While Sony's PS3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360 are still middle-aged in console gaming years it hasn't stopped gamers and industry experts to wonder when the next generation consoles will be released. Recent reports are now saying that gamers won't have to wait that long as Sony and Microsoft are both aiming for 2013 releases for their next generation consoles.

A report from VG247 is claiming that the next Xbox, codenamed Xbox 720 will include Blu-ray technology and that it will debut just in time for the 2013 Holiday season. The most surprising part of this report isn't the 2013 release date but the fact that Microsoft is going to add Blu-ray technology which is patented by Sony.

Although Blu-ray does hold more data than the standard DVD disks the Xbox console currently uses there is a concentrated effort on Microsoft's part to move to more online methods of distribution. There is also the consideration that Microsoft wouldn't want rival Sony to have any percentage of the next Xbox's revenue. In fact Microsoft's Larry Hryb downplayed any rumors that Blu-ray was coming to the Xbox 360 in a previous statement.

"As we have said in the past, we have no plans to introduce a Blu-Ray drive for the Xbox 360. In fact, the future of home entertainment starts very soon when Xbox 360 becomes the first and only console to offer instant-on 1080p streaming HD movies. With a library of thousands of TV shows and movies to choose from, Xbox 360 owners can instantly watch the movies they want, when they want, in the highest form of high definition."

VG247's sources also claimed that the Xbox 720 will use dual AMD-based GPUs that will work independently with a core dedicated to Kinect support. Another interesting tidbit is that the next Xbox will require players to log on to the Internet at all times to mitigate piracy concerns. This could be problematic as not all gamers want to connect to the Internet to play games they've already bought and paid for.

PlayStation gamers will also have to wait until 2013 for the next generation PlayStation codenamed Orbis. The new console will reportedly be released during the holiday season next year. The console will have better graphics and a resolution that is better than most HD TV sets allowing gamers the ability to play 3D games in full HD resolution.

The capability to play games in full glorious HD might come at a serious disadvantage as rumors are also circulating that the Orbis won't be backwards compatible meaning gamers will have to retire their PS3 games since it won't work with the new console.

It should be said that these are so far unsubstantiated reports but if they are true then the holiday season next year will truly be an expensive one as Sony and Microsoft compete for gamers' wallets.