2013 or 2014—that’s the big argument that continues to rage when it comes to trying to predict the launch of Sony and Microsoft’s next-gen consoles. Today, financial-focused media outlet Bloomberg weighs in on what it’s hearing.

According to “people familiar with the company’s plans”, Bloomberg states that Microsoft’s successor to the Xbox 360 will be released in time for next year’s Thanksgiving and Christmas sales period. The site notes that while their informants refused to be identified “because the product road map is confidential”, they provided some details on the currents plans by the folks in Redmond for how to launch the system—including the fact that Microsoft still hasn’t decided if the next Xbox will be shown off at E3 2013, or if the company will hold a separate event dedicated to revealing the machine.

Personally, I’ve been on the 2013 bandwagon for some time now. I think that 2014 will just be too far away, especially given the reduction in overall sales the current consoles have seen (and in the face of new competition from Nintendo). Announcing the next Xbox early in 2013 and releasing it that Fall might seem quick, but it’s been done before—and that would allow Microsoft to build up a lot of hype and get the console out before that hype has a chance to die down.

As for when it’ll be revealed, if I had to make a bet, I’d say a separate pre-E3 event. Given that Sony could be announcing the next PlayStation console at E3 as well, Microsoft wouldn’t want to share the stage—and the attention. Unveil the new Xbox before E3, and then use E3 to further show off what’ll be coming at launch.

Source: Bloomberg