How many years does the Xbox 360 have left?
The Xbox 360 might be leading the PlayStation 3 in the console wars, but just how long it can compete is up for debate. For its part, Microsoft believes its console has lasting power.
Although the Xbox 360 came out in 2005--just four years after the release of the Xbox--it seems that Microsoft isn't too eager to jump to the Xbox 720 (or whatever it will eventually be called).
Speaking at a briefing at CES over the weekend and originally reported by the Guardian, Microsoft senior director of Xbox product management David Hufford said that not only is Microsoft not rushing to get to the next generation of consoles, but that the Xbox 360 has a lot more time left.
"I think it's important to say that the Xbox 360 is the console of the long future for us," Hufford told those in attendance. "There is no need to launch a new console because we're able to give this console new life either with software upgrades or hardware upgrades like Project Natal. The Xbox 360 was designed for a long life, and I don't even know if we're at the midpoint yet."
It's an interesting take. Prior to Hufford's comments, it wasSony that dominated the talk over a console's lifecycle. Sony's team has said on numerous occasions that the PlayStation 3 is the only console that will stay relevant for 10 years. And although the PS3 is currently trailing the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, Sony contends that when it's all said and done, the PlayStation 3, thanks to its longevity, will win out during this generation.
But Microsoft has finally made it clear that it, too, believes that its console has the ability to stick it out. Project Natal should help Microsoft increase the lifespan of the Xbox 360. But after almost five years of availability, has the Xbox 360 really not reached its midpoint yet?
That's up for debate. Let's talk about it in the comments below.