Microsoft Working on Next Console.

[Pared]

Re: Microsoft Working on Next Console.

It's smaller than the original Xbox and a hell-of-a lot smaller than the PS3. I think it's a reasonably sized for a console.

I don't know where you get that, but the two are very comparable in size. I can say this after seeing the PS3 first-hand.

[Flawless]

Re: Microsoft Working on Next Console.

This is pretty interesting...

Microsoft looks within to design and test chips

For more than two decades, Microsoft's software and Intel's processors were so wedded that the pairing came to be known as Wintel. But as that computing era wanes, Microsoft is turning to a new source of chip design: its own labs.

One reason for the effort is that Microsoft needs to begin thinking about the next-generation design of its Xbox game console

http://news.com.com/Microsoft+looks+...l?tag=nefd.top

...

[DXZeke]

Re: Microsoft Working on Next Console.

The XBOX 360 and PS3 are inferior to high end 2005 PC and by 2010 the average PC will likely be far more powerful and efficient. The consoles are competing against the PC and they cannot fall to far behind and in 10 years the average PC will be multiple times more powerful. The limitations are due to under powered hardware that forces the developers to work harder. The game quality cannot improve significantly without better and more efficient hardware.

Small Problem.. the Average Joe won't want to spend 300-400 bucks on a video card that would equal the 360's graphics... not to mention the other 800-1000 bucks on a system IF THEY BUILD IT themselves. go buy a pre-built machine and you're looking at nearly 2 grand to match the effecincey and frame rates of the 360 and PS3, not to mention the graphics.

I like what the PC Market still has, but it's just all to much money hardware wise. What you get with a 360 or a PS3 is far less than what you'll spend on a system of equal power.

[bcruise]

Re: Microsoft Working on Next Console.

The PS2 still has life left in it.

Damn right.

(FFXII drops in 12 days )

Seriously though, that's going to be a huge release considering the system is on its last legs. And then there's this little guitar game I've taken a liking to as well.....

[LIGHTNING]

Re: Microsoft Working on Next Console.

Small Problem.. the Average Joe won't want to spend 300-400 bucks on a video card that would equal the 360's graphics... not to mention the other 800-1000 bucks on a system IF THEY BUILD IT themselves. go buy a pre-built machine and you're looking at nearly 2 grand to match the effecincey and frame rates of the 360 and PS3, not to mention the graphics.

I like what the PC Market still has, but it's just all to much money hardware wise. What you get with a 360 or a PS3 is far less than what you'll spend on a system of equal power.

Today it would be expensive to upgrade your PC enough to greatly exceed the next generation consoles but by 2010 the costs should come way down and the average PC then will likely be significantly more powerful compared to the XBOX 360 and PS3.

[bkfount]

Re: Microsoft Working on Next Console.

This is pretty interesting...

Microsoft looks within to design and test chips



http://news.com.com/Microsoft+looks+...l?tag=nefd.top

...

that is pretty interesting.

somehow i doubt that MS is going to buy a chip fab so they are still going to have to outsource anyways.

Regardless, they could position themselves to kill sony out of the console market if they play their cards right. Sony already sunk billions into making the cell chip, and the ps3 isn't even going to be much better than the 360 is. Sony will be lucky to break even on the ps3 in 5 years, which MS will probably want to push out another console by then. Sony cannot win a war of attrition.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Microsoft Working on Next Console.

With what Sony and Nintendo are doing, does motion sensing technology become a standard for the following generation?

I guess that all depends on the success of those two consoles. I think the Wii's controller is very promising and will add a whole new dimension to console gaming. Virtual gaming never did catch on, but I think this will. At least I hope. If not, I know I'll have a ton of fun with it.

[jpup]

Re: Microsoft Working on Next Console.

I guess that all depends on the success of those two consoles. I think the Wii's controller is very promising and will add a whole new dimension to console gaming. Virtual gaming never did catch on, but I think this will. At least I hope. If not, I know I'll have a ton of fun with it.

for a while. moving around while playing will get old fast.

[bkfount]

Re: Microsoft Working on Next Console.

for a while. moving around while playing will get old fast.

yeah, if no one comes up with new ways to use it. But the ps3 controller uses motion sensing as a secondary feature, instead of it being it's primary reason or being, like the wii controller. At the heart, it'll still be the dual shock.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Microsoft Working on Next Console.

for a while. moving around while playing will get old fast.

Its not like the motions are big, sweeping movements. Most of the controls can be executed by a flick of the wrist.

[luv_mist]

Re: Microsoft Working on Next Console.

that is pretty interesting.

somehow i doubt that MS is going to buy a chip fab so they are still going to have to outsource anyways.

Regardless, they could position themselves to kill sony out of the console market if they play their cards right. Sony already sunk billions into making the cell chip, and the ps3 isn't even going to be much better than the 360 is. Sony will be lucky to break even on the ps3 in 5 years, which MS will probably want to push out another console by then. Sony cannot win a war of attrition.

On the contrary, after I read the first XBOX book, I could kind of see the mindset of M$ trying to cut out more and more of the outsourcing to other companies. I don't think they'll honestly get into the chip business but they will be cutting out a lot more of the things that are out there that they're putting their money into. Which reminds me, when the heck is this so-called cell chip going to be available for consumers to use? I mean, what exactly is the point if they don't even try to put it into the hands of consumers to use in their own computers? Maybe I don't know protocol, but it's kind of questionable to me. Plus, aren't computers reaching that peak where power increments are smaller and smaller?

[Pared]

Re: Microsoft Working on Next Console.

Its not like the motions are big, sweeping movements. Most of the controls can be executed by a flick of the wrist.

Carpal tunnel!

[rudyjuly2]

Re: Microsoft Working on Next Console.

The XBOX 360 and PS3 are inferior to high end 2005 PC and by 2010 the average PC will likely be far more powerful and efficient. The consoles are competing against the PC and they cannot fall to far behind and in 10 years the average PC will be multiple times more powerful. The limitations are due to under powered hardware that forces the developers to work harder. The game quality cannot improve significantly without better and more efficient hardware.

I really disagree with the notion that the 360/PS3 are inferior to high end 2005 PCs. I'm no expert in this area but I think that type of thinking comes from just comparing processing speeds and raw computer numbers. Consoles don't have to have the high numbers of a CPU to get the same production because its sole goal is gaming. It doesn't run Windows in the background or anything else. Specific chips, etc. are installed to make consoles a smooth running, gaming machine. The CPU has to be twice as powerful numbers wise just to equal what a console can do.

Playing on big screen TVs, not having to upgrade your console's video cards every year, not having to download patches (oops, MS you are screwing the pooch there) all make consoles more attractive than PCs for me. I'm 34 and buy a cheap *** computer to deal with surfing the internet, etc and would rather put my money into console games. I've never bothered with PC gaming.