New Xbox 360 designed around the Xbox One
Microsoft has launched a new Xbox 360 console, with the refreshed device based on the upcoming Xbox One design.
Landing eight years after the original Xbox 360 was unveiled, the new Xbox 360 console is super slim and sports the same two tone front design as the console built to supersede it, the upcoming Xbox One.
Making the announcement during its pre-E3 Xbox press conference, Microsoft has revealed the new themed Xbox 360 will hit retailers with immediate effect although it is not yet clear if that is exclusive to the US or part of a global release that will include the UK.
“Eight summers ago we unveiled the 360 and we designed it to be a place to play games,” Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi said in unveiling the new Xbox 360 console. He added: “To better fit into your home and the Xbox family, we are going to update the Xbox 360 console with a modern look and feel based on the Xbox One design.”
While the Xbox One release date is still shrouded in mystery, Mehdi stated of the new Xbox 360: “Its smarter, sleeker and as quiet as ever and its available starting today.” A new Xbox 360 price is yet to be confirmed.
Suggesting Microsoft has no intentions on turning its back on the aging Xbox 360 just yet, Mehdi added: “Our commitement to the Xbox 360 has never been stronger and it’s not just the console that’s going to get better, we are going to make Xbox Live Gold membership better too.”
Expanding on these Xbox Live improvements he stated: “Beginning July 1st through to Xbox One launch, all Xbox Live Gold members old and new are going to get two free Xbox Live games per month, yours to keep.
“To kick off that programme I would like to unveil two of the free games to be offered in the coming weeks, Assassin’s Creed 2 and Halo 3.”
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