GDC: Xbox 2 to be unveiled "this summer"

After remaining silent on the topic at GDC, Microsoft is to finally unveil the next incarnation of Xbox this summer, according to a senior development source.

Speaking to our correspondent on the GDC show floor today, the source revealed: "Microsoft has told us, and other developers that it doesn't plan to show anything of Xbox 2 until the summer."

Development kits, based on Apple's G5 hardware, are already in circulation, but Microsoft has allegedly ordered devs not to allow them out of their studios, such is the firm's determination to keep a lid on information leaking out about its next move in the console race. "They've been incredibly strict about it," the source added.

Microsoft has been as slippery as an eel when tackled on anything relating to Xbox 2 so far at GDC, and asked whether it would be using E3 as a platform to lauch Xbox 2, Microsoft's Peter Moore told us: "It's too early in the cycle of Xbox to be talking about its successor."

However, asked whether Xbox 2 games or anything related to Xbox 2 would be at the event, he admitted: "We haven't finalised our plans as yet", which - reading between the lines - suggests that the firm hasn't ruled out the possibility yet.

In the absence of a big E3 splash, it looks likely that the firm will use its X04 event to formally run through its plans for the next Xbox, after last years X03 event proved to be a little light on headline grabbing news in comparison with its previous efforts.