Post by: vudu on November 11, 2004, 10:02:26 AM
I have no idea how reliable this is, but according to theinquirer.net Microsoft will release two versions of the Xbox 2 in late 2005 and a third version in late 2006.
QuoteWhile I don't think it will be profitable, I can at least see reasoning behind the Xbox Next PC. However, releasing one version with no HD and the other two with, seems rather ludicrous. Fragmenting your consumer base right from the get-go seems insane. No developer is going to want to use any significant HD-only features if half the install base won't be able to use them.
The standard Xbox Next will not include a hard drive, which will allow Microsoft to cut costs on this basic unit. Xbox Next HD, as you might imagine, does include a hard drive and will offer increased functionality based on this. Xbox Next PC is, according to the presentation, an entry-level PC that runs Windows and all standard PC software.
On the flip side, if the cost between the HD and non-HD versions is not significant, and most people purchase the HD version, it's not going to be worth it to continue to sell the cheaper version. I can already imagine the headaches it's going to cause having three verisons of the same hardware. Unless there's a significant number of people who want the non-HD version, it won't be profitable to continue to manufacture/sell it.
Has anyone seen any other sources posting this information (SPoNG doesn't count)?
Post by: MaleficentOgre on November 11, 2004, 11:13:04 AM
Post by: KDR_11k on November 11, 2004, 10:03:21 PM
.I mean, seriously, XBox Next PC? Don't they mean iXBox Next G5? The Xenon is a Mac, not a PC. Unless of course they're going to run an x86 emulator on that thing in which case you'd be screwed if you tried to play anything but XBox games on that. Though it'll be interesting to see how hackers will use THIS system.
Post by: Ian Sane on November 12, 2004, 06:44:28 AM
This is a dumb idea. We all know it's a dumb idea. The advantage of consoles over PCs regarding game design is that with consoles there's a standard. A developer knows that everyone can play their game. So thus you can't have one version with a hard drive and one without. Console developers don't want to risk having only half the userbase playing their game. And can the non HD Xbox Next attach to an external hard drive? If not then anyone who buys that is limited in what games they can buy. The whole idea of having a game console is so that the userbase and the developers don't have to worry about different models and standards. While we're at it let's have different controllers with different amount of buttons and let's give the cheaper Xbox more RAM just to confuse things further.
My optimism for the Revolution is increasing because every time some rumour about either the PS3 or the Xbox Next turns up it's always about some incredibly over-ambitious idea. I think it's quite possible that either Sony, MS or both will make some huge goof up with their hardware due to a desire to expand consoles beyond gaming and Nintendo will pick up the slack.
Post by: KDR_11k on November 12, 2004, 08:05:04 AM
Post by: vudu on November 12, 2004, 08:34:22 AM
</end sarcasm>
QuoteI'm assuming the addition of the HD is going to cause at least a $75 increase in price between the Xbox Next and Xbox Next HD.
The HD could be reduced to a glorified memorycard and maybe aid with load times. As long as you don't try to make a game like KOTOR or offer downloadable content via Live the lack of the HD will not hurt you.
If the only benefits offered by the HD are decreased load times and no memory cards, will it really be worth it for most people? Sure, I hate load times as much as the next person, but would I pay extra money to decrease them? Not much. No memory cards would help out those who play lots of sports games, but the general public is short-sighted, and would much rather spend $75 on memory cards over the next five years, then pay for it up front.
QuoteThe article states that the Xbox Next PC will be able to play "most available PC games". But that is a good call on the whole Mac/PC compatibility issue. To the best of my knowledge, Microsoft hasn't debunked any of this yet.
The Xenon is a Mac, not a PC. Unless of course they're going to run an x86 emulator on that thing in which case you'd be screwed if you tried to play anything but XBox games on that.
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on November 12, 2004, 08:50:39 AM
Xbox2HD - Plays all Xbox 2 games and also has XBox1 compatibility for games & Live! support, and also acts as a TiVo-like device w/ media center capabilities
XBox2PC - Plays all XBox 2 games, has XBox1 compatiblility w/ all XB2HD functions, and runs most PC apps & games
at least thats how I picture the 3 different models
taking into account all the rumors about my post is a train wreck plan w/ XBox
- No Backwards comp.
- want to include TiVo-like functions
- want to add media center functions
- want to bridge the gap between consoles & PC's
*edit- P.S. with 3 Powerfull dual core PowerPC chips (or is it 2 tri core chips?)this machine should be able to emulate a PC without much of a problem, which means it should be able to emulate the Xbox 1 without a hiccup or need of another (x86)chip.
Post by: Draygaia on November 12, 2004, 03:16:03 PM
The xbox2pc could have a huger audience than console only gamers. Why? You might have some PC gamers combined with the many xbox gamers. The least expensive version... Well you know I haven't heard any bad news about FFXI on the PS2.
My dream machine would be Revolution/Phantom/DISC.
Post by: KDR_11k on November 12, 2004, 09:32:40 PM
I wonder if the XB2 part of the XB2PC can be built into standard PCs...
Post by: Ian Sane on November 12, 2004, 09:43:25 PM
I wonder that too. Once you make a console PC hyrid you're basically helping people make emulators. The Xbox Next could be really easy to pirate because of this setup.
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on November 13, 2004, 12:24:42 PM
I was commenting about the cpu power mostly (which should be pretty damn impressive)
and I'm sure the my post is a train wreck lawers could work someting out w/ NV if they really wanted to make it happen
Post by: KDR_11k on November 13, 2004, 08:11:58 PM
Post by: Hostile Creation on November 14, 2004, 09:09:31 AM
I suspect most people will buy the cheapest system, if they buy anything. Not many casual gamers are going to understand the three system for one system thing they're doing. If they're hoping Xbox gamers will buy more than one system, or at least go for the most expensive, they're wrong. Pirating seems very likely, and heck, I don't even see any perks in the idea. Whoever thought of this is crazy.
Post by: KDR_11k on November 14, 2004, 10:02:59 AM
Maybe MS is trying to get their OS advantage into the console market so they aren't THAT weak anymore.
Either way, the three system thing is so everyone can get what they want. Cheapos get their cheap console without HDD, pirates will get the HDD one and those intent on more drastic modifications will get the PC one.
Post by: MaleficentOgre on November 15, 2004, 07:31:47 AM
Post by: KDR_11k on November 15, 2004, 08:51:21 AM
Actually I think people will expect a powerful console for cheap and I have a feeling the XB2HD isn't going to be competitively priced.
Post by: MaleficentOgre on November 16, 2004, 11:46:08 AM
Post by: MaleficentOgre on November 16, 2004, 11:52:48 AM
Post by: kirby_killer_dedede on November 27, 2004, 07:07:44 PM
Post by: Spak-Spang on January 14, 2005, 04:03:31 AM
Microsoft wants to create something that can be used to link all your devices together. But if you don't want to go that route you don't have to.
It will be interesting to see how it plays out...and how it affects costs. Microsoft and Sony could be shooting themselves in the foot by throwing in all these added extra that will bring the cost higher, while Nintendo can bring in an equally powerful system at a cheaper cost.
Remember, it wasn't the cost that hurt the Gamecube it was the marketing, and lack of 3rd party developers...but if Nintendo could market the system, gather developer support, and have a cheaper system, then Nintendo could easily gain back marketshare.
And yes I know MS is going to have a cheap system with 3 versions of it...but that does confuse the customer and they may not know which one to buy.
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on January 14, 2005, 11:28:22 AM
1. There will be a base model
- no harddrive
2. There will be a model w/ HD
- Halo 2.5 pre loaded
3. No mention of the pc-like model
Post by: KDR_11k on January 14, 2005, 09:11:06 PM
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on April 19, 2005, 12:51:34 PM
GamesIndustry.biz
Quote
Two different Xbox 360 bundles to hit retail in time for Christmas
Microsoft's is still planning to ship two different versions of its Xbox 360 console at launch, according to sources close to the company - while reports suggest that the high-end version may feature the firm's WebTV system.
The site reports that the basic edition of Xbox 360 - the version without the hard drive - will not have backwards compatibility, while the "premium" version with the hard drive will ship with Microsoft's WebTV functionality built-in.
what is that supposed to mean towards the one with the hard drive? Backwards compatability not being a touted feature?
[meaningless speculation] Are they gonna let BC be "on accident" through a minor hardware/software flaw to avoid a lawsuit? [/ meaningless speculation]
Quote
Another part of the answer to that question may come from Kotaku's sources, who indicated to the site that around 80 per cent of the systems produced for launch would be the "premium" version - suggesting that the lower-end model is, more than anything else, a concession to launching a competitively priced "games only" system.
Sony is also widely expected to launch multiple versions of the PlayStation 3 console, which is due to arrive in 2006, with both "home media server" and stripped down "basic console" versions believed to be on the cards.
I wonder if the rumors above really are true?(2 post above)
As in they will use a bundled game (PS2 w/ FFXI) to sell the HD to those that bought the low-end system(they want peripheral attachment rate to be 100%), and might that game actually be Halo 2? but w/ MS's WebTV also an added bonus?
Post by: Stimutacs Addict on April 19, 2005, 02:49:48 PM
Post by: Galford on April 19, 2005, 03:47:43 PM
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on April 19, 2005, 04:06:14 PM
Post by: Bloodworth on April 19, 2005, 04:13:06 PM
Post by: Galford on April 20, 2005, 07:18:44 PM
Both Sony and MS having been working on DVR with some limited success(MS more then Sony). It wouldn't hurt Nintendo to team up with Matsushita on this front. A DVR unit will show that Nintendo is willing to play ball on any front with MS and Sony.
Here's the reality of future consumer electronics, everyone but Nintendo envisions consumer electonics being an all-in-one solution. When I say everyone, I mean EVERYONE.
Computer manufacturers, cable companies, consumer electronics companies...
Post by: The Omen on April 21, 2005, 03:46:17 AM
Xbox 360 is all the rage right now, and Microsofts share is growing with every week that passes. If MS wows people at E3, I think it's a foregone conclusion that the Xbox 360 will be hugely successful. People who own the Xbox staunchly support it, so I expect them to buy the next gen Xbox as well. The problem for Nintendo is, Microsoft knows it's target audience, and markets directly to them. Nintendo tries this 'everyone' marketing, and all that does is dillute the overall message. People in the industry think the GC is a joke,(some still believe the PS2 is a better machine,technically, than the GC) and I just hope this Revolution can bring Nintendo back into being well respected for making incredible consoles.
Just to clrify what I mean, I had an argument with a fellow tester about RE4. He said he'll just get it for PS2. I said, 'well, you'll not get the same look'. He actually thinks that the PS2 version will be a better game graphically. This is the uphill battle that Nintendo faces.
Post by: darknight06 on April 21, 2005, 07:07:24 AM
Post by: nickmitch on April 22, 2005, 02:59:15 PM
Post by: Talon on April 22, 2005, 08:31:56 PM
Just my two-cents
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on April 24, 2005, 12:19:41 PM
Post by: Stimutacs Addict on April 24, 2005, 04:23:09 PM
Quote
So what you're saying is that no matter what nintendo does they will continually be one step behind? more specifically in a market that they were not exactly targeting.
I'm not saying Nintendo will be one step behind; I'm saying the gaming media (and "hardcore" gamers [= Madden dusches]) will stress Nintendo's lack of DVR capabilities to be one of the systems weak points... and let's face it, if those idiots out there who can tolerate buying a minimally upgraded engine EVERY F'ING YEAR think Nintendo isn't offering them enough bang with the Rev, then there will be some problems.
hopefully, Nintendo delivers with the Revolution and I wont even have to worry, because the idiot gamers will be so blown away by the new control interface that everything will be hunki dori
though it is appealing to be recording my fav. shows while I'm gaming....
lastly, why can't more concerned gamers stand up and protest EA's lack of innovation? We should be in an age of upgradeable rosters and downloadable content. Gamers shouldn't be forced to purchase a new sports title every year. They have little to no resale value and generally are a waste of cash.
Post by: kennyb27 on April 24, 2005, 06:11:20 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Stimutacs Addict
They have little to no resale value and generally are a waste of cash.
I hardly look at any of my sports games as a waste of cash. No one is making you buy them or even look at them. I (and millions of others) will continue to enjoy both my Madden games and other great games like Paper Mario and Eternal Darkness.
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on April 24, 2005, 09:04:24 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Stimutacs Addict
I'm not saying Nintendo will be one step behind; I'm saying the gaming media (and "hardcore" gamers [= Madden dusches]) will stress Nintendo's lack of DVR capabilities to be one of the systems weak points... and let's face it, if those idiots out there who can tolerate buying a minimally upgraded engine EVERY F'ING YEAR think Nintendo isn't offering them enough bang with the Rev, then there will be some problems.
hopefully, Nintendo delivers with the Revolution and I wont even have to worry, because the idiot gamers will be so blown away by the new control interface that everything will be hunki dori
though it is appealing to be recording my fav. shows while I'm gaming....
But Nintendo does have Panasonic, and even though they only dipped their toes in the water this time around with the Panasonic Q, they may actually be ready to dive in and swim right along Nintendo this upcoming generation.
They could provide the "premium" {DVR} version of the Rev that looks all high tech, and capture a part of the market that might not have been interested otherwise. With proper marketing* (unlike the Q) Nintendo might actually be taken serious as a provider of a next-gen gaming machine, instead of just a next-gen videogame toy maker.
*This time they would promote them both at the major events and let everyone know that a more feature rich version of what they want exist.
p.s. original message edited completely
Post by: couchmonkey on April 25, 2005, 10:05:06 AM
Post by: Stimutacs Addict on April 25, 2005, 03:24:53 PM
and about the Q, some friends were looking over my shoulder in class (bastards) and almost lost their breath when they saw a picture of the shiny Panasonic Q. If that had been the launch model of the Cube in the US, i think Ninty might be ridin Msoft's assless chaps like a horny donkey at this very moment... ew
Post by: KDR_11k on April 26, 2005, 09:39:39 AM
I remember that being standard with PC games back when the SNES was new. Consoles just never caught up on it and EA decided to charge for their roster updates instead. Back then football manager sims and the like weren't released yearly, they made a game and released it when it was done with all the roster updates being done by the user.
Post by: Stimutacs Addict on April 26, 2005, 11:20:09 AM
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on April 26, 2005, 01:18:46 PM
Quote
Microsoft Upset Over Xbox 360 Leak
Gee, I wonder why? If you missed it, an image was leaked that showed the Xbox 360 design in all its glory; you can find the pictures here. According to Internet rumors, Microsoft now believes the leak came from the MTV production staff. Supposedly, an actual console wasn't going to be showed, just the render that is being passed around. In any case, a couple other images hit the net: this one showing what appears to be a 64MB memory card inserted into the system and this side shot of the console with a 40GB hard drive attached.
More Rumors
Quote
More Xbox 360 Rumors: Halo 2.5, Launch Lineup
Okay, grain of salt time. IGN's rumor column has a few intriguing tidbits. First, the biggie. Halo 2.5 will be available launch day and it will come pre-loaded on the hard drive. It will feature high-res textures, widescreen res, 720p, and cut-scenes that don't feature LOD pop-in. I would assume it'd also have all the new maps. If true, smart move; the $399 console with the hard drive has a pack-in game and everyone now has a reason to buy the hard drive separately. The other rumor is that the system will have 40 titles available the first month. 15-20 at launch, and ten more each two weeks. Some names being tossed around are Perfect Dark Zero, Test Drive, the new Need for Speed, PGR3, Burnout 4, and a Namco racing title. Can't ever have enough racers, apparently.
just a little second sourcing & rumor back-up
but xbox releasing @ $399.00 w/ hard drive & Halo 2.5 pre-loaded, I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume $299.00 w/o hdd.
Also why so many racing titles @ launch, and 40 launch window titles!!!! thats impressive if true.
p.s. posted this in another thread but I meant to post it in this one
sorry
Post by: kirby_killer_dedede on May 02, 2005, 03:09:22 AM
I don't think DS has that many even now.
Post by: KDR_11k on May 02, 2005, 03:35:56 AM
