Microsoft Corp.’s representative said in an interview with a Japanese web-site that the company’s approach to the next-generation DVD drive in the Xbox 360 console will allow the software giant to offer both Blu-ray and HD DVD external optical drives. While the intention of the company was not set in stone, the stance is pretty unusual for an HD DVD supporter.

“At present time, considering such part [external optical drive], Microsoft selects HD DVD. But since it is unknown whether HD DVD and Blu-ray wins [the format battler], we took the form, external drive, which allows us to change in future situations,” said Peter Moore, head of the Microsoft interactive entertainment division in an interview with ITmedia web-site.

The Xbox 360 external HD DVD drive is promised to be available in 2006. Besides, the company indicated that more than 50 new high-definition Xbox 360 games would be available by June 2006. The new drive will offer Xbox 360 owners the ability to easily enjoy HD DVD movies and will provide consumers with even more choices for experiencing high-definition content, in either physical or digital form, the company indicated.

It is unknown how much the external HD DVD or Blu-ray drives will cost end-users, but it is likely that the device will not be too expensive. Sony PlayStation 3, the arch-rival for the Xbox 360, will also be equipped with competing Blu-day disc format. It is possible that a combination of the Xbox 360 and external next-gen DVD drivez will be priced at the same point as the PlayStation 3.

Microsoft Xbox 360 console is based around microprocessor developed by IBM, high-definition visual processing unit designed by ATI Technologies, I/O controller engineered by SiS and some other key components. The gaming machine will provide a broad set of multimedia capabilities in addition to games. Depending on the bundle, Microsoft Xbox 360 costs $299 or $399.