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XenonXboxNext
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/09/08/news_6106944.html
ATI "winding down" work on Xbox Next
ATI CFO Terry Nickerson tells technology conference that his company is
finishing up work on the next-gen console's graphics processor.
With Microsoft staying absolutely mum about next-generation console
development, gamers have had to look elsewhere for details about the Xbox
Next. Yesterday, they got a tantalizing clue from Terry Nickerson, chief
financial officer of ATI.
Speaking to the Smith Barney Citigroup 2004 Technology Conference in New
York, Nickerson gave a presentation about ATI's sources of future revenue.
Given that the company is making the graphics processors for both Microsoft
and Nintendo's next-generation machines, he naturally touched on the subject
of royalties from the two companies.
"The other one that's starting to become a factor--when you're looking at it
from an investment point of view--are game consoles," he said. "Both
Nintendo and Microsoft will be royalty [sources]." Then Nickerson dropped a
tantalizing tidbit about the Xbox Next. "We're actually winding down
development on some of the Microsoft product," he said casually.
If true, Nickerson's statement could mean that the Xbox Next is closer to
release than previously thought. In July, Steve Ballmer said that the device
wouldn't be out "in the next year," meaning at least not until August 2005.
However, while rumors persist that it will be unveiled at CES in January,
the common consensus is that the machine will most likely go on sale in Q4
2005.
Unfortunately, though, no one in the audience asked Nickerson to elaborate
on his statements in the Q&A session following his presentation. Attempts by
GameSpot to elicit further comment from both ATI and Microsoft were
unfruitful as of press time.
ATI "winding down" work on Xbox Next
ATI CFO Terry Nickerson tells technology conference that his company is
finishing up work on the next-gen console's graphics processor.
With Microsoft staying absolutely mum about next-generation console
development, gamers have had to look elsewhere for details about the Xbox
Next. Yesterday, they got a tantalizing clue from Terry Nickerson, chief
financial officer of ATI.
Speaking to the Smith Barney Citigroup 2004 Technology Conference in New
York, Nickerson gave a presentation about ATI's sources of future revenue.
Given that the company is making the graphics processors for both Microsoft
and Nintendo's next-generation machines, he naturally touched on the subject
of royalties from the two companies.
"The other one that's starting to become a factor--when you're looking at it
from an investment point of view--are game consoles," he said. "Both
Nintendo and Microsoft will be royalty [sources]." Then Nickerson dropped a
tantalizing tidbit about the Xbox Next. "We're actually winding down
development on some of the Microsoft product," he said casually.
If true, Nickerson's statement could mean that the Xbox Next is closer to
release than previously thought. In July, Steve Ballmer said that the device
wouldn't be out "in the next year," meaning at least not until August 2005.
However, while rumors persist that it will be unveiled at CES in January,
the common consensus is that the machine will most likely go on sale in Q4
2005.
Unfortunately, though, no one in the audience asked Nickerson to elaborate
on his statements in the Q&A session following his presentation. Attempts by
GameSpot to elicit further comment from both ATI and Microsoft were
unfruitful as of press time.