Xbox 360 name confirmed; console design details revealed

**gaming ultima** · 04-13-2005

"British sources have confirmed that the next generation Xbox is indeed called Xbox 360, that the logo is a simple, round nexus, and that the console itself has a concave design - and a platinum white finish.

Many rumours - some of them conflicting - have been circulating in the past months regarding Microsoft's next generation system, but speaking under conditions of strict anonymity, a British source who is privy to Microsoft's marketing documents for the console has now cleared up much of the speculation.

The name of Xbox's successor is Xbox 360, we can confirm, and the design of the machine is indeed a concave shape.

The machine can stand upright and hollows in at the middle, like it's "sucking in its cheeks," our source told us today. Previous rumours had put the console as light silver, although fresh information says the final design may be white. It's impossible to tell from the documents, our source explained - although the glimpse of the machine's controllers given on viral marketing website OurColony does suggest a platinum-white colour scheme for the hardware.

According to the source, the rumoured slot for the hard drive module - which was apparently at the top of the machine - is not obvious on the document, and the person was unable to clarify where the slot for discs is actually located.

One other aspect we've been unable to confirm is the rumoured customisation features on the box. It's been speculated that the emphasis on customisation which J Allard touted at the Game Developers Conference last month could extend to allowing users to change the "skin" of the console, but this feature was not mentioned by our source.

As for the logo of the console, it is described as a simple, round nexus with "Xbox 360" written inside it. Previous rumours had simply the numbers "360" in the disc. This branding tends to suggest that we can expect to see "360" appearing after many game names, as happened with the Nintendo 64.

Microsoft will show the console for the first time in a half-hour special on MTV on May 12, a week ahead of E3. The company's press conference, on Monday, May 16, will be the first viewing of the console to the trade en bloc.

Xbox 360 is expected to receive a global release in late 2005.

When contacted today, Microsoft simply said that it does not comment on rumours and speculation relating to next generation product."

gamesindustry.biz
hmmmm i still think the name xbox 360 is well lame
why cant they have gone with xenon or something cool like that....
so what does everyone else think?

**muchuukuri** · 04-13-2005

I'm curious how the console will be concave?? That seems like an INCREDIBLE waste of space. Perhaps it means the sides will have a concave design?? Somewhat like the picture in the link? Still seems like a bad design choice in terms of space though... have to wait and see. However, the article said it was lie "sucking in its cheeks", which lends me to think top and bottom, not sides... and that's just strange... anyone wanna make a mock up? ^^

http://www.ccfx.net/nextbox/images/x...paConcept.html

**siren** · 04-13-2005

I could make a mockup

But then I would no longer be able to type after all the blood was sucked from my very flesh.

Just something to consider.

If you crack open a PS2, it actually has a lot of empty space inside. As does the Xbox and even the GC. All 3 are very square systems.

Now remove all that extra space and create a sleed, non-square, outer shell that is concave where it can be. Then you aren't wasting space, you are just removing unneeded space.

**muchuukuri** · 04-13-2005

Just sign someone elses name when you release the design. ^^

Part of the reason there's so much space is the PS2 is additional hardware (like the HDD bay) and more inportantly airflow. And considering the next console are almost garunteed to run hotter than this gen I would imagine airflow is paramount.

The Slim PS2 would be nowhere as slim as it is if it still had a fan in it (yes, it has a microfan over the EE as I recall but the CFM provided are minimal at best, the EE's been redesigned to a point where it's very cool and cheap, so that's the reason for that).

I dunno what they done for airflow, so I can't really say if the design affects it or not, but since they're not dumb, I doubt it. Just seems like a strange way to go.

Also, on another note... do you think the concave design has any affect on production costs??

**wahey42** · 04-13-2005

Wow, Xbox 360. So I guess the 360 means a 360 degree revolution from the last console. Yup that's right Microsoft turned all the way around and decided to go in the same direction it was pointed with the last console. And a concave shape, thats what I look for when I buy a game system, concavity

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**SessDMC** · 04-13-2005

I could make a mockup

But then I would no longer be able to type after all the blood was sucked from my very flesh.

The vampires will be out tonight siren

And ive cracked open my PS2 (not actualy cracked it open but opend it) , and undoubtabley theres alot of space, imagine the PS2 slimline, no room for heat sinks in there, i wounder how they cool it? but meh thats for another topic, any ways i would say the extra room is for air flow to cool the system better.

**siren** · 04-13-2005

Design is just that design. Believe it or not, a lot of people actually do look at design as one of the reasons for or against buying a system.

Example...

How many people complained the Xbox was to large or the Gamecube was purple?

More than likely having a concave design will not impact production costs. They have to make new molds for a new system and this would just be part of the mold. The only thing is, the molds may be a little more expensive because they might have to be smoother inside than you would have to do for a more sharp cornered design like the Xbox or PS2.

**bustabusta196** · 04-13-2005

hmmmm i still think the name xbox 360 is well lame
why cant they have gone with xenon or something cool like that....
so what does everyone else think?

I dont really need to think about the name when im going to buy it.. people tend to just use the first part of the name anyways.. like TI 83+ calculators and all the other ones... do you say TI 83+ everytime? or do you just say calculator? Id end up just calling it xbox or xbox2 anyways so the name doesnt bother me unlike some other people... but who cares its a name.. are people bashing nintendo for naming it gamecube, and releasing it as purple??? yes but who really cares.. if your not going to buy something cause of the name then, thats ok its your money.. youll just be missing out on the experience.

**muchuukuri** · 04-13-2005

Hey, Siren, I just thought of something... the X2 is supposed to be concave right? Well, if it's concave on top and bottom and you stood it on it's side.... might kinda look like the Siren Item no?? Let the rumor hounds go!!!! ^^

**SessDMC** · 04-13-2005

i bet its a rough estimate of what the 360 will look like! ohhh wouldnt he get done if he did that though? i mean NDA and siren, c'mon i doubt it will look like that because if he did he would get his ass sued.

**gaming ultima** · 04-13-2005

he wouldnt get done for NDA's because he never linked it to the design and its just a little very routh pic
anyway it would be funny if it was all that time

**mckmas8808** · 04-13-2005

Yeah good one siren. And this whole time well never knew.

**siren** · 04-13-2005

Just a note, that is not the Xbox2, nice guess though.

StrifeSnake13* · 04-14-2005

well kotaku.com made this mock up a long time ago,

It seems they were right.

http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/xbox-2/...sly-039729.php

**Epsilon-Zero** · 04-14-2005

lol. some reason the epsilon item never got posted in the shop. oh well i guess you guys will have to wait till E3 to find out what the PS3 looks like.

:P

**SessDMC** · 04-14-2005

I thought the green circle gave it away a little though, but still if it dose look like sirens item (roughly) then god knows what i will start thinking.

**Chaotic_King** · 04-14-2005

Originally Posted by Epsilon-Zero

lol. some reason the epsilon item never got posted in the shop. oh well i guess you guys will have to wait till E3 to find out what the PS3 looks like.

:P

I doubt Sony's going to show the PS3 at E3.

**straightballin** · 04-14-2005

Its been confirmed for a while that the ps3 will be there.

**Chaotic_King** · 04-14-2005

The shell?

**siren** · 04-14-2005

It would be a fair assumption for people to make that if Sony has announced that the PS3 will be at the convention, that they will also show at least a prototype of what they expect the shell to look like.

**bustabusta196** · 04-14-2005

The casing of the console... with possibly nothing in it.. you know like an actual life like sket of what they are going towards.

**KlawHammer** · 12-15-2006

Since we have moved on to PSU, I only have permission to post articles when no other editors are around. No problem though, Bhav is a good guy

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A rumor has been floating around the internet for a couple days now, saying both Sony and Nintendo are gearing up to ship a large amount of consoles to North American retailers on December 17. According to PS3seeker and Wiiseeker, "We believe there are going to be Wiis held and released Dec. 17 and that will be the last shipment before Christmas. We think there might be a PS3 shipment about the same time."

Of course nothing is set in stone, as both respective companies are the only ones who really know when they'll be shipping more units. However, both Toys R Us and Circuit City are expecting to receive more units this weekend.

So perhaps this rumor is a fact and that retailers will indeed receive more PS3s and Wiis on Sunday. Either way, true or not, it would be saddening to miss out on what could be the last chance to gain a PS3 or Wii before Christmas. We at PSU believe one last camp out before Christmas wouldn't be so bad. Whether it is for a special person or yourself, the PS3 and Wii would be the perfect gift this holiday season.

Good luck to all of those who will undoubtedly be camping out on December 17.