Microsoft: Xbox 360's not even "at the midpoint yet"

Microsoft has said it's not in any hurry to create a replacement for Xbox 360, as the console is not even "at the midpoint yet".

Speaking with Guardian UK at CES, Microsoft's David Hufford state that Project Natal, content services, and new software upgrades will help prolong the life of the console.

"I think it's important to say that the Xbox 360 is the console of the long future for us," said Hufford, senior director of Xbox product management. "There is no need to launch a new console, because we're able to give this console new life either with software upgrades or hardware upgrades like Project Natal.

"The Xbox 360 was designed for a long life, and I don't even know if we're at the midpoint yet."

Regarding the 3D-centric focus of different outlets during CES, Hufford reiterated Aaron Greenberg's comment that "we're a long ways away" from seeing the technology in our living room, by stating that the Xbox 360 did not need an upgrade to support 3D games - as both Avatar and 3D game Scrap Metal were both shown at the booth during the event.

"I don't want to say that technology stops, but we believe we have a high quality console, and we stand by that quality with an unprecedented warranty, so we think we're in a good place now heading into the Natal era."

Xbox 360 launched in 2005 in the US.