Rumours of Blu-ray drive for Xbox 360 dismissed

May 21, 2007 - Microsoft has downplayed rumours circulating that it will offer an external Blu-ray Disc drive for the Xbox 360, issuing an official statement earlier this week to underline its commitment to the HD DVD high-definition format.

The statement was released on GamerscoreBlog, a Microsoft-owned website, and affirms that, “Current reports indicating that we have a back-up plan which includes Blu-ray support are incorrect”, adding that Microsoft remains “fully committed” to HD DVD.

The rumours arose following an interview by Japanese website ITMedia with Peter Moore, Microsoft’s Vice President, Interactive Entertainment Business and Devices Division, at the CES show in January this year. During the interview Mr. Moore spoke of the console’s flexibility to adapt to consumers’ needs, as shown by the availability of an add-on HD DVD drive. This was subsequently reported as evidence that Microsoft is planning a Blu-ray drive for the Xbox 360 should HD DVD lose the war between the two rival high-definition formats.

The statement recently added on GamerscoreBlog said that “It is important to understand the context in which [Mr. Moore’s] statement was made. We firmly stand behind the HD DVD format as the best choice for consumers.” Microsoft has long been one of the strongest advocates of the HD DVD format, along with Toshiba, NEC, Sanyo and others, while Blu-ray enjoys the support of Sony, Samsung, Dell and Apple.