically turn off 1 of the fans, in order for you to watch the DVD in a more noiseless environment.
It's easy to see that MS is rather pleased with the current Xbox-controller (the S-controller), since a lot will stay the same with the new white controller. However, because of the elimination of one memory card it will be slightly smaller, but the shape and the feel of the buttons are identical. The black and white buttons have been moved to the shoulders of the controller, and is now functioning as an extra couple of buttons, which is the ideal solution. The big button in the middle of the controller is something new and long awaited, called "The Ring of Light". It indicates what controller you're holding, if you've received any new Live-invitations or anything else related to the internet. At anytime you'll be able to switch between your current gaming-session and your Live-functions, instantly.
 
[TXT-box above the Xbox360]
The logo which has been roaming the internet the last couple of months is a fake. The above logo displays the genuine logo from MS. It seems somewhat familiar, but still represents a fresh and different style.
 
[Xbox360 - The controller]
Finally wireless - Xbox360 raises the bar
Wireless controllers have been around for more than 10 years, produced by such companies as Joytech, Madcatz and Logitech. They have actually been on the market since the 16-bit era. However, this will be the first time a console manufacturer has chosen to include wireless controllers by default. The Xbox360 controller, as expected, includes the rumble-feature, and it'll be possible to set the rumble-force, in order to save battery. The two rechargeable AA-batteries can last long enough for intensive gaming sessions, and is easily recharged through one the USB-ports in the console. The future is indeed wireless.