14 DAY TRIAL // Large retailer GameStop has talked about next-gen consoles and how Microsoft's unrevealed Xbox 720 will be a very "hot" and "compelling" device, according to its CEO, J. Paul Raines.
Sony revealed to the world the PlayStation 4 back in February and, since then, rumors have started appearing about when Microsoft might present its own next-gen console, the long awaited Xbox 720, which is codenamed Durango.
We already heard lots of leaked tech specs about the device and now GameStop CEO J. Paul Raines has talked with GamesIndustry about how Microsoft is doing some "really cool stuff" with its next-gen consoles.
"We've been spending a lot of time with Microsoft, but we have to let them take the lead on this, but it will be a very hot, compelling device. They are doing some really cool stuff, and I'm eager to hear them start their announcements because I think the world is going to stand up and take notice," Raines said.
The GameStop boss also believes that the console cycles will continue to produce new items every few years as there's always room for innovation, despite lots of people who believe that the era of dedicated consoles is coming to an end.
"The cool thing with GameStop is, we've got a lot of gamers here and we've got a lot of people [on the team] who've seen every console cycle. And what's interesting to me - I was talking to one of our founders, Dan DeMatteo, and he was telling me every console cycle you get people who will say 'there will never be another console,' or 'what else can the consoles do?' And we just believe it's a cycle and we just haven't had a new product in so long."
GameStop and its customers are more than eager to see the new consoles released, as Raines said that 900,000 people signed up for the "First to Know" list about the PlayStation 4's availability and that a third of its PowerUp Rewards members are expecting to buy a PS4 in the next 12 months.