Lucky company plays the Xbox2

**mckmas8808** · 03-28-2005

It's no secret that Microsoft is coming out with a next-generation successor to the Xbox later this year, or that they intend to unveil the machine at this May's Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles.

What is most definitely a secret is what the next Xbox looks like, what it will be called, whether it will have a hard drive as standard equipment and so on.

Secret to some, that is. But not to us.

The good news: During a recent visit to Microsoft's Xbox HQ outside Seattle, we were shown the next-gen Xbox in action.

We caressed the console, played with the controllers, learned of the evolution of its distinct design, witnessed the next-gen Xbox Live and watched snippets of games in action.

The bad news: We can't talk about it. Not a word, not until May 16, the day of Microsoft's press briefing at E3.

And it's not just our code of honour keeping us silent, but a four-page non-disclosure agreement we signed before even getting on the plane to Washington.

Oh well. All in due time, kids, all in due time.

I'll guarantee one thing, though: the X-boys have quite a few surprises up their sleeves. Stay tuned.

From: http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/Winnip...73437-sun.html

**mudger** · 03-28-2005

kind of an odd magazine getting such VIP treatment. I would think that IGN or EGM would have had a hands on by now.

**Cody** · 03-29-2005

Why did you have to make a whole new thread about this? why not just put it in the Xbox 2 thread?

**Username** · 03-29-2005

who cares? no info until E3 so I couldn't care less who got to see it,because "I" won't be able too until then.

**siren** · 03-29-2005

Xbox2 thread? I think he did just fine posting this in the "Xbox2 Forum"

Please don't act like a mod, if we wanted you to we would make you one.

A little hint to everyone, did you ever see Epsilon act like a mod before he was made one, nope. But wait he's a mod... Ohh maybe that's because he did a great job of ummm... Posting!

**SessDMC** · 03-29-2005

You mean Epz posted quality siren, yeh i learned my lesson, dunno know if you can tell that though.

**Cody** · 03-29-2005

I was just making a point that what he posted gives tells us next to nothing about the Xbox 2 so why make a new thread on it when he can just put it in the Xbox 2 thread? by the way I just realised now that the Xbox 2 sticky which use to be here is gone which is why I I made that comment sorry for the mistake. Siren you keep giving other people shit for making smart ass comments yet you make them to members all the time maybe you should take your own advice

**PeanutButterMunky** · 03-30-2005

Originally Posted by bloodywar

I was just making a point that what he posted gives tells us next to nothing about the Xbox 2 so why make a new thread on it when he can just put it in the Xbox 2 thread? by the way I just realised now that the Xbox 2 sticky which use to be here is gone which is why I I made that comment sorry for the mistake. Siren you keep giving other people *expletive deleted* for making smart *expletive deleted* comments yet you make them to members all the time maybe you should take your own advice

Looks like you follow the non-swearing policy real well.

I don't think it matters if it was made a new thread or posted in the other one. It's not a big deal. This is a discussion board where we discuss things. We all need to chill and keep our panties knot-free.

**cyrusmg** · 03-30-2005

I don't think that it is wierd that the magazine got this kind of treatment, i mean if MS is doing anything well, it is that they are getting people who will help their cause a chance to see the console and some games.

I mean, with thousands of development kits out, thats alot of exposure to the almost public. Inviting magazines an news sources to see the final(almost) product is just a better kind of exposure.

I mean i hghly doubt that this magazine is the only one to have gotten to see the console, its just that the big guys don't have to put out a teaser like that. They'll just sit and wait until they are allowed to print the articles they have already written.

**muchuukuri** · 03-31-2005

One thing that bothers me about their statements... how could they have seen the X2 when developers still only have alpha kits?? To me it sounds like bunk, but I'm a pessimist... I think they're just saying that for a ratings hike, nothing more. M$ has prolly kept a tight lid on the X2 to keep the rumor mill flowing, so I doubt they'd show it off more than they have to.

**siren** · 03-31-2005

They already have prototype Xbox shells at MS. My understanding is that they have some beta kits already built around the final Xbox2 design except slightly larger.

As for showing it off to the press? I can't confirm or deny that they did. It wouldn't surprise me though. I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of trusted reporters at Gamespot and IGN have also seen it but chose not to talk about it at all.

NDA's like what this site signed are very stick. You would all but put your company out of business and yourself in bankruptcy if you leaked what you know.

Not to mention they probably didn't let them take any photos or anything that would give away the design with them.

**muchuukuri** · 03-31-2005

Still... I just don't see the positive in showing a reviewer the console... especially if they say you can't say a word about it. Unless they're counting on them to actually leak stuff and hype up the system. Help me out Siren, I honestly can't see a real posative in doing all that. Maybe to woo the reviewer, so as to make them biased in favor of their system? I wouldn't put it past any of the companies, but sounds like a dumb idea to me... wait... I thought it up... yep, still dumb. Anyway, what's to be gained by doing that?

**siren** · 03-31-2005

Honestly, beats me, but I am sure it is part of a larger marketing strategy than any of us could even begin to understand without being directly involved in it's planning.

**MiThRaZoR** · 04-01-2005

Maybe to show them how powerful it is and to make them a future developer? There are lots of possibilities but to me this makes the most sense.

**muchuukuri** · 04-01-2005

We're talking about review sites/magazines not developers.

**cyrusmg** · 04-01-2005

well along the lines of what Siren said, there is so much involved in a launch like this that it is almost impossible to fathom it all at once.

I mean realistically, MS has a mockup of what they think the PS3 is going to be. Same way that Sony has one of what they expect the XBOX to be. They are both big enough companies that they understand they need to know what they are up against.

To that end, i would be absolutely shocked if thsi was one of the only magazines to have gotten to see the box. I would bet ALOT that plenty of people have been shown it, they are all just undert that iron clad NDA and they realize that tempt fate by talking about the box AT ALL would not be a wise move.

I mean it isn't really smart for these guys either. What did they do by saying this? The told thier readers that they just aren't saying things that they know. As reader, that would bother me. Knowing that my source is keeping things from me would send me to another source.

Of course, other sources just aren't WRITING about it. NDA's might say something about not being able to "disclose" but they don't have much sway when your out with friends just talking. So my final bet, MS is showing to as many people as possible but all under NDA, so that practically everyone will have seen it EXCEPT for the main public when it is released. That would make a big sort of "hey, iw want it NOW" feeling in the public.

**MiThRaZoR** · 04-01-2005

Originally Posted by muchuukuri

We're talking about review sites/magazines not developers.

Oh, I thought that they let a developing company take a peek at it.

And maybe to get good reviews when it first comes out and stuff. To start on the material already and perfect it. For the best review ever. I guess.

**ps3 Wanna be** · 11-29-2006

A number of Toys R Us stores in the US received additional PlayStation 3 units this week.

Selected stores in Southern California restocked their shelves on Monday and Tuesday, only to sell out within minutes.

Whilst Sony is air-shipping in units to retailers, most new stock arrive unexpectedly and is sold to shoppers lucky enough to be in store at the time.

Sony aims to deliver 1 million units to North America by the end of 2006, and a total of 6 millions units worldwide by March 2007.