MS Mum on EU Release for Xbox 360 Elite

But Americans will get it next month already.

Page: 1  2 

"I really wish I could [confirm the date]!," Microsoft's Michael Newey said in a Q&A with Xbox community manager Graeme Boyd. "But let me reassure European gamers that we're definitely committed to bringing the Xbox 360 Elite to Europe and other regions around the world."

One reason why Microsoft is pushing the Elite out in America first before anywhere else is because that's the only region that so far has full downloadable video content available on the Xbox Live Marketplace.

"While I know it's not much comfort for European Xbox 360 fans, we're introducing the Xbox 360 Elite console into North America first because there is already a large base of Xbox Live customers there who are already downloading HD games and entertainment," Newey said. "Because of that it makes more sense for us to introduce the Elite console in the US before Europe."

Don't fret too much about the Elite's delay. Even Microsoft says HDMI alone isn't reason enough to spring for the new model.

"I don't think [HDMI] is necessary - it's not necessary to give a high-def experience," Microsoft's Albert Penello told Kotaku in a separate interview. "The HDMI decision was partially something that we have been thinking about how we were going to introduce. And now that there are a lot of televisions that have HDMI, we felt the time was right."

"I wouldn't encourage a current owner to come out and buy the Elite," he said. "We are releasing the stand-alone 120 GB drive ... that's really going to be the primary solution for those who want more storage."

Page: 1  2