Microsoft Talking About Blu-ray with Sony
Posted by Chris on Saturday, March 8th, 2008 at 8:44 am under Game Companies, Game Consoles, Game Platforms, Gamer Life, Hardware, Microsoft, Microsoft, Sony
It seemed inevitable since the death of HD DVD, but as Jonathan alluded to yesterday, Microsoft is apparently in talks with Sony with regards to a Blu-ray drive for the Xbox 360. And that drive might just be an add-on to the system, a la the HD DVD player, or a full-blown integrated drive that’s built right into Microsoft’s game box.
This news is according to the Financial Times, who claims that Sony exec Stan Glasgow says the two rival companies are in talks.
Whether through an add-on or a built-in drive, this would mean extra money for Sony. And, conceivably, Sony could be making money off each PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 sold, assuming that an integrated Blu-ray 360 is offered. That’d be quite an interesting scenario, no?
Microsoft’s official stance on the subject is essentially a no comment. ”We have made no such announcement. Games are what are driving consumers to purchase game consoles and we remain focused on providing the largest library of blockbuster games available,” the company said.
Offering the HD DVD add-on was all about choice, Microsoft repeatedly said. It’s only logical that a Blu-ray player would be offered because it is a choice, isn’t it? John Schappert didn’t seem too excited about the idea last month, but it seems like it would be a big mistake to not at least dabble in the growing Blu-ray market.
Note: The image above is a Photoshopped image. And a damn good one, at that. (For me.)
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March 8th, 2008 at 10:39 am
[...] Chris Lanier's Blog wrote an interesting post today onHere's a quick excerpt It seemed inevitable since the death of HD DVD, but as Jonathan alluded to yesterday, Microsoft is apparently in talks with Sony with regards to a Blu-ray drive for the Xbox 360. And that drive might just be an add-on to the system, a la the HD DVD player, or a full-blown integrated drive that’s built right into Microsoft’s game box. This news is according to the Financial Times, who claims that Sony exec Stan Glasgow says the two rival companies are in talks. Whether through an add-on or a [...]
March 8th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Good job with the photoshop….
March 8th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
You sound sarcastic, but I'll take it as a compliment. Thank you.
March 9th, 2008 at 9:29 am
How can one sound sarcastic in a written post? The printed word makes no sound. Seemed like a compliment to me. Maybe you should be less cynical.
March 9th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
i doubt an integrated drive…not in the 360…perhaps in the next gen xbox….only because thatd shoot the price up yet again (360 elite) and then all it would be there for would be to watch movies…no games could be developed for blue ray on 360 for one simple fact…what about those who dont have the "new" elite…oh and btw did i mention….USB cables cant carry a full HD signal anyway
September 5th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
it would be so cool to make a new 360
September 5th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
So cool..? So you can spend another 600 bucks on a new console which will be replaced by another shortly after? That has to be the dumbest statement I've read so far today (I am aware its 1:36 am). I am no fan of consoles and the way they bring out "the next gen!" when its actually 3 years behind in technology compared to PC's in its time. It would make me think a whole lot better of Microsoft if they would actually make an add-on instead of a whole new console. To also think that Sony and Microsoft would come together in a deal like that is amazing, although it is being forced upon Microsoft in a way due to the limits of a DVD getting inevitably more obvious after each major game is published. This also shows how useless the competition between the PlayStation and Xbox is when they are eventually going to be sharing the same exact technology. Then 10 years down the road a Microsoft employee loads Windows on an Xbox and we reinvent a computer. Amazing.