Confidential sources "familiar with [Microsoft's] plans" tell Bloomberg that the next-generation Xbox will launch in Fall 2013 in time to capitalize on Thanksgiving and Christmas sales.
Commonly referred to as 'Durango' and the 'Xbox 720,' the company's upcoming console has been rumored for a 2013 release for quite some time. Recent reports at the Verge (via IGN) indicate that the un-named console will ship in two models: one directed towards the casual market, and the other aimed to satisfy dedicated gamers.
The premium version is said to contain all of the features one expects from a next-generation consoles, including the ability to run cutting edge games, act as a media hub, and support a thriving online ecosystem. The 'mainstream' version will compete with Apple TV and contain barebones ability to play downloadable games, a compromise for its discounted price.
Speculation also asserts that a Kinect successor will ship with the console, advancing the technology's existing, limited, motion sensing capabilities.
While all eyes are on the future of the Xbox brand, the 360 continues to perform, selling 750,000 units over Thanksgiving week, a figure which surpassed even the Wii U's 400,000 sales over the same time period.
Of late, video game sales have slumped, which many spectators attribute to the unusual longevity of the current generation of consoles. According to Bloomberg, NPD reports that "U.S. retail sales of video-game software, hardware and accessories dropped 25 percent in October from a year earlier to $755.5 million."
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