Another month and another Xbox 360 Blu-ray rumor. Though, this time we don't really have to talk about its validity, because Microsoft has already debunked it and gone on record as saying the latest round of 360 Blu-ray rumors are false.
Edge Online received a "Microsoft has no plans to introduce an Xbox 360 Blu-ray add-on" comment from the MS folks, which puts it ever so bluntly that, again, no Blu-ray Xbox plans are in the works. Even more juicier is Microsoft product manager Aaron Greenberg's Blu-ray dissing, telling Major Nelson in an interview that "no one knows what Blu-ray will be. It's pretty clear it is not the next DVD, right? The days of one physical format being the standard are gone." Burn!
Posted Jun 13th 2008 11:15AM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News
Because we know you just can't enough Blu-Ray Xbox 360 rumors, we present to you more speculative proof that a Blu-ray equipped 360 is in the works over in Redmond. Or so that's what we speculate ...
Take a look at the screenshot above that was taken from a recent MyPoints.com survey that has been making the internet rounds. The survey question simply asks which of the listed products the survey taker currently owns. Simple enough, but do you notice anything that just doesn't look right? No, we aren't talking about the Vornado Vacuum Cleaner (though it does sound suspicious), look one line below that. For whatever reason, this MyPoints.com survey lists an Xbox 360 with Blu Ray Disc Player as a survey option. An odd survey choice seeing that a Blu-ray Xbox 360 doesn't eveb exist. Does MyPoints.com know something we don't or did they just make a mistake? An even more import question to ask is whether these Blu-ray 360 rumors will ever come to an end.
This is a momentous week for Playstation 3 owners. You see, Metal Gear Solid 4 comes out this week (perhaps you've heard). Metal Gear Solid 4 essentially is the game that will make the console. Apparently it's not enough just to make a good game, though. It appears that MGS4's creators feel the need to extol the benefits of the PS3 as you play. Alternately, one could argue that the game denigrates certain other consoles. Now, we're not trying to incite any flame wars here (though that's basically inevitable), and we know the video has tongue planted firmly in cheek, but it also smells ever so slightly of "inferiority complex." See the evidence after the break (note: MGS4 fans looking to avoid any spoilers should not watch). And remember kids, we're just the messengers.
9:00AM pacific has come and gone and guess what kids? We still do not have a Blu-ray equipped Xbox 360 to announce, because it isn't real. So, that CrunchGear rumor was a total bust, who would have guessed? But we really didn't have to wait until this morning to be disappointed, because Microsoft's own Robbie Bach already dispelled (for the 39th time) any Blu-ray / Xbox 360 integration yesterday during an interview with SFGate. Again, Bach pretty much reiterated the fact that the Blu-ray format isn't something Microsoft is interested in adding to the 360 and doesn't think consumers really see value in it. Oh, and if you were excited about a Zune Phone (and really, who isn't?) don't hold your breath. Bach squashed that rumor too.
Update:Rumor denied! No Blu-ray Xbox 360 announcement for us and no WWDC spoilage. iPhone, you got lucky.
Coming from the folks over at CrunchGear and their tipster who supposedly has a "close friend" within Microsoft's E&D division, we get word that Microsoft is set to announce a new Blu-ray equipped Xbox 360 console Monday morning at 9:00AM pacific, an hour before Apple's WWDC. A Blu-ray Xbox 360 announcement that is said to confirm the new console's release this holiday at a price point lower than what the Elite currently sells for and an announcement whose aim is take the tech limelight away from Apple and their iPhone. Right ...
We have a few problems with this Blu-ray rumor, the first being that it's yet another Blu-ray Xbox 360 rumor. Seeing that EVERY time there has been speculation of Microsoft announcing this mysterious console, it never comes to fruition followed by MS's adamant denials. Our second issue with this rumor is the fact that the tipster links this MS announcement with Apple's conference where they claim MS will try to upstage the WWDC big reveals. Hmm, since when were MS and Apple duking it out in the video game market and since when have Apple loyalists ever been impressed by MS news? Seriously? We're beginning to think we should create a "Blu-ray Rumor" category to house all this "news".
We've officially lost count of how many times Microsoft has denied rumors of an upcoming Xbox 360 equipped with Blu-ray ... we only have so many fingers and toes.
And so comes another denial hot on the heels of the recent Blu-ray rumor, where Microsoft told GamePro that they "have no plans to introduce a Blu-ray drive for Xbox 360". There you have it, said as black and white as humanly possible. But don't worry fanboys, we'll still report on every Blu-ray / Xbox 360 rumor we come across, not only because we feel obligated to keep you informed, but because we also enjoy annoying the pants off Microsoft. Yes, we're evil ...
Adding to the pile of Blu-ray rumors we've had the privilege of reporting on for the past few months, we get word that a Blu-ray equipped Xbox 360 is headed our way the third quarter of this year.
According to the Chinese Economic Daily News, Pegatron Technology (an OEM subsidiary of Asustek Computer who deals with computer component manufacturing) has been selected by Microsoft to assemble Xbox 360 consoles with Blu-ray drives which will begin shipping Q3 2008. And, as Joystiq points out, the report's wording hints at the Blu-ray drive being internal rather than an external add-on. So, how long will it take for Microsoft to deny this latest Blu-ray gem? We give them until 4:00PM eastern.
We didn't think HD DVD early adopters could get any luckier when Best Buy started handing out $50 gift cards, but we were wrong. Future Shop, Canada's largest retailer of consumer electronics, is offering a $100 trade-in promotion on all HD DVD players towards the purchase of select Samsung or LG model Blu-ray / HD DVD combo players (which retail for $499.99 CND each).
Future Shop has sweetened the deal to consumers by promising to donate returned HD DVD Players the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada for use in their after-school and evening programs. Charity and a discount in the HD format war? That's the Canadian hospitality we're accustomed to hearing about!
The promotion began on March 7 and will run until April 3 across Canada.
They may have to support it for some of their products, but Microsoft is being vocal about their non-support of Blu-ray technology when it comes to the Xbox 360.
Microsoft's own Aaron Greenberg flat out told Reuters that Sony's Blu-ray technology would not be integrated into the 360 saying that "Xbox is not currently in talks with Sony or the Blu-ray Association to integrate Blu-ray into the Xbox experience". So, can we now officially put to rest anyrumors or talk of Microsoft releasing an Xbox 360 Blu-ray attachment? Please?
It's been bandied about before, but now we have real word from Microsoft that they are indeed going to be supporting the defacto winner of the format war. With Sony saying that they were "in talks" with Microsoft, and a clam-like strategy being adopted by Microsoft, no one was quite sure just how spited they were towards Blu-ray. This is jus the confirmation of things though, with Microsoft admitting that it is trying to figure out the best way to connect with Blu-ray, and that it is working on different ways to integrate the Blu-ray devices and technology into Microsoft products across the board, including Windows.
Yesterday our email exploded with news tips regarding the latest in the Blu-ray Saga. In an interview with the Financial Times, Sony Electronics US president Stan Glasgow proclaimed, "Sony is in talks with console rival Microsoft about offering a Blu-ray drive for the Xbox 360." While Microsoft has since denied any HD discussions are happening with Sony, we remember that a few MS execs let it slip that this could be an option if Blu-ray won the "war," which it did. One thing to keep in mind Xbox fanboys, this decision stems from wanting to offer multiple avenues to HD content to Xbox 360 users and doesn't mean we'll see that new SKU that slaps Master Chief's next outing on a BD disc. At least we think.
It's official. After sidestepped inquires to retailers and unanswered questions during the Blogger Breakfast, Gamescore Blog sends the word that Microsoft has officially ended production on the HD DVD add-on drive for the Xbox 360. Citing the recent decision from Toshiba to shut the format down, Hollywood exodus and various retailer announcements, Microsoft is out of the HD DVD business. Current owners of the HD DVD drive, who haven't flooded eBay with their defunct format, will be happy to know that Microsoft will, "continue to provide standard product and warranty support for all Xbox 360 HD DVD Players in the market."
With the announcement Microsoft took the opportunity to reiterate it's statement that this format massacre war has little impact on it's Xbox 360 business and reminds consumers that the HD DVD was just one of the various ways the Xbox 360 offered HD content, another being through the Xbox Live Video Marketplace. On a side note anyone wondering what they can do with their HD DVD drive, this video might help.
Our friends at Engadget Japan (English link) were able to live blog a press conference that ended a few hours ago where Toshiba president Nishida-san officially confirmed earlier reports that HD DVD had fallen for good in the console war. During the conference a lot of numbers were dropped on the overall impact of the HD DVD format, but instead of just dolling out the info like we've been doing all week long we thought we would write a letter to our downed friend and tell him how we really felt.
Dear HD DVD,
Hey, it's everyone here at X3F. So you had a gooddecent run in the high definition format war and it didn't go the way you hoped. Now, like all those ET cartridges buried in the desert, you've found a new home padding Nevada for some kind of future nuclear test. Take solace in the fact that you have around 730,000 HD DVD players worldwide taking up space in homes like an overweight passenger who has to buy two seats on a United flight. Our fans made up for 300,000 of those units by way of the Xbox 360 add-on and while we here at X3F tried to give you as many shout-outs as possible it just didn't look like you were getting on anyone'sgoodside.
It's funny, this whole thing really has nothing to do with video games but we keep talking about you. Maybe it's because of the whole Xbox 360 add-on thing or maybe we're just trying to ignore the fact that a new optical format in the age of digital distribution makes about as much sense as controlling an escalator with a chicken-n-beef burrito. So will Toshiba start making Blu-ray players or begin work on a new format? They won't say. What we know for sure is that somewhere Michael Bay is licking the sweet tears off of an HD DVD owner's face while pumping a fist to the sky crying for the head of Mr. Bill Gates. Wow, that rhymed! We're poet's and we didn't even know it! Nice, two for two.
While haven't seen this much side stepping since our annual Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance tournaments ended, it looks like HD DVD is a few steps from being officially gone and a rehash of an old rumor isn't helping the situation. Reports are coming in from Australia's Smarthouse citing "insiders at Microsoft in the USA," claiming that a Blu-ray add-on is already well in development and could be ready to launch in as little as three months.
Microsoft has yet to comment on the validity of the report but according to a story on Engadget they've said, "we will wait until we hear from Toshiba before announcing any specific plans around the Xbox 360 HD DVD player." Since Microsoft has little to do with this format war it wouldn't be surprising to see a Blu-ray add-on in the mix sometime in the future, they've even said it could happen a few times already.
According to Engadget, sources from across the globe are confirming earlier reports that Toshiba would be bowing out of the optical disc format war, but it will happen sooner than we originally heard. Reuters and the NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) claim to have inside sources that confirm that Toshiba is officially retiring the HD DVD format as soon as possible and will be shutting down its DVD factories in Aomori Prefecture located in northern Japan. The shutdown will reportedly cost Toshiba hundreds of millions of dollars.
The death spiral of HD DVD seemed to have been kick started in June 2007, when the corporate rental giant Blockbuster said they would only carry Blu-ray within it's retail locations. Then in early January 2008, Warner Bros. confirmed they would drop HD DVD in favor of the Sony backed - but not owned - Blu-ray format. Earlier this week HD DVD was knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked as Netflix and Wal-Mart chose to support Blu in this completely ridiculous interesting format war.
While we wait for official word Stateside from Toshiba it certainly looks like this format war is completely done-zos.
This is a momentous week for Playstation 3 owners. You see, 
9:00AM pacific has come and gone and guess what kids? We still do not have a Blu-ray equipped Xbox 360 to announce, because it isn't real. So, that 
We've officially lost count of how many times Microsoft has 
We didn't think HD DVD early adopters could get any luckier when Best Buy started handing out 
They may 
It's official. After sidestepped inquires to retailers and unanswered questions during the 
Our friends at Engadget Japan (English link) were able to live blog a press conference that ended a few hours ago where Toshiba president Nishida-san 
While haven't seen this much 
According to Engadget, sources from across the globe are confirming earlier reports that Toshiba would be bowing out of the optical disc format war, but it will happen sooner than we originally heard. Reuters and the NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) claim to have inside sources that confirm that Toshiba is officially retiring the HD DVD format as soon as possible and will be shutting down its DVD factories in Aomori Prefecture located in northern Japan. The shutdown will reportedly cost Toshiba hundreds of millions of dollars.
