Molyneux: Xbox 360 Won Last-Gen, Xbox 720 Not as Exciting

Former Microsoft executive and Lionhead president Peter Molyneux has claimed that the Xbox 360 "won the last console generation" and that the NextXbox, set to be unveiled tonight, is "not nearly as exciting."

Interviewed by the BBC Molyneux, now at indie studio 22Cans, commented that 2013 marks a "console hardware refresh," adding "although [the next Xboc is] is exciting, it's not nearly as exciting as when the Xbox 360 exploded onto the gaming scene just over seven years ago.

"Back then, the 360 represented a huge leap forward in gaming, with a tangible increase in performance and fantastic multiplayer support. Gamers and game-makers were justifiably super-excited. Now it is that time again, but the world as changed," he added.

Molyneux continued saying "Its [Microsoft's] competition is no longer Sony and Nintendo, but rather Apple, Google and Samsung."

The veteran UK developer believes that Microsoft "won the last console generation." It's unclear what criteria he was using as the Wii has outsold the Xbox 360 with Nintendo's system at 100 million units while both the PS3 and the Xbox 360 have sold around 75 million consoles.

Molyneux noted "When I used to work at Microsoft the key phrase that I used to hear bandied around was the next Xbox should be 'input one' on people's living room screen. Nowadays I'm an independent designer and I just want the next Xbox to be a great gaming machine" he said ecohing his previous comments.

Microsoft are set to unveil the next Xbox at 10:00 PDT (18:00 BST) today.