The next generation Xbox console, rumored to be named Xbox 720, will be sporting a GPU based on the Radeon 6000 series, according to a rumor from IGN. The Radeon 6000 series was launched last year, and the Xbox 720 version will reportedly be close to the Radeon HD 6670 — a mid-range GPU. Despite being a mid-range GPU in 2011, it’s still said to be 6 times more powerful than the current Xbox 360 ATI GPU. Mass production of the chip is said to start in late 2012, which could mean a new console launch at the very end of 2012 or the beginning of 2013. Compared to the Wii U, another new console that’s launching this year, the Xbox 720 GPU will be around 20% more powerful.

More and more clues are emerging about next generation of video game consoles that should be released within two years. The latest clue comes from Gears of War developer Epic, a company which also makes the popular Unreal Engine. A recent job posting is looking for a “Technical Artist” to work on “multiple new and existing IP’s across multiple platforms”. The job ad goes on, hinting at next gen hardware:

“Your goal will be to attack the more complex issues that arise when we push the technology envelope, both in production on current hardware, and prototyping for next-generation hardware”

This could also be a possible indication of Unreal Engine 3. As for next-gen consoles, Nintendo will be releasing the Wii U this year, while Microsoft and Sony are reportedly already hard at work on the next gen systems, which should see release in 2013 or 2014.

According to new rumors, Nintendo isn’t the only console maker coming out with a new console in 2012 — the rumor suggests that Microsoft is working on a new console and has already shipped development kits to developers and publishers, most notably, EA.

The news comes after an unnamed source (and we all know how reliable those are), speaking to Develop, saying that EA has the new dev kits and that the console will be released in late 2012 — just in time to compete head on with Nintendo’s new console.

However, the source also revealed that the console most likely won’t be unveiled at E3 this year, which means if you’re looking for a new console unveiling at E3, you’ll get one from Nintendo only.

The first piece of evidence suggesting the next generation of consoles has just been revealed by Microsoft, as they’re now looking to hire designers to work on the Xbox 360 successor, codenamed Xbox 720. Microsoft posted a job posting looking for people to help them “defining and delivering next generation console architectures from conception through implementation.”. Which means the console is in very early stages of development.

While nothing has yet been announced, it’s safe to say that all three major console makers are looking into the next generation of game consoles, although it might take a few years before we see any of them on the market, considering the great success the Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3 are having these days.

Blizzard has been revealed to be in active talks with Microsoft regarding the successor to the Xbox 360 – this comes from company executive Rob Pardo.

Pardo said this during the Luminaries Lunch at the GDC. Other lunch attendees – Will Wright, Warren Spector and David Perry, all big names – said they were yet to be approached about the next-gen console.

This is interesting, because it should be noted that Blizzard hasn’t released a console game since 2000 and that its titles sell like hot cakes on PC. But with games like Diablo 3 and StarCraft 2, as well as an unannounced MMO, the company may be looking to bring in a wider audience.

While we are just over half way through this current console generation, curiosity, rumors, and speculation on the next generation of consoles has been far from dormant. The Wii HD has all but been announced, the PlayStation 4 has been mentioned several times by various Sony employees, even if only speculatively, and the Xbox 720 is probably going to be announced the next year or two.

While these future consoles are still in development, there several features and functions that we should be able to expect from all of them.

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