Re: What we expect out of the next generation Xbox
- From: The alMIGHTY N <natlee75@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 9 Jul 2009 11:10:51 -0700 (PDT)
On Jul 9, 11:59 am, Eric <elro...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
With the 360 turning 4 years old this Fall, I think it's definitely
time to start thinking about the next console launch (console
"lifespans" have traditionally averaged about 5 years). Barring some
sort of new model "Xbox 360 1.5 version," I suspect we're looking at a
new console in the Fall of 2010 or, more likely, the Fall of 2011. So,
with that in mind, I thought I would broach the topic of what we
expect out of the Xbox 720 (or whatever it's called). Here is my
answer:
I'm surprised to see another person who agrees that we should have
another console at the end of 2010. Such people are few and far
between with most people taking up the viewpoint that we should go 7-8
years for cost effectiveness.
MANADATORY features:
1) 120GB hard drive STANDARD --the failure to make the hdd standard
was the 2nd biggest mistake that MS made with the 360, second only to
the poor hardware engineering that led to the RROD fiasco
While I agree that the next console needs to have a hard drive as a
standard component, I don't think it *needs* 120GB. You could
definitely have a smaller amount of storage space as minimum and then
offer a higher end model with a larger drive.
2) Blu-ray or a high capacity propietary optical drive (perhaps based
on the old HD-DVD spec, if they're too proud to pay Sony) --standard
DVD 's 9GB limit just doesn't cut it anymore, sorry.
This depends on what they're going to try to do with the next console.
If one of their goals is to include super high resolution textures and
loads of high-definition pre-rendered cutscenes, I agree that DVD-9
won't cut it.
There are plenty of improvements to be made to gaming that don't
involve tons of huge files.
In any case, if they go for a larger capacity physical storage medium,
it's going to be Blu-ray. HD DVD is done and over with - they're not
going to dredge that back up just to give Sony a middle finger. It's
not practical, anyway. They'd have to spend a lot of money on research
& development to create the new type of disc. They'd have to convince
developers that it was better to go this route instead of using the
more standard Blu-ray. It just wouldn't make any sense.
3) Full backwards compatability with 360 games --this will allow them
to launch the thing without prematurely killing 360 game sales, and
will give them something to lord over Sony (who have removed all
backwards compatability in the PS3).
This is one feature that will certainly keep the initial prices of the
console high. In order to have *full* backwards compatibility,
Microsoft would either have to avoid significant changes to the
processor and the OS or they would have to include actual hardware
from the 360 in the new system the way Sony did with the PS3 at first.
You're not going to get full backwards compatibility with software
emulation and you're definitely going to take performance hits that
way.
4) 2GB RAM
*At least.* If they bumped that up to 3GB or 4GB, developers would
suck off Microsoft.
5) New Processor --not really sure what the specs should be, but
obviously significantly more powerful than the current one. Whatever
it is, it should run cool, though. Which brings me to my last point...
Say good bye to full backwards compatibility, then.
6) Design it to actually handle the heat!!! --the RROD fiasco was an
embarassment. I realize that MS is new to the hardware side, but come
on guys.
Enough with this "give it a sleek visual design" crap. Who cares
whether the console looks cool or looks like, well, a computer? What's
most important is how well it runs.
Wanted features, but not absolutely neccessary:
1) A web browser for Live --Jeez, even the crappy Wii has one. And
make sure flash is there too (making it clear you can watch Youtbube
and Hulu on the 720 would be a huge selling point)
It's stupid that the Wii and the PS3 have this. If you're not going to
use a standard browser app and you're not going to have keyboard/mouse
compatibility that doesn't require you to purchase a proprietary piece
of hardware, what's the point? Why put out a crappy product that
nobody will use?
2) Some sort of social space for Live --A place like PSN's "Home,"
where players could interact without shooting each other would be
nice. Just don't make it as commercial as Sony (I don't want to have
to pay money everytime I buy a generic virtual couch, thank you very
much)
There's no incentive for Microsoft to do this. The cold reception that
Home has received affirmed what everyone knew - there is no place for
this kind of a product in the video game console world. Gamers *don't*
want to just lounge around in some fake world *not* playing games. All
gamers *want* to do online is play games or, at best, chat (which
they'll still do *IN GAME*).
Further, to do this without the financial incentives is ludicrous. Why
would Microsoft invest all this money into something they've bashed
for the past 3 years if they're not even going to get any money out of
it?
Makes no sense whatsoever.
3) A $400 or lower price at launch
That shouldn't be a problem so long as we don't have 100% backwards
compatibility.
4) A big-name title at launch --a Halo 4, GoW 3, KOTOR 3, or Elder
Scrolls game would definitely improve the new console's prospects.
KOTOR 3 in particular would be a major jaw-dropping revelation for a
press conference announcing the new console.
Halo 4? Maybe. Gears 3? Not a chance. KOTOR 3 or Elder Scrolls <#>?
Those aren't big name titles except to a very focused audience. If
they're going to go for a big name title, it's got to be one that has
mass appeal and Halo 4 is the most logical choice (I say no to Gears 3
because they're not going to wait that long to get the next game out).
What I don't care about one way or the other:
1) Motion controller --If you want to include your new toy, I don't
care. As long as you remember that most gamers still prefer the
traditional controller (ask any Wii owner whose Wii is now gathering
dust after the initial thrill wore off). Motion control is fine for
parties and some specialized games, but don't even THINK about making
it the primary controller for your big name titles. Ultimately, a
motion controller is much like the light gun that came with the NES.
You'll get a kick out of playing "Duck Hunt" with it for a little
while, then you'll put it in the closet in favor of the real
controllers.
Only if you're a more traditional gamer. Who knows whether Microsoft
will be trying to attract the "Wii" audience, which is, at this point,
a very appealing demographic to bait.
.
- Follow-Ups:
- Re: What we expect out of the next generation Xbox
- From: Doug Jacobs
- Re: What we expect out of the next generation Xbox
- From: Eric
- Re: What we expect out of the next generation Xbox
- From: GMAN
- Re: What we expect out of the next generation Xbox
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