Is the 360+ a new Xbox console shipping with Project Natal?
Project Natal is an exciting development in the world of gaming because it takes the foundation that the Nintendo Wii, and to a lesser extent the Playstation Eye, has created and builds on it. Could it be that Natal will be launched as part of a new Xbox console? And could that console be called the 360+?
Microsoft is clearly setting up Project Natal to become a big part of its gaming future. The controller-less motion-sensing camera device was unveiled at E3 2009 and pretty much stole the show. But Natal has yet to secure a release date, and we also don’t know if it will be released as a peripheral or built in to a new model of the console.
Ryan Geiss is a man that should know the answers to these question, seeing as he is a graphics programmer currently working on Project Natal for the Xbox 360. Could it be that he inadvertently let slip some key information in a post on his blog? Geiss’s update from June 1 originally said:
I can finally disclose that I’m one of the core developers of the human-tracking algorithms for Project Natal (click for more info), bringing full-body motion control to the Xbox 360+.
Geiss has now removed the “+” from the post but he hadn’t done so for almost two months until eagle-eyed readers had spotted it and the story spread around the Web. Clicking for more info leads to lots more information about Natal but nothing about any new Xbox console being prepared for shipping at the same time. So was it just a careless keystroke or is there more to it than that?
It would seem unlikely that Geiss had pressed “+” by mistake at the end of that sentence purely because that’s not a symbol that is usually pressed in error due to its positioning. But Geiss is an intelligent man, so I also doubt that he’d have given something as big as the existence of a new Xbox console away, or its name for that matter.
Interestingly, the existence of a new Xbox 360 to ship with Project Natal built in to it would gel well with comments made in June by Steve Ballmer, the CEO of Microsoft. His suggestion of a new iteration of the Xbox with technology that is “really, really, close” to real life and a “natural interface” were quickly shot down but the evidence seems to be building.
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71 Responses to “Is the 360+ a new Xbox console shipping with Project Natal?”
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July 28th, 2009
All this fuss over a typo.
July 28th, 2009
Who cares if it comes with the 360 as a package?
Why is this such a big deal?
I could see if it started coming standard and the current owners had to pay extra.
But we all know M$ wont give it away.
July 28th, 2009
Gay Chubbys everywhere rejoice.
July 28th, 2009
I think this was just a minor tweak related with backward compability:
“bringing full-body motion control to the Xbox 360+.”
Full-body motion “only” to “360+”. Any other Xbox is not included for not being “+”.
“bringing full-body motion control to the Xbox 360″.
Full-body motion to 360 in general. All Xbox 360 consoles will be included, old and new alike.
July 28th, 2009
it was definetly a mistake, because if it was real he wouldnt make the mistake of putting the + symbol and reveal the secret.
July 28th, 2009
I expect the Natal Xbox to come with the new much bigger HDD (could be anything from 320gb to 400gb to 500gb – or if we’re really lucky one of the new 1tb 2.5″ drives).
Also it might possibly have one or two hardware tweaks (like the way the latest Arcade SKU has quietly upped the built-in memory from 256mb to 512mb..
Looks like my Elite is going to be getting sold in a few months.
July 28th, 2009
If a Natal Xbox does come with what Happy expects, I expect it to cost what the ps3 did at launch.
July 28th, 2009
the new 1TB drives 2.5 drives are triple 333gb platters. And you thought your 360 ran hot before? Single platter HDD are the only viable solution for the 360 (320gb) as the platter count increases, heat increases dramatically.
You should try understand a bit more about hardware before you make ignorant predictions. Might as well call you Pachter.
July 28th, 2009
What the hell is a “natural interface”?
Much like the Wii, I expect Natal to be a novelty, but if it shifts units, MS won’t give a fuck.
July 28th, 2009
phranctoast
A the 45nm SoC, a bigger HDD and some minor internal tweaking is not going to run costs up to the PS3s absurd original level (in fact $300 is rumoured).
Why would it?
It’s not like there isn’t plenty of wiggle-room given the prices they have charged for their HDDs up until now.
Ooooh get you JofaMang,
take the knot out of your panties why don’t ya?
It’s perfectly easy to imagine a 400gb, 500gb or even 1tb drive on an Xbox.
It’s not like the HDD is enclosed situated where it is, is it?
Do let us all in on how you know for sure it’s impossible, eh?
Let us all have the weekend’s lottery numbers while you’re at it huh?
July 28th, 2009
“I expect the Natal Xbox to come with the new much bigger HDD (could be anything from 320gb to 400gb to 500gb – or if we’re really lucky one of the new 1tb 2.5″ drives).
Also it might possibly have one or two hardware tweaks (like the way the latest Arcade SKU has quietly upped the built-in memory from 256mb to 512mb..
Looks like my Elite is going to be getting sold in a few months”
@Happy
Dream on Happy! Sorry to say, but I expect your expectations to be crushed! Look at what the
360’s propritary HDD’s cost! You really think they are going to give those big drives away? Unless of course they release a new model with a standard drive like the PS3. Just don’t see it happening. Guess time will tell. Look on the bright side, at least one of us gets to tell each other, I TOLD YOU SO! lol
July 28th, 2009
The reason it isn’t possible anytime soon, is that the 2.5 1TB drives that JUST came out, are brand new tech, and they are using 3 platters. Fact: more platters = more heat.
Right now, 320gb HDD are the largest single platters available. Single platter = lowest possible heat signature. 360 = a machine vulnerable to heat problems. THEREFORE, hard drives for the 360 would be best limited to single platters. I am assuming that the HDD would be available as a standalone upgrade to other 360s, and since we are basing this conjecture on the Natal interface and its touted backwards compatibility, the assumption is viable. Sure the new natal Xbox might be designed to accomadate a new, higher heat HDD, but will older chipsets be able to take on the extra heat? I concede that perhaps they will have a dual sku method: Natal w/ 1TB, standalone upgrade kits limited to 320gb .
The cost of bleeding tech is also a consideration, considering the company saw fit to charge so much for its larger HDDs right from the start, to this day.
Now you can tell me what you base YOUR predictions on, Pachter?
July 28th, 2009
I’m merely pointing to the umteen rumours which are pretty specific that 1tb is a possibility next year.
Given that the Xbox HDD is a clip-on piece that is really nowhere near the biggest heat-producing internals I can’t see any reason why a new enclosure (say something with a bigger outer case & with it’s own ducting) is not a credible possibility.
Knighthawk
That’s a reasonable comment.
But look what happened to Xbox 20gb HDD prices when the 60gb & 120gb units first appeared.
They adjusted their pricing.
It’s also true that prices have contiunued to fall (the 120gb drive used to be almost £120 here and is now £64).
If they were to install the 1tb drive I would expect multi-million production for Xbox use woiuld impact prices significantly.
(and note the rumours are for this to happen next year and therefore the launch price we’ve seen so far is not that great a guide)
July 28th, 2009
A 320, or by then, an affordable single platter 500gb seems more likely to me, and 1TB seems like wishful thinking.
Either way, it trumps what the PS3 offers in stock mode. Of course, if proprietary, upgrade cost for pre-natal units will undoubtedly be higher than a similar PS3 upgrade.
On a relative note, I am expecting my OCZ 60gb SSD to arrive in the next few days, will test it out on the PS3 before installing it in my computer.
July 28th, 2009
Happy,
its funny they way u be making ur own rummors that nobody has even heard of. it all sounded like a desperate fanboy deam.
“Also it might possibly have one or two hardware tweaks (like the way the latest Arcade SKU has quietly upped the built-in memory from 256mb to 512mb..”
the new Built-in 512mb on the Arcade are to save game files and what not, that memory is not use for the RAM or anything that makes the console stronger. so again Patcher get ur facts straight.
and here in the US the 120gb HDD was $175 and now is $150 (not much of a difference). so i dont expect anything bigger than that.
July 28th, 2009
I’m pretty sure I’ll be playing my xbox for another 2 maybe even 3 years before the next gen. Any more news on sony’s motion dildo?
July 28th, 2009
It comes with a litre or KY warming lubricant now.
July 28th, 2009
^^ lmaoooo!
July 28th, 2009
I bet the so call 360+ will not have Blu-ray support no bigger hard drive well duh nothing new but the price the ram im %100 that it wont change.
July 28th, 2009
Roca
Yeah right, of course.
Typical. Just more of your idiotic fanboy BS.
(about as accurate as “all Blu-ray movies now come with a digital copy” and your other egm “HDMI is for connecting to your TV, use an optical cable for surropund sound audio”)
The funny thing is, if I’m just making it up myself how come if you google ‘1tb xbox hard drive’ you get 153,000 huts?
Hardly a case of me making something up.
As for the Arcade’s 512mb?
Yes I know what it is intended for in the Arcade. thanks.
The thing is it was (only a short whiole ago on the 1st run of Jasper Arcades 256mb – intended for the same thing).
The point is they have recently on occasion quietly upped specs.
I’m hoping we see something extra on the new SKU.
We already know a new & much bigger HDD is coming and we already know the CPU & GPU are about to be combined.
So significant hardware changes are coming anyways.
That’s all I said, brains.
July 28th, 2009
“desperate fanboy dream”
I bet you wrote that without a trace of shame or irony.
Go on admit it.
Hilarious.
July 28th, 2009
why are ramming about 512mb? the Wii has the same amout of memory built-in since the get go.
“The funny thing is, if I’m just making it up myself how come if you google ‘1tb xbox hard drive’ you get 153,000 huts?”
type in google “PS3 for 5 bucks” and let me know how many links comes up.
Dont get mad Happy, dreaming doesnt cost anything. and i Really understand where u coming from (desperate times calls for desperate measure/claims)
July 28th, 2009
Roca
Why not try sticking to the point?
The point was that they have quietly upped spec and I hope they do so again when the new Natal SKU appears.
Dismiss the 1tb google if you like, that wasn;’t the point either.
You accussed me of making this all up myself and plainly you are (as usual) wrong.
“Mad”?
You wish…..all too clearly.
Wise up.
Better luck next time.
“Desperate”?!
About what?
Pure projection (again).
We can all see the sales numbers Roca, despite all the preaching about RROD, E74, the cost of accessories and all the rest of the PS3 fanboy BS Xbox is beating the living sh*te out of PS3.
Yeah, desperate.
FFS wake up.
July 28th, 2009
upped specs by adding bigger memory?
specs are the same they just added a lil memory so Arcades owner can save their games.
so let me sticks to the point, M$ charges $50 for a 512mg memory card. and you expect them to throw a 1tb HDD at no extra cost or without charging you a leg… again desperate times calls for desperate measure/claims
July 28th, 2009
‘if you google ‘1tb xbox hard drive’ you get 153,000 huts?’
Is that Tule hut’s or Jabba the Hut(t)’s?
July 28th, 2009
lol…ur a comidian now SW
July 28th, 2009
Someone has to break up the chain of roca -> happy -> roca -> happy -> ivan -> happy ->roca -> roca…. etc…
I chose to do it with useless commenting!
Oh and FYI, Happy was talking in Pizza Hut’s.
July 28th, 2009
Pizza Hut
KFC is where it’s at.
July 28th, 2009
Or KFC/Taco Bell combo stores like here in Canada (Winnipeg for sure anyhow)
That is where it is at, sir.
I say good day!
July 28th, 2009
Yeah they have those here in the Fraser Valley too.
Not a fan of mexican, and maintain that KFC stands for Kentucky Fried Crap.
July 28th, 2009
Sacrilege!
The Colonel is turning in his grave right about now.
July 28th, 2009
Taco Bell failed here, they closed them down and made them into KFCs.
July 28th, 2009
Both Taco Bell and KFC give me wicked gas.
July 28th, 2009
Awesome!
July 29th, 2009
Reliably wicked gas giving food is a treasure to behold, and should not be abused. For shall the joy of passing become as a day passes, the shall the joy be gone, and an empty void will appear within thyne own bowels.
What will fill it? What won’t, my friends, what won’t… and that would be the true tragedy.
July 29th, 2009
“Taco Bell failed here, they closed them down and made them into KFCs.”
You guys know that Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut are all owned by the same company! Some useless and way off topic information for you! lol
I used to work for Pizza Hut/Taco Bell when I was in my teens. For the love of god, don’t eat there!
July 29th, 2009
God no!
Hydrogenated fats (the worst sort), sack fulls of salt & a boat load of MSG.
Tasty coronary action.
Yuk.
July 29th, 2009
Don’t forget the awesome rippin gas!
July 29th, 2009
360 + ChubbyGayDating ?? is that what it means.
makes alot more sense now
July 29th, 2009
Roca
Haven’t you some men pretending to be women to go and run along to & have some fun with in home?
July 29th, 2009
excuse me?
July 29th, 2009
I think he’s asking you out on a date……
July 29th, 2009
He wants you to meat him in Home. LOL
July 29th, 2009
You ought to be more careful ladies, your wishful thinking is obvious.
July 29th, 2009
Happy,
i understand ur needs, but no thanks ill pass
July 29th, 2009
“360 + ChubbyGayDating ?? is that what it means.
makes alot more sense now”
With the ballad of gay tony doming via dlc, they must have figured they had that fanbase. Gimme a sausage a peppers hero…..hold the hero and peppers.
July 29th, 2009
Roca
That might even be slightly funny if –
(a) I actually got any of those Xbox ads here in the UK and
(b) we hadn’t already heard how your PSN home is crammed full of guys pretending to be women.
July 29th, 2009
at least Home is not thrown in ur face like those XBL ads….and what are u afraid of? getting virtually rape?
July 29th, 2009
‘your PSN home is crammed full of guys pretending to be women.’
I totally read that as ‘in PSN your hole is crammed full…’
I think I’ve read too many of harry’s posts….
July 29th, 2009
HAHAHAHAHHAHA
July 29th, 2009
these dude is hilarious…lmaooo good one
July 29th, 2009
SW,
Don’t pretend you’re not just as big a pervert as Harry…
-Arvis
July 29th, 2009
Go on SW, admit it, you wanted it to have read…..
Ya dorty ol sausage.
July 29th, 2009
From my limited experience, Homophobic redneck racist 12 year olds make up the vocal majority of XBL users. Thanks for being 3/4ths, HappyBot.
July 29th, 2009
Jofamang – that’s why xbox live has the option to play with friends only and jump from game to game as a group. so you don’t have to play with idiots….
what are your thoughts on the gamers banned from PSN for bad behavior?
you act like xbox live is the only ones with the problem when it goes all the way back to online pc gaming….
where did you get the “majority” number from? can i see your data…? thanks.
July 29th, 2009
Again, I have to agree with Kev (its a sick sick two weeks)…
WIth the short time I was on xbl (the initial free gold thingy) I encountered mic spammers. But the same goes on PS3.
The only difference would be that most 360 users will have mics, whilst alot of idiots on the PSN just don’t happen to have a BT headset.
I would suspect that if indeed PS3’s were given away with headsets, you’re hear alot more shit on the PSN.
July 30th, 2009
Actually, it was a direct shot at Happy. I couldn’t care less about people that act that way (been using headsets online since socom1 and witnessed ALOT of what female gamers go through with my wife’s clan, straight up numb to it years ago).
Read again, I said VOCAL majority. As in the majority of people I heard TALK (or yell, curse, slander w/e). That was my experience, not a percentage based fact. When someone annoys me on the PSN with music or idiocy or the like, I block/mute/ignore them, its very easy. I haven’t let idiots get to me in online games since I was a teen.
July 30th, 2009
JofaMang
You’re not serious are you?
Not only do I only rarely play on-line with headphones on (and then only with people I know) but my friends with PS3 disable their sound (when playing PS3 COD4) too for the exact same reason.
Every console’s ’service’ is afflicted with adolescent little to$$ers who imagine they are entertaining/devastatingly witty with their drivel.
(but at least on XBL we are spared the sad sight of something like home where everyone knows there are a hell of a lot of boys getting off pretending to be girls with the other guys on there, who get off pretending they don’t know, eh?)
July 30th, 2009
and your just wishing you could be one of them in HOME. just come out of the closet already. there no need for Home to come out of the closed happy
July 30th, 2009
hahah @ knighthawk. you’re the fucking man!!!!! did you steal the recipe from the colonel?
July 30th, 2009
Roca
Sorry sweatie, no matter how many times you ask me you’re just not my type.
“come out of the closed happy”
Ha ha ha ha ha, oh dear.
July 30th, 2009
I have a mic, and I really use it. I really don’t see the need to.
FPS – “shit” when I die
Fighters – “shit” when I get beat
others – “shit” when something bad happens
July 30th, 2009
‘but at least on XBL we are spared the sad sight of something like home where everyone knows there are a hell of a lot of boys getting off pretending to be girls with the other guys on there, who get off pretending they don’t know, eh?’
I create the greatest of face-palms at thee!!
July 30th, 2009
Sorry SW, did I spoil the illusion for you there?
July 30th, 2009
No illusion at all. But what everyone *really* knows is that there are always men role playing girls etc.
Hence the term that was created from ‘MMORPG’ – many men online role playing girls.
It is not limited to the PSN. And also, the ‘everyone knows’, well everyone knows I have a 14 inch penis, but just because everyone knows it doesn’t make it true (it is true – everyone knows it…)….
July 30th, 2009
“hahah @ knighthawk. you’re the fucking man!!!!! did you steal the recipe from the colonel?”
@Harry
Yep just waiting for the right time to cash in on it!
In all honesty, KFC is likely the least nasty out of the 3, that’s not saying much though!
July 30th, 2009
Hey guys, didn’t you hear?
The recipe is out (some bloke wrote a book full of that kind of thing).
Looks like there are some minor arguments about what’s totally on the money but I think most agree it’s pretty much out there now.
w.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2009/jul/24/kfc-secret-recipe-revealed
July 30th, 2009
SW
Naaa, you don’t want to joke about that kind of thing.
It’s a curse, believe me.
No, no seriously……um…..really……a…..er…..
July 30th, 2009
Yeah, any one who chases a pixelated female tail in online games is a fool. I met my wife through EverQuest, but only after we had been playing together in my Guild for a few months. It was my very first online relationship, and it developed into a healthy marriage.
As for dudes playing chicks, in EQ they were called Manginas there, as 3/4 of the female characters were played by dudes, a name had to be developed for it, heh.
July 31st, 2009
Ha, manginas.
Very Mighty Boosh.
Do they have a ’shenis’ too?
August 2nd, 2009
Yes, but those were rare. I think I knew one Shenis in all my years playing EQ. And she was a cyberslut.