Microsoft has failed to deny allegations that it's ceasing production of the original Xbox potentially to allow its manufacturers to punch out more Xbox 360s.

The claim was made earlier this week by a retail worker who maintained that's what his wholesaler had told him. Kotaku, the website sent the missive, checked with Microsoft, which duly said it expects "to continue to sell Xbox version one consoles well into calendar year 2006... We expect to continue to see good demand for the platform in calendar year 2006".

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However, it also said: "We don't provide details on our console manufacturing plans for either the Xbox version 1 or the Xbox 360."

In short, it isn't going to deny or confirm the rumour, which will only cause many observers to assume it has ended production.

Such a course seems unlikely, particularly given the success Sony has continue to enjoy selling the original PlayStation despite having long ago launched the PS2. Of course, Sony redesigned and relaunch the machine as the PSOne, and Microsoft may well have a similar scheme in mind. Or it may well have decided there are sufficient Xboxes in the supply chain to satisify anticipated 2006 demand. ®