The XbOne Yard

Since 5764 Days

Posted by Optimusv2

Nope, Halo 4, to me, was the best campaign experience of them all. #dealwithit :p

That i would agree with but i preffered Firefight coop mode over the Spartan Ops coop mode, it ws just more of a blast, and as much as i'm excited for Halo 5, it wont be enough for me to get a new xbox day one, unless other games are annouced that peak my interest.

In reply to

Redneck

Since 7264 Days

Posted by sanex

That i would agree with but i preffered Firefight coop mode over the Spartan Ops coop mode, it ws just more of a blast, and as much as i'm excited for Halo 5, it wont be enough for me to get a new xbox day one, unless other games are annouced that peak my interest.

Will it get you a new Xbox when Halo5 launches? ;p

In reply to

They tookor jeabs

Phaethon360

Since 7423 Days

Posted by Optimusv2

Warning this post will be fucking long lol

What's wrong with caring about Halo? It happens to easily be one of the strongest console shooters you could ever own. It's a hell of a lot better than caring about Killzone, which, honestly, is about as generic as it gets, but nothing seems to stop people from drooling over that franchise. The most fun thing about Killzone is the graphics. I genuinely think it's the only reason people pretend to like Killzone. I find the games themselves pretty terrible. Halo is also sure as hell way better than the Call of Duty games. Although, in my honest opinion, and I even said this at the time, COD4's campaign took a gigantic crap on Halo 3's campaign, as far as I'm concerned. I found MW2 pretty awesome, too.

And I'm no Gears of War fan. I liked the first one. I thought it was nice in the context of what it was doing, and felt what they did design wise worked out pretty well, but I feel it was exposed in the sequels as basically not having much else to offer. I feel it lost the little luster that was clearly there in the first. It isn't a franchise I look forward to on a next gen xbox unless something can be done with it to make me take interest in it again, which I don't have much faith will be the case. That franchise, to me, has fallen into a similar generic category as Killzone (although still a much more fun game to play than killzone will ever be). Uncharted is much more in line with my personal taste than Gears of War. It's also the only Playstation first party game that I really can't do without, and the primary reason I'm buying the PS4.

It's always so easy for people to pull the more Gears, more Halo, more forza card on Xbox, but what about the more uncharted, more killzone and more Gran Turismo card on Playstation? People are every bit as guilty of wanting more and more sequels of popular games on both sides. I may not like Killzone all that much, but I understand that people apparently enjoy it, and as long as people enjoy a franchise and the franchise is selling, I don't see what's wrong with more of them being made.

I agree completely on Microsoft's first party needing to be better. There just isn't enough variety or quality for my taste. There's one thing I want more than anything else out of Microsoft's first party, and I want it even more than Halo. When I talk about Microsoft's first party, I talk about Halo first because it just so happens to be the one thing in their first party that I both really love and that I'm also certain is going to get made. I've never anticipated a Halo follow up more than I am now after Halo 4, which was my favorite campaign of them all. I'm not as blindly loyal to Halo as you would think, however. I don't buy anything just because it has Halo in the title. I absolutely refused to buy Halo 3: ODST on principle alone. I saw it as a cheap cash in then, and I still see it that way now. Even after people telling me it was a great game, I still can't bring myself to do it. I didn't buy Halo Wars either. So I may love Halo, but there are still lines that even I wont cross to play a halo title. I'll always care about Halo as long as the campaigns continue to be so damn good.

What I want more than anything else out of Microsoft's first party is more Sakaguchi/Mistwalker jrpgs. If it's a Blue Dragon sequel, fantastic. If it's nothing to do with the Blue Dragon or Lost Odyssey IP, but is still a brand new jrpg from Sakaguchi and Mistwalker, I would automatically want those far more than Halo or anything else the xbox has to offer. Sakaguchi's jrpgs were among the best this generation, including Last Story on the Wii, so more Sakaguchi and Mistwalker jrpgs are my #1 next gen wish, regardless of which platform they are made on, since Mistwalker is independent and can work with whoever they choose.

Fable, which was one of the few xbox franchises I was excited for coming to the 360, was a disappointment this entire gen, so I don't have much faith in the newer ones. Fable 2, in my opinion, after the game breaking bug I encountered, had no business even making it out of certification.

Forza kicked ass this gen, so I'm up for some more of that, without a doubt. I just wouldn't buy a console for Forza.

PGR is a franchise I'll prob pay attention to, but I've never exactly been crazy about the franchise, but I do enjoy it for what it is.

Crytek is making that exclusive for the next gen xbox, but I don't like their games, so no faith in that one either.

Crackdown I think blows. It gives you little to no good reason to even want to play through the damn thing. Had high hopes early on, thinking it could be Microsoft's GTA, but not even close. I've rarely played a more pointless and soulless game.

I do hope Rare can get their ass in gear this gen. I still want to believe in them, even after everything lol. I loved viva Pinata, and while Kameo doesn't get a lot of people excited, I hope they look to make more games that are along those lines. Rare should be making games like Kameo more often. Not interested in Perfect Dark and not all that excited about some next gen Killer Instinct, if they're even remotely considering those.

Alan Wake is one of the real gems of this generation, so I hope they make a sequel to that. It's seriously one of the strongest games that was made this generation, hands down. It got a lot of shit for not being 720p, but nobody seemed to take issue with that when they couldn't even tell the game was low resolution, because it always looked incredible. It's quite a bit below 720p and is still one of the most beautiful and technically impressive games this generation.

Mass Effect started on Xbox and that first one is still one of the best games this generation. So, yea, Microsoft's first party portfolio (and management of their first party) as a whole needs huge improvements, and there isn't too much there that interests me going forward, but the things that do, I think are more than worth it. But, as I said, Halo is the safe bet, because more sakaguchi jrpgs aren't guarantees and neither is another Alan Wake. I love Forza, but it isn't a system seller for me personally.

On the PS4 side of things, it's all about Uncharted. God of War I think has been done to death, to the point that I no longer see it as all that special, but a PS4 version certainly has my attention, simply because I want to see what kind of crazy shit they come up with. So it's more or less my inner graphics whore, which isn't that dominant, maintaining what shred of interest I have left in God of War.

I don't sound like much of a first party gamer, because the fact is that I've never really been a huge first party gamer most of my gaming life. Most of the games that usually get me going nuts are big third party releases. I'm talking GTA, Red Dead Redemption, Watch Dogs, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy (although the FF games have sucked for quite some time now), Dragon Quest, Kingdom Hearts, Persona, World Ends With You, NBA 2K (Yes, NBA2k!) Fifa, Assassin's Creed, Splinter Cell, and all kinds of other third party titles, including some super niche games. I've always been more of a third party gamer than a first party gamer, but there are first party games, to me, that are good enough to get me to buy a console. So, I would obviously be on good standing for third party gaming with either a PS4 or a next gen Xbox. I think Microsoft sees their first party vulnerability and will take serious steps to address it.

In reply to

[quote=Optimusv2][b]Warning this post will be fucking long lol[/b]

What's wrong with caring about Halo? It happens to easily be one of the strongest console shooters you could ever own. It's a hell of a lot better than caring about Killzone, which, honestly, is about as generic as it gets, but nothing seems to stop people from drooling over that franchise. The most fun thing about Killzone is the graphics. I genuinely think it's the only reason people pretend to like Killzone. I find the games themselves pretty terrible. Halo is also sure as hell way better than the Call of Duty games. Although, in my honest opinion, and I even said this at the time, COD4's campaign took a gigantic crap on Halo 3's campaign, as far as I'm concerned. I found MW2 pretty awesome, too.

And I'm no Gears of War fan. I liked the first one. I thought it was nice in the context of what it was doing, and felt what they did design wise worked out pretty well, but I feel it was exposed in the sequels as basically not having much else to offer. I feel it lost the little luster that was clearly there in the first. It isn't a franchise I look forward to on a next gen xbox unless something can be done with it to make me take interest in it again, which I don't have much faith will be the case. That franchise, to me, has fallen into a similar generic category as Killzone (although still a much more fun game to play than killzone will ever be). Uncharted is much more in line with my personal taste than Gears of War. It's also the only Playstation first party game that I really can't do without, and the primary reason I'm buying the PS4.

It's always so easy for people to pull the more Gears, more Halo, more forza card on Xbox, but what about the more uncharted, more killzone and more Gran Turismo card on Playstation? People are every bit as guilty of wanting more and more sequels of popular games on both sides. I may not like Killzone all that much, but I understand that people apparently enjoy it, and as long as people enjoy a franchise and the franchise is selling, I don't see what's wrong with more of them being made.

I agree completely on Microsoft's first party needing to be better. There just isn't enough variety or quality for my taste. There's one thing I want more than anything else out of Microsoft's first party, and I want it even more than Halo. When I talk about Microsoft's first party, I talk about Halo first because it just so happens to be the one thing in their first party that I both really love and that I'm also certain is going to get made. I've never anticipated a Halo follow up more than I am now after Halo 4, which was my favorite campaign of them all. I'm not as blindly loyal to Halo as you would think, however. I don't buy anything just because it has Halo in the title. I absolutely refused to buy Halo 3: ODST on principle alone. I saw it as a cheap cash in then, and I still see it that way now. Even after people telling me it was a great game, I still can't bring myself to do it. I didn't buy Halo Wars either. So I may love Halo, but there are still lines that even I wont cross to play a halo title. I'll always care about Halo as long as the campaigns continue to be so damn good.

What I want more than anything else out of Microsoft's first party is more Sakaguchi/Mistwalker jrpgs. If it's a Blue Dragon sequel, fantastic. If it's nothing to do with the Blue Dragon or Lost Odyssey IP, but is still a brand new jrpg from Sakaguchi and Mistwalker, I would automatically want those far more than Halo or anything else the xbox has to offer. Sakaguchi's jrpgs were among the best this generation, including Last Story on the Wii, so more Sakaguchi and Mistwalker jrpgs are my #1 next gen wish, regardless of which platform they are made on, since Mistwalker is independent and can work with whoever they choose.

Fable, which was one of the few xbox franchises I was excited for coming to the 360, was a disappointment this entire gen, so I don't have much faith in the newer ones. Fable 2, in my opinion, after the game breaking bug I encountered, had no business even making it out of certification.

Forza kicked ass this gen, so I'm up for some more of that, without a doubt. [b]I just wouldn't buy a console for Forza.[/b]

PGR is a franchise I'll prob pay attention to, but I've never exactly been crazy about the franchise, but I do enjoy it for what it is.

Crytek is making that exclusive for the next gen xbox, but I don't like their games, so no faith in that one either.

Crackdown I think blows. It gives you little to no good reason to even want to play through the damn thing. Had high hopes early on, thinking it could be Microsoft's GTA, but not even close. I've rarely played a more pointless and soulless game.

I do hope Rare can get their ass in gear this gen. I still want to believe in them, even after everything lol. I loved viva Pinata, and while Kameo doesn't get a lot of people excited, I hope they look to make more games that are along those lines. Rare should be making games like Kameo more often. Not interested in Perfect Dark and not all that excited about some next gen Killer Instinct, if they're even remotely considering those.

Alan Wake is one of the real gems of this generation, so I hope they make a sequel to that. It's seriously one of the strongest games that was made this generation, hands down. It got a lot of shit for not being 720p, but nobody seemed to take issue with that when they couldn't even tell the game was low resolution, because it always looked incredible. It's quite a bit below 720p and is still one of the most beautiful and technically impressive games this generation.

Mass Effect started on Xbox and that first one is still one of the best games this generation. So, yea, Microsoft's first party portfolio (and management of their first party) as a whole needs huge improvements, and there isn't too much there that interests me going forward, but the things that do, I think are more than worth it. But, as I said, Halo is the safe bet, because more sakaguchi jrpgs aren't guarantees and neither is another Alan Wake. I love Forza, but it isn't a system seller for me personally.

On the PS4 side of things, it's all about Uncharted. God of War I think has been done to death, to the point that I no longer see it as all that special, but a PS4 version certainly has my attention, simply because I want to see what kind of crazy shit they come up with. So it's more or less my inner graphics whore, which isn't that dominant, maintaining what shred of interest I have left in God of War.

I don't sound like much of a first party gamer, because the fact is that I've never really been a huge first party gamer most of my gaming life. Most of the games that usually get me going nuts are big third party releases. I'm talking GTA, Red Dead Redemption, Watch Dogs, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy (although the FF games have sucked for quite some time now), Dragon Quest, Kingdom Hearts, Persona, World Ends With You, NBA 2K (Yes, NBA2k!) Fifa, Assassin's Creed, Splinter Cell, and all kinds of other third party titles, including some super niche games. I've always been more of a third party gamer than a first party gamer, but there are first party games, to me, that are good enough to get me to buy a console. So, I would obviously be on good standing for third party gaming with either a PS4 or a next gen Xbox. I think Microsoft sees their first party vulnerability and will take serious steps to address it.[/quote]

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/PcYpjRQ.gif[/IMG]

sanex

Since 5764 Days

Posted by Redneck

Will it get you a new Xbox when Halo5 launches? ;p

Well by then it should get a nice discount? :)

In reply to

ManThatYouFear

Since 7520 Days

Posted by sanex

Well by then it should get a nice discount? :)

doubtfull ms said they wanted to try and get it like cod where we get a game a year.

rather put my money towards a occulus rift.

In reply to

PSN:ManThatYouFear
GT: ManThatYouFear
Steam: Psn_ManThatYouFear
Real Life: ThatTwat

Frozpot

Since 7335 Days

So is it "always ON" which makes sense if you want to be able to use voice commands to turn it on. I'm Ok with always on, not "must always be on-line". The answer to this is a bit muddled, imo.

MS really needs to show the thing. They already get enough hate just for being Microsoft :P If they don't do something soon, the negative speculation( and let's face it, aside from OP, it's pretty much all looking at it negatively) could kill 'em before they start.

That said, if it's truly under-powered (and shows it), I'll be kickin' this gen of with Sony...

In reply to

Oooh, Profound, isn't it?

sanex

Since 5764 Days

Nah he said one Halo every 3yrs was kind of our old cadence, i can See a Halo every 2yrs just like most of the AAA games are doing now, that being said i would not be surprised if next-gen caused MS to get Halo 5 out much quicker.

In reply to

Optimusv2

Since 7469 Days

Posted by GriftGFX

Just watch their GDC presentation. It's shocking how out of touch they are with their core audience, and how in touch they are with easy revenue.

This is Optimus. Sales = popularity = quality.

I hardly think sales = quality, because if I did, I certainly wouldn't consider Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey easily among the best 360 first party titles, now would I? Nor would I consider Alan Wake, by far, one the strongest games made this generation and one of the cream of the crops of the 360 First Party Lineup. And if sales ultimately equaled quality to me, it certainly wouldn't be the case that I haven't purchased another COD title since MW2.

But, still, I look at what 343 has said since, and yes, their GDC presentation did sound crazy out of touch, even for me being someone that doesn't play MP. I saw some stuff said that was cringeworthy. However, I can't speak to the MP, because all I'm interested in is the Campaign, which I think is headed in the right direction. That said, I look at what Frankie said about the game, which I thought was fantastic btw, and even he acknowledges that mistakes were made and that they can do better, and I don't see as just lip service. I really believe him when he says that there were challenges and that they can do far better now that they've shipped their first title. I mentioned sales only to support my obviously positive opinion of Halo 4. I love the game and think its the best Halo campaign I've ever played, so of course it's going to please me be able to say accurately that it's the best selling Halo game ever. The way people talk about Halo 4 sometimes, you would think that it's somehow the death of the franchise, and I guess if you're into the MP and have been for some time, then I can agree to some extent. After all, I now understand enough from reading some of your posts, Grift, and the posts of others to understand just how much Halo 4 rocked the boat in that regard, and Halo 4 does indeed represent a drastic change of the formula that most of you obviously liked. If there's a way that I could associate myself with how you guys feel, it would have to be by using CS 1.5/1.6 and CS Source as examples. CS 1.5/1.6 to me was the Halo that you guys loved, and Source would be the equivalent of Halo 4 that you don't. I despise CS Source and everything about it, because I feel it changes and ruins a great deal of what made Counter-Strike such a fantastic team based multiplayer game. Everything is dumbed down for people who simply aren't as skilled, spray control, wall spamming, everything.

LMFAO Phaethon. That gif.

Also, new details.

http://www.vgleaks.com/microsoft-xbox-roadmap-2013...

If this is true, Durango both plays used games and is an internet connection is NOT required to play games, just like the Xbox 360. But if you want to play Xbox 360 games on Durango, then you need the accompanying smaller Xbox 360, and THAT device requires an always online connection to be used similar to Apple TV.

Microsoft has essentially turned backwards compatibility into an apple tv peripheral device haha. That's kinda cool actually.

Getting to the point there are going to be two console as part of the redesigned “Xbox Line” of products. A repackaged and reoriented Xbox 360 unit and the new “Durango” gaming console, both designed to compete with more than Sony in gaming, but against Apple as well.

When the Durango (game machine) launches, it will not support backwards compatibility for 360 games out of the box. Instead, this functionality will come from the other unit that will be networked with the Durango to provide this (not unlike the DVD add-on for the original Xbox).

The purpose of the smaller Xbox unit is to compete with Apple TV, but also provides XBLA and 360 game support which will give it an edge over Apple TV. The rumors of “always online required” comes from the smaller Xbox unit which may not have a disc drive and like Apple TV it would require a network connection and internet to provide any real functionality. It may be possible they will design both consoles to be stackable.

Durango itself will also always be online like any other device (correct with rumors), but it will not be a requirement to play local content and it will not prevent playing used games. Putting in an Xbox 360 disc into Durango will prompt the user to attach the supporting device that is sold separately.

In reply to

[quote=GriftGFX]Just watch their GDC presentation. It's shocking how out of touch they are with their core audience, and how in touch they are with easy revenue.

This is Optimus. Sales = popularity = quality.[/quote]

I hardly think sales = quality, because if I did, I certainly wouldn't consider Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey easily among the best 360 first party titles, now would I? Nor would I consider Alan Wake, by far, one the strongest games made this generation and one of the cream of the crops of the 360 First Party Lineup. And if sales ultimately equaled quality to me, it certainly wouldn't be the case that I haven't purchased another COD title since MW2.

But, still, I look at what 343 has said since, and yes, their GDC presentation did sound crazy out of touch, even for me being someone that doesn't play MP. I saw some stuff said that was cringeworthy. However, I can't speak to the MP, because all I'm interested in is the Campaign, which I think is headed in the right direction. That said, I look at what Frankie said about the game, which I thought was fantastic btw, and even he acknowledges that mistakes were made and that they can do better, and I don't see as just lip service. I really believe him when he says that there were challenges and that they can do far better now that they've shipped their first title. I mentioned sales only to support my obviously positive opinion of Halo 4. I love the game and think its the best Halo campaign I've ever played, so of course it's going to please me be able to say accurately that it's the best selling Halo game ever. The way people talk about Halo 4 sometimes, you would think that it's somehow the death of the franchise, and I guess if you're into the MP and have been for some time, then I can agree to some extent. After all, I now understand enough from reading some of your posts, Grift, and the posts of others to understand just how much Halo 4 rocked the boat in that regard, and Halo 4 does indeed represent a drastic change of the formula that most of you obviously liked. If there's a way that I could associate myself with how you guys feel, it would have to be by using CS 1.5/1.6 and CS Source as examples. CS 1.5/1.6 to me was the Halo that you guys loved, and Source would be the equivalent of Halo 4 that you don't. I despise CS Source and everything about it, because I feel it changes and ruins a great deal of what made Counter-Strike such a fantastic team based multiplayer game. Everything is dumbed down for people who simply aren't as skilled, spray control, wall spamming, everything.

LMFAO Phaethon. That gif.

Also, new details.

http://www.vgleaks.com/microsoft-xbox-roadmap-2013/

If this is true, Durango both plays used games and is an internet connection is NOT required to play games, just like the Xbox 360. But if you want to play Xbox 360 games on Durango, then you need the accompanying smaller Xbox 360, and THAT device requires an always online connection to be used similar to Apple TV.

Microsoft has essentially turned backwards compatibility into an apple tv peripheral device haha. That's kinda cool actually.

[quote]Getting to the point there are going to be two console as part of the redesigned “Xbox Line” of products. A repackaged and reoriented Xbox 360 unit and the new “Durango” gaming console, both designed to compete with more than Sony in gaming, but against Apple as well.

[b]When the Durango (game machine) launches, it will not support backwards compatibility for 360 games out of the box. Instead, this functionality will come from the other unit that will be networked with the Durango to provide this (not unlike the DVD add-on for the original Xbox).[/b]

The purpose of the smaller Xbox unit is to compete with Apple TV, but also provides XBLA and 360 game support which will give it an edge over Apple TV. [b]The rumors of “always online required” comes from the smaller Xbox unit which may not have a disc drive and like Apple TV it would require a network connection and internet to provide any real functionality.[/b] It may be possible they will design both consoles to be stackable.

[b]Durango itself will also always be online like any other device (correct with rumors), but it will not be a requirement to play local content and it will not prevent playing used games. Putting in an Xbox 360 disc into Durango will prompt the user to attach the supporting device that is sold separately.[/b] 
[/quote]

Halo Reach using 360 tesselation unit extensively.

Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming back to reclaim the throne :)

Seeing it in motion on your HDTV, will blow your mind!!

Don't ask any questions just shut up and buy Halo : Ghosts of the Onyx one of th

Optimusv2

Since 7469 Days

New Xbox can take over TV and interact with Cable Box. I'm liking the sound of this. I guess this is what the HDMI IN is for.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/10/4208970/next-xbo...

Microsoft is investing in TV in a big way with its next Xbox console as part of a fight for the living room. Multiple sources familiar with the company's Xbox plans have revealed to The Verge that Microsoft will introduce a feature that lets its next-generation console take over a TV and set-top box in a similar way to Google TV. We understand that the next Xbox will require an online connection to use the entertainment services, allowing them to be always-on for streaming and access to TV signals.

"Very similar to Google TV, but with Xbox gaming"

The functionality will work by taking a cable box signal and passing it through to the Xbox via HDMI, allowing Microsoft's console to overlay a UI and features on top of an existing TV channel or set-top box. We're told that this is a key part of the next-generation Xbox and that it will go a step further than Google's TV implementation thanks to Microsoft's partnerships with content providers. Extended support for various cable services will be rolled out gradually, but the basic functionality will be available at launch.

Coupled with this TV functionality, Microsoft's next-generation Kinect sensor will also play a role in the company's TV focus. The Verge has learned that the next Kinect will detect multiple people simultaneously, including the ability to detect eye movement to pause content when a viewer turns their head away from a TV. Microsoft is said to be using these capabilities as part of its UI and features for its TV plans.

"Xbox TV set-top box still in the works"

Microsoft recently announced its plans to sell its Mediaroom IPTV business to Ericsson. The sale moves Microsoft away from supporting and helping build out software that's used in over 22 million set-top boxes worldwide. It's also part of an effort by Microsoft to focus fully on its Xbox console for entertainment apps and TV services. We're told that the company is still planning to introduce its own low-cost "Xbox TV" set-top box, but that this will likely debut early next year rather than alongside the next-generation console.

Microsoft is currently planning an Xbox event for May where we expect the company to detail parts of its next-generation Xbox. A spokesperson for Microsoft refused to comment on this story.

I love how this sounds, considering it's also a full on next gen system also. And you already need a online connection to use the entertainment services on the 360. Either way, this stuff isn't turning out to be nearly as bad as some thought.

In reply to

New Xbox can take over TV and interact with Cable Box. I'm liking the sound of this. I guess this is what the HDMI IN is for.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/10/4208970/next-xbox-tv-entertainment-plans

[quote]Microsoft is investing in TV in a big way with its next Xbox console as part of a fight for the living room. Multiple sources familiar with the company's Xbox plans have revealed to The Verge that Microsoft will introduce a feature that lets its next-generation console take over a TV and set-top box in a similar way to Google TV. [b]We understand that the next Xbox will require an online connection to use the entertainment services, allowing them to be always-on for streaming and access to TV signals.[/b]

"Very similar to Google TV, but with Xbox gaming"

[b]The functionality will work by taking a cable box signal and passing it through to the Xbox via HDMI, allowing Microsoft's console to overlay a UI and features on top of an existing TV channel or set-top box. We're told that this is a key part of the next-generation Xbox and that it will go a step further than Google's TV implementation thanks to Microsoft's partnerships with content providers.[/b] Extended support for various cable services will be rolled out gradually, but the basic functionality will be available at launch.

Coupled with this TV functionality, Microsoft's next-generation Kinect sensor will also play a role in the company's TV focus. [b]The Verge has learned that the next Kinect will detect multiple people simultaneously, including the ability to detect eye movement to pause content when a viewer turns their head away from a TV.[/b] Microsoft is said to be using these capabilities as part of its UI and features for its TV plans.

"Xbox TV set-top box still in the works"

Microsoft recently announced its plans to sell its Mediaroom IPTV business to Ericsson. The sale moves Microsoft away from supporting and helping build out software that's used in over 22 million set-top boxes worldwide. It's also part of an effort by Microsoft to focus fully on its Xbox console for entertainment apps and TV services. We're told that the company is still planning to introduce its own low-cost "Xbox TV" set-top box, but that this will likely debut early next year rather than alongside the next-generation console.

Microsoft is currently planning an Xbox event for May where we expect the company to detail parts of its next-generation Xbox. A spokesperson for Microsoft refused to comment on this story.[/quote]

I love how this sounds, considering it's also a full on next gen system also. And you already need a online connection to use the entertainment services on the 360. Either way, this stuff isn't turning out to be nearly as bad as some thought.

Halo Reach using 360 tesselation unit extensively.

Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming back to reclaim the throne :)

Seeing it in motion on your HDTV, will blow your mind!!

Don't ask any questions just shut up and buy Halo : Ghosts of the Onyx one of th

Phaethon360

Since 7423 Days

That sounds like the most annoying thing ever. Just because I'm not looking at the tv doesn't mean I don't want to listen. Stay away from my cable box Microsoft.

In reply to

Optimusv2

Since 7469 Days

Posted by Phaethon360

That sounds like the most annoying thing ever. Just because I'm not looking at the tv doesn't mean I don't want to listen. Stay away from my cable box Xbox.

Don't worry, I imagine you can disable that feature. I wouldn't worry about that. Because obviously people look away from their tvs sometimes and still want them on. I wouldn't expect Microsoft to make such a dramatic oversight. And if that stingray box is really $99 like Thurrot implied, then it means that Durango technically has 100% BC, if you're willing to purchase the new xbox that communicates with Durango through an always on internet connection. And, technically, I would no longer have to have my older 360 connected and swap between the two consoles if I want to play 360 titles. I like that, if it's true, I'm probably getting that accompanying device.

Wait a minute.. I wonder if that $500 model for Durango maybe includes this as a pack in? Probably not.

In reply to

Halo Reach using 360 tesselation unit extensively.

Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming back to reclaim the throne :)

Seeing it in motion on your HDTV, will blow your mind!!

Don't ask any questions just shut up and buy Halo : Ghosts of the Onyx one of th

Tinks

Since 7506 Days

The head turn thing just sounds silly

Also it being a channel on your tv now also sounds minor, but it just makes things easier. Generally everyone has to mess with multiple controllers and inputs.

In reply to

Optimusv2

Since 7469 Days

Sounds to me like all the always online stuff came from that new, apple tv xbox 360 device with no disc drive. Remember the early rumors about the next xbox not having a disc drive? That's where it comes from. Also, remember that Oban chip that was referred to? It was confirmed awhile back on a current Microsoft engineer's personal profile page. It's the new SOC for a new Xbox 360, likely what's going into this new Xbox device.

All the rumors are actually falling in place if this new stuff is accurate. I'm rocking two remotes for my tv right now. If the new xbox works like I hope, then I'll no longer need to switch between the two quite as much. Will probably now be able to watch tv on the same exact HDMI input that I use Durango on, which would be a very nice feature to have.

In reply to

Halo Reach using 360 tesselation unit extensively.

Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming back to reclaim the throne :)

Seeing it in motion on your HDTV, will blow your mind!!

Don't ask any questions just shut up and buy Halo : Ghosts of the Onyx one of th

Tomarru

Since 6649 Days

An add-on would kinda make sense, PS3 had the tuner add-on and people were wanting to buy the BC as an extra aswell. There are problems though, price being one, size being another. If it's neat and tidy and cheap, £20-£50 I can see it being a great offer to add a chunk of extra functionality. If it's essentially a full 360 console with an extra interface to the durango and no HDD or DVD but retails for £100 then they can stick it where the sun don't shine.

The last thing they need is a big ugly addon that looks like some sega 32x monstrosity and costs a small fortune. Be better to just buy a proper 360 and have done with it.

In reply to

Optimusv2

Since 7469 Days

They redesigned the 360 soc into something much smaller. Who knows how small it might be.

You know what would be pretty fucking cool? If they sent out an update to existing Xbox 360s that allowed existing 360 owners to connect their 360s to Durango through a network connection to allow full BC on Durango the same way this new device does. I see no reason why an existing xbox 360 couldn't be just as capable of this as this new device is. In fact, I suspect that may be one of their aces. If you already own an Xbox 360, you can network it with Durango and then play all your existing 360 titles if you place an xbox 360 disc into Durango. Durango sounds like a super hub device already. Possibility of xbox 360 gaming, cable tv viewing and next gen xbox gaming all on the same exact TV input.

This news coming out makes the May wait feel even longer.

In reply to

Halo Reach using 360 tesselation unit extensively.

Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming back to reclaim the throne :)

Seeing it in motion on your HDTV, will blow your mind!!

Don't ask any questions just shut up and buy Halo : Ghosts of the Onyx one of th

KORNdog

Since 6981 Days

What use would that be. So you have your existing 360 (with a perfectly functional disc drive) connected to the 720 via network cable, just so you can share the same disc drive between consoles....how massively pointless...and you consider that an "ace", WTF! Lol.

That would be one of the lamest "features" i've seen tbh, the stand alone "apple TV" style BC addition seems plausible, since MS seem to be able to sell anything as a proprietary "pay extra" device. They managed it with wifi, they managed it with hard drives...why not a backwards compatibility box...lol.

In reply to

Optimusv2

Since 7469 Days

You wouldn't connect your existing 360 to Durango via a network cable, at least not if you're suggesting that you literally plug your existing 360 into 720. They would work together simply by being on the same exact network, I assume. And full hardware backwards compatibility of all existing 360 titles running on the same exact tv input as your 720 is operating on due to this feature is no insignificant thing. Don't get me wrong. It doesn't somehow mean the end of sony or some stupid crap like that, but that's a pretty neat feature to be able to say you have.

Why bother switching back and forth between HDMI inputs on your tv, when you can just as easily pop in a 360 game disc into your 720, and then automatically start playing any game in your 360 catalog? Sony patented something very similar to this that, ironically, most of GAF was praising, but now some of those same people seem to hate the idea now that it sounds like it might be something Microsoft actually does. If it means not having to grab your old 360 controller and switching your tv input, then this feature would be an added convenience to a next gen xbox experience. And this wouldn't only have implications for full 360 titles, it would also mean that people's entire XBLA collection of games would be playable on Durango.

It isn't just about "sharing a disc drive between consoles." You're sharing your entire 360 game collection and your entire digital game collection on XBLA with the next gen xbox without having to bother switching the tv input, or without having to pick up your old 360 controller. And somehow I'm not surprised you would manage to find a negative in potential 100% BC support. It isn't some game changer, but it's something that, if turns out true, is a big benefit to the system, and thus a nice ace up the sleeve. The PS4's talk of cloud supported BC is nice, but we don't know what form that will take. This method sounds a lot more straightforward and much more likely to produce 100% BC immediately.

But this is all considering that our existing 360s are capable of this. If it's only that new peripheral device, which is something I can see Microsoft doing, then this feature isn't AS useful, but I certainly think the ability to share my entire 360 game collection with the next xbox console is something nice to have, which is why I'll consider that add on device, if the price is right. If it's too expensive, fuck it, I'll stick with my current 360.

In reply to

You wouldn't connect your existing 360 to Durango via a network cable, at least not if you're suggesting that you literally plug your existing 360 into 720. They would work together simply by being on the same exact network, I assume. And full hardware backwards compatibility of all existing 360 titles running on the same exact tv input as your 720 is operating on due to this feature is no insignificant thing. Don't get me wrong. It doesn't somehow mean the end of sony or some stupid crap like that, but that's a pretty neat feature to be able to say you have.

Why bother switching back and forth between HDMI inputs on your tv, when you can just as easily pop in a 360 game disc into your 720, and then automatically start playing any game in your 360 catalog? Sony patented something very similar to this that, ironically, most of GAF was praising, but now some of those same people seem to hate the idea now that it sounds like it might be something Microsoft actually does. If it means not having to grab your old 360 controller and switching your tv input, then this feature would be an added convenience to a next gen xbox experience. And this wouldn't only have implications for full 360 titles, it would also mean that people's entire XBLA collection of games would be playable on Durango.

It isn't just about "sharing a disc drive between consoles." You're sharing your entire 360 game collection and your entire digital game collection on XBLA with the next gen xbox without having to bother switching the tv input, or without having to pick up your old 360 controller. And somehow I'm not surprised you would manage to find a negative in potential 100% BC support. It isn't some game changer, but it's something that, if turns out true, is a big benefit to the system, and thus a nice ace up the sleeve. The PS4's talk of cloud supported BC is nice, but we don't know what form that will take. This method sounds a lot more straightforward and much more likely to produce 100% BC immediately.

But this is all considering that our existing 360s are capable of this. If it's only that new peripheral device, which is something I can see Microsoft doing, then this feature isn't AS useful, but I certainly think the ability to share my entire 360 game collection with the next xbox console is something nice to have, which is why I'll consider that add on device, if the price is right. If it's too expensive, fuck it, I'll stick with my current 360.

Halo Reach using 360 tesselation unit extensively.

Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming back to reclaim the throne :)

Seeing it in motion on your HDTV, will blow your mind!!

Don't ask any questions just shut up and buy Halo : Ghosts of the Onyx one of th

KORNdog

Since 6981 Days

The whole issue people have with no BC is largely down to space. People don't want 2 consoles hooked up just to play old titles (never had a problem with this personally) but this weird idea gives you backwards compatibility, but only if you keep your existing 360 and create some sort of console human-centipede just to share the 720s disc drive. So basically benefitting no-one. It doesn't save space, and it isn't any more convenient then using each console individually. (At least individually you can have a disc in each system ready to go)

Assuming the apple TV style add on is microscopic, that makes sense. It would save space, and add full BC, but at a cost....But hooking up your existing 360 just sounds pointless.

In reply to

Optimusv2

Since 7469 Days

Well, I don't think it's pointless and I have the available space if necessary. The way this seems like it works, it sounds like you might be able to get away with not even having to hook up your old 360 to your tv. It sounds like you can just use it like a server that serves up 100% BC for all your 360 titles and all your XBLA games. So, as far as space is concerned, it might be a total non issue. You might only need to have it plugged in and powered on, but not necessarily connected to your HDTV, hence you can have it somewhere in some safe location well away from your TV.

Oh, and no doubt about it, this new xbox 360 is going to be tiny as hell. That Oban chip was designed for just this purpose. Oban is confirmed to be a redesign of the existing 360 SOC.

You wouldn't be using the Xbox 360's input connection to your HDTV, you'd be using Durango's input connection to your HDTV.

In reply to

Halo Reach using 360 tesselation unit extensively.

Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming back to reclaim the throne :)

Seeing it in motion on your HDTV, will blow your mind!!

Don't ask any questions just shut up and buy Halo : Ghosts of the Onyx one of th

Optimusv2

Since 7469 Days

http://www.examiner.com/article/thurrott-inconceiv...

Just spotted this in a PM.

Thurrott's comments came as a response to rampant rumors that the next Xbox will not only feature an "Always On" component but also require the console to be connected to the internet in order to play games. He says a source informed him in January that the console will always be online but he's unaware of any requirement to be online to play games.

"The resulting caucophony...where people are really freaking out over this issue is really wrong-headed," he said on the podcast. "I've noticed that trying to stop the tsunami by standing in front of it is not the best strategy. But, I've tried to give some common sense reaction to this which is not working."

What the Tech host Andrew Zarian then read an email from a viewer relating his bad internet connection experiences and can't connect to Xbox LIVE. Thurrott responded by pointing out that this wouldn't affect just those in the United States but in other countries as well where internet connections may not be reliable, may be too expensive or may be metered.

"It is inconceivable that the next Xbox is going to require the type of connection that you would have to maintain to play a high quality shooter online like Call of Duty,"

"We don't know what they are doing. So why even speculate? In a month and a half or so, Microsoft will announce the Xbox. I presume that because of the craziness that has occurred here they will discuss this. They will not allow that event to go by without explaining this part of their strategy.

In reply to

http://www.examiner.com/article/thurrott-inconceivable-that-next-xbox-would-require-internet-connection

Just spotted this in a PM.

[quote]Thurrott's comments came as a response to rampant rumors that the next Xbox will not only feature an "Always On" component but also require the console to be connected to the internet in order to play games. [b]He says a source informed him in January that the console will always be online but he's unaware of any requirement to be online to play games.[/b]

"The resulting caucophony...where people are really freaking out over this issue is really wrong-headed," he said on the podcast. "I've noticed that trying to stop the tsunami by standing in front of it is not the best strategy. But, I've tried to give some common sense reaction to this which is not working."

What the Tech host Andrew Zarian then read an email from a viewer relating his bad internet connection experiences and can't connect to Xbox LIVE. [b]Thurrott responded by pointing out that this wouldn't affect just those in the United States but in other countries as well where internet connections may not be reliable, may be too expensive or may be metered.[/b]

"[b]It is inconceivable that the next Xbox is going to require the type of connection that you would have to maintain to play a high quality shooter online like Call of Duty[/b],"

"We don't know what they are doing. So why even speculate? In a month and a half or so, Microsoft will announce the Xbox. I presume that because of the craziness that has occurred here they will discuss this. They will not allow that event to go by without explaining this part of their strategy.
[/quote]

Halo Reach using 360 tesselation unit extensively.

Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming back to reclaim the throne :)

Seeing it in motion on your HDTV, will blow your mind!!

Don't ask any questions just shut up and buy Halo : Ghosts of the Onyx one of th

KORNdog

Since 6981 Days

You'd still have to put a great big 360 (plus giant power brick) somewhere thus removing any space saving or convenience. It's 100% BC in a manor that gives you it anyway by default (you still have the system) it's like saying the PS4 is fully BC just because you have your PS3 plugged in. Makes no sense. I myself will have both my PS3 and PS4 connected (for a year or so before BC becomes redundant) since space isn't an issue, but i see no point of the human centipede approach you're suggesting, not that i think MS would let you do that anyway, far too much money to be had reselling a BC box peripheral. Unless it's either incredibly cheap, or packed in with it, i don't really see much point. You're essentially buying a less functional 360 potentially for the price of a 360, purely for the sake of playing old games. BC's appeal is getting an entire generation of games supported for free. No-one wants to buy a system again to play old games, certainly not when they already have the system anyway.

Gaikai is the same. Unless it's free or included within the price of PS+. I'll never use it because i have a perfectly functioning PS3 right here to play all my PS3 games on. I don't want to have to pay £100 for a box that lets me play them. I payed enough for the console already.

In reply to

You'd still have to put a great big 360 (plus giant power brick) somewhere thus removing any space saving or convenience. It's 100% BC in a manor that gives you it anyway by default (you still have the system) it's like saying the PS4 is fully BC just because you have your PS3 plugged in. Makes no sense. I myself will have both my PS3 and PS4 connected (for a year or so before BC becomes redundant) since space isn't an issue, but i see no point of the human centipede approach you're suggesting, not that i think MS would let you do that anyway, far too much money to be had reselling a BC box peripheral. Unless it's either incredibly cheap, or packed in with it, i don't really see much point. You're essentially buying a less functional 360 potentially for the price of a 360, purely for the sake of playing old games. BC's appeal is getting an entire generation of games supported for free. No-one wants to buy a system again to play old games, certainly not when they already have the system anyway.

Gaikai is the same. Unless it's free or included within the price of PS+. I'll never use it because i have a perfectly functioning PS3 right here to play all my PS3 games on. I don't want to have to pay £100 for a box that lets me play them. I payed enough for the console already.

GriftGFX

Since 7577 Days

I don't think it really counts as backwards compatibility if you essentially have to buy the new Xbox 360 model in addition to the Durango for it to work.

An interesting idea.. but not really backwards compatibility.

Streaming from the original 360? Unlikely and for all intents and purposes, not much different than keeping your 360 hooked up.

In reply to

Optimusv2

Since 7469 Days

It's a 360, we aren't talking about moving a gigantic device here.

We don't know if existing 360s will be capable of this, but we do know the new, apple tv like xbox 360 will.

As a potential example of how this could be used.

#1 My xbox 360 is upstairs in my bedroom.
#2 My 720 is connected downstairs in my living room.

The 720 apparently communicates with this device for Full BC if they're on the same network. Every internet capable device in my household is connected to my Fios Internet Network. If this thing works like this rumor (still very much a rumor till MS confirms it) suggests, I could have full BC on my 720 in the living room, even though my Xbox 360 is actually setup in my bedroom, because it would be connected to my existing internet network, as it is currently. I already do this right now, but for video streaming with Apple TV or the Xbox 360. ITunes is open on my PC in my bedroom with Home Sharing activated, which means I can then watch all my movies in my ITunes Library via my Apple TV device setup on the HDTV in my living room. Or removing AppleTV from the equation, since it isn't a Microsoft product and has no relevance to Xbox, let's go to Windows Media Center streaming between a Windows computer and the Xbox 360. Simply by setting up an Xbox 360 media extender on my pc in my bedroom, I can then watch every single movie on my computer on the xbox 360 that's connected to the HDTV in my living room. Just like my PC doesn't have to be in the same general location, in the same room, or even on the same floor as my Apple TV or Xbox 360, the same would also be true of this new Xbox 360, or of existing Xbox 360s if Microsoft allows us to use them as servers for BC. That's a very convenient feature to be able to provide customers. Essentially, it makes it pointless to bother making Durango itself have BC hardware built in, because if you own a 360, you already possess all you need for full BC, except you can control this bc functionality via your new xbox without having to juggle inputs. That's huge.

No need for a possible centipede setup, no need to take up extra space near my 720 in the living room. I'm half thinking Microsoft would be insane to not make existing Xbox 360 devices support this capability. There's no rationale that they could even use to justify it with. One kind of Xbox 360 can work with Durango for full BC, but no other kind of Xbox 360s can do it would be terrible press for them. People deserve to not have their existing Microsoft devices, especially one still as relevant as an Xbox 360, somehow be discarded in all future plans. Unlike the original Xbox, the 360 was a huge success, so I don't see Microsoft being this stupid. The peripheral would be best if it's for people that don't already own an Xbox 360, but want to be able to play all existing or upcoming 360 titles. Would Microsoft really try to force existing 360 owners to buy this device if they want full BC through Durango? I'm hoping they aren't that crazy (or greedy), but I may be barking up the wrong tree.

Posted by GriftGFX

I don't think it really counts as backwards compatibility if you essentially have to buy the new Xbox 360 model in addition to the Durango for it to work.

An interesting idea.. but not really backwards compatibility.

Streaming from the original 360? Unlikely and for all intents and purposes, not much different than keeping your 360 hooked up.

You have a point, but it would be different in that you wouldn't need to have Durango and your 360 connected to the same tv, nor have them in the same room. They would just have to be on the same network connection, which is very cool and pretty forward thinking as far as BC is concerned on consoles. And it's kinda cool that you could put a 360 disc inside Durango, and then just start playing 360 titles just like that, without having to switch inputs or anything like that. These are all fairly nice conveniences. It becomes less nice, of course, if Microsoft forces you to buy that new peripheral device of theirs to take advantage of these features.

Details on this are important, but if it works with existing 360s, I think that's a huge plus for them. Sure, it wouldn't be "Real BC" in the sense that we have come to expect it, but if it works 100% like real BC regardless, then that looks like a win, win situation.

Required online connection is one requirement, and using a secondary, external device is another, so it's not bc as we have come to know, but the end results are the same.

In reply to

It's a 360, we aren't talking about moving a gigantic device here.

We don't know if existing 360s will be capable of this, but we do know the new, apple tv like xbox 360 will.

As a potential example of how this could be used.

#1 My xbox 360 is upstairs in my bedroom.
#2 My 720 is connected downstairs in my living room.

The 720 apparently communicates with this device for Full BC if they're on the same network. Every internet capable device in my household is connected to my Fios Internet Network. If this thing works like this rumor (still very much a rumor till MS confirms it) suggests, I could have full BC on my 720 in the living room, even though my Xbox 360 is actually setup in my bedroom, because it would be connected to my existing internet network, as it is currently. I already do this right now, but for video streaming with Apple TV or the Xbox 360. ITunes is open on my PC in my bedroom with Home Sharing activated, which means I can then watch all my movies in my ITunes Library via my Apple TV device setup on the HDTV in my living room. Or removing AppleTV from the equation, since it isn't a Microsoft product and has no relevance to Xbox, let's go to Windows Media Center streaming between a Windows computer and the Xbox 360. Simply by setting up an Xbox 360 media extender on my pc in my bedroom, I can then watch every single movie on my computer on the xbox 360 that's connected to the HDTV in my living room. Just like my PC doesn't have to be in the same general location, in the same room, or even on the same floor as my Apple TV or Xbox 360, the same would also be true of this new Xbox 360, or of existing Xbox 360s if Microsoft allows us to use them as servers for BC. That's a [b]very[/b] convenient feature to be able to provide customers. Essentially, it makes it pointless to bother making Durango itself have BC hardware built in, because if you own a 360, you already possess all you need for full BC, except you can control this bc functionality via your new xbox without having to juggle inputs. That's huge.

No need for a possible centipede setup, no need to take up extra space near my 720 in the living room. I'm half thinking Microsoft would be insane to not make existing Xbox 360 devices support this capability. There's no rationale that they could even use to justify it with. One kind of Xbox 360 can work with Durango for full BC, but no other kind of Xbox 360s can do it would be terrible press for them. People deserve to not have their existing Microsoft devices, especially one still as relevant as an Xbox 360, somehow be discarded in all future plans. Unlike the original Xbox, the 360 was a huge success, so I don't see Microsoft being this stupid. The peripheral would be best if it's for people that don't already own an Xbox 360, but want to be able to play all existing or upcoming 360 titles. Would Microsoft really try to force existing 360 owners to buy this device if they want full BC through Durango? I'm hoping they aren't that crazy (or greedy), but I may be barking up the wrong tree.

[quote=GriftGFX]I don't think it really counts as backwards compatibility if you essentially have to buy the new Xbox 360 model in addition to the Durango for it to work.

An interesting idea.. but not really backwards compatibility.

Streaming from the original 360? Unlikely and for all intents and purposes, not much different than keeping your 360 hooked up.[/quote]

You have a point, but it would be different in that you wouldn't need to have Durango and your 360 connected to the same tv, nor have them in the same room. They would just have to be on the same network connection, which is very cool and pretty forward thinking as far as BC is concerned on consoles. And it's kinda cool that you could put a 360 disc inside Durango, and then just start playing 360 titles just like that, without having to switch inputs or anything like that. These are all fairly nice conveniences. It becomes less nice, of course, if Microsoft forces you to buy that new peripheral device of theirs to take advantage of these features.

Details on this are important, but if it works with existing 360s, I think that's a huge plus for them. Sure, it wouldn't be "Real BC" in the sense that we have come to expect it, but if it works 100% like real BC regardless, then that looks like a win, win situation.

Required online connection is one requirement, and using a secondary, external device is another, so it's not bc as we have come to know, but the end results are the same.

Halo Reach using 360 tesselation unit extensively.

Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming back to reclaim the throne :)

Seeing it in motion on your HDTV, will blow your mind!!

Don't ask any questions just shut up and buy Halo : Ghosts of the Onyx one of th

GriftGFX

Since 7577 Days

Sorry.. it's neat but that's some fringe stuff. And either way, it's not backwards compatibility.

Streaming to multiple televisions with a cheaper device is a nice feature though. That's also the goal of the cheap-to-free Steambox.

In reply to

Optimusv2

Since 7469 Days

You think steambox will be cheap? I think that's almost guaranteed to be fairly expensive. Isn't it going to be much more powerful than either Durango or the PS4?

In reply to

Halo Reach using 360 tesselation unit extensively.

Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming back to reclaim the throne :)

Seeing it in motion on your HDTV, will blow your mind!!

Don't ask any questions just shut up and buy Halo : Ghosts of the Onyx one of th

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