Glossy Xbox 360 being discontinued

Microsoft is replacing the glossy black Xbox 360 slim with a new matte finish in the coming weeks, though the gloss finish will still be available on special edition models.

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The glossy black Xbox 360 is in its last days, and will be replaced by a matte black version as soon as they ship to stores. Microsoft is "actively transitioning" all of its slim models to the new finish, so if you want that blinding sheen in your living room, you should pick one up sooner rather than later.

The news came from a Larry Hryb (aka Major Nelson) blog post. Hryb stepped in to clear up some misconceptions about the switch, pointing out that users won't have a choice between the glossy and matte finish this holiday season. He says the new matte consoles will arrive in stores "over the coming weeks."

If you absolutely can't live without a reflective shine, though, you still have options. Hryb assures that special editions like the Star Wars and Gears of War 3 bundles will still have a gloss finish. No reason was given for the change, but we assume R2-D2 just wanted to feel special.

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  • reply
    August 15, 2011 9:15 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Glossy Xbox 360 being discontinued.

    Microsoft is replacing the glossy black Xbox 360 slim with a new matte finish in the coming weeks, though the gloss finish will still be available on special edition models.

    • reply
      August 15, 2011 9:17 AM

      good! :D

      • reply
        August 15, 2011 9:18 AM

        I like to check out my sweet flex poses in the reflection on mine.

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      August 15, 2011 9:19 AM

      matte is the new black

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        August 15, 2011 11:16 AM

        I got a new netbook. Now the screen is glossy and the case is matte. MAKE UP YOUR MIND.

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      August 15, 2011 9:19 AM

      [deleted]

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      August 15, 2011 10:02 AM

      gun metal ftw?

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      August 15, 2011 10:08 AM

      Why is Microsoft wasting money redesigning new finishes for the Xbox360 every couple of years?

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        August 15, 2011 10:11 AM

        What kind of "design work" do you think goes into making a textured plastic mould instead of a smooth one?

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          August 15, 2011 10:17 AM

          they probably have to make some significant changes to their assembly lines...

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            August 15, 2011 10:20 AM

            [deleted]

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            August 15, 2011 11:44 AM

            Yes, let's replace this smooth moulding with a textured one. Damn. That was so... significant. Everything else bolts into place the same, everything else fits in the same, everything can still happen all on the same assembly line too, because there is no way in hell that the plastic moulding is made in the same plant that final assembly occurs on, honestly any concern about this at all, let alone frustration because they might be "wasting money" is pretty pinheaded.

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        August 15, 2011 10:41 AM

        You should watch The Wire.

        Even drug dealers know how to repackage the same old shit.

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        August 15, 2011 11:19 AM

        I don't get this, either- Sony is also doing a new slim mk2 PS3, and nintendo loves to remake their handhelds. Even if the new version is cheaper to manufacture, can it really be enough of a savings to make up for the cost of the new design and tooling? Especially at the middle/end of the life cycle when the sales are lower?

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          August 15, 2011 11:57 AM

          I would guess so, otherwise they wouldn't do it. history shows that sales are boosted when new SKU's are released by any console manufacturer.

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        August 15, 2011 12:05 PM

        I don't know if you know this, but there are 2 different types of finishes for 360's right now. By consolidating to 1, in theory, they increase their profit margins by decreasing the cost of goods and logistic supply chain management of keeping 2 different types of parts.

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        August 15, 2011 12:17 PM

        To cut costs? Ah the irony...

    • reply
      August 15, 2011 11:39 AM

      So my glossy Slim is suddenly turned into a Special Edition model? Woo!

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      August 15, 2011 11:57 AM

      The 4GB 360 was already matte black.

    • reply
      August 15, 2011 12:08 PM

      Slow news day eh?

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