A skewed look at the future
The Xbox One, 720, Durango, or whatever it ends up being called will be unveiled next week. And unlike at the PlayStation 4 reveal, we bet that Microsoft will show what the console actually looks like when its revealed. Good news for potential consumers, but it also means the many fan-created pieces of concept art for the system will soon be obsolete.
So, before the work of these console dreamers is obsolete, we found a number of next-gen Xbox designs that probably look nothing like the final version of the system. Some are more plausible than others, but before reality intrudes, take a look at these mockups and feel free to imagine a system like any these under your TV.
The see-thru
Who needs a touch pad, second screen, or share button when you have the gaming equivalent of a glass bottom boat?
The widescreen
Based on the controller, this was likely designed a little after rumors broke about a screen in the 720s controller. Even if that ends up being true, the tower looks way too bulky for a console.
The Swiss cheese
The original 360 design had a nasty habit of overheating, something that likely wont be a problem for a 720 with as many air holes as this one.
Xbox Infinitely Huggable
This custom plush of the next-gen system is 100% impossible, but a part of us wishes all consoles could be as adorable as this one.
The plasma core
If the console can seriously emit green electricity whenever its on, well happily pay $500 for it.
The unimaginative
This one seems boring enough to be real, but we hope that the next systems doesnt simply look like a smoothed down 360.
The desktop fan
We like this minimalist approach to the future of Xbox, as well as the option of watching the disc spin. It reminds us of doing laundry.
X marks the spot
This additional view of the previous concept shows how the clever way the system uses the letter X to balance said system.
The sister magazine
Even magazines owned by the same corporation as GamesRadar got in on the act of visualizing the future of Xbox. Sadly, Xbox World was closed before it could see how accurate this system might be.
Smooth operator
Another design that removes the edges in a style similar to Apple. That doesnt leave much room for little details like power buttons, though well give the artist extra credit for conceiving the box art too.
The four-hander
Yeah, this one has to be a joke. Otherwise, it was designed by someone with very odd hands.
The ghost
This concept art is so lightly colored that you have to squint hard to really see it in this slide. Even when you can, the look is so low key that it hardly makes any impact.
The compact
This looks like the second or third iteration of the system, once MS cuts all the fat. Otherwise, this 720 is actually a Discman in disguise.
The monolith
This one has more potential than most on this list, but it looks too much like a modded 360 to seem truly authentic.
The car seat
This one has some attractive angles to it, and the red is a nice departure from the Xboxs standard green. Still, hard to imagine this machines weird angles sitting on a store shelf.
The 720 U
Another design likely made when the controller/screen rumors were going strong. It certainly reminds us of Wii U, only the box seems to imply the system is only comprised of the bulky controller.
The perfect abs
This might be our favorite of the bunch, in particular because the black plastic areas make the 720 look ripped.
The dog bone
This one looks far too goofy, though well admit the design would likely keep perfect balance in horizontal and vertical positions.
Paper discs
The console reminds us of the 3DO (not a comparison most console makers welcome), and we appreciate the reduced carbon footprint of replacing plastic game discs with paper ones.
The pouch
This design has some sexy angles to it, which makes up for the pretty uncreative controller that comes with it.
The Matrix of Power
This is one of the older 720 designs out there, one that bears a striking resemblance to the machine that lives within Optimus Primes chest.
The power stripe
This one has a very boxy, unsexy design, but its helpfully offset by a racing stripe. Now were sold on it.
The too literal
We know Microsoft would never do it, but wed love to have a giant, black plastic X sitting in our entertainment center.
X marks the spot?
In less than a week well hopefully know what the next Xbox will finally look like, and itll likely look nothing like these. Still we can hope that in 2016 when they release a second iteration of the system, maybe Microsoft will look to these designs for more inspiration (but probably wont).
And if you're looking for more, check out Xbox Infinity news and rumors and our pick tentative list of all Xbox 720 games.