Updated 360 Disc Format?

[Benstamania]

If you're a gamer... or tech head yes, you're pretty much forced to upgrade. Your entire logic for releasing a new system is "PC graphics look better than the consoles graphics."

The graphics we're getting look just fine. PC games, on max settings will probably ALWAYS look better than consoles... so? Who cares? We shouldn't rush into the next gen because of that. Gaming will be a sad state when it's all about graphics.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I was wondering, with Kinect and now this, do you guys think MS is going to stretch out the 360's lifespan pretty far. Maybe another two years?

I'm thinking even longer. Considering how much both Sony and Microsoft have spent on R&D, the various production costs related to their respective consoles, and this generation's graphics looking really good, I would be surprised to see a new console come out before 2015.

 

[Benstamania]

I'm thinking even longer. Considering how much both Sony and Microsoft have spent on R&D, the various production costs related to their respective consoles, and this generation's graphics looking really good, I would be surprised to see a new console come out before 2015.

This.

Didn't a guy who works for Naughty Dog recently say pretty much the same exact thing?

 

[Soapy]

If you're a gamer... or tech head yes, you're pretty much forced to upgrade. Your entire logic for releasing a new system is "PC graphics look better than the consoles graphics."

The graphics we're getting look just fine. PC games, on max settings will probably ALWAYS look better than consoles... so? Who cares? We shouldn't rush into the next gen because of that. Gaming will be a sad state when it's all about graphics.

And by your logic we would all still be playing the 2600 because, you know, graphics totally don't matter. But you and I both know that's not the truth. Besides, it's not really about graphics per se, it's about what a console is capable of. Faster processor, better video card, and especially more RAM = better games. Or do you think Pong is the pinnacle of what video games can be?

This generation is reaching it's end, or rather it should be. I would much rather have new consoles on the market holiday 2012 or 2013 than see this current generation limp on for five more years, being kept alive by peripherals and other gimmicks.

 

[Benstamania]

There is absolutely no reason to rush into "next gen". I mean The PS3 alone will keep going by, as I've said before, it's yet untaped potential. It's yet to be maxed out. IMHO Current gen games look just fine,.

The only selling points would be better ram and processors... I just don't see the graphical leap being that noticeable to make it a strong selling point. when all is said and done in the majority of gamers minds graphics IS the selling point. Your average gamer could careless about ram or processing power. It's all about eye candy anymore... Even high end PC games don't wow me enough to go get a high end PC. At best the next gen console would match current gen high end PC's... which, as I said.. Isn't THAT far of a leap to make it a selling point. It won't be like comparing PS2 games to PS3 games...

Besides, devs are JUST getting comfortable working on the PS3...

The Kinect is still to new to call a gimmick and like Hippie said... Microsoft spent WAY to much on it to go right into another console. Like it or not we will probably have to stick with these dated machines until around 2015.

The ONLY system that I think could really get away with a new HD console would be Nintendo.

 

[hippie_hunter]

If there is a PlayStation 4 or an Xbox 360 successor, I'm willing to bet that Sony and Microsoft will go the same route that Nintendo did with the Wii and recycle the technology used in their current consoles and only make them slightly more powerful than their predecessors.

The only console that I see taking a major leap forward soon is Nintendo's next console. Wii sales have peaked and I think that Nintendo would like to be able to have the Call of Duties, the Grand Theft Autos, the DLC, etc. that Sony and Microsoft have. I also think that Nintendo has taken the Wii as far as it can go as opposed to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 which have a lot more potential in them.

 

[Soapy]

If there is a PlayStation 4 or an Xbox 360 successor, I'm willing to bet that Sony and Microsoft will go the same route that Nintendo did with the Wii and recycle the technology used in their current consoles and only make them slightly more powerful than their predecessors.

Sadly I agree. Nintendo has set the unfortunate precedent that you can put out dated hardware with a gimmick and people will eat it up.

The only console that I see taking a major leap forward soon is Nintendo's next console. Wii sales have peaked and I think that Nintendo would like to be able to have the Call of Duties, the Grand Theft Autos, the DLC, etc. that Sony and Microsoft have.

Yeah, in many ways whatever Nintendo has in the oven is what I'm most excited about right now. Hopefully they'll design it with both casuals and enthusiast gamers in mind this time. Which, as you say, would also allow them to have great third party support (which they sorely lack) with the type of games you would normally only find on the HD consoles and PC.

 

[Benstamania]

What I find most interesting about Nintendo is that they said they've done motion... so that won't be the focus and that "3D" won't be apart of there next home console either.

My interest is peaked...

 

[Benstamania]

I've often found myself wondering if Nintendo did this KNOWING Sony and Microsoft would follow... Then they'll release this amazing HD system that will focus on great games, no gimmicks whatsoever and a killer online set up all the while getting the following they originally nabbed with the Wii leaving Sony and Microsoft once again in the dust.

Hey... It could happen...

 

[ProjectPat2280]

I've often found myself wondering if Nintendo did this KNOWING Sony and Microsoft would follow... Then they'll release this amazing HD system that will focus on great games, no gimmicks whatsoever and a killer online set up all the while getting the following they originally nabbed with the Wii leaving Sony and Microsoft once again in the dust.

Hey... It could happen...

The last time they did that was with the SNES. Besides Resident Evil and Resident Evil 4, the Gamecube blew.

 

[Soapy]

And Wind Waker and Smash Bros. and Pikmin and Twin Snakes and Eternal Darkness and Viewtiful Joe and Paper Mario and Animal Crossing and Metroid Prime...

 

[Benstamania]

I actually really enjoyed the Cube, much more than the Wii.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

And Wind Waker and Smash Bros. and Pikmin and Twin Snakes and Eternal Darkness and Viewtiful Joe and Paper Mario and Animal Crossing and Metroid Prime...

You're 1 for 9.

I forgot about Twin Snakes

 

[Benstamania]

Pikmin was great, Pikmin 2 was better. I expected to hate them both but instead I demand more! Viewtiful Joe was a fantastic brawler, but eventually was ported over to the PS2. Paper Mario was fantastic on the N64 and better on the Cube. Eternal Darkness is still one heck of a great horror game and Twin Snakes may be the best Cube game ever made. I hope we see it on the eventual MGS HD collection... the rest, meh.

 

[hippie_hunter]

You're 1 for 9.

I forgot about Twin Snakes

You hated Metroid Prime, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Paper Mario, and The Wind Waker, and Eternal Darkness, and other stuff?

What's wrong with you

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

I was wondering, with Kinect and now this, do you guys think MS is going to stretch out the 360's lifespan pretty far. Maybe another two years?

No...and yes.
No, because i do believe that a new Xbox will be coming out much sooner than we think, 2012 the latest.
Yes, because the way i see it, the 360 is not going anywhere.

If you asked me last year when would be new Xbox be coming out, i would say holiday 2011, and Gears 3 to be released in April was a strong indicator that MS wanted to keep the holidays opened for....something.
Besides that, this year is the 10th anniversary of Halo and MS will want to commemorate that.
What better way than to release a new console and having Halo 4 as a launch title?
No, i don´t believe that either, but the next best thing would be to release a new console and the Halo remake rumors state is being made.
The point is, Halo remake till hasn´t been announced, nothing Halo releated has been announced so far, so, it can be at E3...with a new console and halo remake as a lauch title...is the Xbox all over again.
Then it got delayed, and the idea of a new Xbox in 2011 started to make less sense.
Gears 3 is still going to be relased in September, not Nov like the other two, which still leaves room for a surprise, but at this pint i say that there is only 40% of chances a new Xbox to appear, but the main reason i don´t believe it will happen is that no company will announce and release a new console in a 6 months window (June E3/Nov = 6 months).

As for the 360, why keep it alive after the release on the 720(?)?
My call is that MS will want to do a Sony in having two consoles on the market at the same time, but they want to make a smarter move than Sony did, to have a real reason to have both consoles.
That reason, imo, is Kinect.
There will be no Kinect at launch for the new console, making the 360 into the Kinect console, Microsoft´s own Wii.
That´s why MS said Kinect would give new life to the 360...they didn´t lied.

So, why release a new console if they keep Kinect on the 360?
Because the Xbox 3 will be aimed for the core audience, making a return to roots and making peace with the fans.

Last month, on microsoft-careers.com, a job listing appear:

“IEB Studios is looking for a seasoned Principal Program Manager to build a sustainable prototyping program for core gaming experiences on future generation hardware, software, and service platforms.”

It might not be nothing relevant, but it makes sense that the next Xbox will be aimed for the core, keeping the 360 for the casual, if not, if they continue doing the same type of games, why release a new console....ever?
Of course that making a new console for the core gamers means they have to step up and build a much better 1st party.

 

[Benstamania]

No way do I see a new console of any kind coming out next year, more so Microsoft. They may release plans at next years e3... but we'll get nothing console wise for a few more years yet.

 

[hippie_hunter]

LOL @ the idea that Microsoft is going to attempt to appease core gamers. Everything Microsoft has done shows that Microsoft is going more and more towards the casual audience by focusing less on core games and more on casual games (plus Call of Duty) and features.

I'm willing to bet that 2011/2012 are going to be the years that we see applications explode on both the Xbox 360 and PS3 to extend the life cycles of those consoles even more. Especially with the PS3, since Microsoft's stubbornness about Google will more likely prevent things like a YouTube app from showing up on Microsoft's console while Sony is embracing Microsoft's competitors.

 

[Benstamania]

I've actually heard rumblings of Google wanting to get into the console market with EA... I mean, I'm taking that with a HUGE grain of salt, but it isn't the first time I've heard it.

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

A new generation is always dependent of two things, technology and their competitors.
For example, if Nintendo releases the Wii 2 this year (i don´t believe they will, but imagine..), bet that MS and Sony will be releasing the 720(?) and the PS4 next year.
So, never believe a company that say they will not release a new console in the next couple of years...
That´s why companies start to think about the next gen the next year after release, to be ready for what the other guy does.

Imagine that Nintendo releases the Wii 2 this year, as powerful as the 360 or the PS3?
Now imagine that MS and Sony only releases their next one in 2013?
It makes no sense whatsoever.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I've actually heard rumblings of Google wanting to get into the console market with EA... I mean, I'm taking that with a HUGE grain of salt, but it isn't the first time I've heard it.

I don't see that happening at all. Google really doesn't have a presence in the gaming market and seem very content with their partnership with Sony along with the Android platform being on par with iOS in the gaming arena and of course the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play using the Android platform. I think that Google is just going to keep expanding their partnership with Sony by updating the Internet Browser on the PS3 to a Google Chrome browser just like Sony's Google TVs do and a YouTube app just like Sony's blu-ray players and Google TVs have.

And EA would just have a lot more to lose with a console. The types of games that they make are just better suited as multiplatform releases. EA Sports games need to be multiplatform and honestly no one is going to buy a console for most of EA's IPs. Mass Effect and Need for Speed probably, but the rest? No.

 

[hippie_hunter]

A new generation is always dependent of two things, technology and their competitors.
For example, if Nintendo releases the Wii 2 this year (i don´t believe they will, but imagine..), bet that MS and Sony will be releasing the 720(?) and the PS4 next year.
So, never believe a company that say they will not release a new console in the next couple of years...
That´s why companies start to think about the next gen the next year after release, to be ready for what the other guy does.

Imagine that Nintendo releases the Wii 2 this year, as powerful as the 360 or the PS3?
Now imagine that MS and Sony only releases their next one in 2013?
It makes no sense whatsoever.

With this generation, the rules have been completely re-written and the old ones no longer apply.

You first have to take into account that with the amounts of money spent on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Sony and Microsoft just aren't going to release a new console when there is so much room to explore with their current consoles and use them as experimental grounds to see how this new world of gaming is going to go and learn what the new rules are. Also, Sony and Microsoft are obligated to their shareholders and with the amount of money that went into their consoles along with Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division historically being in the red, investors just aren't going to tolerate a new console being released any time soon.

Second, Nintendo has broken the release date rules with the Wii. Because they released recycled technology, they are the ones who are going to have to release first while Sony and Microsoft can afford to wait a couple more years because their graphics technology and interactivity capabilities are just that much more superior to the Wii's.

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

You first have to take into account that with the amounts of money spent on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Sony and Microsoft just aren't going to release a new console when there is so much room to explore with their current consoles and use them as experimental grounds to see how this new world of gaming is going to go and learn what the new rules are. Also, Sony and Microsoft are obligated to their shareholders and with the amount of money that went into their consoles along with Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division historically being in the red, investors just aren't going to tolerate a new console being released any time soon.

We can only wonder what is going on betweent the companies and their shareholders.
I agree that Sony is not going to release anything unless the other guy does it, i don´t expect the PS4 sooner than 2013

Second, Nintendo has broken the release date rules with the Wii. Because they released recycled technology, they are the ones who are going to have to release first while Sony and Microsoft can afford to wait a couple more years because their graphics technology and interactivity capabilities are just that much more superior to the Wii's.

I see your point, but i don´t agree.
The Wii was released 1 year after the 360, with an outdated technology and kicked MS butt.
Do you really think MS and Sony will allow Nintendo to be ahead of them for 2 years?
More even with the Wii 2 being on par with the 360 and PS3?
No way in hell!

 

[hippie_hunter]

I would agree with you if it weren't for the fact that Nintendo is now just doing it's own thing. And honestly, I expect them to release a console that is probably only slightly more powerful that the PS3 and 360 and interactivity capabilities that are still inferior to the PS3 and 360. Sony and Microsoft aren't going to feel threatened by that.

 

[KALEL114]

People are getting acceptance e-mails now.

Due to the nature of this update we will be splitting the Xbox LIVE Update Preview audience into two separate segments. This means we will have some unique scenarios associated to each group so that we can get the test coverage we are seeking for this update. On your console, once it is properly registered into the program you will be able to see the ‘Xbox Beta Channel’ and the first slot will also identify the AUDIENCE you are registered into.

(tells you which group you are in)

· Xbox LIVE Update – The updates will be released via the LIVE service and will work with the Halo Reach disc that we are providing.

· Xbox DISC Update – The initial update will be taken directly via the Halo Reach DISC that we are providing.