The next Xbox

[Benstamania]

I'm saying give me a reason to switch to digital... If the y did that... I would. Anyone who wanted to stay with solid media could.

 

[Matt Mortem]

There definitely has to be a reason to go digital. Nintendo offers new games to download on the 3DS, but they're the same price as a physical copy. Why buy the digital when you can buy the physical copy with the option to trade it in later. Doesn't make sense.

 

[Iceman]

Well, only 10 days to go till the Sony conference. If they decide to not go with these features then I'll be very surprised if Microsoft follow through with these plans unless there are some serious mitigating factors (maybe lower priced non AAA games & some exceptions to the always online rule).

 

[Iceman]

http://www.examiner.com/article/xbox-720-or-playstation-4-release-date-discovered

Xbox 720 or PlayStation 4 release date discovered (just title of the article not fact)

Suggests Battlefield 4 Nov 30 release date on 720, PS4 & PC. Also on wii U, 360 & PS3.

Mentions 64 players at 60 fps. Actually reading past the break, it sets the next gen BF4 release date between Nov 30 2013 & March 2014 as the Nov date might be only for the last gen systems.

 

[Benstamania]

Wouldn't be shocked if November was the new system launch... BF4 could then hit in March.

We're gonna get them this Holiday. I'd put money on that.

 

[TX85]

I'll be saving up money soon cause I also think they'll be out by this holiday season

 

[Matt Mortem]

I wonder what the launch line-up will look like.

 

[Iceman]

http://kotaku.com/5982986/we-know-all-about-the-next-xbox-from-someone-who-says-theyve-got-one

We Know All About The Next Xbox, From Someone Who Says They’ve Got One




"describing the graphical leap from current-gen console gaming like going from playing Halo 2 on an original Xbox to playing Crysis on a powerful PC"

Being able to play more than one game at once might be useful as well if you can freeze the game you're currently playing. That would be great for me as I always get invites when I'm in the middle of something I can't otherwise quit.

 

[Benstamania]

If true.... That's interesting.

 

[Soapy]

The more important thing (in my opinion) to take away from that article is this:

As we reported a year ago, the new version of the Kinect motion-control sensor array will be included with every Durango sold. The unit seems far superior to the one currently found for the Xbox 360 (or the PC, for that matter).

Perhaps most importantly, this isn't an optional accessory. It's mandatory. Not only does a Kinect ship with every console, but it must be plugged in and calibrated for the console to even function.

 

[Benstamania]

I wonder what the launch line-up will look like.

I'd love it if Halo 5 was in development for a few years and launched with it.

Thats extremely doubtful however...

 

[Benstamania]

The more important thing (in my opinion) to take away from that article is this:

Yeah... I'm not too keen on that. Forced Motion Play? Eeeeeeegghhh... At least they're making it a pack in but I hated Kinect.

 

[Matt Mortem]

Yeah, **** that forced Kinect garbage

 

[Benstamania]

I can't let myself get too excited/upset yet. As of now... It's still all speculation.

 

[The Squirrel]

I don't want Microsoft spying on my every action in my living room.

 

[Havok83]

I'd love it if Halo 5 was in development for a few years and launched with it.

Thats extremely doubtful however...

Halo just got a new team on the main series which just released 4 a few months ago. I would say the chances of them having 5 ready to go this fall and on a new hardware at they is slim to none. I really don't see then having developed both games simultaneously when 4 was a big enough task with a lot riding on it

 

[Matt Mortem]

Halo 5 is probably a minimum of 4 years out. They haven't even finished releasing all the DLC for 4 yet.

 

[Benstamania]

I know gentlemen... I know. I was saying I'd love for that to happen though.

I'm gonna guess a new IP for one...

 

[Soapy]

RE: Halo 5

Does anyone know what engine 343 used for Halo 4?

 

[X Knight]

not sure how I feel about Kinect being always on/connected and tracking you........and required to play games..........

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

Xbox Founder says last 5 years were painful to watch.

Xbox 360's last five years have been "painful to watch" according to a former Microsoft engineer who helped create the original Xbox in 1999.


In a blog post entitled "Stupid, Stupid Xbox", Nat Brown asserts that Microsoft has spent the last five years mistakenly trying to turn the Xbox into a multimedia hub whilst abandoning all the studios and design features that made it a great games console in the first place.


He explains, "The past 5 years, and the last year in particular, have been simply painful to watch. Coasting on past momentum. Failing to innovate and failing to capitalize on innovations like Kinect. Touting strategic and market success when you’re just experiencing your competitor’s stumbling failure (yes, Sony, Nintendo – you are, I’m afraid, stumbling failures). A complete lack of tactical versus strategic understanding of the long game of the living room."




Brown goes on to clarify that he completely agrees greater living room connectivity should be part of Microsoft's business plan, but not at the expense of what made it great in the first place; a focus on games.
“
The past 5 years, and the last year in particular, have been simply painful to watch. Coasting on past momentum. Failing to innovate and failing to capitalize on innovations like Kinect.



"No, more and better content was always the point and the plan. My gripe is that, as usual, Microsoft has jumped its own shark and is out stomping through the weeds planning and talking about far-flung future strategies in interactive television and original programming partnerships with big dying media companies when their core product, their home town is on fire, their soldiers, their developers, are tired and deserting, and their supply-lines are broken.


"Xbox’s primary critical problem is the lack of a functional and growing platform ecosystem for small developers to sell digitally-/network-distributed (non-disc) content through to the installed base of Xbox customers, period.


"Why can’t I write a game for Xbox tomorrow using $100 worth of tools and my existing Windows laptop and test it on my home Xbox or at my friends’ houses? Why can’t I then distribute it digitally in a decent online store, give up a 30% cut and strike it rich if it’s a great game, like I can for Android, for iPhone, or for iPad?"


Brown concludes by saying pretty damningly that "Microsoft is living in a naive dream-world," stating that "Xbox just needs somebody with a brain and focus to get the product in order tactically before romping forward to continue the long-term strategic promise of an Xbox in every living room, connected to every screen."
Brown also noted the growing threat of Apple's gaming influence, claiming that a gaming-capable iOS-based TV or set-top box could "kill" traditional consoles from Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo due to the company's higher rev-shares from developers and massive install base. Brown's comments echo similar statements from Valve co-founder Gabe Newell, who last month called Apple the "biggest threat" for next-gen consoles.


The company's come under fairly heavy fire recently from past employees. Just last week we revealed how the former VP of Windows Sales, Joachim Kempin, thought the company needed to refocus on PC, whilst he explained why it got into the console business, why Bill Gates didn't think buying SEGA was a good shout and how the Xbox 720 will likely use Windows 8 as the basis for its interface.


What do you think? Has Microsoft lost its way with how it's handled the Xbox and is an urgent refocus on games needed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Microsoft has been in the news a lot lately and it seems like at the end of another (and more successful) Xbox era, everyone has their opinion about it.

Me, I think that Nat Brown is on point. Microsoft has been coasting the last few years. The failure to keep some of their exclusives while failing to create new IPs, along with the failure of most Kinect games to catch on is the reason why Sony caught up to them internationally. After 2007-2008 era where they were taking it to Sony and Nintento exclusve game wise, they got lazy.

Microsoft needs a younger, smarter vision vision for the company. Someone like Tim Cook for Apple is being now. They need someone who can adequately push all the features of the Xbox, even the entertainment options because let's be honest, I'm sure some of us watch more programs on the Xbox than play games on it. Microsoft needs to get the best out of all aspects instead of dropping one to focus on another.

Hopefully, the next system gets better. They have hired and created new studios to create new IPs so hopefully that works out.

Oh, and once again, please do something more with the Gold Subscription for the next gen! It's a near obsolete subscription plan.

 

[Matt Mortem]

yeah Gold has got to go. With Sony and Nintendo offering free online MP, there's no reason Microsoft is still charging what they're charging.

 

[Benstamania]

Again, I don't mind paying for Gold...Seriously. I can count on one hand how many times Live has crashed or been hacked...I'm going to assume that's due to my dollars funding what is a pretty solid online system. That's the least of my worries next gen.

However, if Sony gives me party chat with the PS4 with no charge...Then...Things will be different.

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

If they were to keep it, be as creative as they were when they first developed it. They had the diamond card which got you deals off at stores. Do things like make the other services on your Xbox cheaper, like Netflix. Or guarantee free Xbox Live Arcade games.

Whatever they're thinking, I really hope they're thinking about retooling or even getting rid of Gold.

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

Again, I don't mind paying for Gold...Seriously. I can count on one hand how many times Live has crashed or been hacked...I'm going to assume that's due to my dollars funding what is a pretty solid online system. That's the least of my worries next gen.

However, if Sony gives me party chat with the PS4 with no charge...Then...Things will be different.

I highly doubt that PS4 won't have party chat.