Xbox One: eights years was right for previous cycle, says Harrison

Xbox One is out now, some eight years after its predecessor, the Xbox 360 launched. Microsoft’s Xbox VP Phil Harrison has responded to recent claims that the previous cycle was too long, and has stated that eight years was correct.

Now, speaking with MCV, Harrison responded, “Eight years is actually the right time. Xbox 360 continues to grow, over 80m units and counting. And the underlying silicon chip design innovations that allow Xbox One to be what it is, didn’t reach the performance level and price point that we needed until right now.

“So if we had come out three years ago with a new console, it would not be to the same degree of performance or price that we have now, and Xbox 360 had seven years of growth which I think is a record for a console.”