Microsoft: “Eight Years is Actually the Right Time” for Xbox 360’s Cycle

While Sony UK’s Fergal Gara hinted at this generation’s cycle being significantly shorter than the last, Microsoft’s Xbox VP Phil Harrison believes that as far as the previous console cycle goes, eight years was the right time to go with.

Speaking to MCV, Harrison stated in response to the previous cycle being too long that, “Eight years is actually the right time. Xbox 360 continues to grow, over 80m units and counting. And the underlying silicon chip design innovations that allow Xbox One to be what it is, didn’t reach the performance level and price point that we needed until right now.

“So if we had come out three years ago with a new console, it would not be to the same degree of performance or price that we have now, and Xbox 360 had seven years of growth which I think is a record for a console.”

The Xbox 360 had launched in 2005 and has been succeeded by the recently released Xbox One, which sold 1 million units in its first 24 hours. Check out our review for the next generation console here.