Microsoft To Launch $100 Xbox Lite Before Moving to Durango

[btarunr]

Shortly before launching its next-generation game console (codenamed "Durango"), Microsoft is said to be working on a new product (SKU, rather), called Xbox Lite. This new console will cost as little as $100. According to a source, Xbox Lite will be ARM-based, and scheduled for "late 2013 which does Arcade-style games & all the current & future media apps with Kinect (with near-mode)." What makes the rumor plausible is that ARM chips advancing faster than ever, and so is the ecosystem of casual games on Xbox Live Arcade, which don't have very high graphical detail (and hence, aren't resource-heavy). Many of these casual games, along with Kinect-enabled games, could make up the ecosystem around Xbox Lite.



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[Wrigleyvillain]

Squeeze it harder there's gotta be a few more drops in there before we toss it!

 

[Mega-Japan]

And to think the Wii isn't even at the price yet. Surely that will change with the Wii U's release. I just hoped the this Durango and the PS4 aren't overpowered compared to Wii U, or else the cycle will repeat itself once more.

 

[djcjn16]

i honestly think all companys should stop making more and more consoles, and make upgradeable consoles instead.

 

[Fermi]

i honestly think all companys should stop making more and more consoles, and make upgradeable consoles instead.

LOL. What a stupid idea. People buy consoles because they don't want to bother with constant upgrading like PC gamers.

 

[Rowsol]

2 first posters, fight!

I don't know what to think about this system. I'm assuming the games will be a lot cheaper (indie games)?

 

[INSTG8R]

I dunno I got one of those "walk across my grave" shivers. This is jut bad. I mean it's "Lite" Just makes me think they are gonna push this idea and we end up with essential y FB Style Flash Games...Nickle and Diming all the way...

 

[option350z]

LOL. What a stupid idea. People buy consoles because they don't want to bother with constant upgrading like PC gamers.

Not at all true. Don't devalue an idea just because you think it's stupid. PC Gamers don't usually upgrade all the time. My buddy is still sitting on a core 2 quad, 9800GTX+ rig. His idea has some weight to it. It would be nice if the consoles used similar hardware to the point that game devs wouldn't be doing such a crappy job at porting games to the PC. Problem is that everything that is geared toward consoles is locked down propitiatory content. Essentially make the most money with no consumer input and no chance of upgrade ability. Make money off of something that really isn't worth it but trick everyone into buying. Honestly people don't want to play PC because they think Work=PC. If someone can make a console that uses X86 hardware like the original xbox. Then our games would probably have more potential.

Back on topic, I think that making the switch to ARM is an alright for something this cheap. Heck for using it as an arcade/netflix machine is a fantastic idea. I just don't know how many people would want it though.

 

[Nordic]

Look up steam box. TPU did a nice article on it a week or two back. Imagine a alienware x51 like console. Problem is that it would cost a... lot more than consoles do today.

 

[Solaris17]

this makes sense. infact the news earlier this month that talked about an xbox with no disk drive might actually be applied to this. if this console is as limited as the rumor has them their will be no need for a disk drive (cut coast) and you can buy all the arcade stuff online. the problem i see? 1 this lite model will be a great excuse to milk XBL subscriptions. 2. now its easier to jack the price of market content up.

 

[ZoneDymo]

LOL. What a stupid idea. People buy consoles because they don't want to bother with constant upgrading like PC gamers.

Sorry but thats a rather ignorant stance you are taking there.

 

[Hustler]

Sigh...another week, another bullshit console rumour.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

It sounds to me like this is pretty much just a Windows Phone with a console shell. It doesn't play actual Xbox games, just downloadable content. I think it is going to sell terrible or have a bad case of mistaken identity thinking it is a fully featured Xbox 360 console. It is the boxed retail games that sell consoles, not the cheapos that are downloaded.

 

[BumbleBee]

this XBOX 360 does have a disk drive.

 

[Over_Lord]

If this can play every current X360 game, then it would be AWESOME!

 

[sc]

This will be launched in late 2013 and the real nex gen consoles will be launched after that...

So, what I basically understand is that we will be stuck with 2006 graphic engine games on our quad 680 SLI configurations at least until 2014 when the new generation of consoles will launch. Sweet!

 

[BumbleBee]

nevermind. i'm thinking of that new family value bundle they showed a couple weeks ago.

 

[nt300]

i honestly think all companys should stop making more and more consoles, and make upgradeable consoles instead.

Sega did this afew times. Sega Genesis into Sega CD ito Sega 32X until they release the Sega Saturn, then Sega Dreamcast which then the new Sega CEO made the big mistake of cancel the Dreamcast, despite record sales.

Good for the new Xbox coming out should be based on HD 7870M.

 

[Mega-Japan]

This will be launched in late 2013 and the real nex gen consoles will be launched after that...

So, what I basically understand is that we will be stuck with 2006 graphic engine games on our quad 680 SLI configurations at least until 2014 when the new generation of consoles will launch. Sweet!

Uh, Wii U is around the corner. MS and Sony's offering might be more powerful, but I doubt it'd be left in the dust, technology wise.

 

[GoFigureItOut]

I don't understand Microsoft logic here. $100 dollars for a console that's limited to arcade games and Kinect based games. Hell, a 4GB slim cost a mere 200 bucks.

 

[aryastark]

Don't think of this as a gaming console, think of it as an Apple TV competitor.

For MS, "Xbox" isn't just games anymore, it's an entertainment portal. Recently they've been getting a lot of content providers on board. This will be a cheap portal to that.

 

[Shihab]

Imagine a alienware x51 like console. Problem is that it would cost a... lot more than consoles do today.

Two words: Mass Production

Good for the new Xbox coming out should be based on HD 7870M.

I thought twas an HD 6670 ? Doesn't matter much. Both aren't half decent anyway.
I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

i honestly think all companys should stop making more and more consoles, and make upgradeable consoles instead.

wait so a PC?

 

[Mega-Japan]

I don't understand Microsoft logic here. $100 dollars for a console that's limited to arcade games and Kinect based games. Hell, a 4GB slim cost a mere 200 bucks.

Yes. That is twice the price. To your casual high school Joe who only get a $5/week allowance, that's a lot of money.
I was one of those back in the day, and I was lucky if my family would give me 1 game for christmas.

 

[ZoneDymo]

wait so a PC?

Yeah because a console that you can upgrade will automatically allow for all the stuff a PC does....
Think before you post.