Xbox 360 Specs Confirmed

[Flawless]

Re: Xbox 360 Specs Confirmed

A few comments from IGN - Dan Adams

"Of course, this I've experienced this kind of wonder before. Seeing DOOM 3 for the first time. Seeing Half-Life 2 for the first time. Hell, seeing Star Fox for the first time is actually pretty memorable for me. But man, the stuff Epic is showing off to promote their Unreal Engine 3 is ridiculous. Something will undoubtedly pass it up eventually, but there is no doubt that this is the next generation in visuals putting everything out there to shame."

"To show off the power of this new engine, as well as demonstrate that this engine can in fact be used to make games, Epic played a game, real-time, right in front of the crowd's eyes. Stunning is a good word to use here. Breathtaking would be another. Booyakasha might be something some folks might say. It rocked. Textures were unbelievably crisp. Animation was excellent. Lighting was ridiculous. Architecture was well designed."

The rumor, heard from a little birdie after I had left the event, is that this is a game being developed in-house for the PC and next-gen consoles due out in Q1 2006. Unfortunately, no video was allowed inside of the demo theater so we are unable to bring you any pictures. It's really hard to understand the amount of detail without actually witnessing it.

I wish I could find the Unreal Engine 3 tech demo back in 2004, it would blow you guys away. It's on IGN, but you have to be an Insider, but if I find it, I will post it.

[jmood88]

Re: Xbox 360 Specs Confirmed

A few comments from IGN - Dan Adams

"Of course, this I've experienced this kind of wonder before. Seeing DOOM 3 for the first time. Seeing Half-Life 2 for the first time. Hell, seeing Star Fox for the first time is actually pretty memorable for me. But man, the stuff Epic is showing off to promote their Unreal Engine 3 is ridiculous. Something will undoubtedly pass it up eventually, but there is no doubt that this is the next generation in visuals putting everything out there to shame."

"To show off the power of this new engine, as well as demonstrate that this engine can in fact be used to make games, Epic played a game, real-time, right in front of the crowd's eyes. Stunning is a good word to use here. Breathtaking would be another. Booyakasha might be something some folks might say. It rocked. Textures were unbelievably crisp. Animation was excellent. Lighting was ridiculous. Architecture was well designed."

The rumor, heard from a little birdie after I had left the event, is that this is a game being developed in-house for the PC and next-gen consoles due out in Q1 2006. Unfortunately, no video was allowed inside of the demo theater so we are unable to bring you any pictures. It's really hard to understand the amount of detail without actually witnessing it.

I wish I could find the Unreal Engine 3 tech demo back in 2004, it would blow you guys away. It's on IGN, but you have to be an Insider, but if I find it, I will post it.

You can get it from gamespot. I have it downloaded on my computer and it's still up.

[jmood88]

Re: Xbox 360 Specs Confirmed

A few comments from IGN - Dan Adams

"Of course, this I've experienced this kind of wonder before. Seeing DOOM 3 for the first time. Seeing Half-Life 2 for the first time. Hell, seeing Star Fox for the first time is actually pretty memorable for me. But man, the stuff Epic is showing off to promote their Unreal Engine 3 is ridiculous. Something will undoubtedly pass it up eventually, but there is no doubt that this is the next generation in visuals putting everything out there to shame."

"To show off the power of this new engine, as well as demonstrate that this engine can in fact be used to make games, Epic played a game, real-time, right in front of the crowd's eyes. Stunning is a good word to use here. Breathtaking would be another. Booyakasha might be something some folks might say. It rocked. Textures were unbelievably crisp. Animation was excellent. Lighting was ridiculous. Architecture was well designed."

The rumor, heard from a little birdie after I had left the event, is that this is a game being developed in-house for the PC and next-gen consoles due out in Q1 2006. Unfortunately, no video was allowed inside of the demo theater so we are unable to bring you any pictures. It's really hard to understand the amount of detail without actually witnessing it.

I wish I could find the Unreal Engine 3 tech demo back in 2004, it would blow you guys away. It's on IGN, but you have to be an Insider, but if I find it, I will post it.

You can get it from gamespot. I have it downloaded on my computer and it's still up.

[Flawless]

Re: Xbox 360 Specs Confirmed

We got next part 3

http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/microso.../595060p1.html


Question: Will Xenon have backwards compatibility?

Answer: This is, by far, the most common question that you guys have been asking. The short answer is that it's still being determined.

From what I've heard (and what several outlets have been reporting already), the original plans were for the system not to have backwards compatibility. From a numbers standpoint, it makes sense. More than a few publishers have told me that the feature isn't nearly as important as enthusiasts think; publishers feel that it's vital for the first year of the console's lifespan at best and only if the launch lineup is weak.

Sources tell me that Microsoft is now considering a backwards compatibility solution, mostly because of the marketing hit the system would take for not having it. It's almost not worth the trouble to omit the feature.

Question: Why is there only 256 MB of RAM?

Answer: The mistake many readers are making is to equate the amount of RAM to that of a PC. A console does not need as much RAM as a PC because it's a specialized device that serves a specific function and it does not need to run a full operating system.

That said, a few developers pulled me aside to tell me that they think Microsoft is upping the RAM to 512 MB.

Question: Will gamer profile information be used for sales and marketing purposes?

Answer: From what I've heard, there will be some opt-in features for gamers to receive information on products they might enjoy. The choice is entirely up to each user of the console and the selection will be saved in the gamer profile.

Question: Will there be 1080i games for Xenon?

Answer: Yes for sure.

Question: Will Xenon have wireless controllers standard?

Answer: More than a few sources have said that wireless controllers will be standard. A few have said that the design is pretty similar to the Type-S controller, but with the black and white buttons placed in a more optimal position.

Question: Since the hard drive is optional, will downloads be stored online or will the hard drive be required for downloadable content?

Answer: Nobody I asked knew anything about Internet-stored content. They all are under the impression that the hard drive will be required for downloadable content.

Question: How much will it cost?

Answer: None of my sources knew the cost of the system. Everyone expects the answer to this to be revealed this May at E3 2005.

[Flawless]

Re: Xbox 360 Specs Confirmed

We got next part 3

http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/microso.../595060p1.html


Question: Will Xenon have backwards compatibility?

Answer: This is, by far, the most common question that you guys have been asking. The short answer is that it's still being determined.

From what I've heard (and what several outlets have been reporting already), the original plans were for the system not to have backwards compatibility. From a numbers standpoint, it makes sense. More than a few publishers have told me that the feature isn't nearly as important as enthusiasts think; publishers feel that it's vital for the first year of the console's lifespan at best and only if the launch lineup is weak.

Sources tell me that Microsoft is now considering a backwards compatibility solution, mostly because of the marketing hit the system would take for not having it. It's almost not worth the trouble to omit the feature.

Question: Why is there only 256 MB of RAM?

Answer: The mistake many readers are making is to equate the amount of RAM to that of a PC. A console does not need as much RAM as a PC because it's a specialized device that serves a specific function and it does not need to run a full operating system.

That said, a few developers pulled me aside to tell me that they think Microsoft is upping the RAM to 512 MB.

Question: Will gamer profile information be used for sales and marketing purposes?

Answer: From what I've heard, there will be some opt-in features for gamers to receive information on products they might enjoy. The choice is entirely up to each user of the console and the selection will be saved in the gamer profile.

Question: Will there be 1080i games for Xenon?

Answer: Yes for sure.

Question: Will Xenon have wireless controllers standard?

Answer: More than a few sources have said that wireless controllers will be standard. A few have said that the design is pretty similar to the Type-S controller, but with the black and white buttons placed in a more optimal position.

Question: Since the hard drive is optional, will downloads be stored online or will the hard drive be required for downloadable content?

Answer: Nobody I asked knew anything about Internet-stored content. They all are under the impression that the hard drive will be required for downloadable content.

Question: How much will it cost?

Answer: None of my sources knew the cost of the system. Everyone expects the answer to this to be revealed this May at E3 2005.

[jmood88]

Re: Xbox 360 Specs Confirmed

I don't like this optional hard drive thing. How are we supposed to save songs without a hard drive, btw?

[jmood88]

Re: Xbox 360 Specs Confirmed

I don't like this optional hard drive thing. How are we supposed to save songs without a hard drive, btw?

[myownsun]

Re: Xbox 360 Specs Confirmed

I don't like this optional hard drive thing. How are we supposed to save songs without a hard drive, btw?

I agree^

The 64-1gig memory cards could be used to store songs... i guess

But this is one of the selling points of the HD

[myownsun]

Re: Xbox 360 Specs Confirmed

I don't like this optional hard drive thing. How are we supposed to save songs without a hard drive, btw?

I agree^

The 64-1gig memory cards could be used to store songs... i guess

But this is one of the selling points of the HD

[Flawless]

Re: Xbox 360 Specs Confirmed

From what I hear, there will be some type of internal XBL storage. Also Microsoft will be using flash memory for external use, which can hold a ton more, than memory cards now, and is cheap.

Microsoft wants to make the Xbox 2 smaller, than the original Xbox. Adding a hard drive would make it big and bulky again. This was one of the many reasons it didn't appeal to Japanese gamers.

[Flawless]

Re: Xbox 360 Specs Confirmed

From what I hear, there will be some type of internal XBL storage. Also Microsoft will be using flash memory for external use, which can hold a ton more, than memory cards now, and is cheap.

Microsoft wants to make the Xbox 2 smaller, than the original Xbox. Adding a hard drive would make it big and bulky again. This was one of the many reasons it didn't appeal to Japanese gamers.

[jmood88]

Re: Xbox 360 Specs Confirmed

I don't know why japanese people need everything to be small. Why are they carrying their xbox's around anyway?

[jmood88]

Re: Xbox 360 Specs Confirmed

I don't know why japanese people need everything to be small. Why are they carrying their xbox's around anyway?

[Flawless]

Re: Xbox 360 Specs Confirmed

Microsoft looking for more acquisitions

March 10 (Bloomberg) Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates said he wants to make more acquisitions and he's pushing his most senior managers to help find the right candidates. "We are really looking hard,'' Gates, 49, said in an interview yesterday in San Diego. Microsoft, the world's largest software maker, is taking a "bottom-up'' approach to acquisitions by asking managers to look for targets, Gates said. Gates outlined the mandate in meetings with Microsoft's seven division heads, including Jeff Raikes, 46, who leads the division that makes Office software and Robbie Bach, 43, who runs the Xbox, home and video-games group.

Looks like Bill has opened the piggybank.

[Flawless]

Re: Xbox 360 Specs Confirmed

Microsoft looking for more acquisitions

March 10 (Bloomberg) Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates said he wants to make more acquisitions and he's pushing his most senior managers to help find the right candidates. "We are really looking hard,'' Gates, 49, said in an interview yesterday in San Diego. Microsoft, the world's largest software maker, is taking a "bottom-up'' approach to acquisitions by asking managers to look for targets, Gates said. Gates outlined the mandate in meetings with Microsoft's seven division heads, including Jeff Raikes, 46, who leads the division that makes Office software and Robbie Bach, 43, who runs the Xbox, home and video-games group.

Looks like Bill has opened the piggybank.