Xbox 720 to come out during 2013 holiday season

According to reports by Microsoft, the Xbox 360 was the most successful console during Thanksgiving week and Black Friday, selling up to 750 000 units during that period (with Sony up behind with 525 000 PS3s, and Nintendo with 400 000 Wii-Us; full details here).

But with declining sales overall, the time for a new console is nearing. According to reports by Bloomberg, Microsoft is considering a independent holiday season release in 2013 rather than during the 2014 E3, making use of Thanksgiving and Christmas sale to boost its product.

Microsoft Corp. will release the next version of its Xbox video-game machine, the top-selling console, in time for the holidays next year, according to people familiar with the company’s plans.

The new device is planned for Thanksgiving and Christmas sales, said the people, who declined to be identified because the product road map is confidential.

In other news, Microsoft will also release 2 models of the Xbox 720, with one oriented towards casual players and consumers (and will probably have Windows 8 installed), and the other towards hardcore gamers.

We’re told that the set-top box is part of a two-SKU strategy for Microsoft’s next-generation of Xbox hardware that will be unveiled in 2013, with a release date ahead of the holiday shopping season.