MCV

Sounds a bit desparate to me. Almost like they are trying to get the same people to buy the console over and over again instead of just releasing the best version right from the start like Sony did.

Yes, Sony put out their best version first - then downgraded it.
I like Microsofts option better - continuous improvement.

Yep, as long as they state that games will only stay DVD only it makes a lot of sense.

If he mentions anything about Xbox 360 games ending up on HD-DVD everyone will revolt.

At present Xbox 360 games are the same size as most if not nearly all Xbox 1 games, the need for more space doesnt seem to warrant HD-DVD based games.

@ poster #2

How can Microsoft's way be better when it shafts the early adopters? If you buy a PS3 then at a later date you decide you want HDMI you just buy a cable but if you do that with a 360 you have to buy a whole new console. It sucks. Sure the late PS3s don't have backwards compatibility but that isn't something you will suddenly need at a later date, you will know you need it when you buy the console. The other differences on the PS3 like USB ports can simply be added with a USB hub if you need more. The 360 has fantastic games but is a total mess in terms of hardware. They actually had 6 different 360 SKU's on sale on Amazon last year and now there is talk of another one? lol

Core
Core + hdmi
Premium
Premium + hdmi
Elite
Halo 3 edition

I think we all know people who have bought Elites who already owned a 360 and that's why Microsoft keep doing this. They released a low spec system and are upgrading it bit by bit to get gullible people to keep buying them. It will be the same when the 45nm ones finally appear because a load of existing owners will buy them so they have one that doesn't keep going wrong.

i can"t get over microsft doing this, i own all three next gen consoles and the 360 is the worst thought out. i already upgraded to the elite and bought the hddvd drive and this news is really annoying, they are just thinking about there wallets . i cant wait for ps3 to show its true potential and then ill ditch my 360...

Typical, this had to come. Rumours have been going for ages now, and a HD DVD Xbox 360 makes sense. But I would be rather pi**ed off if I had bought a 360 Premium, then upgraded to a 360 Elite, with external HD-DVD drive, which is what I would have done had the PS3 not come along. Blu-Ray all the way.

This is just so normal of Microsoft to shaft early adopters. I hope they fail miserably with it.

Microsoft can't possibly be think of using HD-DVD for games as it would be like launching a brand new console again (ie losing the base they already have who can no longer play the new games) so all the drive can be for is film. Is it really worth bothering?

It's doing is trying to make Microsoft some more money and hack offer people who have already bought an elite or those that have had one since launch and stayed with it.

Why will anyone by the next xbox at launch if Microsoft are going to srew you over like this?

All Microsoft are doing is putting the HD-DVD drive in - A device which is currently available to buy seperately.

What's the big deal with that?

seriously? If you don't want it, don't buy it. Pretty simple stuff really.

They would have to be complete mentalists to encourage developers to make games that only a minority of 360 owners could access, so I really don't think that's likely to happen.

I'm not sure why there are PS3 comparisons drifting into this topic. What's it got to do with this? The only thing it has in my opinion is that I'd quite like to have bought my PS3 without the Blu-Ray drive - it would have been a heck of a lot cheaper.

I have no problem with this.
I already own three 360's. 1 for my son, one for me, and an old one that I repaired then chipped.
If I decide I want to watch HD-DVD (which I dont) then I will buy the add on player. If I had no 360 and wanted one with HD-DVD then I would buy the new model otherwise I would buy the Elite or a cheaper model.
The people who want to have the newest and latest model might want to buy one of these but that is their choice.
It's all about choice.

I agree, the HD-DVD drive has been been a long time coming and probably has taking a while to scale the thing down. The stand alone one, is bigger than a Wii.

All the people moaning about games being on HD-DVD, it's for movies not the games.

"I'm not sure why there are PS3 comparisons drifting into this topic."

The reasoning is that Sony's core for all PS3 models has remained the same: HDMI port, Wi-Fi and HDD. Whereas Microsoft's core for the X360 is getting upgraded gradually.

This is a bad error on their part and they will suffer for it, if the HD-DVD drive on the Ultimate is meant for more than watching HD-DVD films on it.

The other reason Microsoft is (possibly) releasing the Ultimate is because of the other rumour that they might announce at CES that the X360 design will be OEMed to the likes of Toshiba. If that's true, then they're doing it because Toshiba would not otherwise want to OEM it.

The problem that Microsoft will have is that NO console upgrade has ever been successful and in fact, it destroys the essence of consoles: The ability for developers to write games for an architecture that remains constant long enough for them to learn it well (and hence take full advantage of it) and last a little longer than it takes them to eat through a packet of Doritos!

IT IS A NO BRAINER IF HD DVD WINS THE FORMAT WAR IT WILL ONLY HURT THE PS3 AND SONY IF THE PS3 HAS A FORMAT THAT DOSN'T WIN IT WILL BE TURNED INTO A $400 PAPERWEIGHT BUT THE 360 STILL RUNS ON GOOD OLD DVD. HD DVD IS NOT FOR GAMING JUST LOOK AT MASS EFFECT WHO NEEDS BLU RAY

IF THEY DROP THE HD DVD ADD ON TO $99 OR LESS AND HAVE A 50% ADOPTION RATE THE WILL HAVE MORE HD DVD PLAYERS ON THE MARKET THAN BLU RAY. IF TOSHIBA GOES TO $99 WITH THEIRS THE NUMBER WILL GROW LIKE WILDFIRE AND BLU RAY AND THE PS3 WILL BECOME LIKE A MODERN DAY BETA MAX.

THEY HAVE NEVER USED MORE THAN 1 DVD-9 YET SO WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN USING 1 HD-DVD OR 2 DVDS. BIG DEAL SO YOU HAVE TO CHANGE IT HALF WAY THROUGH THE GAME.