Xenon, XBox Next or XBox 2 are just some of the names, describing Microsoft's next-generation console, that you may have come across. Many industry sources are claiming now that Microsoft is planning to add to that list the name, XBox 360. The change of heart by Microsoft does not mean that the name is final but that we may see a lot more of it during the pre-launch period as Microsoft, indirectly, tests the waters with it.
One of the more entertaining stories regarding the next-generation battle has to do with Microsoft's name research for its upcoming console. Very early on Microsoft decided that it wouldn't settle for XBox 2, a name which would seem very appropriate as the console is planned to be the XBox after the first one. Microsoft, in its infinite wisdom, decided that a name with the number 2 would make its product seem inferior to its rivals, PS 3 and N5, with users believing it to be less cutting-edge than the competition. Since Microsoft's view of its consumers must be that of a rather dull money tree, the obvious choice would be to call it XBox X edging ahead of all of the competition, leaving consumers stunned and confused but impressed nonetheless. Microsoft would claim that its product numbers will always move up in tens and that would be it.
Unfortunately Microsoft decided to christen the console project Xenon, and to circulate stories regarding an XBox Next name which most found tiresome and slightly heavy on the Xs. The first time the name XBox 360 was first mentioned was last year when MS commissioned a survey to gauge consumer reaction regarding possible names. The full list of names tested was : Xbox HD, Xbox 247, Xbox E, Xbox 2, Xbox EV, Xbox 360, Xbox FS, and Xbox NE. The fact that MS seemed to prefer the 360 name however, became evident later when the same consumers were also asked which of the names, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, or Nintendo N5, they thought sounded more next-generation.
So, to recap, XBox 2 is no-go and XBox Next is history while Xenon is strictly in-house. For now we have to accept XBox 360 but consider this; if 360 degrees is a full circle would that mean that MS believes that the XBox has come full circle? Wouldn't that also suggest that the new next-gen console may share many features of the original and therefore not be that high-tech? Does Microsoft believe that the original console deserves a full circle tribute? Another possibility is that MS doesn't think its consumers to be bright enough to know how many degrees in a circle or does the 360 refer to the USD price?
Have you got any suggestions for a name for the new console? If you are willing to help Microsoft, on a strictly pro bono basis, please use our comments section.