@WiggyDiggyPoo I didn't post what I wanted, I posted a rumour from a well known Microsoft blogger who has previous form on being accurate with MS releases.
Was just looking at the comments on the MS Nerd blog and he makes a few interesting points such as "Current development plans do not include an optical drive in the base unit". This is something I predicted, but would still be surprised if they go for a purely download route as they could monopolise and have all games sold via them. From a sales and advertising POV they surely want retailers on board.
The plan he posted here suggests we could see the new Xbox announced at E3 2013 (June) and release at BUILD 2013 (September). Assumes this is accurate and MS doesn't change their plans!
So does that mean If ppl don't have internet and xbl they can't get games,
If they don't want to use disks y not use sumin like a USB or portable harddrive system with all the stuff a game needs on it and to use esata connection so it's still fast enough
I hope that the non inclusion of an optical drive is just a rumour. Personally, i like to have physical ownership of something once i've paid for it, something i can hold onto
__________________
R.I.P H00nta Pendulum Tuning Group Forzatographer and occasional tuner (very occasional )
I'd like to see a 'Steam' type shop window on a console though, with offers and weekly promotions offered. Would certainly make access to games alot better for me personally and i'd be more inclined to buy more I think, like I have with Steam I suppose.
Of course I agree that any new console must have a DVD/Blu-Ray drive, I binned the standalone DVD years ago to use the 360 in it's place. I don't want to have to clutter up the place again.
Sort of related to some of the discussion here, and another reason that i'm not that keen on this kind of service. Might be an idea for Steam users to check their accounts.
More rumours to add to the mix... apparently there will be two versions of the next Xbox.
- One a budget, set top box style machine for Kinect and video streaming (possibly the kit previously mentioned codenamed Loop). This rather sounds like covering the Wii/family market.
-Then the other the more expected powerful/expensive unit.
The rumour also states the Kinect will be bundled with both systems. I also remember the updated Windows PC Kinect kit now makes it possible to work as close as 30-40cm's so hopefully will make the upcoming Xbox version usable in more homes (ie mine).
I remember when the 360 came out and was called next gen yet using graphics architecture from the previous ATI series.
hopefully PC games ported over should start looking good =)
no because pcs (as always) will be 1 or 2 generations ahead by the time the console is released.
how do developers bridge this gap?
they do what theyr doing more and more already make the game for console than bodge it (often really badly) to (sort of eventually maybe) work on pc relying on the extra horsepower of the big gray box to overcome the awefull optimisation
I don't think they need a new console till then anyway, theres still plenty of live in the 360 yet. I think 2013/14 will be the earliest anyway because of the current global economic climate trying to release a £400 console would be stupid and likely to sell poorly
__________________
24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence?
no because pcs (as always) will be 1 or 2 generations ahead by the time the console is released.
how do developers bridge this gap?
they do what theyr doing more and more already make the game for console than bodge it (often really badly) to (sort of eventually maybe) work on pc relying on the extra horsepower of the big gray box to overcome the awefull optimisation
I think you are missing some elements from this. For example on PC's Direct X sits inbetween the hardware and the software on a PC so you never get the full potential of the hardware - unlike on a console. I remember an interview with John Carmack when he talked about this. Also, unfortunately PC's can have a gaillion configuration differences and a fixed spec console developers can hone to perfection, albeit not from launch titles usually
UK games industry outlet MCV has reported that both the next Xbox AND the PlayStation 4 will be shown at this year's E3 in June.
This isn't the first time that a publication has cited an unnamed source with information like this, but this isn't some unknown central European games blog - MCV's credibilty makes this particular report worth paying attention to.
Speaking on Twitter, MCV's online editor Ben Parfitt said "Obviously we can't reveal our sources. But you have my personal word on this - the source is exemplary, 100% concrete, ultra high level."
We shouldn't necessarily expect a full-blown reveal, though - we might just see the announcement. Editor-in-Chief Michael French told IGN: "This is very credible. Even if we don't see the hardware itself, or know a price or date, key publishers and developers are expecting some nod towards what direction PS4 will take at E3 this year. Sony isn't stupid - it knows that if Microsoft is planning to also say something about its next console, it can't be left behind."
Many were expecting Microsoft to come out on stage at E3 with some information about the new Xbox, but Sony's reveal would be more surprising, as a new console at this stage in the PlayStation 3's life cycle would fly in the face of the company's stated "ten-year plan".
If both Sony and Microsoft do indeed reveal their new consoles at the same time as Nintendo details the release schedule and pricing for the Wii U, this would quite probably be the biggest E3 in history.
Are you ready for a three-way showdown? Is it still too soon?
Funnily enough there are strong rumours that Sony and Microsoft are announcing next gen at the CES show Here
Consoles
Xbox 720: Microsoft's Xbox 360 has sold tens of millions of units and been a resounding success. But in console terms it's old. Originally launched back in 2005 its successor is now surrounded by more rumour and more hype than almost anything out there except perhaps the PS4 (more on that later). So, to those rumours. It's set to be unveiled at CES in January with a release date in late 2012. It won't be out till 2013. It's going to be much smaller than the 360 and more focused on Kinect. Following on from the popularity of Steam and the recent launch of OnLive it will abandon discs altogether and use The Cloud. For Xbox fans, whatever the truth, the release date can't come soon enough.
Playstation 4: One of the reasons Microsoft is under pressure to deliver its next console is because its great rival of recent years, Sony Playstation, is well into development of its next generation console. Both Sony and Microsoft have publicly gone on record that their current consoles will have life cycles of 10 years, the PS3 was released in 2006. But that doesn't mean they're likely to wait until the very end of that shelf life. As for rumours about the PS4: Blu-Ray for certain, portable gaming data, a redesign of the PSN, more power (up to ten times more than the PS3 according to some estimates) and key for fans with shelves full of older titles: backwards compatibility.
Well it's been a strong rumour for about 6 months that we'll get something at either CES or E3. I'd be surprised if we get something physically running until E3. Curiously your quote doesn't account for the two consoles Microsoft is meant to release - or maybe that was a false rumour.
Tis possible eh
Think theyll offer Cloud as alternative rather than 'Just cloud' surely?
They state of declining bandwidth wont be adressed by then and would alienate far too many customers wouldnt it??
I'd have to say unlikely. Forza seems to be pretty much on a 2-year cycle at the moment (as are many other non-sports games). If the article is correct and the next Xbox is released at the end of 2012 (just in time for Christmas?) then it would be in the middle of the Forza life cycle.
steam on the xbox, how will that work if you have crap internet. Could take days to download.
i think it will still use discs, M$ could even use HDDVD as storage if they wanted to snub bluray.
edit - Forza 5 a launch title?
Yes i have steam on my PC and yes i download games via steam but with a service that can MAX out my 1Mbit broadband with a download rate of around 120kb/s it takes many hours / days to download a 10Gb game.
If that was the case for a console I wouldn't buy it as when my mates come round and bring over a copy of a game for us all to play that would be no more unless they signed in, and I had to download it while we watch TV and films for a day or two before being able to play....
I'm sure you catch my drift but if there a no discs its a big NO for me!!
my rural broadband is a little better at 450k per second but it would still suck royally to have to dl all of my games! for my consoles i need physical disc!
__________________
people say im special so i must be good
I know this is still all rumour but if so they just want it so they can set the price of games and not allow second hand trading!!
$$$ ?
at least with a PC you can choose to buy the game via steam or not and as we all know steam (excluding the crazy Christmas price cuts they do) are slightly more expensive than if you shop around. Also anyone looked at the games on XBL Marketplace? I remember seeing games for stupid prices.