Rumor Xbox 3 Launch In 2012 & Dev Kits Before Xmas

The Xbox 3 rumors continue to come out despite Microsoft’s silence. This latest set of rumors comes from Edge.

According to their sources Electronic Arts & Ubisoft Montreal are in possession of “target boxes” for the Xbox 3. What is a target box? Basically it is a personal computer with similar specs to the final product. Think of it kind of like a “pre-development kit”, it may lack all of the fine-tuned elements that those kits bring. The first versions of the development kit are expected to hit developer's doorsteps by Christmas.

The second part of the rumor is where things get murky. If Edges’ sources are correct then everything is on track for a 2012 launch for the Xbox 3. The release date of the next Xbox is a point of contention. Some fans & industry analysts believe that the third Xbox should arrive sometime in 2012 while others believe 2013.

Regardless of the authenticity of this rumor it, the first part falls in line with previous speculation that came out of E3 that big publishers like EA & Ubisoft had development hardware already.

Source: Edge Via Kotaku