In February, an executive at game retailer GameStop stated that its own research showed that its customers interest in a next generation game console "would be significantly diminished if new consoles were to prohibit playing pre-owned games." This statement followed rumors that Microsoft"s plans for the still unannounced next Xbox console would keep used games from being played on its hardware.
Cut to two months later, and it appears that GameStop seems to think the next Xbox might be pretty cool after all. Gamesindustry.biz reports that, in a new interview with GameStop CEO J. Paul Raines, he states:
We"ve been spending a lot of time with Microsoft, but we have to let them take the lead on this, but it will be a very hot, compelling device. They are doing some really cool stuff, and I"m eager to hear them start their announcements because I think the world is going to stand up and take notice.
That"s some encouraging words from Raines, and it"s more than what Microsoft has officially stated for its next Xbox plans. The company is still expected to officially announce the console sometime before or during E3 2013 in June.
There"s also been talk from other people in the game industry that this might be the last generation for dedicated game consoles like we have seen in the past. Raines, however, does not believe that, saying that almost 900,000 people have signed up online at the GameStop website for a news alert when Sony reveals more information on their upcoming PlayStation 4 console. He added, "There"s a lot of demand for PS4, and I think there will be for the next Xbox as well, once it"s announced."
Source: Gamesindustry.biz | Image via GameStop