Xbox is going through "evolutionary" changes, says Thompson

UK Xbox boss Neil Thompson has revealed more of the company's plans for 360, explaining the thinking behind the decision to offer consumers a range of hardware options.

Speaking in a recent interview with Eurogamer TV Thompson said, "The whole strategy with Xbox 360 was that the way we built it from the Core machine up to the pro machine is, we could do two things. One, we could offer consumer choice, so they could come in whenever they wanted to, and decide to add onto it.

"But also, that gives us some flexibility, in that we can make offerings that we can change and move within the context of the Core system. So over the next two or three years I think, yes, weâre in an evolutionary stage."

Microsoft yesterday announced plans to launch a new iteration in the Xbox 360 range in North America on April 29. Priced at USD 479, the Xbox 360 Elite will come with a HDMI port and 120GB hard drive.

But according to Thompson, the company's main focus will continue to be on the content available for the platform.

"The thing that really enables us to evolve the experience of 360 isnât so much the hardware, itâs the software and the services," he said.

"The definition of the 360 is about the fact that we can make the machine you bought today different in a yearâs time through the software and the services that we can deliver, and change what that machine can do and enhance it and make it better."

Following the unveiling of Xbox 360 Elite, Microsoft has been keen to emphasise that the Core and Premium packages will still be available and that consumers will have a range of options to choose from.

Thompson confirmed that the Core system, which doesn't come with a hard drive, is "doing very well", adding, "Itâs actually doing slightly ahead of what our prediction was in terms of the split.

"I think more and more people are choosing how they want to use their 360, or whether they even get a second 360 for the home because they want to extend it to another room because of the kids et cetera," he continued.

"I think it serves the part of the market that we designed it for - weâre very happy with where thatâs at."

The full interview with Thompson will be broadcast on Eurogamer TV soon.