We all knew it was coming, eventually.

Now the August 2011 edition of Xbox 360 Mag Italy claims that Microsoft is gearing up to release an external Blu-Ray drive for their highly successful Xbox 360 console.

While this is found in the rumour section of said magazine, if proven to be factual, the addition of a Blu-ray drive could easily be seen as a direct counter-measure to the rising momentum of the PS3, following the recently announced price cut of the console by Sony at this year’s Gamescom.

There have of course been many rumours in the past that hinted at exactly this move by Microsoft, with some stating that the company would not only announce an external Blu-ray drive but also a fully-fledged Xbox 360 with Blu-ray support.

One such rumour had this to say, previously: “Insiders at Microsoft in the USA have told SmartHouse that Microsoft has already configured a standalone Blu-ray player that can be connected into an Xbox 360 and that subject to internal marketing and sales approvals the model could be on sale within 3 months.”

Keep in mind, that was in 2008.

Then again, they also said there’d be no sequel to Halo 3…

While the magazine did not elaborate on the purpose of the Blu-ray drive, whether the Xbox 360 would gain the full benefits of data and video capability, it has to also be considered that a vast number of their user-base will probably pass this up if it is too expensive, or revolt if it is implemented in future as a compulsory purchase.

Developers certainly won’t force gamers into buying unnecessary extras — inb4 DLC — so you can expect that, if these rumours are indeed to be believed, the Blu-ray player will be exclusively an add-on.

It’s still insanely exciting, to say the least.

What are your thoughts on Blu-ray as a medium for high definition movies as well as for gaming? It certainly would eradicate the need for multiple discs per game, if the latter were to take advantage of the medium. Let us know what you think in the comments. Are you excited for this as well? Or do you already have a Blu-ray player that is sufficient to your needs? If not, would this then entice you to get one?

I know I wouldn’t mind it, now.