So there you have it, fellas. Pretty much the only major consoles manufacturer who hadn’t committed itself for a 10 year lifespan for its current console (Sony has infamously stated that the PS3 will last well into the next decade, whereas Nintendo has stolidly maintained that the Wii will be the most long lived of all its consoles), Microsoft has now gone ahead and stated- albeit unofficially- that the Xbox 360 still has some life left in it, thanks mostly to the recently launched redesigned hardware, and the still to launch and as yet officially unpriced Kinect.
“I think 2010 will be a very big year for us, it is in many ways for us mid-lifecycle,” said Microsoft Europe executive Chris Lewis. “What you’ve seen is with this new sleek design and Kinect for Xbox 360 we’ve got at least another five years of this generation where we continue to offer great experiences for people.”
Hmm. Well, what can we say here then? I suppose a longer lifespan will allow each console to be utilised more fully, and thus to accumulate a more quantitative library of quality games. Then again, the tech in all three consoles is already beginning to show its age, although some foresight on Microsoft’s and Sony’s part has ensured that their systems will be, temporarily at least, future proof.
What do you guys think? Can the Xbox really last another five years? More to the point, will Microsoft continue to support it for another five years? Tell us via your comments below.