Natal Rumor: Micrsoft to Release Natal-based Xbox in 2010

With all the press Project Natal has gotten since E3, it's surprising we haven't been hearing more rumors about it. Nevertheless, fewer rumors does not make them more believable. Take the latest for instance, which claims Microsoft will be releasing a new console based around the Project Natal interface.



The gaming site 1Up first published the rumor, saying that Microsoft has a new console in the works for a fall 2010 release that has native Natal hardware support, backward compatibility with Xbox 360 software and better specs to handle newer games.

While this certainly sounds plausible at first, there are a few reasons to believe this isn't real. First of all, Microsoft has specifically said Natal would integrate with all Xbox 360s, so it wouldn't make a lot of business sense to do that AND make a Natal-based console.

Secondly, Microsoft has explicitly said that they expect to get a lot more life out of the Xbox 360. In fact, they said the 360 is only halfway through its lifespan, so it would make no sense to introduce game-changing (excuse the pun) console right now, especially when we've seen that you only need a peripheral.

Of course, Microsoft has proved to be anything but logical at times, so the rumor could come true. But with what we know now, it seems highly unlikely.

We've got more info on Project Natal, or if you just want more tech news, stick with the blog:

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