The Blu-ray Xbox 360 rumours just won't die. Chinese newspaper Economic Daily News is the latest publication to point towards the union of Sony's format and Microsoft's console. Apparently assembly deals for the Blu-ray 360 have already been signed.
According to the publication, Pegatron, a subsidiary of electronic component giant ASUS, has won the order from Microsoft to assemble the Blu-ray-enabled Xbox 360 and shipments are expected to begin in Q3 this year.
It's unclear whether the paper is pointing towards an HD-DVD-style add-on or an entirely new console, but either way it seems to make sense now that the Xbox 360 is left supporting none of the current HD media formats (all one of them) in the shops.
Would Microsoft be able to get away with another Xbox 360 SKU though? Certainly PS3 owners wouldn't bite.
Microsoft was unavailable to comment when queried.
In its latest Blu-ray rumour debunk last month, a company spokesperson said: "As we have stated, games are what are driving consumers to purchase game consoles and we remain focused on providing the largest library of blockbuster games available."
May 2, 2008
