Isn't this about integrating Blu-Ray into the 360? He still hasn't denied the possibility of it coming to the 360 as an add-on. Could be PR-speak for "we're making it sound like it won't be there at all, but we're just denying it as a replacement for the internal disc drive," right?
Right?

Mujah

@sudz:

You're not familiar with the concept of renting movies?

Strangelove

@SlowDeath420:

Please read up on divX, since you don't seem to know what it is, or how it works.

divX is a COMPRESSION ALGORITHM
Blu-Ray is a MEDIA STANDARD that defines a FILE SYSTEM

divX, like jpeg, can vary bitrate and "lossiness", meaning I can make a lossless divX rip of a DVD, or make a crappy 20 Meg version of a 25Gig movie.

If I show you a lossless rip of a DVD movie (or BR movie), you won't know the difference, no matter what compression algorithm is used. In fact, the early Blu-Ray discs were using MPEG-2 compression, which is inferior to divX compression, which is based on MPEG-4.

Saying a divX rip doesn't look as good as DVD is like saying "a blue car doesn't drive as well as a German one". It's apples and oranges.

SeeOne

Bad move MS.

PsycheDiver

there were pretty much equal positives and negatives for microsoft on either side they took.

...but 360 owners do lose out, i think, because they dont get the choice.

thats okay though, just buy a ps3 if you want hd movies with your games. :p

joelface

@nodirt: Um I don't see how they lost the HD war. Thier programs are used in some of the writing or encoding or whatever on Blu-ray discs, and the digital downloads of high-def content over xbox live has been quite profitable for them.

fearing

MS just lost HD War... next time probably will lost honor and finally lost hardware war.

nodirt

I see no reason why not to buy a gaming console/media player. PS2s were one of the cheapest dvd players.

Knight-Zero

I didnt buy a 360 for HD-DVD, and I wouldnt buy one for Blu-Ray either. I bought it for the games

KEELr

This is just fine with me. Something tells me Blu-Ray's shelf life will be cut extremely short due to digital downloads and on-demand content.

Strangelove

It is truly a foolish mistake by MS if they don't announce an add-on soon.
I love my 360, maybe even a slight fanboy.
The PS3 is pretty 'meh' to me right now, but if they don't bring out BRay for 360 soon I WILL buy a PS3 purely for that purpose.
Who knows, maybe if my 360 conks out and I already have another games machine I won't have much inclination to get a new one.
Downloadable movies sure as hell don't appeal to me, especially at the stupid prices MS are charging.

Rusty_UK

Yep, looks like it'll be a PS3 for me, instead of buying an add-on from MS. Their loss I guess.

Darkest Daze

Sounds like they are waiting for the next generation... it looks like they are slowly killing off the greatness of the 360 to usher in the new... it's sad.

JustOneFix

@Abdar: Your either blind or just the dumbest so called nerd of all time if you believe a divx dvd rip looks even as good a dvd screener,nm a dvd

SlowDeath420

Microsoft needs Blu-ray.
Blu-ray (the BDA) doesn't need Microsoft.

...it's their loss, honestly.

Redriadrum

For the 17 people that own HD tvs, this is a real pisser.

Fortunately, I continue to be unaffected.

Slothboy

I too will now be buying a PS3 for a bluray player. I would have bought an add-on too.

influx

This is a HUGE mistake by Microsoft...horrible horrible mistake. I'd rather drop $200 to buy an add-on for my 360 in my bedroom than spend $400 for a stand alone, or $600 for a PS3.

Bad move Microsoft...bad move.

OftenNot

Bluray is associated with Sony. There's no point for them to add that add-on. What they should do is focus on downloads, games and AGGRESSIVE pricing just like Sony did with the PS3 price.

reptile168

So much for the standard:
"Micorsoft does not comment on rumours or speculation..." that we usually get when something is in the works. This rumours is officially dead.

However, MS is probably in the works to put Blu-Ray into their next-gen console. Xbox720 Due out in November 2010.

kman2686

Buh...who cares.

Tuxy79

I think it's a bad move on their part not to have an external Blue-Ray drive. Since the PS3 is the best and most cost effective player, Microsoft is essentially making me buy a PS3. I would not buy one if they offered me another option. I would honestly rather not buy one but I do want HD material for purchase or rental. Nothing downloaded or streamed can touch the quality.

Slab

What happened to all those comments made by Microsoft early in the HD war about being able to switch to Blue Ray should HD DVD fail? I remember at least two separate news stories at different times in which someone from Microsoft said this. Well now HD DVD has officially failed, Microsoft goes back on its word and says no to Blue Ray. I can't say I am surprised but it would be nice if Kotaku and other members of the media would rub their nose in it a bit or at least bring it up when they talk to them.

grangerfx

I think that this official denial is the first positive confirmation we have! How many times has microsoft denied every other rumor circulating the web before the inevitible press release? Hell yeah, i'll take it!

uppitycracker

The only chance for Microsoft to take the wind from PS3's sails/sales would be to throw out a free Bluray player for HD DVD buyers/Elite customers.

f0cus

Microsoft has a really good option if you actually think about it.

Here is a little story....

I have had an ipod for 4 years...the Zune came out and I thought it was freakin lame....but something MS had done made me get a Zune the instant I heard about it...."Zune Pass" all the music you want for $14.99 a month...itunes albums were $9.99-$12.99...It was a no brainer. I now download 6-12 albums a month with my zune.

Now think about it....Blu-ray movies are $20-$30...What if all the sudden we have an "Xbox 360 Media Pass" for $19.99 a month. All the HD shows and HD movies you could ever want and you don't have to leave the house. Also, what if these videos could sync to your Zune when you're on the go? That would be a truly great move by Microsoft. Digital Downloads are the future of the entertainment industry and as internet speeds get faster and faster, I think microsoft may have the online edge over any other media companies.

Although, right now, the "Xbox Live Market Place" is not really worth the price and the 24hr time limit to watch your movies after they download is really lame.

The SmacK

Metal Gear Solid 4 NOT on 360 CONFIRMED!

nopposan

Not a smart move by Microsoft, as they can sell a lot of attachments. However, I see how they would not want to help SONY with Blu Ray.

mnml10387

*success = headway in the console sales division

tired of hearing about "the war" that isn't really going on. more of a how much money can we screw outta the consumer competition.

Seiven

DOH...I guess making large bets can make BIG payoffs...Sony is FINALLY seeing some success. Now if the Wii wasn't outselling the hell outta everything else. =)

back to SSBB

Seiven

blue ray is nice and all but I think its a little ahead of its time. It clearly won against HD-DVD but until blue ray players and films go down in price by a lot, DVD is going to be the format of choice for the population. High definition movies are great but they aren't 300 dollars extra great.

DasKonstruct

@Señor Cagon:
EXACTLY!! I can't believe some folks are calling that a "definitive" statement! As a lawyer, I can tell you what that says in plain English: "We will not build a NEW VERSION of the 360 with a BluRay drive. Just like we did not build a new version of the 360 with an HD-DVD drive. We will do as we have always done and give our customers a choice."

Additionally, "not currently in talks" connotes a few things: (1) talks are not taking place RIGHT NOW and never will; (2) talks are not taking place RIGHT NOW, but may in the future; (3) talks are not taking place RIGHT NOW, because they ALREADY have taken place. (e.g., Sony's statement from a week or so ago)

I can tell you that there are a million ways to describe the act of skinning a cat and be telling the truth each and every time. I can describe that act to where I can have PETA wanting to burn my house down. I can describe that same act to where I can have those same people at PETA saying "Man, that fuckin' cat had it comin'!" It all depends on who your audience is and how much info you want to give them.

You folks need to learn how to temp down the fanboyism and do some reading between some lines. I'm just sayin'.......

J

FranksnBeans

Wow, surprising. I bet Sony is simultaneously disappoionted and gleeful. They have the only console on the market which can run games larger than DVD-size, but they're missing out on the profits that would be gained IF Microsoft adapted a Blu-Ray player. Which, I'd think, is inevitable... If Blu-Ray really catches on and it replaces DVD as the dominant format, the 360 would sort of need a Blu Ray drive just to catch up...

The only other options MS has is 1) wait 'til next generation's console to include Blu Ray, or 2) never adapt Blu Ray and start releasing 360s with massive hard-drives and support larger file download sizes.

Wow. Sony has Microsoft by the balls.

Highlander Wolf

@Candlejack: What the. Why is my beautiful caricature gone. What a crappy image hoster.

[imageupload.com]

Candlejack

@TheIrishNinja: what..a fanboy? i dont think so. I own a PS3 to play games and watch DVDs would like to watch blu rays but hey its a bit to pricey for me.

invictus2006

@invictus2006: Who on earth pays $60US for a blu-ray movie. I have 15 BD movies in my collection and I haven't spent over $25US for any of them, and the average price has been $20US or so. I just bought the Superman Collection and The Mission Impossible collection for $30 and $55 respectively. (3 movies in each collection)

fallingdove

@atthegates: good luck downloading 20+ gig movies.

@invictus2006: mebbe, but arent you now one of them?

@sudz: also quite true.

TheIrishNinja

@Phenom88: my god. I cant believe you 360 fanboys. I like the 260 and all, but i cant understand why anyone would ever even speculate into the IDEA of the 360 getting blu-ray. Thats like saying, "hey Sony, ya think we can put a cell processor in our next console? We'll pay you..." It would never happen.Blu-ray is what Sony has going for it. If it gave that to MS, it would seriously jeopardize sales.

Scruffay

Well then its seems like this year is really going to be a PS3 year.

stennex

@Gagamus: Its not as simple as Sony being stingy with blu-ray technology. If Sony completely refused licensing the tech to MS, their are several laws that MS could encite in court to force the license.

From Sony's perspective, it wouldn't necessarily be a bad move for them to license the tech. It would make the PS3 more lucrative. Think about it. For a 360 to cover the licensing cost and the blu-ray tech on top of their current system costs, the final price would be outrageous.

Blu-ray + licensing - $250
+
Xbox 360 Elite - $450
+
Markup - $50
=
$750

The 80GB(and the soon to be 120GB) PS3s are $499. There is no way the 360 could compete with that value. The best solution for MS would be to build an add-on player, and that would cost close to $300. Sony would still have a more attractive bundle.

fallingdove

@kingmanic: This isn't coming down to that. It's up to Microsoft whether they want to release another RROD ridden SKU.

Gagamus

I reflected on this news and the topic.

[img181.imagevenue.com] [SFW]

Do I win an Internets for my efforts?

Candlejack

@sudz:

Well I find paying $20-$30 for a disc that I will watch maybe twice in the time I own it is absurd as well. I'd much rather rent when I get the urge to watch something. I learned my lesson with the 200+ DVDs I have gathering dust.

Gray665

@Abdar: Whoa that's crazy man you should send me the link to that site you download from! (...)

Kaneda

@Gagamus: The Blu-ray group is not controlled only by Sony. They can license to anyone who pays the license fees and any of the members can manufacture devices for anyone. Sony Can try to influence members not to sell to MS but it's not their call.

kingmanic

Although it would have been nice, it's no big loss to me personally. I'm not jumping into the HD age for another few years.

Collapse The Control

Downloaded free DVD rips in dixv format would look the same with a Blue Ray player or not.. so I personally could care less.

Abdar

@Dakobah: I was about to say the same thing, The Demand IS there and It IS the clear winner. HDDVD is not gonna come back from the grave, and trust me I was HDDVDs biggest fan.

Neoistheone2000

MS said if their customers wanted Blu-ray they would provide it. They'll cave at some point.

Phenom88

Honestly, Sony was stupid as FUCK if they truly ever considered licensing Blu Ray tech to MS. The advantage it provides the PS3 in the marketplace is INVALUABLE and greatly exceeds any licensing royalties that they would receive from Microsoft. It's fine if Microsoft wants to take their ball and go home. They can keep pretending that treating movies as DLC is the way to go. REAL movie buffs are going to prefer buying movies on blu ray since digital delivery is still an absolute pipedream. X360 is a prime way to RENT watered down HD content, PS3 is a prime way to watch REAL HD content that you actually own.

Gagamus

@SG79: dont buy things online so yes £30 for a blu ray film from HMV oh wait not even filmed in HD now thats what i call retarded

invictus2006

@peAr_nectAr "I can't say I'm surprised at all. Wouldn't that put Microsoft in an uncomfortable position if they were implementing hardware from their rivals?":

It is all about making money. They couldn't care less about hardware being from rivals or not. If you've watched Microsoft's CES press conference a couple of months ago (the time when WB moved to BR camp) - all the notebooks Microsoft used to demonstrate stuff were Sony Vaio. Plus Microsoft are working on Blu-Ray integration in Windows.
If they decide there is significant money to make from a Blu-Ray 360 addon - they'll do it and they'll deny its existence until release too ...

mx5

Guess I will have to buy a PS3 then. I was going to buy one once they start shipping with the Dualshock 3 anyways.

dead_red_eyes

@invictus2006:

Prices seem to vary on Amazon much like anywhere else in the world:

[www.amazon.co.uk]

SG79

@atthegates: agreed...And the way the 360 upscales DVDs they look awesome.
I enjoy my digital download option and have taken advantage of it...my 360 Elite has been great to me.

I'll eventually get a PS3, but not because of Bluray, it'll be because they have games I want on their system. So far they don't.

mangajunky

MSFT, all about "choices", only when it benefits them more and not the consumer!

EnigmaNemesis

I have to say at this point I'd rather buy a PS3 than the add on, since it also doubles as an actual PS3, as well as a Blu-ray player. When the HD-DVD add on was the cheapest way to enter the HD movie era, its pure wonkiness could be excused. But now, not so much...

chimp_o_death

It would be nice to have the option of a BR add-on, though, as a gaming machine it isnt needed... THough, as the ultimate home theater hub, its a big step backwards... i think.
How will if effect them? Sure they may loose sales, but really i dont think its going to be that big a deal...
Sure the PS3 is the best value BR player out ATM, though by x-mas there will be a whole slough of cheaper players backing this a non-issues..

AudibleDefect

"Nor are there any SKUs for Xbox 360s with Blu-ray in the works."

Well how about some SKU's in the works to fix the hardware problems? I keep seeing on the blogs the discussions with the RROD and other hardware issues, yet no game media seem to be asking Microsoft about when we are finally going to see a real fix? We are two years in now.

M.A.S.

would it really have been wise to make a $150-$200 BR add on when for a little more money you could get a PS3? Probably not.

darthmatt

It's seeming more and more like Aaron Greenburg's job is going to get harder...

7ucky

@Zhabin:

qft

also, hasn't MS deconfirmed rumors before only to confirm them later on? if so, why take this seriously at all?

iamnotdryad

If 360 wants to be last Gen, let them. Look at Nintendo, it worked great for them.

Earthslide

MS is basically forcing 360 owners not interested in digitial distribution of movies to buy a PS3. I'd much rather buy a cheap blu ray add on for $180 then a PS3. It seems they only have a few choices here or they are going to flat out lose.

Make the fcking blue ray add on already. That thing should have been fully designed and sitting on a shelf waiting for mass production the very second Toshiba tapped out.

Make the 120GB HDD cheaper. Its 120GB, not a fcking TB the pricing is ridiculous. Most 360 owners will continue to avoid digital distribution for lack of HDD space. (not to mention how painfully slow the downloads are).

Purchase EA. Make the power move. Let EA buy take two, then MS can just buy EA. Game, set, match. Half the games on the planet (ok not really but close) would immediately be 360 exclusive. Well, for sake of not completely sinking EA and themselvs for lower profit margins by NOT selling on PS3 they could let a few titles still show up on Sonys console, just not the best ones.

So many bad moves made by MS its a wonder they are still in the game at all.

brandonf

@PaulHunter:

It'll be the way of the future of MS pulls their head out of their ass. Who the heck thought that their rental service was a good idea?

iamnotdryad

makes sense from a competitive standpoint. but let's remember, digital downloads will only be truly useful once HDD on consoles increase, which wont be for a long time due to manufacturing costs, so this strategy is very confusing. however it is striving in the games department so alls well that ends well. if there is one thing that the format war proved, it is that people were sold on having the disc in hand instead of wanting a digital copy. we will see how this all pans out in the year.

zanzibarlegend

Yeah...now that he's told us it's not going to happen we can fully trust that there will not be any Blu-Ray support in the 360... =/

Seriously, I mean...95% of the gaming community that actively browses through the internet and pays attention to these kinds of stories must know by now that no corporate head is ever going to say "Yep...we're doing exactly what the rumors are saying we're doing". They always cover it up.

I'll take this statement with a grain of salt, because if I say "Ok Mr Greenburg", 2 months from now we'll be hearing "Blu-Ray 360 addon confirmed by MS".

I already own a PS3 & 360, so this wouldn't really affect me either way. I just wanted to comment on how funny it is that press release after press released is issued (of course I'm talking about Sony, MS & Nintendo) saying "We're not doing that!" and sometime later we hear they are in fact doing just that.

Zhabin

I think your jumping the gun, all that was revealed is that they aren't in talks right now. It doesn't mean there is "no future" for it.

Shadow71

they dont need it.. they didn't need the hd-dvd addon but they saw it as an opportunity to use their customer base to sell optical media units to help win a war that was lost and only that reason.

JimmyHACK

the PS3 is going to destroy the 360 in my opinion. get ready for a new system from microsoft soon. just like zune 3.

PHILOSOPHER541

*currently*

ErskinPig

Well "integrate" in a console to have a new sku is one thing, but it doesnt mean there could be a BD add-on like the HD-DVD was.

What could have happened if the 360 came out with HD-DVD when it released?

Señor Cagon

I agree @sudz:

neoraul20

I don't see the point of a blu-ray add-on (just as i did not see the point of a hd-dvd add on). MS is right on not bothering with another add-on (albeit for probably the wrong reasons).

RPGr

@sudz:

That's right my friend.

neoraul20

@peAr_nectAr: Why? Sony is implementing Toshiba tech in the PS3?

Tale

This is such a stupid move for MS. Digital downloading is definitely the way of the future, but not in this console generation. Too many people aren't connected, have moderate-to-slow speed connections, and have limited HDD space. Digital downloading will surely make a ton of money, but won't be a mainstrean purchase stream for at least another 5-10 years. I can see the PS3 capitalizing on this key feature differentiator during this fall as peoples' wallets open up wide for HD technology.

PaulHunter

That's a real kick in the nuts!

Livid

@Billy Bob Joe: Yeah they have said that many times. Usually they say it when we are on to something big that they are working on.

JustJake

though i own a PS3 looking at most of your comments just shows how stupid and dickles most fanboys are

invictus2006

@sudz: try paying £30 ($60) for a blu ray film

invictus2006

Good, I am glad, that giant sucking sound your hear is your XBox 360...

kifbox

They also said no to HDMI, now look where they are.

Sailorcancer

What on earth are they waiting for?

Wolfers

Well, I guess I have to buy a PS3 to get a Blu-Ray Player. Thanks Microsoft, you made that decision easy.

Why would they make such a clear statement, how about a Steve Jobs style announcement, "We don't make comments on the possibilities of upcoming products."

Lou3000

wow, guess what i read of microsoft confirming blu ray is wrong.

i dont watch movies at home, only in theatres

but from a buisiness stanpoint, even john doe thinks this is a bad decision my microsoft.

no soup for you microsoft.

here they were harping that "oh we'll make whatever the clear winner is, and if the demand is there we'll make it"

hmmmm.

where is the online petition im pissed :P

Dakobah

Why on earth do they continue to try and push DL media, ill never know. Paying 5 bucks for a 24 hour rental is retarded

sudz

i'd say it's more likely that there 'is no confirmed' talks with sony about blu-ray yet.

it'll happen. it's just a matter of when.

but more pressing, microsoft, where is my bully patch?!?!

PGGB

"No Blu-Ray in the future for Xbox" seems like an overly definitive pronouncement. All Greenburg says is the they're not in talks with Sony. That doesn't mean that they won't be in talks with Sony a day from now or a year from now. MS might be dying to be in talks with Sony but doesn't want to tip its hand.

If I were betting, I would bet on there being a Blu-Ray enabled 360 in the future.

sethmad

Ah it makes sense to deny it even if they are going to go ahead. Why give people a reason to hold back? They just lowered the price to encourage sales! Unless there's a leak about it if it is going to go ahead we won't hear until its been tested and ready to go to market. It'll be in the next version of Xbox anyway, 720 or whatever.

NunianVonFuch

A Blu-Ray add-on for the 360 would definately have swayed some people from getting a PS3. It would've been a smart move, and they could have partnered with other Blu Ray manufacturers (Samsung, Pioneer, Sharp, etc).

But, since I'm a Sony fan I'm secretly jumping with glee.

Pata-pwn(TM?)

:'(

Cchrist

Didn't MS say somewhere that they don't comment on rumors and speculation?

Billy Bob Joe

Of course. The Xbox 720 is the one carrying the Blu-ray drive.

Fenris Wolf

DLC as the real "new" format. NEXT!

atthegates

I'm planning to get a PS3 anyway now that Blu-Ray is the clear winner.

Even if you don't want to play games I don't see why you wouldn't get a PS3 if you want a Blu-Ray player, it's one of the cheapest and one of the best.

QualityJeverage

I can recall reading plenty of times that Microsoft was not oppossed to adding Blu Ray to 360 if Blu Ray ended up being the successful option. Now that this has happened, it's...not going to happen?

jonathan

A spokesperson for Microsoft issued a statement, saying, "We're not mad. Sony didn't win. We LET them win. They're stupid. Blu-Ray sucks and you suck too."

MisterSleep

stubborn...
Well, sooner or later they'll have to give in, anyway.

neojam

Yea... this'll die just about as quick as the Metal Gear on 360 rumour.

smitty1123

Lame.

Flawless101

awwwww I think microsoft are still sad that hd-dvd failed....its ok ms....its ok

excel_excel

I can't say I'm surprised at all. Wouldn't that put Microsoft in an uncomfortable position if they were implementing hardware from their rivals?

peAr_nectAr

@Scruffay: Whoa! How did you come to conclusion that I'm a 360 fanboy? All I said is what MS had stated before. I think you need to read my past comments about MS to see how crazy your 360 fanboy comment is.

Phenom88

correct me if I'm wrong but why would ms talk to sony, they don't own the rights to blu-gay, they just use the product!???!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!?????

freespeech