New XBOX Details (Rumors)

[RoyalRaven]

Microsoft’s next console will require an Internet connection in order to function, ruling out a second-hand game market for the platform. A new iteration of Xbox Live will be an integral part of Microsoft’s next console, while improved Kinect hardware will also ship alongside the unit.

Sources with first-hand experience of Microsoft’s next generation console have told us that although the next Xbox will be absolutely committed to online functionality, games will still be made available to purchase in physical form. Next Xbox games will be manufactured on 50GB-capacity Blu-ray discs, Microsoft having conceded defeat to Sony following its ill-fated backing of the HD-DVD format. It is believed that games purchased on disc will ship with activation codes, and will have no value beyond the initial user.

Our source has also confirmed that the next Xbox’s recently rumoured specs are entirely accurate. That means an AMD eight-core x64 1.6GHz CPU, a D3D11.x 800MHz graphics solution and 8GB of DDR3 RAM. As of now, the console’s hard drive capacity is said to be undecided, but Microsoft’s extended commitment to online delivery suggests that it will be the largest unit it has put inside a console to date.

Though the architectures of the next-gen Xbox and PlayStation both resemble that of PCs, several development sources have told us that Sony’s solution is preferable when it comes to leveraging power. Studios working with the next-gen Xbox are currently being forced to work with only approved development libraries, while Sony is encouraging coders to get closer to the metal of its box. Furthermore, the operating system overhead of Microsoft’s next console is more oppressive than Sony’s equivalent, giving the PlayStation-badged unit another advantage.

Unlike Nintendo, Microsoft is continuing to invest heavily in motion-control interfaces, and a new, more reliably responsive Kinect will also ship alongside the next Xbox. Sony’s next-generation console camera system is said to have a similar set of features, and is expected to be discussed at the company’s PlayStation event on February 20.

http://www.edge-online.com/news/the...hand-games-50gb-blu-ray-discs-and-new-kinect/


So this already seems like a no purchase for me. Discuss

 

[Stopspot]

If the internet requirement rumors are true looks like I will switch to Sony.

 

[RoyalRaven]

If the internet requirement rumors are true looks like I will switch to Sony.

I'm thinking the same, I like to be able to play games offline if I can, I just want more Wii U games to come out!

 

[Crayo]

Well this sucks.

 

[RoyalRaven]

Well this sucks.

Amen brother!

 

[Rysenberg]

I think I may make a return to Playstation. This is bullshit.

 

[Stopspot]

So if I get a new Xbox, I cannot play any of my old games on it because of the switch to Blue Ray? Not a big issue since I can just save the 360 but still a peeve.

 

[Lingstar]

Sounds dumb but the killing of pre-owned games is frustrating for me. I can't afford to buy every game I would like brand new and often get them ages after release a lot cheaper pre-owned (still buy DLCs and such) but now it will be £50 per game. Think I'll stick to the 360!

 

[Crayo]

No offline is just stupid. My xbox is my saviour when my internet goes out. Definitely going to the PS4 if this is real. There isn't many XBOX only games that I'd miss to be honest, and I would get to play God of War if I moved back to Playstation.

As long as my homies here go to PS4 for Fifa sessions then it's all good.

 

[GrammarNazi82]

:yay: People talking about switching to Playstation. I knew you guys would join us eventually. :


Crayo -- I do agree about God of War, though. I mentioned the Ascension commercial in a status last night and how I have pre-ordered it. Looks great as usual.

 

[Crayo]

:yay: People talking about switching to Playstation. I knew you guys would join us eventually. :

PS3 still sucks.

 

[Stopspot]

What Crayo said. The PS3 is inferior compared to the 360. But it seems next gen it will be the lesser of two evils.

 

[Jonathan]

Haha! All the noobs flocking to Sony because Microsoft and XBOX sucks.

Also only a 1.6Ghz processor? Pitiful.

 

[GrammarNazi82]

What Crayo said. The PS3 is inferior compared to the 360. But it seems next gen it will be the lesser of two evils.

I'm excited for the PS4. No telling when I'd actually get it, but still excited.

I have personal reasons for getting a PS3 for myself rather than an Xbox.

(ETA the following.)

Actually, just looked into PS4 updates and came across the following that was posted Feb. 1. I guess we'll learn more Feb. 20 since this is still based on rumors, but sounds like it might also go the way of Microsoft in not allowing second-hand games anymore.

Backwards compatibility

When the original original PS3 unit shipped, it contained a chip that gave it the ability to play PS2 games. Subsequent iterations of hardware omitted this chip and so the backwards compatibility was condemned to death.
Current rumours suggests that the PS4 will completely ignore the possibility of backwards compatibility and focus firmly on the next generation. So if you want to continue playing your PS3 games, keep hold of your PS3s, kids.

Second hand games on the way out?

More rumours suggest that Sony is going in the same direction as Microsoft in that it wants to kill off the second hand games market. Current industry wisdom suggests that future PS4 games might be tied to your Sony Entertainment Network account and will thus then have no resale value. That's a similar approach as used by PC developers using Steam so we reckon this is a likely development. Doesn't mean we're happy about it, though

 

[Lingstar]

Has there been many rumours for the PS4 like the ones above for the new Xbox?
Just curious to see how different they sound...