Gamespot, in their fancy 2012 ‘predictions‘ feature, are rumouring that the next Xbox will be tablet-based. They also think the hype train will be boarding much earlier than E3, when industry insiders think the new machine will be shown properly.
“The guts of the new Xbox,” says the report, “presumably some kind of insane multicore CPU and crazy powerful graphics chipset, will be teased nice and early as part of Microsoft’s final showing at the Consumer Electronics Show this year.”
Gamespot thinks that a further E3 reveal will mean that “we’ll see it in stores by the 2013 holiday season.”
“There are strong signs suggesting that, like with Nintendo’s Wii U, a tablet component figures heavily into the new design. That saucy Windows 8 Metro interface (now also seen on the Xbox Dashboard) just begs to be touched.”
“Speculation as to the form it will take has been rife for the past few months, with some even suggesting that the core of the new platform will be akin to a tablet PC that wirelessly connects to a base station, which in turn plugs into your TV.”
“If this is the case,” the predictions continue, “a premium Xbox Next setup could feasibly include a base station, a tablet, a conventional controller of some kind, and the recently discussed high-def evolution of the Kinect.”
Bilbo_bobbins
If this is true, it could be massive. I think the article sounds confusing but if its true, who wouldn’t want to take their xbox with them on the move to play games on like the Ipad? Its a great idea, especially if you can take it home, link it to the base and play on the tv with your normal games too.
The problem is how much and are all the add ons going to cost a fortune like they normally do. This is if its true. Interesting read though.
job
sounds just like a big vita with a base station.
wick15
Better not be tablet based. I just like having a normal controller in my hands. I hate what Nintendo are doing with the Wii U and I hope the Xbox doesn’t follow course.
Jumping Monks
Are we not calling the next Xbox Terry any more then? :(
One thing that is rattling around my brain when reading this, is that if true, both Terry and the WiiU will have tablets, and Sony look to be somewhat left out right? Wrong! The Vita will undoubtedly be integrated in a similar fashion, so that’s their arse covered.
Gadbury
Doesn’t seem such a bad idea. Sounds like a games console and portable in-one. Dock it at home and hook up to big screen / speakers, take it with you when you leave for gaming on the go.
MICKY17
If there is an option to link a controller to this so called tablet when on the move then that would be cool. Playing ‘proper’ games (Halo etc) could be awkward to play on touch screens. Other than that sounds very Wii U-ish though.
jayjay119
Sounds needlessly expensive in my opinion. How much is a base station, tablet and controller going to cost? Not least considering MS tends to shaft you on the peripherals such as charging packs etc too.
I’m not keen on tablet gaming, and I’m even less keen on it encroaching on my home gaming experience. If done right, like what it being done with the Vita it could work, but I don’t like the idea of a tablet controller. I can’t see me investing in Terry if this is true. I’ve always been more of a PS person anyway…
skibadee
hope Sony stick with the traditional console.