Xbox 720 Dev Kits 'Ready by Christmas'

[Dohc-WP]

Custom hardware dev kits for the next Xbox will be shipped to leading developers and publishers by the end of the year, according to a new report.

Citing a "source," the generally reliable Edge Magazine reports developers like Ubisoft Montreal are working on 'target boxes' based on Microsoft's intended specifications for its new machine.

The target boxes, which have been sent to top publishers like EA and Ubisoft, are basically PCs featuring components that aspire to the new machine's specs. Edge says that "AMD is providing the bespoke GPU solution for Microsoft's console."

Microsoft is now replacing these with new dev kits. The story is fueling speculation that the new Xbox will be available at retail by the end of 2012.

With Wii U launching as soon as next year, and Sony fast catching Xbox's global installed base lead, Microsoft appears to be ready to once again ratchet up its decade long console war with its closest rivals.

Source

[Zomosa]

I will definitely get a console this time around. Just waiting for the new Playstation or Xbox.

[Necuno]

let's see if we get to play before world ends

[Sockmonkey]

Yes please, I'm ready for a new console with some extra juice. Kinect did not prolong the life of the console as expected so plan B is probably to release the next gen console a bit early.

[Cicero]

Yes please, I'm ready for a new console with some extra juice. Kinect did not prolong the life of the console as expected so plan B is probably to release the next gen console a bit early.

Yeah, super keen for a new console!!! What it'll cost is another story, I'm thinking at least R4-5k?
But lets hope they dont release the console tooooo early that it has any similar RROD issues (etc) like last time. Hopefully they iron out all those issues before hand.
I'm pretty sure they'll have learnt from history, but you never know.