With the rumour still being Xbox 2, code named “Xenon” by the end of 2005 or first quarter 2006, there is understandably concern about how long titles will be made for the current Xbox. Seems a bit premature at this point since the hardware isn’t even out, but Reuters has a story on it:

In a release on developers who will make games for that next-generation hardware, the company said “Microsoft is fully committed to this (current) generation and gamers can expect an amazing pipeline of titles into 2007.” A Microsoft spokeswoman told Reuters that 2007 is not a hard stop, but rather a guideline for the last releases of new games developed for the Xbox.

Video game machines do not have nearly long enough shelf life for the price of the games and hardware. This phenomenon of hardware envy coupled with inferior games hurt the industry once upon a time. It couldn’t be more financially healthy at the present, though. They are making more money than Hollywood.