Microsoft rumored to be allowing third-party Xbox 360 hardware
By Donald Melanson 
posted June 26th 2008 3:59PM
posted June 26th 2008 3:59PM
With E3 fast approaching the rumor mill is unsurprisingly already in full swing, and this latest possibility to crop up is certainly one of the more tantalizing of the season, even it is a tad unlikely. If EGM's Quarterman is to be believed, however, it seems that Microsoft may be about to take a cue from the late, lamented 3D0 and begin allowing third-party manufacturers to build their own Xbox 360 hardware, which could conceivably include something as previously far fetched as a Blu-ray player with a built-in 360. Lending a smidgen of credence to that rumor is a recent quote by Microsoft's David Gosen, who told MCV that the company is working on things that he says will be "game changing." Of course, it would hardly be the first time that something touted to be game changing turned out to be anything but, but we only have a few more weeks to wait until we know for sure.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
I will only buy a 3rd party 360 if Sega makes it, and renames it Dreamcast 360
Perhaps Microsoft is referring to IPTV, which they already announced in a joint venture with British Telecom at CES. This would satisfy the 3rd party rumor, as the cable companies might provide IPTV-capable 360s as part of the service contract, and a robust IPTV schedule could do an end-run around PS3's built-in media advantage.
This is the theory I like most. BT-branded Xbox 360s with bigger hard drives and enhanced system software. Possibly even a built-in router for that whole BT Home Hub vibe. And of course, a US release would be nice too. I would love to upgrade my RCN box.
Edit: MS is NOW turning a profit
Wonder if this means Logitech wheel support on the 360. I would love to dust off my Driving Force Pro and use it for Forza 2 or Grip.
i think your all missing something here, while M$ allowing other companies to build xbox 360 hardware as in, capable of running stock xbox 360 games, is probably out of the question, but allowing other manufacturers to allow their boxes to connect to Xbox live seems like a real possibility. this would allow 3rd parties to build slimed down versions of the arcade 360 and hook them into the xbox live content network for all sort of cool multi-media capabilities. this would be a great way to leverage existing technology and compete with netfilx who's doing something similar with their instant watch stuff. but then again, this is just an opinion
A cheap hdd pls:)
I wish 360 could play .Mkv movie files :(
xbox is obviously just going to shoot down this rumor like always
Microsoft spoke about this a few years ago. The idea was they would create a gaming operating system then license it out to any company that wanted to build a box for it. Just as they do with Windows, they could market an Xbox OS. You could then in theory see Sony and Nintendo licensing that operating system out and any other provider to create hardware that runs the gaming system. They could require certain hardware be installed in all boxes, a manufacturer could then upgrade that hardware provided it meets the minimum requirements - thus having different features they can market to customers.
But that sounds really good in theory but the reality is they already have something like this - it's called Windows and does a fine job of running games.
Sooo... what's the chances of a cheaper wi-fi peripheral for the 360. i want wireless for my 360 but the cost of the microsoft adaptor is stupidly prohibitive
They'd just be turning the 360 into computers so now you need "requirements" for all the games. I think the lack of that is what makes consoles so popular. That's just stupid marketing if Microsoft goes that route.
I dont see it happening.
Though they did imply that more devices will come equipped with Zune compatible music programs.
Perhaps this is a similar concept?
I still dont see it happening. I mean, its Microsoft.
You mean.... wait for it now.... we could have Xbox parts that could be Made in the US?! That's crazy talk.
This is just playing 360 games on a qualified vista pc.
This is it for the game business! MS never made PCs - but they rule the PC market, how did they do that? they made the OS for an IBM Hardware which Compaq then mass produced!
There is no previous game console which is so close to a Computer, it is infact a computer. MS can just license the OS, Software, and run a QA program for manufacturers and the market would be flipped inside out. Endless possibilities i say! There is no comparison to the profit of Software vs the Cost of Hardware/Logistics of what runs the software. Mass production is correct market economic to go for!
This is market taekwondo! if it is true ;)