Being first out of the gate is especially important to the two next-generation console manufacturers. Technically, of course, neither of them are going to be first – the still unknown quantity that is the Wii U is out in a few months. But between Sony and Microsoft it’s a delicate, poised race for your hundreds of pounds and unswerving loyalty.
Everyone assumed Microsoft would launch their Xbox 360 successor first – they’re generally on the ball with regards to tech like this – but rumours today point to a chip manufacturer in desperate need of some QA.
SemiAccurate, a site that apparently likes to use lots of technical words without explanation (and some weird script that stops me copying and pasting text) says the 720’s main chip – dubbed Oban – is currently under mass production but facing a few quality control issues. That is, there’s a load of duff chips. There – how’s that for technical?
What does all this mean? Probably that the Xbox 720 won’t make its release date of next August. It had a release date? No. But there you go.
Scythegpd
“is currently under mass production but facing a few quality control issues. That is, there’s a load of duff chips.”
And? Didn’t stop MS releasing the 560 (and multiple subsequent revisions) with a design flaw that caused massive failures. Going by this gen they’ll:
1 – Release the console
2 – Deny there is any issue with the console
3 – Claim all failures are due to user related issues
4 – After the threat of a class action law-suit suddenly change tack and say “These things happen you know”
5 – Introduce a 3 year warranty, screwing over all the people that had to pay for repairs/replacements prior to them admitting the console was flawed and still ignoring 2 other major issues with the console (E74 + disk scratching)
6 – Be praised for having the heart of a saint for blessing us with the extended warranty.
7 – Retain an army of die-hard fans who still refuse to accept there ever was a problem.
Yeah … I’ll wait a year or 2 before I buy any XBox successor thanks. Just like I did this gen with the 360.
Scythegpd
Balls, that should read “releasing the 360”, not “releasing the 560”
cam the man
Sounds about right.
I bought the first xbox but because of all the problems I had haven’t bothered since.