LOL WTF?! , but got me thinking... (720 / Durango)

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LOL WTF?! , but got me thinking... (720 / Durango)

(18 posts)

Started 2 months ago by monkeygourmet
Latest reply from nollie4545

monkeygourmet
Member

Just found this bit of creative writing that made me smile:

'What you are about to read is something that should be announced in the upcoming months, maybe the plans can change at the last minute, but it is quite likely that everything happens. You don't have to believe if you do not want.

The question is: what Microsoft is hiding in the "EDD"?

Yes, I'm talking about the "Entertainment and Devices Division", especially related to the Xbox brand.

Again I warn, you don't have to believe if you do not want to, feel free to call me crazy, but if you have an open mind ... welcome!

For starters, why this kind of information don't leak easy? Simple, because Microsoft just want that game developers to make games, they do not need precise details about the business. They need the tools of development and only a few details about the business.

Come on!

What would this Secret Sauce of Durango?

Simple,

Microsoft will abandon the XBOX hardware manufacturing and open to third parties. Yes, like Windows, or Android and Steam Box, but not for everyone, only for some OEMs that reach a level of quality.

Now, Microsoft is working with AMD and NVIDIA to define minimum specifications your system. They want to reach all kinds of gamers, from the most casual interested only in cheap machines up to the most demanding enthusiasts.

The games should run the same happens on the PC, from low to max settings. The better the spec, more expensive and better performance.

Every year we will have new models, providing improvements in games that should renew people's interest in hardware, while the old models suffer price cuts. With cable TV companies subsidizing the Hardware, you will be able to get an XBOX for a very cheap price, every year the best model is your! You can simple transfer save games and downloading again in the cloud!

I can't tell you exactly which companies to manufacture the XBOX at the time could only ensure the Samsung. In the future, Microsoft want to shrink the SoC for setting into TVs or other devices.

And now the best, Microsoft will be able to dominate the living room and expand to the whole House? Yes, something big will come in the future!

It's hard to explain, would be something like "xbox slaves", without the main capabilities of games, only for Apps, too small, cheap and with a simple version of Kinect.That is why the Kinect is mandatory, is to encourage the creation of Apps! These slaves can be spread through the House, connect and form a home network. Metro UI works perfectly with various interfaces, can be only Kinect, can be touchscreen and be combined with the illumiroom. Skype will be included.

You can start a video conference in the living room and go to the kitchen without disrupting the Conference, everything will happen automatically and natural way. Going further, the kinect can turn into security camera and you can access the video in real time through the 4G on your phone or augmented reality glasses. The limit will be the creativity of the developers.'

Sooooo.... ahem....

Obviously taken with a truck sized pinch of salt but it did get me thinking.

Maybe MS are showing last as they are going to announce some random partnerships?

EA, Samsung? Who knows but it would be one way to combat Apple long term, and maybe even the Steam Box too.

Hmmm... Anyway, I just can't believe they would offer something so vanilla (as recent leaks have supposed) as we are just on the verge of the...

'WAR FOR THE LIVING ROOM!' :)

Posted 2 months ago #
Gadzooks!
Member

While that is an interesting theory, and not outside the realms of possibility, the 'licensed platform' concept has already failed at least twice (msx and 3DO).

Posted 2 months ago #
monkeygourmet
Member

@Gad

Yeah, maybe the landscape is changed enough now?

We are effectivly buying the same shit recycled with all the tablets and media devices out there...

Posted 2 months ago #
DrDamn
Member

Is there anything backing this up beyond someone's "wouldn't it be cool if?". It does take the mobile/tablet model a bit further to the home console. Don't think there is much to it though. Maybe there is some partnership stuff going on, but this seems too much of a leap.

Posted 2 months ago #
Gadzooks!
Member

@monkey

I agree that the consoles being offered from MS and Sony this time round are somewhat conservative and homogeneous, based on what we know. Ideal conditions for licenced platforms perhaps? Certainly more favourable compared to the more distinct consoles of previous generations.

The harsh economy and turbulent games industry, combined with such similar new consoles make me think of MS and Sony 'huddling against the elements', maybe riding out industry upheaval with a final traditional console before striking out into new areas when the dust settles.

What I'm trying to say is, now might be a bad time for new approaches, even if it's not exactly a 'new' approach.

Licensed platforms might make a lot of sense as it distances platform holders from the financial responsibility of producing hardware, but too much info has leaked that indicates a traditional console from MS this time round, in my opinion.

Posted 2 months ago #
monkeygourmet
Member

@Gad

Im totally with you on the timing side of things.

It does make me wonder that with Sony's financial constraints on producing the new PS4, they have opted for a pretty standard 'off the shelf' console.

That can be a good thing for dev's as it's essentially a PC, but I did personally find the specs a little underwhelming, especially if it has a long lifecycle.

The 'share' stuff is essentially a Onlive / Miiverse combined, a while cool didn't blow me away.

With the Steam Box looming, i'm dubious about some of Sony's features, I hope more cool stuff will be shown at E3, but, from a specs point of view it's a bit meh for me.

It does suprise me that MS's leaked specs for the 720 are even lower, I for one wanted them to go crazy with the next gen and teaming up with someone like Samsung could really be interesting when competing with Apple / Steam Box in the future.

@DDamn

This was from a link of people supposing to provide leaked info. All bollocks most certainly, although a lot of people believe that there are 2 new 720 SKU's.

One a less powered media box (where all the leaks are from), and one super powered machine.

Effectivly, people are saying the PS4 is better than the 720 media box (leaked specs), but will be blown away by the actual 720 reveal...

Back in reality, it's prob just MS fanboys and wishful thinking! :)

Posted 2 months ago #
DrDamn
Member

@MG
I'm not so sure SteamBox is looming, more hiding in the background. Now actually there is a company who could do with partnering with a company like Samsung who have manufacturing experience. The more I hear Gabe talk about it the more it sounds like a thing they are trying out rather than betting the company on. To compete and succeed I think they need to bet the company. I don't think they have the will to do that.

I think it's all a bit wishful thinking on the MS fans part to be honest. Though they did have some patents to do with modular systems some time back. It would be interesting to see. I think they do have some good stuff to show, but it will be more along the lines of their strengths in services and integration.

Posted 2 months ago #
monkeygourmet
Member

@DrDamn

Agreed, I can def see Samsung wanting to pair with someone, especially to try and crush Apple after all those messy lawsuits! ;)

It all seems like a waiting game at the moment...

Your right by using the word 'hiding'...

Even MS seem cagey about announcing anything, although that will prob change in a few months.

Apple must have their finger hovering over the 'launch Apple TV media game box' button at the moment.

Gabe is def cooking up something with his Valve Cauldron and Google / Samsung are waiting in the wings...

Crazy times really, right on the verge of complete media domination for 1 or 2 of these companies. Maybe Sony spunked their load (excuse the expression) too soon?

Or maybe it'll be the last 'gamers' console? Who knows eh?! :)

Posted 2 months ago #
OlderGamer
Moderator

Gonna sound strange but MG+1

The truth is out there.

Posted 2 months ago #
monkeygourmet
Member

@OG

The potential partnership with EA is going to be the biggy if anything comes of it.

Im not saying EA will go MS exclusive, but something is def up. This is where MS could crush Sony, by using all the cash for huge exclusive deals that Sony can't compete with.

Throw in someone like Samsung (who are killing Sony techwise on their home turf - Smart TV's), and MS suddenly has a gateway into Japan and Samsung has a strong rival in US against Apple. They've already won the battle stateside, so, who knows?! :)

Also, MS has a history with Samsung. All 360 demo pods used Samsung TV's in the UK and they recently linked up with them for this:

http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/09/microsoft-and-samsung-demos-illumiroom-display-fills-room-with-images/

Maybe new Samsung TV's will have Kinect and XBLA games on them?! ;)

Posted 2 months ago #
DrDamn
Member

@MG
"MS suddenly has a gateway into Japan"

Thought this was an interesting point, but Samsung don't even sell TV's there. So no gateway - they suffer some of the same problem MS do there. Japanese people continue to be hugely patriotic in some product areas. Samsung have just bought into Sharp - but even that is causing quite a bit of uproar.

http://www.whathifi.com/blog/sharps-samsung-deal-sell-out-or-salvation

MS deal with EA I think is more likely to link in to media than be exclusivity deals. EA make a lot of money on Sony versions of games. Their licensing deals on sports franchises cost a lot and will rely on maximising the user base - that means supporting the big platforms.

Posted 2 months ago #
mojo
Member

do you have a source for this creative writing mg?

Posted 2 months ago #
monkeygourmet
Member

@mojo

Unfortunately not! :/

It was floating around some of the sites I look at trying to find next gen rumours or speculation.

This one was linked from an IGN forum so it's almost guaranteed bull honky.

Still, VG Leaks info still gets posted by Eurogamer, Edge and VG27 and many people have called them out before.

I.e they are doing the same as everyone else, picking through old rumours and patent info etc...

I was mainly using it as a jump off onto other topics but it did make me think! :)

Posted 2 months ago #
mojo
Member

i can totaly see this beeing a thing. think about it, imo this makes sence. Could be a huge game changer.

it could be from here
http://pastebin.com/wtrvPfQt

Posted 2 months ago #
monkeygourmet
Member

@mojo

That's it!

But there's no source is there?

Posted 2 months ago #
fearmonkey
Member

I think what may/could happen is that the article is partly right.

The rumors a year or two ago regarding "Loop", A Arm powered xbox device with kinect controls, indicated that it would compete with AppleTV. it would run apps, allow for kinect control of your TV, etc. The rumor that followed was that they would license loop technology for cable boxes (Samsung among others makes them), allowing Xbox technology to be placed in homes that didnt have xbox's. MS would make a nice cut while getting bigger marketshare with "Xbox technology inside" type of branding.

The idea that Xbox would license like the 3DO for their high end I think would not be true. The 3DO as mentioned had that, but the 3DO was killed because of the high price and that the playstation came shortly afterwards, not so much the license tech parts. Im not sure making a box that would be all things for all people would be a great idea, but making a minor box like loop is entirely feasible.

I am also wondering what MS had in mind when they purchased the Microsoft-Sony and Sony-Microsoft domains, nothing has been done with them, and rumors at the time thought that maybe this loop tech might be included in Sony's TV's.

However, MS could have scrapped the entire loop project, as well as dumped cloud gaming for 2015 and the forteza glasses for 2014. so who knows. I get the idea that they have been changing plans as time goes along rather than stick to a specific ideal. I wonder if the PS4 announcement has made MS step up in any way, or if they are too cocky to realize that Sony could be a threat. Sony lost this generation because of Sony's mistakes, not because MS is so awesome, and I wonder if they actually realize that.

Posted 2 months ago #
Gadzooks!
Member

MS would be pretty stupid if they didn't try to match what Sony are offering IMO.

They need a better value online service, something like PSN+ because that is really pushing PS3 sales. It's hard to deny the value there. Can't see them going free multiplayer though.

With an easy to develop for PS4 there is not likely to be a multiplatform advantage for MS this time round, so more high quality and diverse exclusives are needed.

With downloads so prominent next gen, MS are going to have to allow easily expandable storage, not proprietary drives.

They shouldn't be cocky. They need to work very hard to match the expectations the public have for the PS4.

Posted 2 months ago #
nollie4545
Member

MS handing out their product and brand for free? Not going to happen. Its a brand they have spent millions to bring to market, it is a high investment product with a very long life cycle.

The next Xbox is going to try to build on the current offering. It will offer more media options and social interaction but whilst retaining the core gamer offering.

Samsung would be the most logical builder, the hardware is expensive enough already to even contemplate building this thing outside of the far east and Samsung are global giants in the electronics world.

The technology inside is going to be customised for the device, but it won't be anything particularly novel or cutting edge save for the kinect bit. AMD have been given the console deal purely because of their APU and system on a chip product range, which can be delivered for sensible money.

MS aren't going to let just anyone have their proprietary technology for a fee, it would devalue the brand and serve to undermine sales of their product whilst confusing the marketplace to hell.

I feel it is unlikely to be the machine which will replace every set top box or device in your living room. It could be done, but it won't, for reasons of cost and size and also cable companies and Sat TV companies are well established in their industries and their territory is clearly marked.

With the next gen consoles you're going to get quality and performance many times improved over the current gen offering. But this idea that you will be somehow getting frame rates and quality beyond those offered by big spend PCs is sadly wrong, the budget involved in the design and sales of the hardware is just too small.

The main benefit gamers will see in next gen is the end of crappy ports, quicker and easier development of newer titles and ever improving functionality; the ability to multi-task on your console for once, a machine which will update itself in the background, or keep all your titles up to date. Game saves now uploaded to a cloud for safe keeping, even if your box was stolen, you could buy another, log in and download your content and saves there and then. Increasingly less reliance on optical media- publishers don't want to have to burn discs and ship them around the world, it is pointless when the content can arrive on the device the moment they release it. The xbox just quietly downloading it whilst you are asleep or at work. I also think you will get the ability to watch your friends screens whilst they play or even let them take control of your game where say you find a boss battle too difficult. I think the next consoles will give you the ability to record youtube videos of you gaming and post them to the web without the need for third party software like fraps. You'll be able to blog and upload videos of you in your living room or wherever using the kinect, too. The UI will be kinect controlled, maybe game options, sound or voice volume, heck you might even be able to wake or put the machine to sleep with a hand gesture.

Exciting times for console fans of either camp.

Posted 2 months ago #

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