Rumor: Microsoft to licence Xbox 360 to outside companies (News)

GamePro staff, GamePro (online)

25/06/2008 18:21:24

The rumour that Microsoft will lease Xbox 360 hardware to third-party manufacturers (much like 3DO and CD-i) resurfaced on Tuesday, the second time since first appearing in 2005.

According to the July issue of EGM, transcribed by Kotaku, "Microsoft may begin allowing third-party manufacturers to create Xbox 360 hardware," which means outside electronics companies could build their own consoles to play Xbox 360 games.

It is unclear, however, if EGM happened upon a stale rumour, or if the idea has been given new life. In 2005, it was reported by several outlets that Microsoft would license 360 specs to third-party manufacturers, in an effort to accelerate production and lower costs.

Obviously that didn't happen, but since then the same rumour has resurfaced on at least one more occasion in addition to this week's murmuring.

Microsoft was not immediately available for comment when contacted by GamePro on Wednesday.

In the early 90s, both The 3DO Interactive Multiplayer and CD-i multimedia consoles were licensed to multiple electronics companies, including Panasonic, Philips, and Magnavox. Both were commercial failures.